Coordinates: 50°44′38″N 3°28′55″W / 50.744°N 3.482°W / 50.744; -3.482

Pinhoe
St Michael's Church
Pinhoe  Pinhoe shown within Devon
OS grid reference	SX9594
District	Exeter
Shire county	Devon
Region	South West
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	EXETER
Postcode district	EX1 and EX4
Dialling code	01392
Police	Devon and Cornwall
Fire	Devon and Somerset
Ambulance	South Western
EU Parliament	South West England
UK Parliament	Exeter
List of places: UK • England • Devon

Pinhoe is a village on the north eastern outskirts of Exeter in the English county of Devon, which was incorporated into the city in 1966. The 2001 census recorded a population of 6,108 people resident within Pinhoe Ward [1], one of 18 wards comprising the City of Exeter. The population in 1901 stood at 952, and in 1801 was 351.

History [link]

Historically Pinhoe formed part of Wonford Hundred. It falls within Aylesbeare Deanery for ecclesiastical purposes. A parish history file is held in Pinhoe Library.

Pinhoe is mentioned as 'Pinnoch' in the Great Domesday Book compiled in 1086. [2]

There have been several significant archaeological finds in the village over the past 100 years. These have included Roman coins and what is known as 'the Pinhoe hoard' of Bronze age metalwork found in 1999.

In 1001, the Danes, having landed at Exmouth, marched to Exeter, which they besieged, but unable to take the settlement, they laid waste the surrounding country. At Pinhoe, they were confronted by Cola, the Saxon King Ethelred's commander-in-chief, with a hastily assembled force: the Danes were victorious. [3] The actual site of the battle is said to be in or near Mincimore copse. The day after the battle, the invading Vikings burnt Pinhoe, Broad Clyst, and other neighbouring villages. In 2001, the battle was commemorated in the village by a series of military re-enactments, a Viking-themed children's parade and summer fete.

The local community centre - America Hall [4]- is linked to a more recent conflict. It was built with funds donated by the families and friends of American Service persons who were stationed in and around Pinhoe during the Second World War in recognition of the community's hospitality. The National Blood Service runs blood donor sessions at America Hall several times each year.

Geography [link]

Overlooking the village sits St. Michael and All Angels church [5], in its current form, largely dating from the 15th Century. It is set in a neat church yard with an attractive 17th Century, thatched lychgate and a good view of Exeter.

The village's other amenities include two pubs, recently rebuilt primary/junior school, popular pre-school - in a brand new building from September 2008 but still on the same site at Pinhoe School, doctor's surgery, several shops, an estate agency, sub Post Office, pharmacy, part-time bank with ATM, Chinese take-away and restaurant, and two hairdressers.

For several years, the annual Great West Run (half marathon) has extended out to Pinhoe. The toughest part of the course used to be the uphill section along Chancel Lane, the most easterly part of the course, which competitors had to tackle twice during the race. The change to the route in 2006 retained the 'Pinhoe loop' but only as part of the first lap. To the relief of most runners, the route now goes down Chancel Lane.

Traffic [link]

Pinhoe lies on the main rail route from Exeter St. Davids station to London Waterloo and has its own unstaffed station. During the Autumn of 2007, much of the undergrowth behind platform 1 - Eastbound (Honiton/London) - was cleared to improve station security. In September 2008, a ticket machine was installed on platform 2. New shelters, security cameras and dot matrix departure boards have also been installed. Journey times to London are typically around 3 hours 20 minutes. The service is operated by South West Trains.

A link road costing £3.9m opened in December 2006; this created a quicker and more convenient route to the Met Office, Sowton Industrial Estate, and onwards to junction 29 of the M5 motorway and Exeter Airport.

Recent development [link]

The much delayed new household waste recycling centre off Exhibition Way (near Aldi) was opened by Devon County Council on 21 June 2011. This is known as the Pinbrook recycling centre and cost £3.8m to construct. It is intended to serve the east of Exeter, Pinhoe and communities further east.

There are several significant housing development proposals for Pinhoe. These include the redevelopment of the clay pit off Harrington Lane and brick works off Chancel Lane. The former coldstore site off Chancel Lane is being developed for high density housing by Taylor Wimpey Plc. The development, called Chancel Park, is almost complete.

During 2011, there has been significant disruption across much of Exeter due to a programme of replacing gas pipes and water mains. Many of the roads around Pinhoe have been subject to road works and the bus routes in the area have been subject to temporary re-routing. These works have further reduced the quality of road surfaces in the area which were already suffering from reduced maintenance and the impact of two very cold winters. Some patching of potholes and 'slurry' resurfacing of pavements has taken place but little in the way of permanent improvements.

Sons and daughters [link]

• Kevin Brooks, (* 1959), British writer

References [link]

External links [link]

• Map[6] and aerial photo of Pinhoe from Multimap.com [7]
• Pinhoe library
• Pinhoe C of E combined school
• The Great West Run