Some of the buildings here wouldn't look out of place in Amsterdam. The Dutch influenced architecture is a legacy from Topsham's days as a major cotton port trading with Holland. This pretty town on the Exe estuary has some lovely shops and restaurants and a large antique centre on the quayside. Walk along the estuary, visit the nature reserves and enjoy watching birds along the river from the bird hides.
A fine example of 18th Century architecture, Killerton House is home to a vast collection of period costumes - 9,000 items in all - spanning the fashions of the past 200 years. The gardens are the star of the show at Killerton. Beautiful all year round, they put on a wonderful display of rhododendrons and magnolias, set against the backdrop of Devon's rolling countryside. Open-air theatre is hosted here during the summer.
Ronald Dart started selling fruit and veg from a small hut at the bottom of his field in the 1970s. One of the first farms in the country to run pick your own fruit and vegetables, today Darts Farm is run by Ronald's three sons, with a master butcher, fishmonger, baker, deli, cider maker and restaurant onsite as well as fishing ponds, a maze and farm walks. You can also now hire bikes and cycle the beautiful Exe Estuary cycle trail. Darts Farm was listed in the 2011 Times "Britain's Best Farm Shop" guide.
A fascinating historical building on the River Exe canal, it is now a pub that has a large garden with the Exe Estuary on one side and Turf Locks on the other. The BBQ area can be hired for BBQ parties, catered or otherwise.
Explore the medieval passages that lie beneath Exeter High Street. Learn about the history of the tunnels with an interactive display, exhibition and film, then don a hard hat for a guided tour of the passages that once piped fresh water to the heart of the city.
Choose either the Exe Estuary Trail or the Exeter Canal Trail from here.
See the South West from the air with hot air balloon flights over Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Flight meeting locations include Exeter, Tiverton, South Brent and Lee Mill in Devon; Launceston and Bodmin in Cornwall; Taunton, Castle Carey and Yeovil in Somerset, and Sherborne, Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury in Dorset.
If you have a need to be on the water - this is the place to visit. They offer professional instruction with canoe and kayaking courses.
Definately the place you should visit to stock up on your West Country cheeses before you travel home. You will be spoilt for choice here!
Six magical realms to explore. The Adventure Zone and Magical Kingdom are indoor play areas that will keep children of all ages entertained whatever the weather. Go gooey over the cute and fluffy animals in the Animal Realm, take the nature trails through the woods and lakes in the Natural Realm, make friends with the piglets or take a ride on a Dartmoor pony in the Farming Realm, or let off steam on the Techno race karts and bumper boats in the Action Realm. There are plenty of fun activities here for a family day out.
A few years ago, the Classic Cottages team started writing about where we live and why we love it. Over time these have evolved into the Classic Guide.
1 December 2019
Some of the buildings here wouldn't look out of place in Amsterdam. The Dutch influenced architecture is a legacy from Topsham's days as a major cotton port trading with Holland. This pretty town on the Exe estuary has some lovely shops and restaurants and a large antique centre on the quayside. Walk along the estuary, visit the nature reserves and enjoy watching birds along the river from the bird hides.
20 February 2014
A fine example of 18th Century architecture, Killerton House is home to a vast collection of period costumes - 9,000 items in all - spanning the fashions of the past 200 years. The gardens are the star of the show at Killerton. Beautiful all year round, they put on a wonderful display of rhododendrons and magnolias, set against the backdrop of Devon's rolling countryside. Open-air theatre is hosted here during the summer.
23 September 2013
Ronald Dart started selling fruit and veg from a small hut at the bottom of his field in the 1970s. One of the first farms in the country to run pick your own fruit and vegetables, today Darts Farm is run by Ronald's three sons, with a master butcher, fishmonger, baker, deli, cider maker and restaurant onsite as well as fishing ponds, a maze and farm walks. You can also now hire bikes and cycle the beautiful Exe Estuary cycle trail. Darts Farm was listed in the 2011 Times "Britain's Best Farm Shop" guide.
9 September 2013
A fascinating historical building on the River Exe canal, it is now a pub that has a large garden with the Exe Estuary on one side and Turf Locks on the other. The BBQ area can be hired for BBQ parties, catered or otherwise.
7 July 2010
Explore the medieval passages that lie beneath Exeter High Street. Learn about the history of the tunnels with an interactive display, exhibition and film, then don a hard hat for a guided tour of the passages that once piped fresh water to the heart of the city.
16 July 2008
Choose either the Exe Estuary Trail or the Exeter Canal Trail from here.
See the South West from the air with hot air balloon flights over Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Flight meeting locations include Exeter, Tiverton, South Brent and Lee Mill in Devon; Launceston and Bodmin in Cornwall; Taunton, Castle Carey and Yeovil in Somerset, and Sherborne, Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury in Dorset.
If you have a need to be on the water - this is the place to visit. They offer professional instruction with canoe and kayaking courses.
Definately the place you should visit to stock up on your West Country cheeses before you travel home. You will be spoilt for choice here!
Six magical realms to explore. The Adventure Zone and Magical Kingdom are indoor play areas that will keep children of all ages entertained whatever the weather. Go gooey over the cute and fluffy animals in the Animal Realm, take the nature trails through the woods and lakes in the Natural Realm, make friends with the piglets or take a ride on a Dartmoor pony in the Farming Realm, or let off steam on the Techno race karts and bumper boats in the Action Realm. There are plenty of fun activities here for a family day out.