Barnstaple Town Centre :: Devon Accommodation

Paid Links:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chulmleigh
Chulmleigh is a remote, Saxon, hilltop town located in the heart of Devon that has a real old fashioned community spirit. It is a town of thatched cottages, welcoming inns and one of the finest churches in the country. The area is relatively undiscovered by tourism and retains the charm of yesteryear. It is good to visit all year round. Chulmleigh Fair, held annually since 1253, is perfect for children enjoying the first week of the summer holiday. In winter take in the breathtaking scenery on a brisk walk - then have a well deserved drink in one of the town's three inns.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clovelly
This picture-postcard fishing village clings to a steep hillside on the North Devon coast. Its colourful, flower bedecked cottages line the main stepped, cobbled street on such a steep incline that you can almost see down the chimney of the cottage below! Visitors to Clovelly manage the steep cobled streets to the ancient harbour on foot as traffic is banned from the village. There are a wide range of facilities in the village that will enhance the enjoyment of your visit. There is the award winning Clovelly Centre which includes a gift shop, picnic area and self service restaurant. In the village you will find the New Inn and the Fisherman's Museum and Charles Kingsley Exhibition.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Colyton
The Romans settled in Colyton in 70AD when the town had access to the sea at Colyford. A Saxon Parliament took place in Colyton in 827AD under King Egbert of Wessex. The Domesday Book refers to Colyton. In 1539 Henry VIII ordered the beheading of Colyton's Lord of the Manor and confiscated his lands. In 1546 they were bought back by twenty local merchants and yeoman for £1000.Those twenty men formed the Chamber of Feoffees which continues to this day. It is felt they provided Englands first form of council or local governing body. They also established the Colyton Grammar School in Church House in 1599.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Combe Martin
Combe Martin is reputed to have the longest village street in England stretching, with scarcely a break in its development, for over a mile and a quarter and having seven different names, The Woodlands, Seaside, Borough Road, King Street, High Street, Castle Street and Victoria Street. This has come about only relatively recently. About a hundred years ago a visitor, who was taking a walking holiday in North Devon, wrote of his journey "Next comes Combe Martin, an inland village of one street, more than a mile long". Now Combe Martin is referred to as a village on the coast of North Devon, but analysis of late 18th century and 19th century map shows that the village was made up of 2 seperate settlements, Head Town and Seaside.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crediton
Sheltered from the worst excesses of the weather by gentle rolling hills which form part of Devon's beautiful countryside, the ancient market town of Crediton has a rich heritage. The parish church of the Holy Cross was, at one time, the seat of the Bishop of the Devon Diocese but in 1050 the Bishop moved his seat to neaby Exeter. The town's most famous son, St Boniface, was born in the town in 680AD. He became a great missionary, one of the founder members of the Christian church in Europe. From its early days Crediton has been a market town, in bygone days the wide curving High Street saw cattle bought in for sale and slaughter. Sheepskins were used for a variety of purposes, rugs and jackets and the town had a flourishing woolen industry.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Croyde
Croyde Village dates back to pre-saxon times and is one of the prettiest villages in Devon with many thatched cottages. Croyde is named after the Norse Raider Crydda who landed in Croyde Bay and each year the village celebrates its Viking origins with a Viking Festival held in June. The villages is well known for its ice cream and clotted cream shops, and there are many cafes and pubs serving traditional fayre. Croyde is also home to the Rock and Gem Museum which contains a unique collection of rocks, gems and shells from all over the world. Croyde is very popular with surfers, who visit from near and far to experience the world renowned breakers to be found in the bay.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click here for Devon Towns, here for Myths and Legends and here for Devon History.

Coming soon, the Devon and Cornwall Accommodation Directory......