ASHBURTON, an urban district, South Devonshire, Eng land, on a branch of the Great Western Railway from Totnes. Population (193i) 2,505. It lies under Dartmoor, in a valley sur rounded by hills, at a short distance from the River Dart. Ash burton (Essebretona, Asperton, Ashperton) is a borough by prescription and an ancient stannary town. In Domesday the manor was held in chief by Osbern, bishop of Exeter. Fairs and a Saturday market were instituted in the reign of Edward II. A market for the sale of wool, and fairs for the sale of cattle, corn and merchandise were granted in 1672 and 1705 respectively. The town was represented at various times by either one or two members from 1298 to 1885. It is now in the Totnes division of Devonshire. The church of St. Andrew, with its lofty tower, was built early in the 15th century and has a fine oak roof over the north aisle. The grammar school was founded as a chantry in 1314. The town has seen many kinds of industry. Slate quarries and copper and tin mines were formerly valuable. Serge is manufactured, and there are breweries, paint factories and saw-mills.