Hatherleigh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hatherleigh |
|
|---|---|
 Hatherleigh church |
|
 Hatherleigh
|
|
| Population | 1,306 (Parish, 2001) |
| OS grid reference | SS5404 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District |
|
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Okehampton |
| Postcode district | EX20 |
| Dialling code | 01837 |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| Website | Community page website |
Hatherleigh is a small market town located in the West Devon area of Devon, England. A market town is a place where people traditionally gather to buy and sell goods. In 2011, about 1,306 people lived in Hatherleigh. It is known as the smallest town in Devon.
Contents
Fun Events and Traditions
Hatherleigh is a lively town with several interesting events throughout the year.
Arts and Carnival Fun
Every July, the town holds an arts festival. This is a time when local artists show their work and people can enjoy different creative activities. In November, Hatherleigh hosts a carnival. A special part of this carnival is the "flaming tar barrel runs." People carry burning tar barrels through the streets, which is a very old and exciting tradition.
The Walruses and Ruby Run
For many years, a group called "The Walruses" had a unique tradition. On New Year's Day, they would jump into the cold River Lew. They did this to raise money for good causes in the local area. This tradition started in the 1980s and ended on January 1, 2018.
Another annual event is the Ruby Run. This is a half-marathon race that usually takes place in June. It runs between Hatherleigh and the nearby town of Holsworthy. The starting town changes each year.
Hatherleigh Market
Hatherleigh is famous for its market. For many years, it had weekly sales of sheep, cattle, and poultry. Tuesdays were especially busy market days.
Market Changes
The main market officially closed in February 2018. The land where it was located was sold to build new homes. However, the Tuesday pannier market still continues. A pannier market is where local traders sell goods from baskets or stalls. New buildings are being planned for the market as part of the new housing development.
Town Life and Services
Hatherleigh has a friendly community with several local businesses and services.
Places to Eat and Shop
The town has two pubs, The Tally Ho and The George. The George pub was damaged by a fire in 2008 but was rebuilt and reopened in 2010. You can also find a cafe, two hairdressers, and craft shops in Hatherleigh. There's a beauty salon, a butcher, a newsagency, a vets, a medical centre, a convenience shop, and a petrol station.
Historic Buildings
Hatherleigh has some interesting old buildings and monuments.
St John the Baptist Church
The main church in Hatherleigh is called St John the Baptist. It has a tall tower at the western end with a pointed, shingled roof called a spire. The original spire was damaged in a big storm in 1990. A new spire, which looks just like the old one, was built in its place. Inside the church, the nave (the main part) and aisles are separated by granite arches. The font, where babies are baptized, is very old and dates back to the Norman times. The original wooden wagon roofs are still there. Since 2024, a disused room in the church grounds has been used as a gymnasium.
Morris Obelisk
About one mile (1.6 kilometers) east of Hatherleigh, there is an impressive obelisk. An obelisk is a tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a pyramid shape at its top. This one was built in 1860 to remember Lieutenant Colonel William Morris, a soldier who passed away in India in 1858.
Sporting Events and Transport
Hatherleigh has been part of major sporting events and has transport links to other areas.
Tour of Britain and Olympic Torch
In September 2009, Hatherleigh was the starting point for the 7th stage of the Tour of Britain. This is a famous bicycle race. Many people came to watch the race begin in the town. While the Tour had passed through Hatherleigh before, this was the first time a stage started there. On May 21, 2012, the Olympic torch also passed through Hatherleigh on its journey across the country.
Railway Access
Hatherleigh itself does not have a railway station. However, people living in the town can use the nearby station in Okehampton. The Dartmoor Line, which connects Okehampton to Exeter, has reopened with regular train services.
Ruby Country
Hatherleigh is part of an area known as the Ruby Country.
What is Ruby Country?
The Ruby Country includes 45 different parishes (small local areas) around the market towns of Holsworthy and Hatherleigh. These two towns were at the center of the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak. This disease affected farm animals, and while farming was directly hit, many other local businesses also faced financial difficulties.
To help the area recover and become stronger, the Ruby Country Initiative was created. This is a non-profit group that works to build a more stable local economy and create a unique identity for the area.
See also
In Spanish: Hatherleigh para niños
