INTRODUCTION
Situated in the heart of Torquay the Lindum Hotel has the ideal position to offer a peaceful and relaxing break whilst being in easy reach of the West Countries Cities, Towns and attractions.
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CONTENTS
 
GENERAL INTEREST

Flora & Fauna
Walking in the region

   Around and about Dartmoor
Moor Care
TOWNS & VILLAGES

Ashburton
Brixham
Chagford
Cockington
Dartmouth
Dawlish
Exeter
Ivybridge
Kingsbridge

   Lustleigh
Newton Abbot
Plymouth
Princetown
Salcombe
Shaldon
Teignmouth
Totnes
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
PLACES OF INTEREST
A La Ronde
Belvedere Tower
Berry Pomeroy Castle
Bicton Park & Gardens
Bradley Manor
Buckfast Abbey
   Castle Drogo
Compton Castle
Escot House & Gardens
Killerton House & Gardens
Powderham Castle
Little Haldon
WHAT'S ON oo2002 [ Updated 29 July 2002 ]
The events and dates listed were accurate at the time of publication. however, we always advise that you check, where possible, to ensure that the event of your choice has not been canceled, or re-scheduled. The weather may affect some of the items listed please ensure that you have checked with the organisers before making long journeys to avoid dissapointment. Silicon Paintbox cannot be held responsible for subsequent alterations, or for any errors within this listing.

PLACES TO GO

 

NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE

Newton Abbot has enjoyed a fine tradition of competitive racing for over one hundred years. Since the development of the ninety-one acre site in 1866, racing has continued regularly ever since, only interrupted by the two World Wars. During the First World War the racecourse was occupied by troops and used as a Prisoner of War camp. During the Second World War only one day's racing was held until peace was declared.

VIEWING AREAS

Paddock Enclosure:


Exclusive access to the Paddock Grandstand, award winning Post Restaurant, Paddock Restaurant and Terrace Rooms Restaurant, as well as all public areas, Bars and a variety of food outlets.

Course Enclosure:


Acres of picnic space, large bar areas, snack bars and betting facilities together with a close-up view of the racing action for a great price.

Grandstand seats

Available at each of the eighteen fixtures

ADMISSION

£12 per person
Under 16's are free (accompanied by an adult)

£6 per person
Under 16's are free (accompanied by an adult)

£1 An annual seat badge is available at £15.

GROUP DAY OUT

Organise a group day-out at the races and get a discount.
For a great day out with colleagues, customers and friends come national hunt racing at Newton Abbot. By booking in advance, with a group of 10 or more you'll save £2 per person off the normal entrance to the Paddock admission.

PARKING

Cars: Free. There is a limited amount of Rails car Parking available to those on a first come first served basis at a charge of £2.00. Alternately an annual reserve berth on the rails is available at £25.00 this covers all 18 fixtures.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone Enquiries: 01626 353235

 

NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM

You will be amazed by what you discover at the National Marine Aquarium. Take a spectacular underwater journey through streams, rivers, shorelines, reefs and oceans. Stand in awe in front of some of the largest and most spectacular underwater displays in Europe.

See the stunning Shark Theatre set in over 700,000 litres of water... a live Coral Reef with hundreds of brightly coloured fish... or a Wave Tank washing thousands of litres of sea water back and forth. Come face to face with thousands of marine creatures from the spectacular to the weird... the colourful to the deadly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/EVENTS

LOCATION

Rope Walk, Coxide, Plymouth PL4 0LF

OPEN

Daily

TIMES

1 April-31 October 10am-6pm / 1 November-31 March 10am-4pm

ADMISSION

  

COMMENTS

Group Discounts Available. (Booking Line 01752 275211)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01752 220084

 

TORQUAY MUSEUM

Devon's oldest museum has recently undergone major refurbishment, including fascinating new galleries and interactive displays.

* Devon Farmhouse Gallery: a reconstructed period farmhouse kitchen, parlour and linhay, furnished with the famous Laycock collection of everyday domestic and rural life.

* Kent's Cavern Collection: Discover prehistoric artefacts excavated from the Kent's

* Agatha Christie Collection: uncover the real life story behind the world renowned crime writer, born in Torquay.

Cavern national archaeological heritage site by William Pengelly.

* Local Studies: Learn more about local history (open two days a week, ring for details).

* Time Ark Gallery: Follow the interactive trail to discover past environments and the natural world.

* Treasure House: Interesting collections of ethnography, Egyptology, archaeology, geology and social history housed in a beautiful Venetian-Gothic-style building.

VISITOR FACILITIES

Relax in Pengelly's, a high quality café serving morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.

Purchase  from a wide range of gifts and souvenirs from the museum shop.

LOCATION

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, TQ1 1HG

OPEN

All year round

TIMES

Monday-Saturday 10am until 5pm. In addition the museum will be open on Sunday between 1.30pm and 5pm

ADMISSION

Adults £3 Concessions £2 Children £1.50 Family Tickets £7.50 (admitting 2 adults and 3 children)

COMMENTS

The museum offers a wide range of educational services. Telephone to enquire about gallery workshops, object handling, role play etc.

Easy access to all public galleries via a lift, ramp and chair lift.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 293975

 

PAIGNTON ZOO

Set in 75 spectacular acres of natural setting, Paignton Zoo provides a great family day out, offering an exciting opportunity to discover more about conservation and the world's endangered species.

The zoo is divided up into zones which represent the world's habitats and are home to thousands of species, including:

*Savannah: African Elephants, Zebras, White Rhino's, Giraffes, Ostriches and Hornbills.

*Forest: Lions, Tigers, Gorillas, Gibbons, Orang-Utans, Owls.

*Wetland: Penguins, Storks, Flamingos, Pelicans, Cranes and a variety of waterfowl.

*Tropical Forest: Exotic plants and over 20 species of reptiles.

*Desert: Camels and a variety of desert birds and reptiles.

Primley is the oldest part of the zoo and its inhabitants include Black Apes, Red Pandas, Monkeys, Tapirs, Tortoises, Kangaroos and several species of birds.

Facilities

Island Restaurant and Living World gift shop open daily. Snack bars open during the summer.

Itinerary:

10.45 am: Baboon feeding time

11.30 am: Pelican feeding time at the Main Lake

12.00 pm: Meet the keeper at the Ape Centre

12.15 pm: Big cat feeding time

2.00 pm: Elephant feeding time and meet the keeper

2.30 pm: Feathered Feats Parrot Show

3.15 pm: Monkey House feeding time and meet the keeper

LOCATION

Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU

OPEN

Every day except Christmas

TIMES

10 am until 6 pm during the summer, dusk in winter

ADMISSION

Adult £ 8.00 Child (Aged 3 - 15) £ 5.75 Senior Citizen and Student £ 6.50

Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) £ 24.70

COMMENTS

Reductions for disabled visitors, carers free. Designated parking spaces and drop-off points adjacent to main entrance. Free wheelchair loan service.

No dogs allowed except for guide dogs.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Information Line: 01803 697500

 

KENT'S CAVERN

Kent's Cavern is one of the most important Palaeolithic caves in Northern Europe and the oldest recognisable human dwelling in Britain. It holds beautiful and spectacular geological formations and significant prehistoric finds, some over 450,000 years old.

Ghost Nights

Walk through the caves by candlelight and listen to the guide's tales and stories of spooky experiences and strange goings on in Kent's Cavern and other caves.

