Conservation Area: Dulverton Conservation Area

Dulverton is situated on the River Barle and is the main settlement in the southern portion of Exmoor National Park, and acts as a main “gateway” to the high moors. The Barle valley broadens considerably at this point from the narrow wooded valley clad in ancient oak woodland to the north, enabling much of the town to have a gently sloping south and west facing aspect. The A396 Exe Valley road is just over a mile to the east, which connects with the North Devon Link Road and the town of Tiverton about 12 miles to the south. As stated in the Local Plan, “Dulverton’s accessibility, location and attractive character have created a tourism industry which is of vital importance to the town’s economy.” The inherent character of Dulverton is that of a long established small market town of at least medieval origins. Closely linked, and included within the conservation area, is the separate small linear settlement of Northmoor with mainly 19th century cottages fronting a narrow through road. Dulverton retained its compact plan until the early 20th century with the main concentration of development in Fore Street, High Street and Back Street. Since that time development of housing estates to the south and east of the 19th century Hollam House, both by the local authority and private developers, especially since 1945, have doubled the size of the built-up area. This bears very little resemblance to the historic core, although is visually separated by areas of undeveloped land either side of the Abbot’s Way, which forms a pleasant link between old and new.