Ide, Devon

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Ide (pronounced /iːd/) is a village in Devon, England situated less than a mile to the southwest of Exeter. The village church (rebuilt in 1834) is dedicated to the German Saint Ida of Herzfeld. The village is home to two pubs: the Poacher's Arms and Huntsman Inn. A long ford (some argue the second longest in Europe) crosses a lane on the edge of the village. Above Ide on a hilltop at SX8888 is the site of a Roman fortlet or signal station.

The ford in College Lane, Ide.
The ford in College Lane, Ide.

The majority of the village is separated from suburban Exeter by the A30 dual carriageway. Whilst it was controversial at the time of construction, the road has effectively enabled Ide to maintain an independent identity. However, the parish boundaries extend a short distance over the A30 and several notable buildings within the parish, including Ide House and the Twisted Oak pub, are located on the Exeter side.

[edit] Ide, as described in White's Devonshire Directory (1850)

"IDE, a neat and pleasant village, in a picturesque village, 2 miles S.S.W. of Exeter, has in its parish 795 souls, and 1408A. 3R. 17P. of fertile land, mostly the property of the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, who are lords of the manor, appropriators of the rectory, and patrons of the perpetual curacy, which was valued in 1831 at £180 per annum, and is now held by the Rev. J.J. Erle, LL.B., who has a neat thatched residence, and 2A. of glebe. The great tithes were commuted in 1840 for £180, and the small tithes for £170 per annum, The Church (St. Ida,) was rebuilt in 1834, at the cost of about £1300, and has 550 sittings, of which 300 are free. It is a neat cemented structure, with a tower and four bells. Those beautiful and romantic grounds called Fordlands, which are often visited by pleasure parties from Exeter, are in this parish, . . . They are the property of J.H.W. Abbott, Esq. Here is a school, partly supported by subscription; and the poor parishioners have two yearly rent-charges, viz., 20s. out of a field at Lower Whiddon, left by Peter Balle, in 1648; and £2. 12s., left by Wm. Smith, out of three houses at Exeter."

Coordinates: 50°42′N, 3°34′W