Friday evenings April to October
6.30pm, 7.45pm and 9.00pm

July and August
Every half hour from 6.30pm to 9.00pm

TIMES

Friday evenings April to October 6.30pm, 7.45pm and 9.00pm
July and August Every half hour from 6.30pm to 9.00pm

Chiller Evenings

Exploring the caves by candlelight you travel back into the unknown on a fact and fantasy journey through the history of the caves.

Thanks to the Professor's failing time machine you are sent on a journey through the dark and dimly light passages and chambers of the cave. This is a fun and chilling theatrical show with actors playing various historic and gruesome characters throughout the caves.


TIMES

Monday to Thursday Evening July & August Half Hourly from 6.30 - 9.00pm

LOCATION

Ilsham Road, Torquay

OPEN

All year round from 10 am, last tour 5 pm during the summer

ADMISSION

Telephone for details

COMMENTS

Open evenings during the school holidays for special tours. Advanced booking essential for special events.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 215 136

 

BYGONES

Wander back in time and experience life as our ancestors knew it.

Featuring:

*Life size Victorian street of shops and period rooms.

*Giant model railway and railwayana collection.

*Interactive and illuminated children's fantasy land.

*Multi sensory World War 1 Trench and militaria collection.

*New display for 2002 a real Anderson Shelter.

LOCATION

St. Marychurch, Torquay

OPEN

Every day except Christmas Day

TIMES

Summer: 10 am - !0 pm, Friday - Sunday 10 am - 6pm

ADMISSION

Telephone for details

COMMENTS

Not suitable for wheelchairs. Pushchairs should be left at reception

FURTHER INFORMATION

Information and group booking telephone: 01803 326108

 

CAYMAN SHORT COURSE GOLF

Come and enjoy the excitement and experience of a new concept of the traditional game of golf created in the natural Devon countryside. Eighteen high quality greens and manicured fairways.

  • Play with the 'Cayman' golf ball commissioned by Jack Nicklaus
  • Clubs and balls provided
  • Golfers can use their own clubs
  • 18 holes in approximately two hours

LOCATION

On the main Paignton to Brixham road (A3022) next to the Go-Kart track

TIMES

Telephone for daily opening times

COMMENTS

Special rates for families and parties

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 845909

 

EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project is a global garden on an epic scale, giving hope for a sustainable future and demonstrating mankind's dependence on plants. Eden has become a top international visitor destination and unique educational resource. A 'Living Theatre of Plants and People' Eden stands as a vibrant reminder of our place in nature and provides a living demonstration of regeneration.

 

  • Experience the sights and smells of the rainforest in the Humid Tropics Biome
  • Walk amongst the orange and lemon trees and old olive groves. Enjoy the environments of California and South Africa in the Warm Temperate Zone
  • In the Roofless Biome thirty acres of crescent shapes terraces tell the story of plants that have changed the world and could continue to change the future.

LOCATION

Bodelva, St. Austell, Cornwall

OPEN

All Year Round

TIMES

10am until 6pm, later during the Summer

ADMISSION

Adults £9.80, Children £4.00, Senior Citizens, £7.50 Students £5.00,

Family Tickets £23.00

COMMENTS

Access to virtually the entire site by wheelchair, including the Landtrains which run regularly.

Pictorial communication available for people with learning disabilities. Cyclists welcome.

Buses run daily from St. Austell and Newquay.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01726 811911

 

DARTMOUTH CASTLE

Standing in a superb waterside location guarding the entrance to the estuary, Dartmouth Castle commands magnificent battlement views across the sea. One of the first castles to have been built specifically to accommodate guns, it was erected during the Fifteenth Century to protect the homes and warehouses of the Dartmouth merchants, although remnants of a small fortress predating this by more than two hundred years can still be seen.

August 25th and 26th A Tudor minstrel entertains with lively song from a bygone age. From 12pm onwards.

August 27th and 28th The Thunder of the Guns; Victorian gunners fire the castle gun on the hour as part of the port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. From 12pm until 4pm.

Special events take place throughout the year. For further information call: 0870 333 118

LOCATION

A mile south of Dartmouth town centre off the B3025

OPEN

April to October. Wednesday to Sunday from November to March.

TIMES

From 10am daily

ADMISSION

  

COMMENTS

Hands-on exhibitions and displays bring the 600 year history of the castle to life.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 833588

 

PAIGNTON & DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY

Enjoy Torbay's spectacular coastal scenery with views as far as Lyme Bay and Portland Bill. Travel through the delightful wooded slopes bordering the estuary of the beautiful River Dart. Why not combine your journey with a ferry trip to the olde worlde town of Dartmouth.

TRAIN ONLY  - PAIGNTON TO KINGSWEAR

FARES

Adult £6.60, Child 5-15 £4.60, Senior Citizens £6.00, Family Ticket £20

TRAIN & FERRY TO DARTMOUTH

FARES

Adult £7.70, Child 5-15 £5.20, Senior Citizens £7.10, Family Ticket £24

TRAIN, FERRY & BOAT TRAIN' CRUISE (INCLUDES 1 HOUR RIVER DART CRUISE)

FARES

Adult £11.50, Child 5-15 £8.00, Senior Citizens £11.00, Family Ticket £31

TRAIN, FERRY CRUISE & BUS 'ROUND ROBIN' TRIP.

FARES

Adult £12.00, Child 5-15 £8.50, Senior Citizens £11.00, Family Ticket £32

COMMENTS

Conveniently located in Paignton town centre approximately 200yds from the sea front. Full train timetable available from Tourist Information Centres or by request (see contact number below)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 555872

 

STEAM TRAIN RIDES ALONG THE SEA WALL

This year the old steam train are back, running along the legendary seaside railway between the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter and the bustling seaside towns of Torquay and Paignton.

The Dawlish Donkey

RETURN FARES

Adult £15, Child £10, Senior Citizens £12.50, Family Ticket £45

The Dartin' Donkey

RETURN FARES

Adult £22.50, Child £17.50, Senior Citizens £19.50, Family Ticket £60

The Eden Pixie (visit the Eden Project)

RETURN FARES

Adult £36, Child £31 inclusive

The Dawlish Donkey (visit Dobwalls)

RETURN FARES

Adult £30, Child £25 inclusive

COMMENTS

Under 5's travel free. Telephone for further details.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 0871 871 4119

 

DARTMOOR HAWKING

Come and experience the thrill and excitement of flying hawks in the glorious surroundings of Dartmoor National Park.

  • The half-day falconry experience provides an unforgettable insight into the training and handling of these majestic birds and the unique relationship between the falcons and their trainers.
  • Hawk walks are a fantastic introduction to Birds of Prey and you will be given the opportunity to look after your own hawk for the duration of the walk and participate in the flying and exercising of 'your' hawk.
  • Hunting days offer an excellent opportunity to learn how to handle a hawk and engage in the sport of hunting rabbits and pheasants around the peripheries of Dartmoor. From October through to February.

LOCATION

Events take place on Dartmoor

OPEN

All year round

TIMES

Call for details

ADMISSION

Prices on application

COMMENTS

All equipment is provided but waterproof clothing, in subdued colours, and stout footwear is advisable.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01647 221440 or 07881 628629

 

HOUSE OF MARBLES

A working glass and games factory set in an historic pottery. Visitors can wander around the old pottery buildings with their listed kilns, visit the glass museums and watch the glass blowing in progress.

