Marldon: The Village in Pictures

The Parish of Marldon
Photographed by Ray Bond

The photographs displayed are part of a project by Marldon Local History Group to get together a pictorial record of the whole of Marldon Parish during the years 2000-2010. The photographs shown have been chosen as a representative sample from a portfolio which is still in the process of being compiled. The photographs are, of course, there for everyone to enjoy but today’s surroundings are tomorrow’s heritage and so hopefully the portfolio will also be useful in the future to those who wish to seek out the changes that have taken place since the photographs were taken.
The photographs in all of the galleries were taken by committee member Ray Bond

Hovering your mouse over the the Menu on the left will drop down a selection of Thumbnails. Hovering over the Thumbnail will show a larger Photograph. Moving your mouse out of the area will close the Gallery.

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Old Village Centre (1)

The Old Village Centre - a scene frequently used on picture postcards of yesteryear
Jubilee Meadow Entrance -purchased by the Parish and opened in 1977 by Joan Gilbert of Compton Castle, Jubilee Meadow is a public recreational area in the centre of Marldon Village and is home to Marldon Cricket Club and Marldon's Annual Apple Pie Fair.
Love Lane- the splendour of the colours of the trees in Love Lane, Marldon.
Love Lane Cottages- old country cottages set in a quiet leafy lane close to Love Lane Farm, Marldon.
Love Lane Farm- this is a view over the top of Love Lane Farm to the Church of St. John Baptist and Marldon Tor beyond.
Willow Park Field - this photograph shows the richness of the soil in one of Marldon's many fields; typical of gardens and allotments all over the village, the rich brown colour stems from the largely clay-based soils of which Marldon is very proud.
Village Allotments -situated to the rear of The National Trust Barn at Butterlake the growing of fruit, vegetables and flowers in the village allotments is a very popular pastime for local people.
NT Barn Butterlake- this recently restored Devon cob barn was once a sawmill and is now owned by The National Trust
Church House Inn- situated in the centre of the old village below the Church, this 14th Century hostelry was built to accommodate the tradesmen builders of the Church. It now offers its visitors food and drink in a convivial atmosphere. The old village bakery is now part of the restaurant.
Marldon Church Tower- shows the dominant tower of St. John Baptist Church, Marldon.
St John Baptist Church- this photograph shows the southerly aspect of Marldon Parish Church, taken at an unusual angle. Having strong links with the Gilbert family of Compton and constructed mainly of limestone, the main body of the Church dates from the mid 1400's.
View From Churchyard- out across the old village to the hill in the distance known locally as 'Blue Mountain'

Old Village Centre (2)

Old School House- this was the village school from 1864 until the present school opened on Marldon Cross Hill in 1965.
Old United Reform Chapel- located high on the hill behind Marldon Parish Church, the old Chapel was known locally as 'the Chapel on the Hill'. Originally built in 1865 as a Congregational Chapel, the old Chapel now stands empty following its recent closure.
View North from Tor Field- taken from one of Marldon's recreational parks, this photograph clearly shows the view north in the direction of Compton village nestled in the valley and the ridge in the far distance on which the old windmill is situated.
Childrens' Play Park- a children's play area located at Tor Field within easy reach of the village and the school.
View to Marldon House- from Tor Field on a frosty morning.
Marldon Village Hall - opened in 1993 and replacing a 1930's wooden building, the 'new' village hall is one of the best in South Devon and the hub for many of the village's numerous activities
Stone Archway, Village Road- part of what was once the boundary wall of Marldon House, this character stone archway situated opposite the village hall is a constant reminder of Marldon's illustrious past. Well preserved in its original wall, the archway now serves as a marker for a pedestrian shortcut to modern housing.
Kiln Cross- a busy and rather unusual four-way junction on the edge of the old village.
Catkins- the delicate hanging flower of the hazel tree in springtime.

