Devon Travel Guide - Towns and Villages Gazetteer

Situated at the junction of the Taw and Torridge rivers, Appledore is a popular fishing village with atmospheric cobbled streets. Many of the cottages date from the Georgian period. There is a tidy pebble beach, and the opportunity to try your hand at fishing and boating.
Appledore, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SS458301
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Ashburton was a centre of the tin mining industry. The town gives good access to eastern Dartmoor, and many of the most popular tors of Dartmoor National Park are only a short drive away. The parish church of St Andrew dates to the 12th century, but was much rebuilt in the 15th century. Just outside Ashburton is the modern monastery of Buckland Abbey. The most intriguing building is the Chapel of St Lawrence. This was a private chapel for the Bishop of Exeter but he gave it to the town in 1314 as a Chantry School. It now houses a heritage centre for Ashburton.
Ashburton, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SX760700
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A lovely village down quiet lanes in the South Hams, a few miles south of Totnes. The historic 14th century church of St David sits on a small level bench of land looking over the green and a picturesque inn. The church boasts an interesting Norman font. This is rural Devon at its very best!
Ashsprington, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SX816568
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Axminster is set in eastern Devon close to the border with Dorset. The town made its name as a centre for quality carpet making. Thomas Whitty made the first carpets here in 1755, and Axminster has never looked back! You can view carpets being made in the Axminster factory. The church of St Mary dates to the Saxon era, and there are some lovely Georgian houses in the town centre. A short distance away is the famed Jurassic Coast of south Dorset.
Axminster, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SY307986
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An attractive village on the banks of the Axe, about one mile from the sea. An Iron Age hillfort rises above the church of St Michael, which boasts a lovely Norman doorway. The village is popular with birdwatchers as a good place to find a variety of seagoing birds such as gulls, terns, and numerous wading birds.
Axmouth, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SY259913
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An historic town on the River Taw. The most interesting historic building is probably the restored 13th century bridge. You can also see remnants of a Norman castle mound. The parish church of St Peter dates to 1107, and boasts a twisted lead spire and a separate 15th c chantry chapel. The 180 mile long Tarka Trail starts at Barnstaple, and the long distance South West Coast Path passes through the town. Barnstaple is well known for its award-winning floral displays. Five miles away is the National Trust stately home of Arlington Court, which boasts an intriguing historic carriage collection.
Barnstaple, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SS565335
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Once a fishing village, Beer later made its name as the source of Beer Stone, which provided the material for many of Britain's most famous buildings. The village was mentioned in the Domesday Book, and the manor of Beer was once owned by Catherine Parr, last wife of Henry VIII. It later became infamous as a haven for smugglers.
Beer, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SY224895
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Just east of Totnes, Berry Pomeroy boasts the impressive ruins of a castle built in the 13th century. In the 16th century the an attempt was made to transform the castle into a mansion, but this was never completed. The Perpendicular church of St Mary contains an interesting medieval rood screen and memorials to the Pomeroy and Seymour families.
Berry Pomeroy, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SX829605
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A market town on the Torridge River in in north Devon, Bideford has a long history as a seafaring centre. Many of the most impressive historical buildings in the town centre were built by successful ship owners. Bideford Long Bridge, built in 1474, uses no less than 23 arches to span the river, joining Bideford to 'East the Water' on the far side. Author Charles Kingsley wrote much of his most famous work, 'Westward Ho!' in the Royal Hotel in Bideford.
Bideford, Devon, England

Attraction Type: Town
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OS Grid SS446264
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An historic town on the Bovey River in south Devon at the eastern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Bovey Tracey has a history as a centre of china clay mining. Legend tells that William de Tracey built the parish church of St Peter, Paul, and Thomas of Canterbury in remorse for his part in the murder of Thomas a Becket in 1170. The 12th century Manor House may have been de Tracey's dwelling. A medieval gateway known as Cromwell's Arch is all that remains of a medieval monastery. In 1646 the Battle of Bovey Heath took place just outside the town.
Bovey Tracey, Devon,

Attraction Type: Village
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OS Grid SX809773
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