LOCATION

The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9DS

OPEN

All year round, Monday to Saturday

TIMES

9am until 5pm. 10 am until 5pm Sundays

ADMISSION

Free

COMMENTS

Factory seconds and gift shop. Coffee shop and restaurant.

FURTHER INFORMATION

01626 835285

 

ENGISH RIVIERA CENTRE

Torquay's indoor entertainment centre for the whole family.

* Waves Leisure Pool: Flume; Wave Machine; Paddling Pool; Giant Inflatables; Water Spray       Area.

* Neptune's Knockout: An indoor soft play action and adventure area for under 10's

* Neptune's Gallery: Café-Diner situated by the Waves Leisure Pool

* Lifestyle Health & Fitness Suite: 57 Station Gym; Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi; Beauty Suite; Aerobics.

* Garden Room: Varied International Cuisine available at the renowned restaurant

Forthcoming Culinary Events:

French Evening, July 25th - Sample the delights of France during an enjoyable evening  in the Garden Room £10.95 for 3 courses and coffee

Greek Evening September 26th - A taste of Greek Cuisine in the Garden Room   £10.95 for 3 courses and coffee

LOCATION

Chestnut Avenue, Torquay TQ2 5LZ

OPEN

All Year

TIMES

  

ADMISSION

  

COMMENTS

A range of evening events and shows are staged throughout the year. Call the Box Office on 01803 206 333 for details.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01803 206345

 

UGBROOKE HOUSE & GARDENS

Private home of the Cliffords for three hundred years, the present house was remodelled in the 1760's by Robert Adams. The grounds are a fine example of the work of Capability Brown, with the delightful 18th Century Orangey a perfect venue for tea when the house is open to the public.

LOCATION

Just off the A380 Exeter to Torbay Road

OPEN

July until the beginning of September (Closed Fridays and Saturdays)

TIMES

Grounds 1.30 - 5.30pm. Tour of house 2pm and 3.45pm

ADMISSION

  

COMMENTS

House and Garden tours by arrangement. Conference facilities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Estate Office: 01626 852179

 

POWDERHAM CASTLE

Home to the Courtenay Family since 1391 and open to the public for over 40 years. Stroll through the tranquil grounds and watch the fallow deer. Explore the beautiful Eighteenth Century woodland walk and climb up to the Belvedere for stunning views of the Exe.

* Regular guided tours through the magnificent State Rooms

* Tractor & trailer rides around the grounds

* Working blacksmith and wheelwright.

* Medieval Jousting

* Restaurant and Tearooms

* Country Store with fresh bakery, home produce, family butchers and extensive range of gifts and souvenirs

LOCATION

Ten minutes from Exeter on the Dawlish Road

OPEN

All year round

TIMES

Monday - Saturday 9am until 6pm, Sunday 10am until 5.30pm

ADMISSION

  

COMMENTS

Visit the Country Sore and Restaurant, no castle visit necessary

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01626 891883

 

ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Museum and Art Gallery with a range of exhibitions, lectures, workshops and hands-on activities. The fully licensed Consort Café offers a selection of light lunches, snacks and delicious cakes, whilst Albert's, the Museum shop, stocks a wide range of fascinating items and unusual gifts.

Exhibitions

Let's Face It: A special summer exhibition for all the family. Discover the many facets of the human face through a fascinating array of objects and activities. Style, fashion, conventions, icons, identities, disguise and recognition are illuminated in this intriguing display. (Until September 14th).

Moor Masks: An exhibition of masks by Phil Clark. All of the masks are designed for performance and the display includes examples from commissions for theatre companies; masks from his own productions which often reflected his relationship with Dartmoor and its legends and myths; and half masks for visitors to try on. (Until September 21st).

20th-Century Modern and Contemporary Art: An exhibition reflecting the continually evolving attitude to techniques and subject matter of artists during the last century. Some of the artists featured attained international acclaim, and for many the Westcountry was the focus of their inspiration. (August 3rd until September 14th).

Puppets from Java: A display featuring Indonesian puppets collected during the 1970's from roadside vendors in the mountain resort area of Puncak in Java. (Until September 14th)

Living History Weekend: A celebration of the history of Exeter with a weekend event in Northernhay Gardens. The museum joins in with the celebrations on Thursday August 1st, beginning with a celebrity lecture at 3pm by Dr. Julian Richards (BBC2's Meet the Ancestors) and continuing with a day of time detective work.

The Exeter Ethiopia Link: A display highlighting development work being done in Ethiopia by a group of people from Exeter who, since the 1980's, have encouraged and supported small, sustainable community development projects. (September 21st  until February 2003).

 

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION

DETAILS

PRICE

Veitch Lecture

Maggie Campbell-Culver, member of the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens, talks about The Origin of Plants.

Friday July 26th

7.30pm

Tickets £6 including a glass of wine

Meet the Hayes Family

A day of discovery based on the life and times of a genuine seventeenth century Exeter family residing in Fore Street during the English Civil War.

Saturday August 3rd

11 am until 1pm and

2pm until 4pm

Free

Lunchtime Talk

Dr. Mike Pidgley, former senior lecturer of Art History at the University of Plymouth, Exeter Campus, provides an informative talk on the Modern and Contemporary Art Exhibition.

August 22nd

1.10pm until 2pm

£2

Life Drawing

Adults

Workshop

Come and join local artist Victoria Constant for an exploration of the human form utilising different methods, materials and techniques.

Saturday August 27th

10am until 4pm

Tickets £15     

Adult Workshop

Join Phil Clark to explore the use of masks, different mask-making techniques and ultimately create your own mask.

September 7th

10am until 4pm

Tickets £15

Including materials

Mask Madness

Family drop-in activity where all are welcome to come along and make a fun mask to wear and take home. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

September 14th

10.30am until 12pm

Free

SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

ACTIVITY

DESCRIPTION

DETAILS

PRICE

Animal Magic

Mask making for 5-8 year olds plus parent/carer.

Tuesday August 6th 10am until 12pm or

2pm until 4pm

£3 per session

Adults free

Pop Idol goes Mad

Gigantic life-size model making for over eights.

Wednesday August 7th

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

Underground Passages & Fab Faces

Fun day going underground and mask making. Eight year olds and over.

Thursday August 8th

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

T-Riffic T-Shirts

T-Shirt printing for 5-8 year olds plus parent/carer.

Tuesday August 13th

10am until noon or

2pm until 4pm

£3 per session

Adults free

Fuzzy Faces

Real felt making and groovy character making for 8's and over.

Wednesday August 14th

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

Romans. . .

then Monsters

A fun day of Roman romps followed by poetry. For 8's and over.

Thursday August 15th

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

Making Faces

Amazing mobile making for 5-8 year olds plus parent/carer.

Tuesday August 20th

10am until noon or

2pm until 4pm

£3 per session

Adults free

Pukka Puppets

Funky puppet making for eight year olds and over.

Wednesday August 21st

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

Pulling Faces

A fun day of drama for eight year olds and over.

Thursday August 22nd

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

Blue in the Face

Colourful collage for 5-8's plus parent/carer.

Tuesday August 27th

10am until noon or

2pm until 4pm

£3 per session

Adults free

Manic Masks & Curious Costumes

Mask, jewellery and headdress making for eight year olds and over.