Compton & The Ridgeway

View from Stantor Hill Lane- this photograph shows the view across extensive countryside to the west and north of Compton.
The Narrows- one of the approaches into Compton, more suitable for the horse and carriage of old than the modern motor car.
Field boundary and Stream- this photograph, taken in weak winter sunshine, shows the stream which flows along the boundary of the road and field into Compton. The proximity of the stream may well have been responsible for the first settlements at Compton.
Village Road Compton- the main road through Compton towards Compton Castle.
Compton Countryside- shows the road leaving Compton to the south and some of its surrounding landscape
Old Smithy- situated in the centre of Compton this, and several other adjacent properties, was once the site of extensive blacksmith's workshops and living quarters.
Old Bus Terminus- an area near Castle Barton where buses once turned in order to continue their journey back to Marldon.
Compton Castle Gates- the main entrance to Compton Castle, owned by The National Trust, with its 18th century barn in the background.
Compton Castle- built in 1329 and the one-time home of Sir Humphrey Gilbert who colonised Newfoundland for Queen Elizabeth I, Compton Castle is a fine example of a fortified manor house. More recently restored from dereliction by Commander Walter Raleigh Gilbert, the Castle, now in the hands of The National Trust, remains the home of the Gilbert family.
Snowdrops- one of the first signs of spring in one of Marldon's many hedgerows.
Cattle on the Ridgeway- more than happy to have their photograph taken on the footpath that runs from Compton to Moles Lane near Torquay.
Castle Barton- this photograph, of Compton Castle and Compton Barton Farm located at the bottom of a beautifully sweeping hillside, was taken from 'the ridgeway', a footpath that runs from the main road through Compton, all the way to Moles Lane overlooking Kingskerswell
Higher Compton Barton- this photograph shows Higher Compton Barton nestled in the valley and Widdicombe Farm camping site on the far hillside.
View NW of Compton-a piece of Compton countryside at its best; Dartmoor can be seen in the distance.
View to Kingskerswell- a distant view from the far end of one of Marldon's longest footpaths. Along with the landowners, a small band of volunteers belonging to the Marldon Environment Group look after the Parish footpaths and keep them open for others to enjoy

Westerland & Beacon Hill

Christmas Tree Farm- one of Marldon's many footpaths, this one runs along the edge of a Christmas tree plantation situated to the west of the Parish.
Beacon Hill in the snow- viewed from the Marldon Christmas Tree Farm footpath after a light dusting of snow.
Milestone, Totnes Road- situated on the edge of Westerland this relic from the past of which Marldon is very proud is the only one of its kind in the village.
Westerland Cross - the main road through Westerland as it leaves Marldon from the west heading to Totnes.
Hazel Nuts- a fruit of the native Common Hazel these green-white bunches of nuts held in a green sheath ripen to light brown in late summer much to the delight of squirrels that feed on them
Beacon Hill Buttercups- in springtime looking north towards Dartmoor.
Marldon From Beacon Hill- this is the view east of Beacon Hill which takes in parts of Marldon in the foreground and the much larger town of Torquay in the distance.
Ladder Stile, Beacon Hill- not only the highest point in the Parish but also the most remote, as this picture suggests
Torbay from Beacon Hill- taken from the ladder stile situated on top of Beacon Hill on the boundary of Marldon Parish, this photograph shows the fishing port of Brixham with its breakwater in the distance, and Paignton in the foreground.
Beacon Hill Masts- recognised by its tall communication masts, Beacon Hill is the highest point in the Parish offering walkers quite exceptional panoramic views to the sea and Dartmoor from the public footpath.
Beacon Hill Reservoir- sharing space with transmission masts on top of Beacon Hill is a reservoir belonging to South West Water.

