8: Countryside Shaped by Farming

Farming has done much to shape the East Devon countryside, with the extensive pasture land doing much to maintain a rolling green landscape. While dairy, beef and sheep farming each make a particular contribution to today’s local economy, arable crops also have an important role. In days gone by, the weaving, milling and leather trades all drew their raw materials locally.

Butter and cheese have been important farm-based products over many years. Wind back to the late 18th century and horse drawn carts carried such produce to London, taking four days to get there. It wasn’t until the coming of the railways that local milk made the rather speedier trip to the capital. The role of local farmers as stewards of the countryside is more important today than it has ever been.