Chagford Local History Society

We know that communities lived in our parish at least 4,000 years ago, the stone circles and rows that they built still stand proudly on the moors. The town of Chagford was probably established in Saxon times, the name meaning “the ford where the gorse grows”. The town grew due to the wool trade and from tin mining in the area.

There was a market here from the early 13th century, the church was dedicated by Bishop Bronscombe in 1261 (although there was probably an earlier Saxon church on the same site) and in 1305 Edward I made Chagford a Stannary town – any person who lived in the North East quarter of Devon and mined tin on Dartmoor, had to present their smelted tin to be assayed, stamped and taxed in Chagford.

Agriculture and mining continued to keep the parish prosperous, and there are many fine buildings, some dating to the 16th century. In more recent times Chagford became a popular centre for visitors to Dartmoor and today it boasts a thriving community with a diverse range of shops and eateries. Known as ‘the jewel of Dartmoor’, in 2015 Chagford was named the best place to live in Britain’s countryside in a Sunday Times poll.