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!