Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

June 14, 2010

Bideford Devon

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:07 pm
Bideford Devon Long Bridge

Bideford Devon Long Bridge

For two centuries from 1550 to 1750, Bideford was the principal port of north Devon and was also a centre for shipbuilding. Bideford’s 15th century long bridge over the River Torridge, was originally from the 13th century, and comprises 24 arches all with different spans, it connects the original old town with the area known as East-the-Water. The long tree-lined quay is still at the heart of life in Bideford and attracts many visitors to this popular Devon town. Other attractions include the Burton Art Gallery and Museum, and the Pannier Market, held on Saturdays and Tuesdays, a great place to visit if the weather is fine. In the disused railway station at East-the-Water, you can visit the Tarka Trail information centre, housed in a converted railway carriage. If you are enjoying sunny weather during your visit you could also head for the beach at Westward Ho!, to the north of Bideford.

Bideford Map.

October 17, 2009

Holsworthy Devon

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 5:32 pm

A historic market town situated in the county of Devon, England, United Kingdom, Holsworthy has been settled since Saxon times, when it was a significant trading centre. Listed as part of Harold Godwinson’s estate in the Domesday Book of 1086, Holsworthy later became important as a market town, receiving charter’s for its weekly market. Standing on the River Deer, Holsworthy these days has a population of 2,256 and still boasts one of the largest cattle markets in south-west England. Holsworth is located near to the border with Cornwall and is east of Bude. Holsworthy Map.

August 28, 2009

Honiton Seaton and Ottery St Mary

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 12:42 pm

When travelling around the East Devon region of England in the United Kingdom, you will find some interesting little towns which are well worth a visit, among the more desirable are Honiton, Seaton and Ottery St Mary. Honiton and Ottery St Mary are both inland towns, and both side next to the lovely River Otter which cuts its way through this part of Devon, whilst Seaton is a seaside town and popular retirement location. Honiton is most famous for its lace, a trade which has been practised since Elizabethan times, it is also well known for pottery production. Ottery St Mary’s claim to fame is its best known son Samuel Taylor Coleridge who was born there on 21st October 1772, his father a well respected vicar of the parish. Worth a visit in Ottery St Mary is the parish church which resembles a mini Exeter Cathedral. Changing rivers to the River Axe and heading for the coast will find you at the seaside resort of Seaton, a popular town for retirement but also a well known family holiday destination since Victorian times. Be sure to visit the pretty harbour which was a significant port for many centuries until the estuary was  mostly blocked by heavy storms during the fourteenth century. Though made of pebbles Seaton beach is still an attraction for the town.

Sidmouth, Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton

Filed under: England,Holidays,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 10:19 am

Close to the estuary of the River Exe in Devon are some popular seaside towns which you might consider visiting if you are in the area. One of the best known is Sidmouth, which has also become a desirable town in which to retire (similar to Eastbourne in that respect). An ancient settlement, Sidmouth was mentioned in the Domesday Book and spent most of its life as a small fishing village until is became a well known holiday destination during Georgian and Victorian times. Between Sidmouth and Exmouth lies the residencial town of Budleigh Salterton, a quiet town with around 5,000 inhabitants. Budleigh Salterton lies beside the estuary of the River Otter, an important conservation area and haven for migratory birds, it also attracts holidaymakers during the summertime and like Sidmouth has a pebble beach. Right at the mouth of the River Exe, Exmouth is another historic settlement which became popular as a holiday destination, in fact it is claimed to be the oldest holiday resort in Devon, attracting many visitors during the 18th century, who came to enjoy the healing salt waters and the beautiful coastline. Map of Devon.

