Chudleigh
Encyclopedia
Chudleigh is a small town in Devon
, England
located between the towns of Newton Abbot
and Exeter
.
Chudleigh is very close to the edge of Dartmoor
and bypassed by the A38 road in 1972. It began life as a small wool market town
, though the nearby Castle Dyke
is an Iron Age
Hill Fort
which demonstrates far earlier settlement in the area. Chudleigh has expanded a good deal in recent years as commuter houses have been built around its edges, but it still retains a fairly traditional town centre.
Local Amenities include
There is a Primary School located in the centre.
Nearby "the Rock" is a natural beauty spot and attracts rock climbers who scale the range of routes on the (limestone) crag and suicide seekers. Its natural height is a favourite for jumpers.
Later reports state that the staff in the bakery seemed unaware of the danger this posed, but the fire, fed by the exceptionally dry fuel, exploded. In the shortest time imaginable, the fire had spread to the roof of the bakery (thatched, as was the roofing on 90% of the houses in Chudleigh at the time) and huge hunks of burning reed and straw were swept aloft by a rapidly growing north-easterly wind.
After the fire, only the church and seven houses were left standing.
books. The Chudley Cannons
are one of only thirteen Quidditch teams that have been playing in the professional Quidditch League of Britain
and Ireland
that was established in 1674. The team players wear bright orange robes emblazoned with a speeding cannon ball and a double “C” in black. The last time they won the League was 1892.
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
located between the towns of Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot is a market town and civil parish in the Teignbridge District of Devon, England on the River Teign, with a population of 23,580....
and Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
.
Chudleigh is very close to the edge of Dartmoor
Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an area of moorland in south Devon, England. Protected by National Park status, it covers .The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history. The moorland is capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The...
and bypassed by the A38 road in 1972. It began life as a small wool market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
, though the nearby Castle Dyke
Castle Dyke
Castle Dyke is an Iron Age hill fort situated between Chudleigh and Dawlish in Devon, England. The fort is situated on a Hilltop at approx 140 metres above sea level.-References:...
is an Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
Hill Fort
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
which demonstrates far earlier settlement in the area. Chudleigh has expanded a good deal in recent years as commuter houses have been built around its edges, but it still retains a fairly traditional town centre.
Local Amenities include
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Cricket field and football pitches
- Skate park
There is a Primary School located in the centre.
Nearby "the Rock" is a natural beauty spot and attracts rock climbers who scale the range of routes on the (limestone) crag and suicide seekers. Its natural height is a favourite for jumpers.
Chudleigh Carnival
There has been an annual carnival each summer which draws a large crowd from the surrounding area. This did not take place in 2006, but the carnival has returned since July 2007.Swimming Pool
The heated outdoor community swimming pool is located within the grounds of Chudleigh Primary School and is open to the public all summer.The Great Fire of Chudleigh
The weather conditions in Devon in the year 1807 have been described as a drought. Weeks without rain left many people short of water and had farmers worrying about their crops. There was a bakery in Culver Street (now New Exeter Street) and around noon on May 22, a small fire broke out in pile of furze that was stacked near the ovens.Later reports state that the staff in the bakery seemed unaware of the danger this posed, but the fire, fed by the exceptionally dry fuel, exploded. In the shortest time imaginable, the fire had spread to the roof of the bakery (thatched, as was the roofing on 90% of the houses in Chudleigh at the time) and huge hunks of burning reed and straw were swept aloft by a rapidly growing north-easterly wind.
After the fire, only the church and seven houses were left standing.
Use in popular culture
The town's name is spoofed as Chudley in the Harry PotterHarry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
books. The Chudley Cannons
Chudley Cannons
The Chudley Cannons are a Quidditch team who are usually at the bottom of the league. Their theme colour is bright orange. Quidditch comes from the Harry Potter books, written by JK Rowling....
are one of only thirteen Quidditch teams that have been playing in the professional Quidditch League of Britain
Early Modern Britain
Early modern Britain is the history of the island of Great Britain, roughly corresponding to the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Major historical events in Early Modern British history include the English Renaissance, the English Reformation and Scottish Reformation, the English Civil War, the...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
that was established in 1674. The team players wear bright orange robes emblazoned with a speeding cannon ball and a double “C” in black. The last time they won the League was 1892.