A Tale Through Time

When you visit Ottery St Mary, you'll find a place that beautifully combines the past and the present, creating a captivating destination that exudes history, tradition, and forward-thinking vision. Experience the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern conveniences.

Ottery St Mary's history

There are plenty of things to do in Ottery St Mary and the town proudly showcases its rich history, evident in its architectural treasures. The Grade 1 listed church, reminiscent of Exeter Cathedral, stands as a testament to the past, dating back to 1260. Other parts of the town, such as the picturesque triangle area of Gold Street and Silver Street, harken back to the Georgian era. As you explore, you'll come across 15 blue plaques, unveiling fascinating snippets of Ottery St Mary's history. This storied past has inspired renowned literary figures like Coleridge, who once called this town home, as well as Thackeray and JK Rowling, among others.

A visit to Ottery St Mary is a journey through time, where you can immerse yourself in the richness of history while witnessing a community that values sustainability and embraces the future. Explore the fascinating historical sites, savour the flavours of locally sourced cuisine, and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds this extraordinary town. Ottery St Mary awaits, ready to leave you with cherished memories of a place that harmoniously weaves together the past and the present.

Sustainability in Ottery St Mary 

While Ottery St Mary cherishes its heritage, it also looks towards the future. The town aspires to be sustainable, placing a strong emphasis on supporting local producers and farm shops. Nearby eateries proudly feature menus brimming with locally grown produce, showcasing the community's commitment to preserving the natural landscape and ensuring its beauty and sustainability for generations to come.

 

Explore Ottery St Mary

Explore Ottery's heritage

To discover a tale through time, follow Ottery's Heritage Walk. Highlighting fascinating heritage architecture and iconic landmarks, it is a great way to explore medieval buildings, including the famous parish church. 

See more options for walks below.

Read more about Ottery St Mary

children in a tent

Why East Devon is a great camping destination

  • 2 minute read

Camping is a quintessentially British pastime and with its stunning landscape, the East Devon region is a great place to wake up with the sun and enjoy your breakfast under canvas. Need a little convincing? Here’s why we think East Devon is a great camping destination. 1 – The landscape East Devon…

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statue of samuel taylor coleridge

How well do you know this Ottery export?

  • 3 minute read

Valentine’s Day might be over but in Ottery, birthplace of one of Britain’s best loved romantic poets, the romance never ends. Another thing you’ll find in droves is references to the region’s literary connections, Ottery St Mary inspired the Weasley’s home in Harry Potter after all! As World Book…

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beautiful days logo

Line up announced for Beautiful Days

  • 1 minute read

This August music lovers from all over will make the trip to Ottery St Mary for Beautiful Days – a family-friendly weekend camping festival, which takes place at Escot Park every year. Founded by the Levellers, Beautiful Days has been taking place since 2003. Independently run, the festival has no…

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Where to find Devon’s snowdrops this February

See the first signs of spring in Ottery St Mary

  • 2 minute read

With the start of a new month comes the first signs of a new season. Spring is just around the corner and you can see the first glimpses of warmer weather and brighter colours here in Ottery St Mary. One of the first signs of spring is the flowers that start budding around the middle of January and…

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Visit Ottery St Mary where everyone's welcome

Have a bracing start to the New Year | Wild swimming spots

  • 3 minute read

If you’re looking for a new hobby this year or you want something bracing to kickstart your year, why not have a go at wild swimming? Wild swimming is exactly what it says on the tin, it’s exploring the world’s natural swimming spots. It’s a popular way of exploring the countryside, seeing the world…

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children dance performace during carnival at Ottery St Mary

4 reasons to visit East Devon this winter season

  • 2 minute read

Ottery St Mary and the East Devon region is beautiful no matter what the season, but there is something quite magical about visiting during the winter. If you are in the mood for a day trip or weekend away over the next month or so, see if we can convince you to spend some time in Ottery St Mary or…

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