I have not been to Ashburton but intend visiting some time later this year. My maternal Great grandmother Sarah Jane Matterface was born in Ashburton in 1833 and later moved to Bickington when she married my Great grandfather Mathew Nosworthy in 1856.My grandfather was born in Bedford in 1869 and immigrated to South Africa at the turn of the century. I am keen to find out if there are still Matterfaces in Ashburton and whether we are related.

My paternal grandfather, John Henry Knowles, was born in Ashburton on 7 May 1893.He emigrated to Australia in 1911 and served in the Great War where he was severely gassed. He returned to Australia, married, had 12 children and passed away in 1945.I would love to hear from any relatives in Ashburton. Email: kevin.knowles@invest.vic.gov.au

My father (Russell H. Martin) was born in Ashburton, I lived and was schooled there. He met my mother there during the war, he served in the Navy, moved to London in 1953. Our family tree goes back 900 years to an abandoned child later named "FOUND" and in later years due to marriage became "MARTIN". My grandparents (William and Beatrice) owned various properties in the area including the Royal Oak (19??), London Hotel(1950), Rising Sun (Woodlands 1953) then moved into town... to Stapledon Lane, what was then 22 Back Lane. I have returned for short visits during the past few years and love every moment of it. I am a Londoner by birth but my heart belongs to Ashburton and it is the place that I really feel "HOME sick" for. When my ship comes in.... I shall return there with my fathers ashes. I still have cousins living in the Torbay area (Christine Lunt and Edward Lutly) I am presently living in North Carolina, USA. Please feel free to contact me. roymartin80@hotmail.com I am also looking for anybody that may have knowledge of my family. Let's all hope for a better 2009.

It is great to finally have a visual of Ashburton. My ancestors came over from Ashburton to Newfoundland in 1829. Would love to have the opportunity to visit one day. Any Bearns in the area feel free to contact me at kbearns@hotmail.com

Ashburton was mentioned while researching my family tree. Mary Toor was born about 1826 and emigrated to Canada with her husband, Arthur Horton and daughter Elizabeth about 1851.If you have any knowledge about this contact me Karen_horton41@hotmail.com. Thanks in advance.

Hello everybody in Ashburton!! I am trying to find out a bit about my Mum, whose name was JACKIE POWE, who died in 1991 of Cancer. She grew up in Ashburton and lived in Torquay for some years. If anyone has any stories about her they would like to share them with me please contact me on katy.winter@hotmail.co.uk. Many Thanks, Katy

My grandmother lived at Station Cottages. She died in the 1960`s. We spent all our holidays in Ashburton when we were children. I remember listening to the trains from our bedroom and rushing out to the cattle market on market days. The pub was still named The Railway Arms if I remember correctly. We would often walk out to Widecombe-in-the-moor to visit some of our other relatives. A great uncle ran a bus service to Newton on wednesdays and another uncle lived in Compton Castle.(He was the gardener by the way). What super memories we have of Ashburton.

I am from Basingstoke, England and my grandma lives in Ashburton and I used to visit her all the time there, it is a beautiful place to be. It is so magical!

Nice and well organised, lots of pictures and links. I might be moving to Ashburton soon and I think it is rather like Aylsham.

My entire family were fortunate enough to stumble upon Ashburton during our July 2006 vacation. All 14 of us rented The Gathering. While most of our days were spent traveling to different parts of England, most of us enjoyed the time we spent in your quaint little town. We met some wonderful people at the Exeter Inn and thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality. To the kids in our group, the local boys they met were wonderful especially Chris, Phil & Joel. All of us are looking forward to coming back for another visit in the next few years. Our new favorite place to visit!!!

I love it here - My friends say I live in a lovely place - this is true - I hope I never have to leave.

Have just been down to Ashburton after browsing family name on the net and coming up with St.Gudula's well and Gulwell Cross and Gulwell farm. Found all of them (tucked away!)but what happened to the place Gulwell, mentioned as the birthplace of your 1st. Lord Ashburton,John Dunning? And Gulwell Bridge? More trips needed, I think, and some local help please!

Its me again! i came down to ashburton for half term to see my dad, had a great time again as usual! its a nice place to be in and theres very friendly people there! coming back down at christmas, can't wait!! hiya to all my lads down there love you all, see you soon. hold tight love

I had a fantastic time. Did an 8 mile hike round Hound Tor and Haytor, visited the River Dart and various other locations close by. The accommodation was great, I stayed at my aunties!!!! Will definitely come back so watch out!!!

Visited in 2001 after 40 yrs of being away lived in St Lawrence Lane next to PO in 1959. I was 11 years old, it was great to go back to my old school and house, I am now 58. My name was Harrison we had a shop there called Daintyland it was later a mens wear shop now it is vacant.

I love it in Ashburton it's great I have lots of friends there and I just have a laugh when ever I come down, I come down quite a bit because my dad lives there. I'm 15 so it's good because I'm about the same age as most the local kids. It's a wicked place to go to get away from your troubles and just have a good time there's always something to do there! Hi to martin, tom, dan chris, ben, sam, sam, corum, jaffa, sean, jimmy, josh, rajh mossam lol, brom, morley, criddy, dave, darren, rob, simon, wudgie, and anyone else I've forgot lov ya all! big it up for Ashburton.

Wicked town, be back soon everyone. Love all of da acm! and every one else I know! Great place to be, I'll be moving down there when I turn 16, can't wait!

Beautiful town - friendly people. What a pleasure to find somewhere that hasn't been carved up! However, there is no mention on your swimming pool on this site - and no mention of Love Lane on your map.

Andy went to school in Ashburton and persuaded me to visit, and then had to persuade me to go home! I have never visited anywhere I have felt at home like this. Big thanks to Nick and Norma at the Victoria Inn for making my birthday one to remember!!!!

I visit Devon two or three times every year and always stay on Dartmoor. One of my favourite places is Ashburton. For me it has everything, history, shops and a wonderful atmosphere. One of my fondest memories is visiting the Exeter Inn with my father-in-law a few years back and getting fined by the landlord for allowing my mobile phone to go off while I was in there. Marvellous! I first started visiting in 1975 and the moors, and Ashburton in particular, feel like a second home to me and my family. Everyone is always so very friendly and helpful and I can't wait to be back again in May 2006. I'll leave my mobile at home though if I go to the Exeter Inn again.