Kiln Lane & Aptor

Farthing Lane- cows gather around a byre to feed in this pastoral scene taken at Farthing Lane, Westerland.
Knackershole Quarry- this huge limestone quarry made up of the Knockersknowle (alternative spelling) and Aller Quarries, was once a major source of building material for the village; Knockersknowle Quarry the smaller of the two, left undisturbed for many years, has now become a sanctuary for wild flowers.
View from Kiln Lane- this view from Kiln Lane shows Marldon Bowling Club and fields to the west of Marldon Primary School, on a frosty morning.
Blossom, Smallwell Lane- typical of some of Marldon's quiet green lanes and surrounded by a host of optional footpaths, Smallwell Lane shows off its wealth of colour in springtime.
Hazelwood Farm- situated in the west of the Parish where it is unusual not to see cattle grazing in the lush green fields surrounding the farm, it is nevertheless, one of the few working farms left in the area
Stitchwort- a member of the 'pink' family Greater Stitchwort is one of the most common and most attractive wild flower of spring hedgerows and woodland borders.
Aptor Farm Pond- restored by the local farmer, this natural pond is maintained by local people for the benefit of wildlife
Aptor Farm- situated at the north end of the Parish, Aptor Farm is surrounded by a huge swathe of agricultural land which stretches to the Dartmoor National Park.
View near Weekaborough - looking out across farming countryside leaving the Parish towards Weekaborough.
Marldon Lane- located near Aptor, this is one of the prettiest unclassified roads (green lanes) in the Parish of Marldon.
Boundary Stone- one of four markers set up to commemorate and celebrate the new Millennium; this boundary stone at Aptor marks the westerly aspect of the Parish.
View to Windmill- this is a fine view across the valley at Compton from the top of Aptor Lane where model aeroplanes belonging to a flying club, can often be seen in the sky, taking off and landing.
Marldon Tor- a pastoral scene on one of Marldon's quietest footpaths.

Occombe & Churscombe

Modern Housing in Marldon- part of Marldon's recent but limited development.
Ploughing at Chittlebury- seagulls taking a keen interest on what is being served up by the tractor and plough.
Chittlebury- looking west from a footpath near the old Ring Road this is one of the prettiest views of Marldon Village.
Hawthorn Blossom, Chittlebury- this popular viewpoint is now equipped with an oak seat for those who wish to take in their surroundings in comfort.
Blackberries- a delicious black fruit which ripens at the end of the summer and can be found on many of the Parish's footpaths.
Old Ring Road- this photograph shows the alignment of the old ring road before it was moved to become a dual carriageway; the old surface now acts as a bridleway.
The New Ring Road- opened in 1991, this dual carriageway which carries traffic around the edge of Torbay by-passing the town centres replaced an old country lane which, by the early 1980's, had become unfit for purpose.
Occombe Woods- a route that leads out of the Parish and into Occombe Woods, popular with local dog walkers; the barn conversion is the former pound house of Occombe Farm.
Vicarage Road- another redundant section of Torbay's old ring road which today serves a quiet residential area, Ye Old Smokey House Inn and Marldon Service Station.
Ye Old Smokey House- according to folk-lore this former coaching house was so called because when customs officers were in the area a smoking fire would be lit in the inn to warn smugglers not to bring their booty ashore.
Churscombe Cross- one of the approach roads into Marldon Village from Paignton, its closest neighbouring town.

