The Rural Life of Devon
Devon is historically a rural county where agriculture and fishing were the dominant forms of income. Scattered across the county are former tin, copper and arsenic mines that augmented employment. As the social hierarchy was very different the county was mostly owned by a few landowners under whom the estates were managed and flourished providing both work and homes for most of the population. How times change!
In many cases the landed estates survived until the First World War after which the desecrated economy and loss of workforce dictated significant changes both socially and economically. Some limped through another couple of decades until the Second World War after which the county saw the biggest changes. As the social hierarchy diminished and the wealth of the nation grew in the 50s and 60s the car opened up travel opportunities previously not possible and the tourist industry took precedence.
Estates were broken up as financial burdens were too great and the second home market grew. Agriculture is still is a mainstay of rural Devon and there are still some strong fishing towns although these generally now merge with the second home hotspots. Farms have merged and grown but with modern machinery the workforce is minimal compared to past times.
Impressive stone farm buildings have been converted to homes, redundant farmhouses sold with a few acres for business and professional families growing up where the children have ponies and attempt the “Good Life”. And now the 21st century has fast forwarded lifestyles with technology allowing multiple facetime conversations to take place with colleagues across the world. Work from home, reduce the carbon footprint of the 20th century and retrieve a lifestyle of the past embracing all the modern facilities we expect in our daily lives.
Life itself is cyclical and 2020 will undoubtably will be a catalyst for serious social and economic change. The world itself will be a very different place at the end of the year from the beginning and a reassessment of values by many will implement major changes.
As ever Devon remains a sanctuary for many. The slow pace of life our forbears enjoyed is a marker for modern day living. Without going backwards we can learn from that despite goalposts and aspirations being a world apart. Watching the seasons evolve is a constant reminder life itself evolves naturally and has to be preserved at all costs.
So - farmhouse or cottage?
The Barton. Poughill. Crediton. A grade 11 six bedroom Regency farmhouse with up to 62 acres plus two five bedroom cottages, indoor pool etc. Strutt and Parker (01392 215631)
The Vines, Rattery -one of Devon’s oldest villages where the famous Church House Inn is reputed to be older than the church! A Grade 11 thatched cottage with three bedrooms and garden studio. This is what dreams are made of. Stags (01803 865454)
Ferry Cottage, Salcombe - Grade 11 fisherman’s cottage dating to 1739, literally on the water’s edge with ringside seat views of all the water activities. A tall house approached via ancient quirky steps -a bit of real magic - Luscombe Maye (01548 843593)
So, whatever goes on in the world at large Devon retains its magic - a sanctuary where home is pivotal - “it’s all about coming home”.