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Buildings of note and a walk around the town
handsome stone conduit erected to supply water to the town by Jardine, Ashburton’s last MP. Many small alcoves are visible around the town which were also part of the same early (1790s) system. Either retrace your steps or follow Roborough Lane uphill for half a mile until you reach Terrace Walk on the left (look out for the signpost). Follow this path for wonderful views over the upper part of Ashburton and the Ashburn Valley, eventually emerging at the top of North Street. If you choose to walk from the Golden Lion
towards the town centre take the first left, Woodland Road, to the bottom of the slope. The primary school is on your left and the old cattle market on your right (now closed and flats built there). Follow the wall of the market, built in 1920 to where the displaced, ancient North Street market was relocated. As you emerge into St Lawrence Lane the former railway station is before you. Originally the terminus for the branch line from Totnes, built in 1872, its design is attributed to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who developed the line in 1843. The Station Garage, in the old station, is next to the Silent Whistle, so named in 1973 when the line closed. Its exterior is worth a second look for the carved stonework and figures. Turn right to return along St Lawrence Lane or take
The former Methodist Church which is now a centre for Ashburton Arts.
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the small pathway beside the public house – one of Ashburton’s many walled paths. If you follow this path, as you cross the River Ashburn, look at the the stone slabbed river bed which was provided to wash the wool from the town mill, formerly
behind the wall where St Andrew’s Close
Golden Lion pub.
now stands. The original mill building now serves as the community room for this small development of sheltered housing. It can be visited by way of the road beside the former Methodist Church in West Street. The stone lamp in the grounds is the top section of the former edifice from the centre of the town (The Bull Ring). On the left, over the bridge, is the town's recreation ground, bought by the townspeople and opened in 1914. To the right the path joins with Church path, which runs beside the churchyard and St Andrew’s, coming out through the medieval granite archway into West Street. Turn left and walk up past the church. At the
house which stands to the left of Bowden Hill note the horseman on the roof. This is a replica of the original figure stolen a couple of years ago. The feature denoted a safe house for a Cavalier sympathiser during the Civil War. Turn back for a fine view of the street scene with the handsome houses on the left built for wool merchants. You can also make out the Saxon field system on the hillside behind. As you walk back into town you pass the fine
buildings of 32 West Street and Mapleton House, both of which have slate-hung upper floors. The building of the medieval Exeter Inn on the left followed by Bank House with its handsome cornices, are also worthy of a second look before you pass through another archway back into the car park. If you look back, over the roof of the Exeter Inn, note the mural on the abutting wall.
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