French
DeutschTotnes is a market town in the English Riviera and South Devon region of Devon. The village of Dartington is just outside Totnes, as is Dartington Hall.
Understand
[edit | edit source]The Dartington Hall Estate was purchased Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst in 1925. They wanted to create an "experimental" estate with forestry, farming and educational projects. This led to the opening of a school, a tweed mill, sawmills, a cider company and the famous Dartington glass works.
The school, which has now closed, used novel methods, similar to those used by A.S. Neill at Summerhill . Aldous Huxley's children went to Dartington Hall, some of the educational methods in his novel Island are based on the Dartington School.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By train
[edit | edit source]- 1 Totnes railway station. has trains from London Paddington via Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance. Trains are run by Great Western and Crosscountry.
Get around
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See
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Market square, with the Butterwalk across High street in the background
- Fore Street and High Street, both lined with Tudor period buildings.
- 1 Totnes Castle, Castle Street, TQ9 5NU, ☏ +44 1803 864406. Situated on a promontory, commanding the River Dart, Totnes Castle was built by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet. Despite little remaining of the original motte and bailey castle, other than the earthworks, the stone enclosure of Totnes Castle's keep, built at the summit of the motte, has survived to the extent of being one of the best preserved in England. adults £3.60, children £2.20, concessions £3.20.
- 2 Berry Pomeroy Castle, Berry Pomery, TQ9 6LJ (2 miles east of Totnes), ☏ +44 1803 866618. adults £4.90, children £2.90, concessions £4.40.
- 3 Totnes Information Centre, The Town Mill, Coronation Road, TQ9 5DF, ☏ +44 1803 863168, enquire@totnesinformation.co.uk. Run by Totnes Town Council, Totnes Information Centre represents a good starting place for visitors to the town.
- 4 Dartington Hall Estate, Dartington Hall TQ9 6EE. Extensive grounds and gardens of the former school.
Do
[edit | edit source]- 1 South Devon Railway. Daily Apr - Oct + some other days. 4+ trains per day. 7–mile steam railway to Buckfastleigh. £12.40 return.
- DartingtonARTS. Theatre, dance and music performances
- Dartington International Summer School of music.
- 2 Totnes Cinema.
- 3 Dartington Pontoon. Popular spot on the River Dart for swimmers and kayakers.
Buy
[edit | edit source]- There is a market every Friday and Saturday, an Elizabethan market on Tuesdays (with the sellers dressed in period costume) and a monthly gourmet food market.
- Dartington Crystal. a famous glassworks
- 1 Cider Press Centre, Shinner's Bridge, Dartington, TQ9 6EL. a group of shops.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- Barrell House (top of town, corner of castle street and high street).
- 1 The Cott Inn, Cott Ln, Dartington, TQ9 6HE, ☏ +44 1803 863 777, info@cottinn.co.uk.
- 2 Roundhouse Cafe, Lower Drive, Dartington Hall, Dartington, TQ9 6EN.
- 3 The Curator Cafe, 2 The Plains.
- 4 The Hairy Barista, 82 High St. Café with a plant–based menu and outdoor garden
- 5 Albatross Pizza Shop, 105 High St (by The Bull Inn across the road). Wed-Sat 5-9PM. Pizza restaurant. Great pizzas with lots of vegetarian options, and a regularly changing menu. Recommended to arrive early, as they don't take bookings. Takeaway also available.
Drink
[edit | edit source]- 6 Sandridge Barton, Waddeton Road, Stoke Gabriel, TQ9 6RL (5 miles from Totnes). Mar-Dec 10AM-4PM. is a vineyard on the River Dart, tours available. tasting from £12 vineyard safari £45.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Steam Packet Inn, St Peter's Quay, ☏ +44 1803 863880.
- 2 The Bull Inn, 102 High St, Rotherfold TQ9 5SN, ☏ +44 1803 640040. Lively inn and bistro with rooms, dog-friendly. B&B double £120.
- 3 The Old Forge, Seymour Place, TQ9 5AY. 10 bedroom bed and breakfast in a 600 year old stone building, with private garden. from £115.
- 4 Royal Seven Stars Hotel, The Plains, TQ9 5DD.
Connect
[edit | edit source]As of Sep 2023, Totnes and its approach roads have 4G from O2 and Vodafone, and 5G from EE and Three.
Go next
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