2021 TOWN MAP ON CENTRE PAGES WHERE TO STAY p.48 EAT & DRINK p.42 SEE & DO p.6 2 WELCOME WELCOME 3 See & do / 6 Explore / 26 What's on / 30 Totnes The Plains Welcome to Totnes Totnes Museum Shopping / 36 Nestled between moorland and sea and surrounded by Food & drink / 42 beautiful countryside, Totnes is a captivating, historical market town on the River Dart. Dating back to 907 AD, this quirky town is dotted with impressive Norman, Tudor Where to stay / 48 and Elizabethan architecture and has a high street full of independent shops and eateries. Getting here / 66 The river provides a stunning backdrop for short walks, waterside eating, kayaking and canoeing, and the whole area is a paradise for cyclists and those who want to get outdoors. There are also many interesting attractions in and around the town with animals, steam trains, museums, castles, cinemas, a vineyard and more. Every week the town bustles with lively, local traders selling crafts, gifts and food at the Friday and Saturday Markets, the monthly Sunday Food Market and weekly Elizabethan Market (every Tuesday May - September). Regular, seasonal indoor markets will take place in the Civic Hall as well - see website for more details. With a wide variety of places to stay from thatched inns to dog friendly cottages, historic hotels to contemporary lodges, you’ll be sure to find your little piece of heaven in Devon, and with a lively programme of annual events you can tie some orange racing, raft racing, partying or pride into your holiday*. Only 3 hours direct from London and Birmingham and 2 hours from Bristol by train, Totnes is closer than you think. Waterside Bistro * All events are subject to change. Please check our website nearer the time. @visittotnes 4 5 The beautiful town of Totnes - basically like Austin, Texas meets Santa Barbara’s State Street except instead of the beach we have the River Dart Check out and a castle, not to mention our website the lovely rolling hills of the Devon countryside! If you ever get a chance, I highly recommend a trip here. visittotnes.co.uk Naomi Chowdhury @RoamingNaomi @visittotnes 6 SEE & DO HIGHLIGHTS 7 Things to See & Do Paignton Zoo Whether you’re here to relax or be active and whatever your interests we are truly spoilt for choice here in Totnes, with a wide range of activities and attractions in the area from canoeing the River Dart to animal cuddles and everything in between. Sharpham Wine South Devon Railway Memorable Moments For those romantic experiences and lasting memories we can offer everything from a relaxing journey on a heritage steam train to sipping wine on the land where Animal antics it’s produced. From sheep on a farm to giraffe at the zoo, beautiful butterflies to playful otters, if you’re visiting with little ones or At South Devon Railway, sit back and soak up the passionate about animals we have many popular attractions countryside on a ride from Totnes Riverside to in the area to keep you amused. Buckfastleigh via Staverton and feel like 'The Railway Children' at the charming, heritage stations. Look out for their special Dining Trains where you can enjoy a Sunday With over 2,500 animals across 80 acres you are in for a Roast or Afternoon Tea on board. really wild time at Paignton Zoo. Located just 15 minutes drive from Totnes, it’s a place to roam, discover and get Visit China Blue to paint your own ceramics, create a in touch with your inner animal where you’ll find all your hand or foot plaque or try your hand at pot throwing. All favourite species, big and small. beautiful souvenirs from your stay here. The Rare Breeds Farm is a short walk from town but will feel a With the Dartmouth Steam Railway Company you can million miles away in its tranquil location across the line from arrive in Totnes in style with a 90 minute river cruise from Riverside Station, where you can cuddle, feed or just view the Dartmouth offering beautiful views of Agatha Christie’s animals and enjoy food and drink at the beautiful garden cafe. Greenway Estate, local villages and Sharpham Estate along the way. Add on a steam train and bus for the complete Round Robin tour taking in Paignton as well. Don’t forget Pennywell Farm, Otters & Butterflies Visit Sharpham Cheese & Wine to soak up panoramic and the stunning Deer views of the river and area surrounding Totnes, and find Park at Dartington Hall as out about their award winning wine and cheese in a mini well, all a short distance tasting or in depth tour. from Totnes. Deer Park @visittotnes 8 SEE & DO