Wednesday August 28th 

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

We're Going on a Bearhunt..Almost

Mini-beasts, stream dipping, live mammal traps and game followed by famous face making. 8's and over.

Thursday 29th August

10.30am until 3.30pm

£6 all day

LOCATION

Queen Street, Exeter EX4 3RX

OPEN

Monday - Saturday, All Year Round

TIMES

10pm until 5pm

ADMISSION

Entrance and Exhibitions Free

COMMENTS

There may be a fee for certain lectures and events, please telephone for details.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01392 665858

 

ESCOT FANTASY GARDENS & PARKLAND

Two hundred and twenty acres of 18th Century parkland surrounding the ancestral home of the Kennaway family. There are paths, trails, vistas and picnic areas in a delightful landscaped setting. The grounds were originally designed by Capability Brown, and are now maintained by the skilful and imaginative television gardener, Ivan Hicks.

  • Aquatic and pet centre
  • Coach House Restaurant
  • Craft and gift shop
  • Woodland walks and trails
  • Birds of Prey displays
  • Natural play areas
  • Wild Boar
  • Red Squirrels
  • Pets Corner
  • Rare trees and exotic plants
  • Wetlands and waterfowl
  • Lake
  • Otters

LOCATION

Just off the A30 between Exeter and Honiton.

OPEN

All Year

TIMES

Telephone for times

ADMISSION

Adults £3.95, Children (4-15) and OAP's £3.25, Family Ticket £12

COMMENTS

Access to Pet & Aquatic Centre, Wetlands and Restaurant is free.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Telephone: 01404 822188

Useful Numbers
Dartmoor National Park   01626 832093
Newton Abbot Racecourse   01626 353235
Dainton Park Golf (Nr. Newton Abbot)   01803 813812
Hele Park Golf Centre (Newton Abbot)   01626 336060
Stover Golf Club (Newton Abbot)   01626 362078
Torquay Golf Club   01803 314591
Teignmouth Golf Club   01626 774194
Northcott Theatre   01392 493493
National Trust (Regional office)   01392 881691
Torquay Tourist Information   01803 297428
Teignmouth Tourist Information   01626 779769
Newton Abbot Tourist Information   01626 367494
Devon Tourist Information   01392 437581
FLORA & FAUNA
 
The Passage House Inn is situated within easy reach of many areas of scientific interest. Closest is the Hackney Marshes Local Nature Park, which, along with the Jetty Marsh Nature Reserve, is a reedbed managed by Teignbridge County Council for conservation benefit.

Reedbeds are a rare habitat in Great Britain, and are, therefore, an important resource for the wildlife that they support. The most characteristic species to be found in this habitat are the bittern: the reed warbler and the bearded tit. Various amphibians can also be found, particularly in areas of open water, and predators such as grass snakes also favour this environment. Grey herons are frequent visitors, and butterflies and dragonflies add to the visual appeal during the summer months.

Further on towards the lower reaches of Whitelake Channel it is possible to catch sight of kingfishers and a variety of other unusual plants and insects. There are approximately five hundred and thirty examples of the unimproved marshy meadow known as Culm Grassland to be found in Devon. Under the care of The Devon Wildlife Trust, this habitat supports a variety of wildlife including barn owls, curlews, and the rare marsh fritillary butterfly. A multitude of wildflowers, including orchids, add to the visual appeal.

A little further along the coast can be found the Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve situated on a sand spit across the mouth of the Exe Estuary. The intertidal mud flats provide vital feeding areas for internationally important populations of waders and wildfowl.
WALKING IN THE REGION
 
Many local buildings are constructed in granite, which would be brought down from Haytor on a tramway, from where it would continue its journey by canal. Much of the path of the original track can still be seen today, and can be followed as part of a series of local walks.

Despite thousands of years of habitation by man, Dartmoor still remains wild and untamed. For keen walkers, the Templer Way covers an eighteen-mile route from Haytor on Dartmoor, down to the seaside resort of Teignmouth. It encompasses a wide range of scenery from open moorland, through woodland and meadow, alongside estuary foreshore and finally culminating at the sea. Named after the Templer family, James Templer and his son, also called James, who built the Stover canal to transport clay via Teignmouth docks, and grandson George, who was responsible for the construction of the granite tramway which is still in evidence along sections of the walk. The Templer Way bears testimony to the achievements of the family and the ways in which their endeavours have shaped the landscape. If attempting to complete the route in one day, allow approximately ten hours, tides permitting, although the route could be covered in slightly less arduous sections.

For those with a sturdy frame and strong spirit, (and copious amounts of Kendall mintcake!) the Two Moors Way is a long distance walking route linking Ivybridge on the southern edge of Dartmoor, with Lynmouth on the north coast of Exmoor. Covering a distance of one hundred and two miles, across the only two national parks in southern England, it offers unrivalled scenery and varied landscape. From the exposed and remote moorland of Dartmoor, along deep wooded valleys through charming Devonshire villages to the rural landscape of Exmoor, it is the perfect choice for a week-long walk.

From the mouth of the River Teign, travelling in either direction, sections of the South West coastal path can be enjoyed, from narrow clifftop paths, dramatic seascapes and long sandy beaches. Through smugglers tunnels, past lighthouses and alongside the remains of villages whose precarious cliffside positions have allowed the sea to claim them, this varied and dramatic walk encompasses a wide range of stunning scenery.
AROUND AND ABOUT DARTMOOR
 
No visit to Devon would be complete without a trip to the "unconquered wilderness" that is Dartmoor. Littered with prehistoric remains including standing stones, cairns and hut circles, it is testimony to the inhabitants who have existed here for thousands of years.

A variety of other more recent remains and monuments are also to be found, many pertaining to the industrial past when Dartmoor was a rich source of tin. Silver, lead, zinc and iron were also excavated, and during the last century, granite gained appeal as a building material.

During the Bronze Age the moor would have been quite highly populated, which may seem surprising considering the bleak and inhospitable landscape of today, but the climate at the time was much warmer and the land much easier to cultivate. Over the subsequent years the weather became colder and wetter and the soil was exhausted by the more sophisticated farming methods introduced during the Middle Ages, culminating in the migration of the majority of the population to other areas, and leaving only pockets of civilisation remaining.

Another characteristic feature of Dartmoor are the granite tors, which have resisted thousands of years of weathering. Unyielding and imperious, they are often swathed in mist, and along with the sinister peat bogs in the northern reaches of the moor, provided inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Hound of the Baskervilles".
MOOR CARE
 

In order to minimise the detrimental impact of a high volume of visitors to the moor and to preserve the landscape for future enjoyment, please adhere to the following guidelines-

  • If travelling by car please park your vehicle in the designated areas, and whenever
    possible use the local bus service as an alternative means of transport.
  • Keep to paths and hard surfaced areas, particularly in wet weather when erosion will be increased.
  • Do not disturb stones and rocks, they could be part of one of the many archaeological features which enhance the unique landscape.
  • Always use gates and stiles wherever possible in order to cross boundaries.
  • Fire damage can irrevocably damage the delicate ecosystem so please ensure that cigarettes are not carelessly discarded and barbecues are closely supervised.
ASHBURTON
A charming and distinctive town situated in a steep sided verdant valley in close proximity to Dartmoor and Holne Chase woodlands. This idiosyncratic town has been a borough since 1238, with prosperous tin and cloth industries, although very few early buildings survive today. However, traces of medieval iron mining and charcoal burning are in evidence in Ausewell Wood. By the late Middle Ages Ashburton had become one of Devon's main Stannary towns.

