Northam, Devon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northam |
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 Northam Church |
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 Northam
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| Population | 12,356 (Parish, 2021) 5,190 (Built up area, 2021) |
| OS grid reference | SS450290 |
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| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Bideford |
| Postcode district | EX39 |
| Dialling code | 01237 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Northam is a market town and civil parish in Devon, England. It is located just north of Bideford. The wider Northam parish also includes the villages of Westward Ho!, Appledore, and other smaller areas. In 2021, about 12,356 people lived in the Northam parish.
Contents
Northam's Past: A Look at History
Northam has a long and interesting history. It is believed to have been the site of an old Anglo-Saxon fort. An area between Northam and Appledore is thought to be where the Danish Viking leader Ubba was stopped. This happened during the time of King Alfred the Great. Local names like Bloody Corner and Hubba's Rock remember this event. Hubba's Rock is said to be where Ubba was killed.
Northam was also the site of the Battle of Northam in 1069. In this battle, the sons of Harold Godwinson were defeated. St Margaret's Church is the main Anglican church for the town. It has been a special Grade I listed building since 1951. This means it is a very important historical building.
In 1832, people in Northam protested against Augustus Saltren-Willett. He was the lord of the manor and tried to take over the common lands of Northam Burrows. These lands were used by everyone.
The Royal North Devon Golf Club was started at Northam Burrows in 1864. Its golf course is the oldest in England that is still in its original location. Between 1901 and 1917, Northam had its own railway station.
How Northam is Governed
Northam has three levels of local government. These are the parish (town) level, the district level, and the county level.
- Northam Town Council looks after local town matters.
- Torridge District Council is based in nearby Bideford.
- Devon County Council is based in Exeter and handles county-wide issues.
The Northam Town Council works from the Town Hall. This building is located at 1 Windmill Lane.
Northam was an ancient parish for a long time. Until 1867, a group called the vestry managed the parish. In 1867, a local board was created for the parish. These local boards became urban district councils in 1894. Northam Urban District Council built its own office in 1934. It was first called the Council Offices.
The Northam Urban District was ended in 1974. This happened because of the Local Government Act 1972. The area then became part of the new Torridge district. A new parish was created, and its council became the Northam Town Council. The town council still uses the 1934 building on Windmill Lane. They have renamed it the Town Hall.
Northam Burrows: A Special Place
Northam Burrows is a very important natural area. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it has special plants, animals, or geology. It is a landscape with saltmarsh and sand dunes. It sits next to the Torridge Estuary.
The Burrows are part of the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a protected area known for its beautiful scenery. It is also part of North Devon's Biosphere Reserve. This means it is a place where nature and people live together in a balanced way.
As mentioned, Northam Burrows is also home to the Royal North Devon Golf Club. This is the oldest golf course in England.
Sports and Fun in Northam
Northam has a King George's Field. This is a sports area named in memory of King George V.
The Torridge Leisure Centre is located off Churchill Way. It has swimming pools for both serious swimmers and learners. It also has a gym and a sauna.
Local Facilities
Northam has a public library. In 2005, the library building burned down. Most of its books were destroyed. The fire was thought to be caused by a hands-free magnifier on some leaflets. In 2014, the library was at risk of closing. This was due to budget cuts by the County Council.
Northam's Railway History
The Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore Railway (B,WH&A,R) was quite unusual. It was built as a standard gauge line. However, it was not connected to the main railway network. This was despite another railway station being nearby in Bideford.
The railway line was only on the peninsula. This area includes Westward Ho!, Northam, and Appledore. It ran through large sand dunes near the Torridge and Taw estuary. Northam station and the line closed in 1917. The War Office took over the line for use during World War I. Today, parts of the old railway line are used as the Tarka Trail cycle route. This route is also part of the South West Coast Path.
Bus Services in Northam
Several bus services run through Northam:
- Stagecoach 21: Travels from Ilfracombe to Westward Ho!
- Stagecoach 21A: Travels from Ilfracombe to Appledore.
- Stagecoach 16: Travels between Bideford, Westward Ho!, and Appledore.
Westward Ho! buses stop at The Square, Sandymere Road, and Atlantic Way. Appledore buses stop at Lenards Road and Churchill Way. The 16 bus service also serves Morwenna Park Road, Sea View Road, Windsor Road, and JH Taylor Drive.
Famous People from Northam
- Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin Keats: A naval officer who lived at Port Hill and Durrant House.
- Clarence Raybould: A conductor, pianist, and composer. He is buried with his wife at St Margaret's Church.
See also
In Spanish: Northam para niños
