Bradninch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

View of Bradninch, Devon, from Cullompton Hill looking towards Fore Street and Castle Hill. St Disen's Church is to the right

Bradninch
Bradninch shown within Devon
Population	1,916 (2001 census)
OS grid reference	SS9903
District	Mid Devon
Shire county	Devon
Region	South West
Constituent country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
European Parliament	South West England
List of places: UK • England • Devon

Coordinates: 50°49′60″N 3°25′00″W / 50.8333, -3.4167

Bradninch is a small town in Devon, England, lying about three miles south of Cullompton. Bradninch dates back to before the 7th century and at this time there was a Saxon fortress on Castle hill. The feudal Baron of Bradninch in the 12th century was Sir William de Tracy, one of the assassins of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket.

The town was largely destroyed in a fire in 1666 (the same year as the Great Fire of London). It used to be served by the railway station at Hele, which is now closed.

Notable buildings in the town include Bradninch Guildhall, the manor house, Earlsland House, Comfort House, and the parish church. The church is 15th century, with a finely decorated screen. In the panels at th screen's base are nearly 50 paintings of Saints and bibical scenes. Another screen in the church is simpler, with panels of various saints, including an unusual one of Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata.

Bradninch claims to have been home to the world's oldest goldfish, who is now deceased.[1] George Boone, the grandfather of the famous pioneer Daniel Boone, used to live here.

[edit] Population

Present day. According to the Office for National Statistics Bradninch Ward had a population of 1,230 in April 2001.
1998/99 population 1,811 (See Dept of Social Security)
1887 (John Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles) population 1,705
1851 population 1,834 (See Devon Libraries Local Studies Service)

[edit] External links

v • d • e Ceremonial county of Devon

Unitary authorities	Plymouth • Torbay

Boroughs or districts	Exeter • East Devon • Mid Devon • North Devon • Torridge • West Devon • South Hams • Teignbridge

Cities and towns	Appledore • Ashburton • Axminster • Barnstaple • Beer • Bideford • Bradninch • Brixham • Buckfastleigh • Budleigh Salterton • Chagford • Chudleigh • Colyford • Colyton • Cranbrook • Crediton • Cullompton • Dartmouth • Dawlish • Exeter • Exmouth • Great Torrington • Hartland • Hatherleigh • Holsworthy • Honiton • Ilfracombe • Ivybridge • Kingsbridge • Moretonhampstead • Newton Abbot • North Tawton • Northam • Okehampton • Ottery St Mary • Paignton • Plymouth • Princetown • Salcombe • Sampford Courtenay • Seaton • Sherford • Sidmouth • South Molton • Tavistock • Teignmouth • Tiverton • Topsham • Torquay • Totnes • Westward Ho! See also: List of civil parishes in Devon