Newton Abbot’s ancient history has been brought to life in a new booklet penned by local student Raphael Allnatt.

‘Newton Abbot in Ancient Times’ covers 3000 years of local history and archaeology from the Bronze Age to the Norman Conquest of 1066.

‘Researching this booklet really put it into perspective just how lucky we are in our natural and historical landscape,’ said Raph. ‘There is a particular richness of ancient sites here,’ he added. ‘We have Bronze Age field systems, which are almost unique to lowland Devon, three impressive Iron Age hillforts, and many Roman sites. There is even a little-known Norman castle in Newton Abbot, completely tucked away in Highweek.’

Of particular interest to Raph is the old Teign Bridge, just west of Kingsteignton, which gives its name to the modern district. When digging the foundations to put in a new bridge at the site in the early 19th Century, workers discovered several different bridges built on top of eachother. The earliest was almost certainly Roman and included blocks of white square-cut stones, which are probably the western-most example of Roman ashlar masonry.

Raph has lived in Newton Abbot all his life. He went to school in Denbury where the Iron Age Fort inspired his interest in our ancient past. He is currently studying for a PhD at Exeter University, where he completed his degree in ancient history and archaeology.

‘Newton Abbot in Ancient Times’ is available to buy for £5 at Newton Abbot Museum and at Westcountry Books on Queen Street in Newton Abbot.