The village is believed to be an ancient settlement – probably existing 200 to 300 years before the
Norman Conquest. It is mentioned in the
Domesday Book of 1086 as Ilestintona, and there is known to have been a church there since at least the 11th century. St. Michael's parish church, as seen today, dates back to the 15th century. It was the site of an incident which has passed into local folklore: in 1639 the schoolroom, which was above the west
lychgate of the church, collapsed into the street and churchyard. quarries Apart from its agricultural history, Ilsington's industrial archaeology reflects the
mining of the 18th and 19th centuries. The Atlas tin mine and the Smallacombe iron mine were major local enterprises – with the cottages at Lewthorne Cross being built for William Grose, the mine captain and mine workers. Nearby, at
Haytor, granite was quarried and carried down to the
Stover Canal at Ventiford, Teigngrace, on the
Haytor Granite Tramway, the route of which is now commemorated in the Templer Way footpath. Haytor granite was used in the building of many civic structures including
London Bridge, over the
Thames in London. Through the centuries, Ilsington village appears to have been largely self-supporting. Census returns and church records show a variety of rural occupations among the local community including farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, thatchers and stone workers. It had an ancient manor house which fell into ruin after occupation ceased in about 1825. The village's most famous resident was the playwright
John Ford, who was born at
Bagtor House. ==Today==