Compton, Plymouth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Compton |
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 Hollycroft Road |
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 Compton
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| Population | 12,677 (2011) |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | PLYMOUTH |
| Postcode district | PL3 6xx |
| Dialling code | 01752 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
Compton or Compton Gifford is a suburb of Plymouth, located in the county of Devon, England.
It was once a small village. In the 1930s, it grew into a larger area. Today, Compton sits between the suburbs of Peverell, Mannamead, and Efford. There are two main parts: Higher Compton and Lower Compton. These names come from two old farms. They are now known by the names of their local pubs. Even though Compton grew between older areas, it has its own special feel.
Contents
A Look Back at Compton's History
Early Days: Stone Age and Domesday Book
The oldest signs of people in Compton are from about 3000 BC. Around this time, stone axes were made in places like Penzance. These axes have been found in Compton. Farmers might have used them, or they were left behind on journeys.
Around 800 AD, the area known as the Manor of Compton started appearing on maps. The name "Compton" comes from "Coombe," meaning a wooded valley, and "Ton," a Saxon word for farm.
In 1086, a famous record called the Domesday Book mentioned Compton. It described the land, how many people lived there, and what animals they had. It showed Compton was a small but active farming community.
Compton's Important Location
Compton was mentioned again in 1238. This was because it was on the main path to the new Plym Bridge. This bridge was important for travel to Plympton and other places. Before the bridge, people had to travel much further north to cross the Plym River. The river used to be wide mud flats at low tide. People could cross at a place called the "ebb-ford," which is where the name Efford comes from.
Where Did "Gifford" Come From?
The name "Gifford" in Compton Gifford dates back to around 1100 AD. A woman named Isabella, whose grandfather was Guy de Bockland, brought the estate to her husband, Osbert Giffard. The land stayed in their family until 1342.
Becoming Part of Plymouth
Compton only recently became part of the city of Plymouth. For example, around 1596, town criers from Plymouth would send people who were struggling or homeless to Compton. This was a way for Plymouth to deal with social problems.
In 1896, Compton Gifford officially became part of the Borough of Plymouth. This was not a popular decision for the people of Compton. Their local taxes were about half of what Plymouth's were. However, the change happened. It actually cost Plymouth a lot of money to bring Compton up to the city's standards.
Compton During the Civil War
Compton was also involved in the English Civil War (1642–1646). Records show that Prince Maurice's army moved from Compton village. After some tough fighting, his forces were defeated. At that time, his main base was at Widey Court.
Growth and Old Buildings
By 1730, Compton was part of the Culme estate. It wasn't until the last member of that family died in 1804 that Compton really started to grow. At this time, it had a population of about fifty people.
- The Compton Inn: This pub is probably the oldest building in the area. Its walls are very thick, up to four feet! It started as an old farmhouse. Over time, it was also a granary, a tanner's shop (for making leather), and a cobbler's shop (for making shoes). Since about 1857, it has been a pub.
- Priory House: Located in Lower Compton, this is one of the last large houses from that period. A Captain Bremner built it. Later, a builder named Mr. Charles Fox bought it. He decided to build more houses on its lawn. This led to the creation of Priory Lawn Terrace, Charles Terrace, and Florence Terrace, which was named after his wife.
- The Rising Sun: This building was originally several small cottages. Inside, you can still see the old door knockers from each cottage. It became an alehouse (a pub) in the 1700s. Its first name was "Hoopers ale house." You can still imagine horses waiting outside the pub or being led into the nearby barn, which is now a DIY store. They would have been on their way to Henders Corner, a stop for stagecoaches traveling from Plympton to Saltash.
Transport and Community Life
Around 1850, horse trams started using Henders Corner as a stopping point. By 1870, the Anglican church parish of Emmanuel, Compton Gifford, was formed. A small church was built on land given by Betsy and Elizabeth Revel.
At the start of the 1900s, Compton was still mostly a farming village. There were cows, market gardens, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses. People from Plymouth loved to walk out to Compton. They would enjoy tea at one of the many homes that offered refreshments from their front gardens.
Compton even had a reputation as a spa! This was because of a special water chute near what is now Crowndale Road. A woman named Granny Daw, who lived in Beckham Place, became known for curing illnesses with her remedies and a little help from this water.
Around 1900, the first telephones arrived in Compton. By the 1920s, the first cars started to appear. However, public transport was already very good. There were railway stations nearby and tram stops.
Local Businesses and the School
In those days, Compton had many local businesses. Besides farms and market gardens, there was a slaughterhouse and a rubbish collection business. There was also a brickworks, which later became a mushroom farm when it was no longer used for bricks.
Compton also had many shops: a fishmonger, cobblers, a Post Office, general stores, two dairies, a fish and chip shop, and even an undertaker.
From the early 1900s, Lower Compton had its own school. When Mary Leigh became the Headmistress in 1936, the school had 82 students. Some classes even had to walk up a hill to be taught in the Methodist hall. There was a lot of poverty at this time. Mary Leigh managed to get boots for children who didn't have any. She had to punch holes in the tops of the boots so parents wouldn't sell them for food. By the time she left in 1947, the school had 300 students. Compton School became one of the best in Plymouth.