Widdecombe & Windmill

Old Windmill- this old windmill, now restored, stands just outside Marldon's boundary but is a prominent landmark in this corner of the Parish at the end of a 'green lane' which runs up the hill from North Wilborough to Moles Lane.
View to Marldon- this rather unusual, distant view of Marldon and of Beacon Hill behind is from the Old Ring Road near Widdicombe Farm
Marldon's Stream- Marldon has several streams running from within its boundary but this one, which runs north through Compton, is the largest and most well-known due to its tendency to flood.
Crop Lines- not so much 'crop circles' as 'crop lines'.
Harvesting under Windmill- this pastoral scene was taken from the road which runs out of Compton towards Ipplepen and shows the fields below the Windmill.
Compton Pool Farm- this photograph shows a glimpse of pretty Compton Pool Farm which can often attract the attention of passers-by using the road which runs north towards Ipplepen
Compton Mill- set on the edge of the road which runs from Compton to Kingskerswell, Compton Mill is situated in a wooded vale on the Compton stream which, in this area, can gush violently after heavy rain.
Windthorn Lane- very popular with horse riders, Windthorn Lane is a pleasant 'green lane' which runs from Compton (pictured) towards Aptor where it leaves the Parish boundary for Weekaborough.
Ploughed fields near Bulleigh- this spot is at the western end of Windthorn Lane looking north towards Bulleigh in the foreground and Newton Abbot in the distance.
View to Teign Valley- another glorious view looking north from Marldon's boundary out over farm buildings towards Newton Abbot and the Teign Valley.
View west to South Dartmoor- taken from the 'back road' which runs from Marldon to Ipplepen this stunning view of unending agricultural land is looking west towards South Brent and southern Dartmoor.

Compton Castle, External

Main Entrance Gates- giving access to the lawns and to Compton Castle's forecourt.
Front Elevation- Compton Castle's fortifications which incorporate the main portcullis entrance; defences and curtain walls were erected in the 1520's to protect Compton against the threat from French raiding parties.
Pergola, Rose Garden- wooden pergola situated next to the Knot Garden which was set out in medieval style in 2003.
Roses- roses in the formal rose garden created in the 1950's.
Pond Seat- a quiet corner of the gardens where there are steps to a seat over looking the lily pond.
Armillary Sphere- placed on a granite plinth and erected in 1983, this sphere commemorates the 400th anniversary of Sir Humphrey Gilbert's colonisation of Newfoundland.
Inner Courtyard- part of the Inner Courtyard showing part of the Great Hall rebuilt in 1955 all of which is surrounded by a massive defensive wall.
Great Kitchen Tower- shows part of the Great Kitchen tower comprising of the old kitchen, which has a solid barrel-vaulted ceiling built around 1520, and the scullery both situated on the ground floor.
Orchard Gate- this gate, to one of Compton Castle's many orchards, is situated beyond one of the front lawns
Barn & Front Lawn- Compton Castle's eighteenth century barn and one of the forecourt lawns.

Marldon in Winter

Stream, Love Lane- Marldon's stream in a snow covered Love Lane with the Parish Church in the background.
Village Snow- Marldon's significant height above sea level means that a light dusting of snow is quite likely in the middle of winter as this photograph of the centre of the old village shows.
Village Car Park snow- Village Road leading to the Church House Inn and the public car park after a sprinkling of snow.
Pedestrian Access Jubilee Meadow- pedestrian access to Jubilee Meadow in the middle of winter, home to long-forgotten balmy, summer evening cricket matches.
Footprints in the snow- to and from Jubilee Meadow past the old telephone box in the village car park.
Marldon Parish Church, North- headstones, windows and Church tower in morning sunlight and shadow after overnight snow.
View from Churchyard- Marldon Parish Church churchyard with a light dusting of snow, village centre rooftops and a view out across Love Lane to 'Blue Mountain' in the Widdicombe direction.
Snowy view to Compton- a bleak but stunning picture taken in the depths of winter from Tor Field play park out across Love Lane Farm, fields in the Compton area and Moles Lane on the ridge in the far distance
Tor Field Entrance- a wintry look to the entrance to Tor Field recreation ground off Ipplepen Road
Junction at Kiln Cross- the age-old junction of Village Road and the start of Ipplepen Road
Churscombe Footpath- open access across land that was once part of the childrens' playground at Pontin's Torbay Chalet Holiday Camp.

All photographs Copyright singly of Ray Bond & Collectively Marldon Local History Group. No reproduction allowed without written permission.


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All photographs Copyright singly of Ray Bond & Collectively Marldon Local History Group. No reproduction allowed without written permission.

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