The pub at the heart of Ashburton
The Silent Whistle is a local pub nestled in the heart of Ashburton, Devon.
Our pub has a rich history tied to the old steam railway.
We took on the pub as owner operators and had a grand re-opening 30th September 2023.
We're a local family-run business offering a warm welcome to everyone who walks through our doors.
Come and be a part of our story at The Silent Whistle. We look forward to getting to know you!
Clint & Della Teague, Paul and Steph Hodgetts
When first opened in 1825, the inn was known as the Old Bottle Inn. The inn was expanded in 1868 in an agreement with the South Devon Railway, which also allowed the construction of the station. The name of the inn was changed to the Railway Inn in 1872, when the line reached Ashburton. It continued to serve the town until 1967 following the construction of the A30.
In 1973 the inn's name was changed again; to the Silent Whistle. It closed in 1985 for two years but was completely refurbished and opened in 1987 as the Fleece and Firkin, with the name changing back to The Silent Whistle in 1994.
Ashburton station, along with the rest of the branch line from Totnes, was opened by the Buckfastleigh, Totnes and South Devon Railway on 1 May 1872. Amalgamated into the Great Western Railway in 1897 and then nationalised in 1948.
Sadly, the station closed to passengers in November 1958 although goods traffic on the line continued until 7 September 1962.
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The station finally closed 1971 when the track bed between Ashburton and Buckfastleigh was needed for improvements to the A38 road.
