Story telling - Our Smuggling Heritage Event at the East Budleigh Heritage Centre in Salem Chapel, Devon
Vicarage Road, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7EF
Our Smuggling Heritage event takes place in Salem Chapel, a dissenters chapel built in 1719. Focussing on the late 18th and early 19th century smuggling, the exhibition shows how the illegal contraband from mostly France, was landed on the East Devon coast at night and stored underwater to escape detection by the customs officials keen on collecting the import duty payable by law. When the coast was clear, the lucrative booty was moved into caves then onwards through secret passages to be stored safely out of sight in the chapel roof. Special barrel holders were built into the attic. (Barrels long gone!) Given the unusual roof structure, the smugglers could disappear into the inner roof space to avoid detection. All this smuggling activity was actively supported, it is long rumoured by the Reverend Leat at Salem Chapel. In 1806, the records in the Old Bailey in London show that William Bastin and Robert Prescott were charged with smuggling, caught by the East Budleigh excise officer. Other smugglers were also caught but subsequently released by the magistates without charge at the private request of the local Lord, keen to enjoy his favourite tipple. Local history also tells you that the parish church of All Saints was a hotbed of smuggling led by the Vicar Ambrose Stapleton from the late 18th century until 1852. (Credit: V Nutt, HCT) The profitable and often dangerous smuggling trade declined from 1848 with the passing of the Corn Laws which removed import tax on 450 items.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1400-1600
- Sunday 15 September:
- 1400-1600
Location & directions
Vicarage Road, East Budleigh, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7EF
- Directions:
- The East Budleigh Heritage Centre in salem Chapel is located on the junction of Vicarage Road East Budleigh and the B3178. It is on the 157 Bus route. There is bicycle parking. There is no car parking save disabled parking. Please drop off and park in the Hayes Lane car park in the village which is a 7 minute walk.
- Contact on day:
- Maria Malinowska
- Telephone number:
- +447773218582
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The East Budleigh Heritage Centre in salem Chapel is located on the junction of Vicarage Road East Budleigh and the B3178. It is on the 157 Bus route. There is bicycle parking. There is no car parking save disabled parking. Please drop off and park in the Hayes Lane car park in the village which is a 7 minute walk.
Additional information
The East Budleigh Heritage Centre in salem Chapel is located on the junction of Vicarage Road East Budleigh and the B3178. It is on the 157 Bus route. There is bicycle parking. There is no car parking save disabled parking. Please drop off and park in the Hayes Lane car park in the village which is a 7 minute walk.