Behind the main streets a few sixteenth and seventeenth century structures are in evidence, although the majority of the buildings were constructed in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In North Street the Card House sports punched patterns of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades and is said to be unique. The Town Hall has a medieval stone archway and a fine example of an eighteenth century wool weaver's house can be found in Kingsbridge Lane.

The Golden Lion public house is situated at the top of East Street, with a life sized stone lion on the porch. Infamous now for being the headquarters of the 'Monster Raving Looney Party', it was originally built as a private dwelling for a surgeon in around 1790. Ashburton boasted a railway station in 1872 with a branch line leading from Totnes. Unfortunately, the line was closed in 1962 and the station building subsequently became a garage.
BRIXHAM

A bustling harbour surrounded by early nineteenth century houses and cottages. Originally two places linked together by Bolton Street, Higher Brixham was a village with a parish church, and the fishing town of Lower Brixham was positioned by the harbour side over half a mile away. Over the years the two places have amalgamated, although some of the original village streets are still discernible.

Although Brixham was a port in the Middle Ages the present harbour was constructed in the eighteenth century with the addition of a pier which was completed in 1804. Most of the houses around this area were constructed in the early nineteenth century and the town still has a distinctly Victorian feel.

On Berry Head common is the site of an Iron Age cliff castle, Berry Head Fort, and also the remains of Napoleonic fortifications dating from the end of the eighteenth century. During the same period, five windmills were constructed in the Torbay area, although remnants of only one remains in the form of a stone rubble base on Windmill Hill Road. In 1906 a lighthouse was erected at Berry head, and is claimed to be the smallest in Britain, although standing at two hundred feet it is the highest above sea level.

CHAGFORD
 
A picturesque town in a rather unique position between sharply contrasting types of landscape. To one side the treeless, wild, primeval reaches of Dartmoor with its jagged windswept tors, and in the other direction the sheltered fields, pretty woods and rolling hills of the Teign Valley. It was this juxtaposition of bleak and remote moorland with gentle scenery which attracted Evelyn Waugh to stay here during the writing of "Brideshead Revisited".

During the sixteenth century Chagford was one of the Stannary towns the region where tin would be brought to be weighed and stamped before distribution. As a result the town was extremely prosperous until the end of the sixteenth century. The remains of tin mines can still be found in the surrounding countryside and many of the town's buildings date back to the fifteenth century. The tragic death of Mary Whiddon at the altar of the church of St. Michael is said to have provided the inspiration for Blackmore's "Lorna Doone".
COCKINGTON
 
 
An archetypal Devon village which, although in close proximity to Torquay, has managed to retain all of its original charm. Comprising almost entirely of thatched cottages, it can be reached by a pleasant meandering journey in a horse drawn carriage.

In the nineteen-thirties the Cockington Trust was formed with the intention of preserving the character of the village, and to instigate the addition of a model village centre, designed by Edward Lutyens and inspired by the eighteenth century arrangement of shops and cottages around a central village green. Unfortunately these plans did not come to fruition and the Drum Inn was the only building to be constructed.

Cockington Court is an elegant Manor house mentioned in the Domesday Book, adjacent to which lies Cockington Church whose origins are in excess of nine hundred years old. It can also be accessed by a horse and carriage ride past the charming thatched lodge house at the entrance to the grounds. With attractive mullioned windows and central doorway surrounded by Corinthian fluted columns, Cockington Court makes a pleasing sight when approached along the sweeping drive. The grounds are exceptionally well maintained and nestling next to the house is an attractive church with fourteenth and fifteenth century stained glass windows.
DARTMOUTH
 
This is one of Devon's most ancient ports, and its sheltered position at the mouth of the Dart made it a popular harbour from the early middle ages. From the twelfth century onwards, the main import was wine from Bordeaux, and in 1341 the town began to grow. In the sixteenth century the port was utilised by merchants exporting cloth and tin to France from Totnes. From the end of the sixteenth century the town began to flourish and the densely built streets were heavily populated.

Dartmouth has maintained much of its original character, although the historic town houses have now become restaurants and antique shops. In the area around the Quay can be found one of the best examples of seventeenth century merchants' houses in Devon.

Dartmouth Castle lies a mile south of the town at the mouth of the Dart. On the opposite bank lies Kingswear Castle, and during wartime a chain could be passed between the two. The Butterwalk is well worth a visit and can be found leading west from Duke Street. There are four timber-framed houses constructed in 1628 with the upper floors extending over the pavement and supported by granite pillars to form a covered walk. A myriad of carved heads and mythical beasts are depicted and the interior of the museum has superb plasterwork.

The Old Market Place is home to a bustling market every Tuesday and Friday and selling a range of goods including china, bric-a-brac and clothes. The building itself was constructed in 1829 on the site of the old mill pool.
DAWLISH
 
The original settlement was positioned about a mile inland at Dawlish Water in the shelter of the surrounding hills. It began to attract visitors at the end of the eighteenth century, and was described at the time as a bathing village. During 1803 the stream was straightened to follow a path through the wide lawns in the centre of the town, now flanked with bustling shops and cafes along The Strand and Brunswick place. The whole of this area is now attractively landscaped and the stream is populated with ducks and the distinctive black swans characteristic of Dawlish. The opening of the South Devon Railway resulted in the construction of the sea wall and Brunel designed station that separated the town from the coastline.
EXETER
 
There is evidence of inhabitants here since around 55A.D, when the military headquarters of the Second Augustan Legion was based at a fortress situated at the lowest crossing point of the Exe. Underneath the Cathedral Green are the remains of the stone bath house, and one of the earliest examples of a figured mosaic was discovered at the site around 1972. A Roman town grew around the original fortress, and by the third century A.D. had extensive city walls, a basilica and central forum and new public baths. The current High Street follows the line of the principal Roman road, and four medieval gates now replace the earlier Roman ones.

The Cathedral's two ornate towers remain from the twelfth century, and the highly decorated houses of the late medieval clergy can be seen surrounding the Cathedral close. At the entrance to Rougement Gardens is the best-preserved Norman gatehouse keep in the country. None of the walls, which would have encircled the original bailey during the siege in 1136, remain today. During the fifteenth century, Exeter became a prosperous town, involved mainly in the cloth trade. Consequently becoming one of the most affluent towns in England, its wealth was further augmented by its status as a port. As the Industrial Revolution took hold elsewhere in the country, Exeter's cloth industry began to decline, and the town became the centre for genteel society. This was reflected in the construction of Assembly Rooms, Palladian style Sessions House and high-class residential accommodation in and around the city.

