snip > In the early 1800's was Axminster in Devon or Dorset? Hi Derek Axminster has always been in Devon, however Stockland ad Dalwood to the west and Hawkchurch to the east were in Dorset and Devon respectively but switched counties along with some other parishes during rationalisation starting in the 1840s. Axminster R D then and now would therefore cover both Devon and parts of Dorset Eddie