Newton Abbot is a market town on the River Teign. The town has a racecourse and boasts three country parks; Decoy, Stover and Bradley. Part of Newton Abbot's heritage is the historic Cheese and Onion Fayre, originally held on 5,6,7 November in honour of Saint Leonard. It is still held to this day, but earlier in the year at the beginning of September. The town grew very rapidly in the Victorian era as it was home to the South Devon Railway locomotive works. This later became a major steam engine shed and was retained to service British Railways diesel locomotives, although it has now closed and is the site of an industrial estate.

The centre of the town features the ancient tower of St Leonard. The tower is all that remains of the medieval church of St. Leonard, built in 1350 - the main chapel being demolished in 1836. Adjacent to the tower is a plaque; marking the spot where the first declaration of the newly arrived William III, Prince of Orange was read in 1688. William stayed overnight in the town, as he made his way from Brixham to London to assume the English throne.

There are two other buildings of note in the town. Forde House located in the south east corner of the town, was built with an 'E' shaped floor plan, by Sir Richard Reynell in 1610. King Charles I stayed at the house in 1625 and William of Orange on his way to London.

Key Stats

• There has been significant population growth since 1991 in the market town area. This increase is more significant than the growth in the district and the county. This growth is not so much in Newton Abbot but rather in Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell. The population is around 25,000.
• The level of households occupied by individuals in the market town area as a whole is similar to the district and county averages but the rural remaining parishes and Kingsteignton have comparatively low percentages.
• Unemployment levels in the market town area are broadly similar to those in the district and county except in Newton Abbot which is slightly higher.
• Claim rates for Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance are slightly lower than average across the area but Newton Abbot is higher than the county figure. This pattern is repeated for Job Seekers Allowance.
• The number of households with an annual income of less than £20,000 is broadly similar to the district and county averages, although rates in the parish of Newton Abbot are higher.
• The percentage of employment by industry sector of those living in the market town area highlights the main sectors of employment are wholesale & retail, health & social work and manufacturing. These represent around 46% of employment in the market town area.
• Select here for more statistics about Newton Abbot and surrounding area. (1.03MB - pdf help)