Appledore & Instow

Appledore...brief history

Due to the proximity of Appledore & Instow the Villages histories have travelled parallel paths so you can expect many events through history to be the same.

The history of Appledore is well document in the 'Illustrated History of Appledore'. Books 1, 2 & 3 by David Carter.

Book 2 provides an excellent path of historic dating evidence going back to 4200BC in the surrounding areas.

Appledore itself is better annotated during landing of the Danish Army lead by King Ubba.

Defeated he was by 'brave men of Devon' legend has it, where the battle ended at Bloody Corner. Bloody Corner located on the sharp bend in the road between Appledore & Northam commemorated with a stone to this day.

Referenced in Domesday Book, Appledore as we know it today was considered part of Northam, with Noble Land & Gentry laying claim to pastures, selling and leasing through time land to their own ends. Indeed the name Appledore did not appear until 14th Century circa. 1320s in a Petition Document with the National Archives in which the village of Affpeldorford is mentioned.

Throughout time Appledore has gone through growth and decline as economic prospects sailed in and out, along with the tide. There have also been some famous people with Stephen Borough being one of Englands most famous Explorer and Navigators. The Spanish Armada also had ships crewed mostly with people from Appledore and the surrounding area in 1588. Under Sir Richard Grenville's command, five ships in all joined Sir Francis Drake at Plymouth to head off for the Spanish Armada.

Appledore history is one of economic ebb of prosperity and decline and the changing face of once a busy trading centre to local fishing village and boat builders including treasures, smugglers, global trade and fishing.

Instow...brief history

Unsurprisingly Instow shares many historic parallels with Appledore including much of the growth and decline like Appledore; with trade activity up and down the Taw and Torridge Rivers through the centuries.

An excellent book 'Instow a History' by the late Historian Dr Alison Grant contains many pictures and local stories of the Parish of Instow past and more recent times. This book notes the eminent figures from the past, such as the 18th century engraver Ferdinand Bauer.

Featuring along side 20th century heroes Sir Francis Chichester and David Shepherd (Shep) and even earlier with Romans through to Cleveland and Christies a local family of the time, with the Christies still residing in nearby Tapley Park.

Instow evolved predominant from a Land and Gentry and farming community over the centuries, given the natural expanse of land from the waters front, which has significantly changed to the present day. Over the past three centuries the water front has given way to a modern Quay side, a railway which is now a footpath and sandy beaches with the changing tides of economic decline and prosperity.

Modern Times

Today Instow like Appledore has weathered many storms and evolved making the most of the natural ebb and flow of trade and opportunities which have developed the Villages. Appledore & Instow offer many community facilities and amenities with local Football Club, Youth Clubs, Post Office, local stores, galleries/arts & crafts, sailing, restaurants and pubs, footpaths and much more besides to discover.

You'll find the Villages of Appledore and Instow very welcoming.

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