Harberton

Harberton is situated in a pleasant valley, about 2½ miles from Totnes. The village takes its name from the River Harbourne, which flows through the parish.

“In this parish is a remarkable rock of Trapstone, so hard as to resist the mason's chisel. The soil is generally light and fertile. The manor was anciently held by the Valletorts; but was dismembered many years since, and now belongs to many freeholders. The population of the village was a few hundred and with its hamlets, in 1861, 1,221.”

In the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,285.

Near Harberton are Totnes Castle (1.9 miles), a classic Norman motte and bailey castle, founded soon after the Conquest to overawe the Saxon town of Totnes and Dartington Cider Press Centre (2.4 miles), a visitor centre with 15 shops, eating places and workshops.

Back in the village, the Church House, public house is rated very highly and as the name suggests, is situated beside St Andrew’s. “The church of St. Andrew is a fine building, and has a lofty embattled tower containing a peel of 6 bells. The stone pulpit is octagonal, richly carved, and has statues of the Apostles on its sides. The register dates from 1640.” 

Dr. John Huxham was born here in 1672. He was a provincial doctor and surgeon notable for his study of fevers. In 1750 he published his Essay on Fevers and in 1755 received the Copley Medal for his contribution to medicine.

The Argentinian connection

Harberton was the home of Mary Ann Varder (1842-1922), who married Thomas Bridges on August 7, 1869 and moved with him in 1871 to Tierra del Fuego. There they established an estancia in 1886, which they named Harberton after Mary's birthplace. It is still a working farm today.