Stoke Canon

Stoke Canon is a small village near the confluence of the rivers Exe and Culm on the main A396 between Exeter and Tiverton in the County of Devon, England.

There is a pub, The Stoke Canon Inn, and a post office & general stores in the centre of the village.

The Church

The Church (St. Mary) was wholly rebuilt in 1836, except for the West tower, at the cost of £1000. The interior is neatly fitted up, and the tower has a clock and four bells. It contains a remarkable font of Norman date, made from a single block of lava, and a number of 17th century floor slabs to local families.

History

The manor was given by King Athelstan to Exeter Cathedral, and still belongs to the Dean and Chapter. A Charter, still in existence, records the grant of land at Stoke Canon by King Cnut to the King’s minister Hunewine in the year 1033.

In April, 1847, a hot cinder, blown from one of the railway engines, ignited the thatched roof of a row of cottages, and the fire spread till 24 dwellings, including the Parsonage House, were destroyed.

The Bridge

Stoke Canon bridge, which stretches over two arms of the River Culm, was already built in the late 13th century. Bishop Stapeldon left money in his will (1326) for its upkeep. It contains some old work but has been much widened to carry the main road.in 2008 the legendary resident dan finally left the quiet village to be with his love kirsty and since then the population has plumeted drastically

The Railway

A station opened to serve Stoke Canon in 1860 with staggered platforms. The up platform was north of the level crossing; the down platform was to the south.

On 1 May 1885 the Exe Valley branch was opened from a junction a little to the south of the station. This was relocated further south so that it could serve both lines from 1 July 1894. As with most stations on the Taunton to Exeter line, the platforms were moved apart in 1932 to accommodate new loop lines, and the branch was given its own side of the up platform so that trains could run on to the branch while a train stood in the up loop.

The site can still be recognised from passing trains. The station closed on 13 June 1960.