Ivybridge
Ivybridge is a small town lying in the beautiful South Hams, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is situated on the southern slopes of the Dartmoor National Park, on the main A38 arterial route between Exeter and Plymouth. Ivybridge has always been a major staging post between these two cities taking its name from an 'Ivy Bridge', built of Dartmoor granite in the 13th century and grown over with ivy, which for several hundred years was the only crossing point over the river Erme. The development of the town dates back to the Industrial Revolution and the arrival of the South Devon Railway in the 19th century. This saw the construction of several mills along the river Erme, followed by a surge in new housing. Surrounded by open farmland, Ivybridge also depended heavily on agriculture to provide local jobs. This still holds true today, although the rapid expansion of Ivybridge during the 1980's and 1990's was particularly due to the increase in service sector employment in the cities.
Ivybridge has plenty of local amenities including several schools and notable churches. The principal shopping area is in Fore Street, lined with attractive Victorian buildings and offering an extensive range of retail outlets and popular eateries. There are excellent local sports facilities, together with delightful riverside walking routes through Longtimber Woods. The beautiful beaches of the South Hams and the wonderful wildlife haven of the Dartmoor National Park are both within easy reach.