| Feniton | |
Approaching Feniton |
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Feniton
Feniton shown within Devon |
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| Population | 1,796 (2001) |
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| OS grid reference | SY0999 |
| Parish | Feniton |
| District | East Devon |
| Shire county | Devon |
| Region | South West |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | HONITON |
| Postcode district | EX14 |
| Dialling code | 01404 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament | Tiverton and Honiton |
| List of places: UK • England • Devon | |
Feniton is a village and civil parish in East Devon the English county of Devon. It lies approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Honiton, 3 miles (4.8 km) north of Ottery St Mary, and 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Talaton. The parish of Feniton also incorporates the hamlets of Colesworthy, Higher Cheriton and Curscombe, and covers an area of 644 hectares (1591 acres).[1] At the 2001 census it had a population of 1,796,[2] which was estimated to have risen to 1,916 by 2005.[1]
The original village of Feniton contains the 13th-century church, Feniton Court, the former village school, the post office, and most of the older buildings in the village, including a number of thatched cottages. The Vine Water, a tributary of the River Otter, runs through this part of the village and is generally believed to have given the village its name.
Feniton new village lies approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km) west of the original village. This area was formerly known as Sidmouth Junction and for many years consisted of just a few houses, a public house and a chapel, which were associated with the building and operation of the railway station of the same name. From the mid 1960s onwards, this area was transformed into Feniton new village by various medium-scale housing developments. These were accompanied by the building of a primary school, 2 village shops, and a playing field. More recently, a sports and social club, dental surgery, hairdresser and fast food takeaway have also opened in this part of the village.
In 1967, when the new village was taking shape, the original Sidmouth Junction railway station and its associated branch line were closed, as part of the Beeching rail network cuts. Pressure from the newly-arrived residents, however, caused the authorities to re-open the station in 1971 with the new name of Feniton and restore the direct train services to Exeter and London.
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