Bampton in Devon

* Bampton Junior Players in "Nathan's Nightmare" (photos) & "The Selfish Shellfish" (photos) - Nov. 21/22 - info. here *

Available now from Bampton Post Office, Station House, or Mail Order:

A DVD commemorating the 750 year history of Bampton Charter Fair. Starting in 1258 with the Royal Charter granted by Henry III, it takes you through fairs through the ages, the sheep sales, and of course the famous Bampton Pony Fairs. The influence of the railway, and of the loss of the pony sales in the 1980's are descibed with archive film. Many of the ancient photograhs have not been exhibited before. And it comes bang up to date with the new millennium.

Running time: 60 minutes. Price £7.50

(Details of mail-order here)

NEW PAGE ON BBC WEB-SITE on the History of Bampton Fair

In recent times, Bampton has become famous for its floral displays - Bampton in Bloom. The town has won the national Britain in Bloom competition no less than six times, the last being in the millennium year. This has been possible because of the members of the local community who help every year to make the town spectacularly beautiful with tubs of plants, hanging baskets, and the themed planting of permanent beds.

Bampton has won five RHS GOLD MEDALS from South West in Bloom in the last 7 years.

# See the Bampton in Bloom section for a comment from Tim Smit, Director of the Eden Project. #

Our little town has a surprising range of local amenities - shops, pubs, restaurants, businesses, and places to stay. It also has quite a history from its early Saxon origins, the Norman castle, the wool and pony trade, the 12th century church, the quarrying of the local stone; now it is a thriving centre used by local villagers and visitors.

This site is continuously being updated and improved. If you have any comments you would like to make, material you would like published, or you would like to advertise your business, please contact us by email.

Bampton in mid Devon lies close to the Somerset border, and is on the edge of the Exmoor National Park. For the visitor, it is therefore ideally sited for road and rail links, and is at the centre of an area where there is much to do and explore.

The whole of the centre of Bampton is a conservation area, and there are almost 100 listed buildings and other objects within the parish (site now updated with complete listing).