HIGHLIGHTS SEE & DO HIGHLIGHTS 9 The Guildhall Totnes Cinema The Barn Cinema Historical Havens When you visit Totnes the High Street, a perfect Sit back and enjoy the film always remember to example of a house If you fancy escaping this time or place for a few hours ‘look up’ and ‘explore’ to from this era which also you can catch an independent, world or mainstream ensure you don’t miss the boasts a medieval kitchen, movie at the 15th century Barn Cinema at Dartington Hall impressive architecture Jacobean furniture, or retro Totnes Cinema on the High Street. and hidden gems. Victorian pharmacy and The Guildhall (Easter - many more historical October) is tucked behind delights. Further up the Transition Town the High Street down a High Street don’t miss If you’re interested in Totnes as quaint cobbled street. the Fashion & Textiles a Transition Town you can join Built in 1553 on the ruins Museum at Bogan House, a tour on selected dates from of a medieval priory, this one of the best preserved April to October, offering a fun fascinating building has late medieval merchant’s and interactive introduction to seen prisoners, mayors houses featuring costume the movement. Visit some of and soldiers walk through exhibitions from years the environmental, social and its doors. Follow in their past. Both museums economic projects and gain an footsteps today for free - are seasonal. insight into how communities can donations welcome. work together to tackle some of the You can also walk Also visit the 15th century biggest challenges from climate the same path as an St. Mary’s Church with change to energy shortages. Transition Walk Elizabethan merchant at its sandstone facade and Totnes Museum which many historical features - takes pride of place on open daily, free to visit. Be immersed in nature The Sharpham Trust offers mindful retreats at 3 venues on A view fit for a king their 550-acre estate beside Don’t miss Totnes Castle which keeps watch the River Dart near Totnes. You over the town centre with sweeping views of the can stay full board in Sharpham surrounding countryside, or the ruins of Berry Pomeroy House, a Grade I listed Georgian Castle which rest amid impressive woodland in a villa, live in community, working neighbouring village. These English Heritage sites are on the land at The Barn Retreat free to members and offer another glimpse into the Centre, or camp in woodland, area’s varied history. using mindful awareness to Sharpham Estate connect to nature. @visittotnes 10 SEE & DO See & Do 11 Historical town trail Through cobbled streets and hidden alleyways, take this walk to discover some of the historical and architectural highlights Brutus Bridge in town. 1 Start at the Town Mill. 4 Return to Fore Street. Here you will find a restored On the corner you’ll find the Victorian water wheel Royal Seven Stars Hotel and The Image Bank and dating from the 17th century Rural Archive which holds and reputedly built on the Totnes a growing collection of site of a medieval hostelry. The Lamb Castle Castle Garden Entrance photographs dating back to 17 5 TH The Rotherfold E 16 the 19th century. Walk up the hill taking N A R R time to observe the rich O W 2 S Totnes Bridge was variety of architectural styles Leechwell CASTLE ST 18 designed by the Devon above the shops. Many Leechwell Lane Civic Hall T S architect Charles Fowler. of these properties were H 19 15 T R Built in 1828, it replaced built for the town’s wealthy O N 14 Heath’s an earlier bridge, the merchants in the 16th and Leechwell Garden Garden St Mary’s foundations of which can 17th centuries. 13 Church be seen at low tide. A E V 6 O 12 walkway leads down and Cross Fore Street. In Y R 11 Gradient steepA G around Vire Island, named Bank Lane, on the left, is the W E 9 H Guildhall S T up-hill gradientE after the Normandy town 18th century Gothic House. N 10 I through town R twinned with Totnes. Continue up Fore Street to E H Time 60mins T the imposing Mansion of 8 Steps Mansion/ A T K 3 Starts at the S Make your way to The 1795, once the grammar 7 Library T Brutus Stone A S I Town Mill R Plains, once part of a large school and now used for the STATION ROAD O 6 T tidal marsh. Many of the community. Totnes Library is C I BANK LANE V buildings were originally located behind here. 5 AD warehouses. A stone obelisk TICKLEMORE STREET O R 7 ION commemorates William Walk back across Fore AT RON Wills, explorer of Australia Street to the Brutus Stone. Wills Obelisk CO 4 Seven Star s THE PLAINS 3 and born here in 1834.