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a picture of the Tiverton high street in the old days

History

About Okehampton

Although evidence shows Okehampton first settled in the Bronze Age, the town started to take shape during the Saxon period. An early 980 AD document has the first written record of the town, named “Ocmundtune” which meant “settlement by the Ockment river”. The town later adopted the name Okehampton in the 10th century.

Between 1068 and 1086 Baldwin FitzGilbert built Okehampton Castle after the Devon rebellion against Normandy rule. He built a motte and bailey castle that was strategically positioned to face the town. Later, the castle came under the ownership of the Courtenay family, who turned the castle into a family home. However, during Henry VIII’s reign, the Earl of Courteny was executed and the castle became property of the crown.

Okehampton flourished during the mediaeval period due to their hand in the wool trade and tin mining industry.

If you want to learn more about Okehampton’s past and present then check out these pages:

What We Do
What to do

What to do

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Okehampton is home to many charming businesses and places you are yet to discover.

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