August 27, 2009

Totnes Dartford Brixham and Paignton Devon

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 1:20 pm

The coast of South Devon has some wonderful places to visit and among these are four towns close together in the area around Torbay and the River Dart. Totnes, Dartford, Brixham and Paignton all have long and interesting histories and all merit a visit if you are in the region. Totnes (so the legend goes!) was where Brutus of Troy landed on the island which he was to name Britain, nice story but unlikely to be true. Totnes is however an interesting place to visit and was at one time one of the wealthiest towns in England. At the mouth of the Dart estuary the fishing port of Dartmouth was significant way back in the 12th century, and was the port from which many of the Crusaders set sail in both 1147 and 1190, Dartmouth has seen many notable departures and landings since those early times, it now attracts tourists in their thousands who visit to soak up the atmosphere of this ancient port. Just north of Dartmouth is the fishing town of Brixham, still notable for its fishing, but these days also more reliant on tourism for its survival.  Among Brixham’s many attractions is a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s ship – The Golden Hind. A little further north still find you in Paignton, another historic coastal town which has become a renowned family holiday resort. Paignton was for many centuries a small fishing village, but grew in importance after a harbour was built in 1837, railway links with London fuelled this growth. Paignton beach and the nearby Preston Sands are big attractions for the area. Devon Map.

August 26, 2009

Barnstaple Appledore and Ilfracombe

Filed under: England,Travel,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:31 pm

Three interesting towns on the North Devon coast, Barnstaple, Appledore and Ilfracombe are all worth a visit if you in this beautiful region of England. Barnstaple was a significant town before the Norman conquest of Britain and even had its own mint, you could try visiting in September when it holds its ancient Barnstaple Fair. Appledore is perhaps best known for its shipyards and shipbuilding, although there is only one remaining shipyard today. Appledore is situated where the River Torridge reaches the sea, on your trip, try visiting the North Devon Maritime Museum which is located in the village, and outlines the areas long shipbuilding history. Ilfracombe, with its pretty little harbour is very popular with holidaymakers, it is also an ideal spot to try a bit of sea fishing, with many wrecks lying off this dangerous coast.

Devon Towns Crediton Tiverton and Bideford

Filed under: England,History,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 11:00 am

Three historic towns in the county of Devon, UK, Crediton, Tiverton and Bideford are all worth a visit for varying reasons. The inland town of Crediton is located in the Mid Devon region and is well known as the birthplace of the Christian Missionary St Boniface in 672 AD. Worth seeing in Crediton is the Church of the Holy Cross, dating from the 11th century. Also in the Mid Devon region, the town of Tiverton stands at the confluence of two rivers (the River Lowman and River Exe), and is an ancient place with evidence found of both Stone Age and Iron Age settlements, the town however grew mostly during the 16th and 17th centuries and prospered due to the wool trade. Heading on to the north coast of Devon, you will find the town and port of Bideford, sitting on the estuary of the Torridge river, the first thing you notice about the town is the striking 24 arched bridge crossing the river, the bridge dates from the 13th century and gives evidence of the importance of the town which later became one of the busiest ports in England, rumoured to have seen the first imports of tobacco by Sir Walter Raleigh.

August 25, 2009

Devon Cities Exeter Plymouth and Around

Filed under: England,United Kingdom — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 2:15 pm

The fourth largest county in England, Devon is situated in the south-west of the country bordering Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Devon boasts a couple of national Parks in the form of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and some historic towns and cities such as Exeter and Plymouth, making the county an interesting and exciting place to visit. Exeter, lying on the River Exe was the most south-westerly fortified town during the Roman occupation of Britain, and even before this was settled, perhaps as early as 250BC. If you are visiting Exeter be sure to take a look at Exeter Cathedral which was founded in 1050, and became the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, being moved from Crediton. The naval port and city of Plymouth is famous as the departure point of the Pilgrim Fathers, who headed for the New World in the Mayflower in 1620, they of course founded Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, America. Plymouth these days is a bustling city with a population of over 250,000. Whilst visiting Plymouth, you might want to consider a trip across the border into Cornwall, where you will find the town of Launceston just 2 miles from the Devon border. In Launceston you can see the 11th century Norman castle which overlooks and dominates the town, it was built by William the Conqueror’s half brother, and demonstrates the importance they gave to the town. Back to Devon and for something a little different, you might consider a trip to the races at Newton Abbot, the course established in 1866 is situated beside the River Teign and is a popular venue for thoroughbred horseracing. Devon Map.

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