The railway arrived in 1844, and in 1865 the Museum and Art Gallery in Queen Street was built in the Gothic style. This fine building now houses a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions and a lively café. Unfortunately many buildings were destroyed during the Second World War and replaced by architecturally uninspiring structures during the nineteen-fifties. At around the same time the expansion of the university and the arrival of motorway access saw Exeter change from a quiet and refined region to a thriving city with two rapidly developing industrial sites.
IVYBRIDGE
 
A small town which developed around a paper mill in the nineteenth century. Set in a wooded valley at the side of the river Erme, Ivybridge has a distinctive railway viaduct spanning the valley and comprising of eight granite and brick arches. Designed by Sir James Inglis, the granite piers of the original Brunel viaduct are still in existence adjacent to the original. A post-prehistoric earthwork enclosure can be found above the town on Henlake down. At the very top lie various hut circles and cairns.
KINGSBRIDGE
Forde Street is attractive, with narrow fronted eighteenth century shops and houses. The town hall was built in 1850 in the Italianate style and a little further along the Shambles. Constructed in 1585, the granite piers, which support the upper floors, form an attractive loggia at ground level.
LUSTLEIGH
 
A charming village situated on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, with a plethora of thatched cottages, well stocked village store, quaint inn, and Primrose tea-rooms arranged around the church. With a gently meandering stream flowing through the centre and along past the cricket ground, Lustleigh is the epitome of an idyllic English village.
NEWTON ABBOT
 
A busy market town which originated as two settlements situated at the head of the river Teign and established towards the end of the twelfth century. The two places amalgamated in 1633, and are no longer distinguishable as separate entities, however two medieval churches remain to the north and south of the town respectively. The two original manor houses are both still in existence, Forde House to the east of the town which is now utilised as council offices, and Bradley Manor which, although still inhabited, is now in the care of the National Trust and open to the public during the summer on Wednesdays from 2pm until 5pm.

At the central cross-roads the tower of St. Leonard is all that remains of a medieval chapel. Further along, the beginning of Wolborough Street has various timber-framed properties remaining, including the stucco-fronted Ship Inn. The addition of the railway station in 1846 heralded the dramatic growth that occurred towards the end of the nineteenth century. Opposite the station, Courtenay Park is overlooked by a semicircle of gabled villas on Devon Square. This development was undertaken between 1840 and 1860 on behalf of the Courtenays and remains today as one of the more elegant areas of Newton Abbot.
PLYMOUTH
The largest city in the whole of the South West, Plymouth has a strong naval and military theme. It is set in an unrivalled position between the estuaries of the rivers Plym and Tamar, overlooking the huge expanse of Plymouth Sound. Originally consisting of three settlements, Plymouth; Devonport; and Stonehouse, which amalgamated during the nineteenth century.

Unfortunately, the Second World War saw the destruction of much of the Victorian centre, and the modern replacement has entirely reshaped the heart of the city. A few older buildings remain, however, two of which are now museums. In Finewell Street stands Yogge's house, which is a late medieval merchant's house, and in St. Andrews Street stands Merchant's House, which is a late Tudor town house, now utilised as a local history museum.

Plympton was the most important area in the middle ages, and had both a priory and castle. By the beginning of the fifteenth century several settlements around Sutton Harbour were rapidly developing to form the core of the modern development, and the Barbican, situated on the west side, retains some of the spirit of the Tudor Port. By the end of the seventeenth century, Plymouth's naval and military importance began to be recognised. William III had established a dockyard at the town of Dock, which later became Devonport. This was bestowed with its own fortifications, and by the early nineteenth century had developed into a popular residential area for naval officers.

Saltram can be found just outside Plymouth, and is one of the most impressive country houses in Devon. Maintained by the National Trust, it is set in attractive grounds on the east bank of the River Plym. Owned by the Bagg family during the sixteenth century, it has undergone a variety of architectural adjustments over the succeeding years, including sumptuous interior decoration undertaken in the eighteenth century. The third Earl of Morley instigated a renovation programme, which commenced in 1884, and from 1957 the National Trust have continued with extensive restoration work.
PRINCETOWN
A bleak and exposed town in the heart of Dartmoor, Princetown originally grew around the barracks for French prisoners of war, constructed in 1806. The prisoners were used to create roadways on Dartmoor, and a railway was built in order to transport granite and other produce from Princetown to Sutton Pool. The granite quarries brought prosperity to the town, and some of the early nineteenth century houses still remain today. By 1850 the barracks had been extended and were utilised as a convict prison. Now famous for its HMP prison, commonly known as Dartmoor prison.

Princetown is also home to the Dartmoor Visitors Centre and offers interesting facts and statistics on Dartmoor and its villages.
SALCOMBE
 

A maritime settlement whose situation on sloping cliffs overlooking the estuary affords it unrivalled views. Since the mid-nineteenth century its sustained growth has been encouraged by its mild climate and the arrival of the railway to nearby Kingsbridge in 1893. The centre of Salcombe comprises of an attractive cluster of small houses and boating shops. Leading down to the waterside, the narrow alleys contain a variety of nineteenth century warehouses.

At the mouth of the harbour lie the remains of the Tudor fortifications in the form of a curved bastion. Originally a castle, it was captured from the Royalists in 1646 and destroyed soon after. Following the road out of Salcombe and up through the wooded slopes can be found Overbecks, a large Italianate villa now owned by the National Trust and surrounded by semitropical gardens.

SHALDON
 
Lying on the opposite bank of the Teign to Teignmouth, Shaldon is a picturesque waterside village which has managed to retain its original charm. The building situated at the Teignmouth end of Shaldon Bridge is a rather eccentric toll house, built in 1828. At the other end of the bridge, Hunter's lodge was constructed in the early nineteenth century in a highly ornamented style with three gables and gothic-style windows.

Thatched cottages can be found dotted around the village centre, and a network of quaint streets surround the village green. Following the road up towards the Ness an early nineteenth century thatched cottage sits adjacent to the Ness Hotel. Constructed around the same time, the hotel has a veranda and an attractive trellised balcony.
TEIGNMOUTH
 
Originally a port and shipbuilding centre, Teignmouth comprised of two settlements, one to the east and one to the west, each with its own church. During the eighteenth century the port prospered with the growth of the Newfoundland trade, and in the nineteenth century became an important point for the exportation of Dartmoor granite and ball clay. By 1803 Teignmouth was known as a fashionable watering place and a popular destination for visitors. In 1826 George Templar's New Quay was constructed for the export of Haytor granite, along with a bridge spanning the mouth of the Teign and linking Teignmouth to Shaldon. Den Crescent was laid out in a formal style with a sweeping semicircle of Regency buildings with assembly rooms at the centre.

At the end of the promenade stands a small limestone lighthouse built in 1845. The arrival of the railway in 1846 ensured Teignmouth's continued popularity, and an esplanade and pier were added to the sea front at the beginning of the nineteenth century. On the North Slope, above the estuary, lies Bitton House, a late eighteenth century construction set within its own grounds. Now a public park, the grounds have attractive views across the river and are home to a bowling green, clubhouse and an immaculately maintained orangery which was restored to its former glory in 1984.
TOTNES
 
A unique and aesthetically appealing town with a distinctive heritage. Populated since before Norman times it has a fine example of a motte and bailey castle situated at the top, and highest point of the town. The motte is exceptionally large, and the top can be accessed by a winding path. The wall surrounding the bailey is of late medieval construction, although it has been added to at various points over the subsequent years. From the fifteenth to the mid seventeenth century the town was extremely prosperous, and tin and cloth were transported to France, via Dartmouth, in return for linen and manufactured goods.

There are still an abundance of wealthy merchants' houses surviving form that era, making it one of the best-preserved towns in England. As the merchant community began to decline in the middle of the seventeenth century, Totnes began to develop as a market town. On Fridays the bustling market is particularly attractive and offers many distinctive items.
WIDECOMBE- IN- THE- MOOR
 
A popular moorland village with pleasant tea rooms and an attractive church. The church house is a grand two-storeyed granite building dating from the early sixteenth century, and now in the care of the National Trust. Widecombe has an attractive centre encircled by small hamlets and solitary farmhouses tucked into the surrounding valleys. A proliferation of the classic Devon longhouses still remain in the area.

