Summary
Early-C19 milestone erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
Description
Early-C19 milestone erected by the Exeter Turnpike Trust.
DESCRIPTION
A free-standing stone with a rectangular base that tapers at the top, and a triangular shaft above. The street-facing sides of the shaft bear inscriptions with the distance in miles to Exeter (1) and Chudleigh (9) and the base has the distance to London (177). There other decorative marks on the stone. The milestone is set within the wall in front of No 16 Church Road.
History
The Exeter Turnpike Trust was established in 1753. It became responsible for 141 miles of road and covered one of the largest sections of road in the country. The main turnpike road from Exeter to Plymouth passed through Chudleigh, via Alphington. In 1822, the Alphington to Chudleigh road was altered, with a new 5 mile section created from Kennford to Chudleigh. The Exeter Turnpike Trust employed different styles of milestones to mark their routes. These included a tall, multi-faceted stone on locations close to major towns and cities, and a smaller rounded-top stone in less prominent locations. The Trust was wound up in 1884.
The milestone stands on Church Road, Alphington. This section of road forms part of the original 1753 turnpike from Chudleigh to Exeter. When the route between Kennford and Chudleigh was created in 1822 it linked up with this part of the original road leading into Exeter. The stone appears to be contemporary with the other early-C19 milestones.
Reasons for Listing
The milestone 7m north-west of 16 Church Road, Alphington, Devon is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as a piece of early-C19 street furniture which retains its inscription and which was part of the former Exeter Turnpike Trust, one of the largest in the country;
* Architectural interest: it has added design interest with the use of a multi-faceted style, employed due to its proximity to Exeter;
* Group value: it forms a good group with other listed milestones along the road between Exeter and Chudleigh.
External Links
External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.
Recommended Books
Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)
Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
England's Post-War Listed Buildings
[(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)