Honiton

A lively market town famous for Honiton lace and Honiton pottery, regarded as the antiques capital of the south west.

An important staging post on the Exeter - London route, Honiton's scenic setting has changed little since 1724 when Daniel Defoe described the view from Honiton Hill as 'the most beautiful landscape in the world'.

This attractive town is famous worldwide for its intricate finely crafted bobbin lace traditionally used in royal items such as Queen Victoria's wedding dress. A comprehensive Honiton Lace collection can be viewed at charming Allhallows Museum which also holds lace-making demonstrations in summer.

Almost equally famous, Honiton Pottery with beautiful stylised designs is no longer made in the town, but collectable pieces can be found in the plethora of antique shops. However, Honiton has much to offer besides antiques with interesting shops, the prestigious Thelma Hulbert Gallery, and some excellent eating places.

It also boasts a calendar packed with events including the unusual Hot Pennies Day in July where warmed pennies are scattered from pub windows, the biannual Honiton Festival in May, a feast of classical music and visual arts, and the Honiton and District Carnival in October, considered one of the finest in Devon. However, the most important date is Honiton Show in August, one of the largest one day agricultural shows in the country, and an excellent opportunity to sample farming life at its very best.

The countryside around Honiton boasts many local beauty spots including magnificent Iron Age Hembury Fort and Blackbury Camp, both carpeted with bluebells in late spring. At Honiton Hill Rally held at nearby Stockland in August has plenty of vintage cars and motorcycles to admire.