The valleys are spanned by many attractive bridges, particularly Dartmeet Bridge in a pleasant setting at the boundary of the Lydford parish, and dating from 1792. Nearby can be seen the remains of an older clapper bridge, one of several to be found in the area. Even earlier remains are also in evidence in the locality including Bronze-Age cairns, a variety of hut settlements and remnants of the reave system are widespread.
 
PLACES OF INTEREST
A LA RONDE
Situated at Exmouth, which was a fashionable sea-bathing resort during the eighteenth century, A La Ronde is the idiosyncratic creation of two cosmopolitan young women. On their return from a ten-year grand tour of Europe the two spinster cousins, Jane and Mary Parminter, instructed the creation of a distinctive sixteen-sided house, inspired by the Byzantine octagonal basilica of San Vitale at Ravenna. Originally thatched and limewashed, it was completed in 1796 and houses the collection which they assimilated during their travels. They decorated the unusually shaped rooms in an exotic style, utilising a variety of materials including dried flowers, feathers, seashells, sand, seaweed, pottery, stones, bone, marbled paint and cut paper. The decoration is widely regarded as the most accomplished of its kind to have survived in Britain, despite its fragile nature. One of the many interesting internal features is the shell-covered gallery, the delicate quality of which has necessitated the installation of a closed circuit camera in order to view it. Extensive restoration work has been undertaken in recent years and the continued care by the National trust ensures the preservation of this unique building.
BELVEDERE TOWER
A restored eighteenth century building with commanding views over the surrounding countryside, encompassing Dartmoor and on a fine day extending as far as Exmoor and the Isle of Portland in Dorset. Built by Sir Robert Palk in 1778 and called Lawrence Castle in commemoration of his benefactor and friend, General Stringer Lawrence. It has a triangular tower with Gothic windows, angle turrets and a cantilevered stone turret stairway leads to the roof. Almost completely obscured from view by foliage when in close proximity it can be seen quite clearly from several miles away. Open to the public from Easter until the end of October on Sunday afternoons and Bank Holidays, and daily during the school summer break.
BERRY POMEROY CASTLE
Situated halfway up a steeply sloped wooded hillside in the Gatcombe Valley and enveloped in local folklore, the castle has been abandoned since 1690. Consequently the topic of local legend and the scene of ghostly apparitions, it is reputedly the most haunted place in the Southwest. Although the site has probably been inhabited since Saxon times, the current building was originally the home of the Pomeroy family who were in occupation since the Norman Conquest. In 1547 it was purchased by Edward Seymour, the first Duke of Somerset and the uncle of Edward the Protector. Although never quite completed, the building would nevertheless have presented an impressive sight. On the second floor of the palatial wing instigated by Edward Seymour, an immense room known as the Long Gallery stretched 230 feet (70m) in length. The longest surviving gallery of this type can be found at Montecute House in Somerset, and is a mere 172 feet in comparison! In around 1690 the Seymours abandoned it and by 1730 the castle had become derelict, consisting of the remnants of the fortified fifteenth century mansion of the Pomeroys and the unfinished ruins of the palace of the Seymours, a site where an earlier medieval building also stood. Now in the care of English Heritage, much consolidation work has been undertaken and the site is well documented making Berry Pomeroy Castle well worth visiting.
BICTON PARK & GARDENS
The area around Bicton has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times, although only documented from the fifth and sixth centuries during the time of the Saxon invasions. A manorial house was constructed in the middle of the thirteenth century with a church alongside and a mill to bring in revenue. Lying halfway between Sidmouth and Exmouth, the gardens are amongst the most beautiful in the region, incorporating a magnificent collection of rare trees and an exceptional Palm House. A fine example of an early nineteenth century iron and glass construction, the central dome of which is completely self-supporting and once glazed is held together by pressure alone. A unique shell house nestles in an early nineteenth century American Garden. An Oriental Garden was established in 1985 with a summerhouse, a series of wooden bridges and a collection of suitably exotic trees and plants. The Italian Garden was laid out from plans made by Andre Le Notre, the designer responsible for the gardens at Versailles. Containing a range of conservatories whose contents include fuchsias, geraniums and over fifty species of orchid, an Orangery, and a Temple standing at the highest point, it makes an excellent vantage point from which to survey the grounds. A wide range of plants, shrubs and a tranquil lake are set amongst the delightful parkland and a delightfully romantic rustic summerhouse lined with basket weave wicker work was built in the Hermitage Garden by the lady of the house in 1839. There is also a fascinating Countryside Museum and a narrow gauge railway meandering through the grounds.
BRADLEY MANOR
A small medieval manor house set in seventy acres of meadow and woodland in Bradley Vale, bisected by both the River Lemon and the gently meandering mill stream of Bradley Leat. The area has been inhabited since the Stone Age and the surrounding hills were fortified and farmed from the Iron Age. The majority of the house was constructed in the fifteenth century, although the south wing dates from the late thirteenth century. Built from limestone quarried from the nearby hills Bradley estate is open at all times to walkers free of charge, and the house and gardens are now in the care of the National Trust and are open to the public on Wednesday afternoons from April to October
BUCKFAST ABBEY
Originally founded in 1018, an abbey has been in existence at Buckfast for around a thousand years. Closed in 1539 it became derelict, but the peace and sanctity of the site encouraged the monks to return around two hundred and thirty years later. The magnificent Abbey church was rebuilt on medieval foundations by four of the monks, who laboured on the project for thirty-two years until its completion in 1938. A focal point of the abbey, it stands as a testimonial to their faith and dedication. Containing a plethora of art treasures, the church is now part of the monks' home. The historic precinct lies adjacent to this, and contains many of the original medieval buildings, several of which were constructed for the use of guests. The finest of these buildings houses an exhibition tracing the history of the Abbey with examples of a variety of artefacts and relics. In addition to their pastoral work, the monks run a farm, keep bees and make honey, create stained glass and produce tonic wine. Many of the goods are available to purchase in one of the three well-stocked shops. Three delightful gardens, the Sensory Garden, the Physic Garden and the Lavender Garden have recently been planted for the enjoyment of visitors, and Devonshire cream teas are available at the Grange restaurant.
CASTLE DROGO
Completed in 1930 Castle Drogo was the last castle to be built in England. Undertaken by the remarkable architect Edwin Lutyens, its concept, design and construction were a tribute to his creative drive. Created entirely in granite and perched high on a Moorland spur above the River Teign, it commands spectacular views across the Teign Valley and over to Dartmoor. All the granite utilised for the project was quarried locally and transported to the site by its own traction engine railway. It is an immense and imposing building with solid walls up to six feet thick in places, and an entrance tower with all the features of an authentic castle. The portcullis, arrow slits and machiolated turrets are for aesthetic purposes rather than necessity. Lutyens deployed various architectural tricks, including the slightly tapering walls of the entrance tower to create the illusion of even greater size, a method utilised by the Ancient Greeks whose tapering columns gave the impression of inspiring magnitude. The grand style has been continued through to the gardens, with the imposing hedges towering imperiously over the formal gardens. A sequence of elaborate terraces and neat lawns arranged around a series of paths, punctuated by geometrically designed hedges, echo the architectural technique utilised in the design of the Castle, and bearing the unmistaken signature of Lutyens. An immaculately tended circular lawn appears at the top of the steps, encircled by Yew hedges and seemingly serving no purpose it gives the impression of a mysterious secret garden. Now in the care of the National Trust it is open daily throughout the season, (apart from Fridays).
COMPTON CASTLE
Originating in the fourteenth century, Compton is one of the few fortified manor houses that have remained intact and in its original form. The earliest part of the building is the hall, which was rebuilt in 1954 with strict reference to the original dimensions and using materials similar to those originally utilised. Early in the sixteenth century, the East Wing was extended and fortifications were added, including two portcullis entrances set high in a crenelated curtain wall, embrasures for guns in the ground-floor rooms of all of the towers, and prominent machicolations. The instigation of defence systems at this particular time was probably due to the proximity of Teignmouth, Fowey and Plymouth where the French were conducting raids. It has been occupied for the last six hundred years by the Gilbert family, who moved away to Sandford in 1750. They resumed residence when the house was repurchased by Commander Gilbert in 1930, and over the subsequent years, the family sensitively and painstakingly restored their home. In 1951 the house and 300 acres of land were passed to the National Trust with the proviso that the family would continue to live there. Open from April to October, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
ESCOT HOUSE & GARDENS

