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Totnes Information Centre |
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A Walk Around TotnesBold red numbers refer to town map at foot of this page.
Starting at the bottom, visit the Tourist Information Centre at the Town Mill 1, which also houses an interpretative display on the town and the Dart Valley. The wide area known as The Plains 2 was originally tidal marsh. Many of the buildings here were once warehouses. A granite obelisk commemorates William John Wills, explorer of Australia, who was born at no. 3. The graceful bridge 3 built in 1828, leads to the attractive suburb of Bridgetown, also to riverside walks, Steamer Quay for trips to Dartmouth and the tree-shaded Vire Island, named after the town in Normandy with which Totnes is twinned. Entering Fore Street 4 take your time as you walk up the hill, and remember to look above the modern shops for a rich selection of architectural styles. Many of the houses were built for the town’s wealthy merchants in the 16th and 17th centuries, with the slate-hung frontages added later. Don’t miss the 18th century Gothic house in Bank Lane, or the imposing Mansion 5 of 1795, once the grammar school and now used for community education. The Brutus Stone, set into the pavement opposite the delightful Atherton Lane 6 features in legend as the place where Brutus the Trojan, founder of the British people, first stepped ashore. Just below the East Gate Arch 8 rebuilt after the famous fire of 1990, and once the entrance to the medieval town, a visit to Totnes Elizabethan Museum 7 is a must. Passing beneath the arch, you are in High Street. Climb the steps to Ramparts Walk 9 and the atmospheric Guildhall, in a peaceful haven behind St Mary’s Church 10. Back in the street, notice the house of Nicholas Ball (Barclays Bank) 11 a rich merchant whose widow married Thomas Bodley in 1586; Bodley used her money to found his great library at Oxford. The faces on 28 High Street 12 have led to speculation that it was a theatre, but the evidence is contradictory. On the right, the covered area of pavement is known as the Butterwalk 13 The houses were built out this way to protect the market traders from the Devon weather. A little further up, on the other side, is the Poultrywalk. At Bogan House you will find the Costume Museum, and below the Civic Hall 14 you can enjoy the Friday and Saturday Pannier Markets, with the famous Elizabethan Charity Market on Summer Tuesday mornings. Just off to the right is the entrance to Totnes Castle 15 a text-book example of a Norman motte and bailey design. Nearby is the North Gate Arch, the other remaining medieval entrance to the walled town. Continuing along High Street you come to The Narrows 16 a colourful area of unusual shops, and the Rotherfold Square, which was once the cattle market. Leechwell Street leads you to Leechwell Lane, an attractive narrow pathway where you can find the Leechwells, dating from the Middle Ages and reputed to have healing properties. From here you can quickly find your way back to the town centre for refreshment in one of the many cafes or bars.
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