Tel. 01647 281276
About
A brief history
Drewsteignton was mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086 as Taintone, meaning village (ton) on the River Teign.
However, there has probably been a
settlement on the site for thousands of years, with notable Neolithic remains, such as Spinsters Rock, being found within the parish boundaries.
The origin of the prefix of 'Drew' is not clear, though manorial records show that in 1275 the village was mentioned as "Teyngton Drue", while during the reigns of Henry II and his son Richard I, the manor at Drewsteignton was held by the Norman baron Drogo de Teigne, also known as Drewe de Teignton.
Situated on the historic road from Exeter to Okehampton, Drewsteignton was a busy stopping off point for travellers and traders. The wealth that went with this geographic good fortune helps to explain the high quality of the buildings in the village as well as the number of public buildings, such as The Old Inn, the church, pub and (now closed) the school.
The Old Inn is a substantial building dating from the seventeenth century. With a large number of outbuildings at the back of the Inn, the property was obviously not short of custom, providing stabling, food, drink and accommodation to stagecoaches and mail coaches.
Coaching inns provided a vital link to inland transportation from the seventeenth century until the arrival of the steam engine, replacing tired teams of horses and extending hospitality to those travelling the roads. While coaching inns were normally spaced seven miles apart, distances could vary, particularly in more inhospitable or remote areas such as Dartmoor.
Further Information
Click here to view a detailed history of Drewsteignton, its principal buildings and the surrounding area is available from the Dartmoor National Park Association.