An impressive mansion was built on the elegant Escot estate between 1680 and 1688, although Escot is mentioned in records as far back as 1227. Unfortunately the original house was destroyed by fire just after Christmas in 1808, when showers of molten lead from the roof made it impossible to enter the house and extinguish the flames. Designs for a new property were prepared in 1835 and the orientation of the house was altered to encompass views across the surrounding countryside. The foundation stone was laid in September 1837 and the project was completed the following year.

Although the house itself is not open to the public, the historic gardens and parkland surrounding it are well worth visiting. There are various animals, including pygmy goats, peacocks and otters, and the delightful wilderness walk circumnavigates the wild boar enclosure. The walled garden, pets' corner, the Mews Craft Centre and the aquatic centre are free, and the coach house of this grade one listed building has been converted into a restaurant.

KILLERTON HOUSE & GARDENS

A substantial estate donated to the National Trust in 1944, and enjoying panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The magnificent garden has been well maintained since the house was built, and is renowned for its rare trees and shrubs. Set on a gently sloping hill and pervaded with the scent of Magnolia, it also features rhododendrons and attractive herbaceous borders. In a particularly secluded part of the garden is an icehouse, and a little further up the hill a delightful early nineteenth century summer house decorated with pine cones on the outside and encrusted with shells on the inside. Known as the "Bear's Hut" after a family pet, it was built for Lydia, the wife of Sir Thomas Acland, early in the nineteenth century. Near to the entrance to the grounds lies Killerton Chapel, commissioned to be designed in the style of a Norman ruin at Glastonbury, it was consecrated in 1841.

The house and garden are part of a working agricultural estate encompassing approximately ten square miles of the surrounding countryside of which the National trust is the landlord. A distinctive hill known as Killerton Clump is the focal point of the estate. An outcrop of volcanic rock, it bears the traces of an Iron-Age settlement from around 400 BC. The surrounding woodland extends to around a thousand acres, interspersed with paths the majority is accessible to visitors. The house was rebuilt in 1778 and is still home to the Acland family. A substantial costume collection is displayed in the upstairs rooms and a carefully preserved Victorian laundry can be found at the side of the house. Open from March to October, every day except Tuesday.

POWDERHAM CASTLE
Medieval castle and the home to the Earl of Devon. Set amongst attractive landscaped grounds, including a deer park, the Powderham estate embodies the peace and tranquillity of the English countryside.

Originally a fortified manor house mentioned in the Domesday Book, it has been inhabited by the Courtenay family since 1325 when Powderham was included in the dowry of Lady Margaret de Bohun on her marriage to Hugh Courtenay, Second Earl of Devon.

Successive generations have made architectural additions, and it even withstood an attack from the Courtenays' rivals, the Bonvilles, in 1455. Originally facing eastwards towards the River Exe, it is now approached from the west, via a bridge and baronial gate-tower. The original medieval section has been extended in all directions with additions dating from the sixteenth to the end of the eighteenth century. Various improvements were undertaken during the middle of the eighteenth century, the most ambitious being the vertical subdivision of the medieval Great Hall. The northern end became the magnificent Grand Staircase, dating from around 1755, and consisting of three enormous flights of stairs with spiral balusters and carved tread-ends. This section also boasts a fine example of ornate plasterwork with Baroque style motifs of flowers and fruit.
LITTLE HALDON
 
 

Lying approximately six hundred feet above sea-level and comprising primarily of heathland, Little Haldon is a bleak plateau with few visible signs of habitation by man. Thousands of years ago the scene would have been very different with the entire area swathed in deciduous trees and the human population enjoying a warmer climate. Wide scale deforestation altered the landscape irrevocably, its legacy being the acidic soil in which very little can thrive. Nevertheless, the environment is unique and has consequently been designated a Site of Specific Scientific Interest by the National trust.

During Anglo-Saxon times settlements had already been established nearby at Dawlish Water and Bishopsteignton and the arrival of the Romans in the first century A.D. saw the development of Exeter as a thriving community. A system of roads was established at this time linking the communities together, and it is possible to walk along many of the original routes.

During the thirteenth century a monastery on the outskirts of Bishopsteignton had been converted into a summer palace for the Bishop of Exeter, and the remains can still be seen today. Also within the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Exeter was the Chapel at Lidwell. Constructed on the site of a sacred spring in the fourteenth century it was inhabited by a hermit monk called Robert de Middlecote, whose occupation was to hear the confessions of travellers who intersected the heath. For some time he undertook this task willingly, but eventually the remote and lonely situation took its toll on his sanity.

During the daytime he maintained a superficial dedication to his task, but as nightfall loomed he went in search of weary travellers who, exhausted and dejected, would welcome his offer of hospitality. After consuming a hot meal, the narcotic with which it had been garnished would begin to take effect. The unfortunate traveller could offer little defence when the mad monk withdrew his dagger and delivered a fatal blow. He would relieve them of their valuable possessions before disposing of the body in the deep recesses of the well situated just inside the chapel door. For many years monk Robert perpetuated his gruesome activities, amassing a considerable collection of treasure as he went.

His ultimate downfall occurred when he was visited by a sailor, returning from a long spell at sea and attracted by the welcoming lights of the chapel. Encouraged by the monk, he knelt at the altar to say a prayer of thanks for the substantial savings he had acquired. Fortunately for him he opened his eyes in time to intercept the potentially fatal blow. In the scuffle that ensued, the monk lost his balance and plummeted into the murky depths of the well. The shocked traveller enlisted the help of a local farmer, whose scepticism ended abruptly when they withdrew a bucket full of decomposing remains from the well. Despite sustaining a considerable fall, monk Robert was rescued from the murky depths, and according to legend only to die minutes later, within desperate grasp of his ill-gotten acquisitions.

According to history, however, Robert de Middlecote's life came to end at the gallows at Exeter in 1329.

Remains of Lidwell Chapel can still be found a few hundred metres away from the main road opposite the golf course. However, the area still maintains an eerie and malevolent feeling and nothing grows within the chapel walls!

 
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