Colyton, Devon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colyton
Colyton, Devon (Devon)
Colyton, Devon

Colyton shown within Devon
Population 2,783 (1991)
OS grid reference SY245937
Shire county Devon
Region South West
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town COLYTON
Postcode district EX24
Dialling code 01297
Police Devon and Cornwall
Fire Devon and Somerset
Ambulance South Western
European Parliament South West England
UK Parliament East Devon
List of places: UKEnglandDevon

Coordinates: 50°44′16″N 3°04′10″W / 50.737883, -3.069354

Colyton is a small town in Devon, England. It is located within the East Devon local authority area. Its population in 1991 was 2,783.

[edit] History

Colyton dates first appeared as an ancient village around 700 AD and features in the Domesday Book as 'Culitone'. It grew into an important agricultural centre and market town with a corn mill, saw mill, iron foundry and an oak bark tannery that is still functioning.

It has been called the "most rebellious town in Devon" due to the number of its inhabitants who joined the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685.

[edit] Features

The Church of St. Andrew in Colyton known for its rare octagonal lantern tower
The Church of St. Andrew in Colyton known for its rare octagonal lantern tower

St Andrews Church is part Norman with a 14th Century octagonal lantern tower that was used as a beacon for ships on the once navigable River Axe, to the east. The nearby Vicarage dates from 1529.

Colyton Grammar School dates from 1546 and once occupied the part-medieval building now known as the Old Church House, but in 1927 it moved to Colyford, a small town within the Colyton parish. The School has made headlines in recent years as the first school to 'opt out' of local authority control and gain grant-maintained status and for achieving very high rankings in national examination league tables.

The Seaton Tramway terminates at nearby Kingsdon on the other side of the River Coly and the town is on the route of the East Devon Way footpath.

In Summer 2006, E4 filmed their reality show Stop Treating Me Like A Kid in the town, which was broadcast in Autumn that year.

[edit] References

Colyton Parish History Society

Colyton Town web page