By Tim Lambert
Early Tiverton
Tiverton began as a Saxon village. Its name is derived from the words twy ford tun, meaning settlement by the two fords. Tiverton was first mentioned in a document in 885. At the time of the Domesday Book, in 1086, it probably had a population of about 400. By the standards of the time, it was a large settlement. A typical village had about 120 inhabitants.
In the Middle Ages, Tiverton was a small but flourishing market town. St Peters Church in Tiverton was consecrated in 1073. A motte and bailey castle was built in Tiverton in 1106. It was rebuilt in the 13th and 14th centuries.
In 1257, King Henry III granted Tiverton a charter, a document confirming its right to have markets and annual fairs.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Tiverton prospered because of the wool trade. In the early 16th century, John Greenway built almshouses in Tiverton. Blundell’s School was founded in 1604.
Unfortunately, Tiverton suffered three disastrous fires in 1596, in 1612, and in 1731. However, both times the town was rebuilt and flourished again.
In October 1645, the castle was in Royalist hands, but it was captured by the Parliamentarians when a lucky shot from a cannon hit the drawbridge chains, causing it to fall. The defenders surrendered.
However, in the late 18th century, the wool industry went into decline as the manufacture of wool moved to the North of England.
Modern Tiverton
In 1801, the population of Tiverton was 6,505. By the standards of the time, it was a reasonably large town.
In 1815, an industrialist named John Heathcoat bought an old woollen mill in Tiverton and began making lace there. The lace industry provided a boost to Tiverton, and its population grew. By 1841, the population of the town was 7,769.
The Grand Western Canal from Taunton to Tiverton was opened in 1838. The railway reached Tiverton in 1848.
Amenities in Tiverton improved during the 19th century. The Tiverton Pannier Market building was built in 1830. Tiverton gained gaslight in 1844. The town gained a police force in 1845.
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life was founded in 1960. However, the railway closed in 1964.
Today, Tiverton is a flourishing market town. Tiverton and District Hospital opened in 2005. In 2026, the population of Tiverton was 22,000.