Tiverton

In the Mid-Devon countryside you’ll find Tiverton, a town full of charm with romantic castles, houses and famous horse drawn barges. You’ll find the Great Western Canal running through the town where you can watch the country’s last horse drawn barges meander up and down. The whole town is a treasure trove of history and heritage just waiting to be explored.

One of the many great things about Tiverton is its central location, it is an ideal base for exploring Devon and is the place to escape if you want to go on a rural holiday. The town and its surrounds are full of traditional thatched villages, enjoy rural countryside walks and wildlife.

A visit to Tiverton isn’t complete without going to the Grand Western Canal. The canal has an amazing 24 bridges and stretches for eleven miles. It was originally a transport line, but now is a local beauty spot and has lots of wildlife to spot. A stroll along the canal will introduce you to dragonflies, mallards, moorhens and a whole host of other water life. Just as majestic are the shire horses that can be seen walking along the tow paths with the barges. The Tiverton Canal Co. offers trips along the canal and is a unique way to spend an afternoon.

The canal also has a Grand Western Canal Cycle route, you can take the 8-mile cycle route from Tiverton to the Somerset border. Because it’s a relatively easy route, it is ideal for families and with all the picnic spots, there are plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the superb views of the countryside as you travel. Walkers will also enjoy visiting Tiverton, not only can you follow the canal route, but you are just north of Exmoor National Park.

If you love history, Tiverton is brimming with heritage. Visit Tiverton Castle, or Bickleigh Castle. The town is also home to one of the finest surviving Gothic Revival Houses, Knightshayes Court, where you can find some beautiful interiors. As a National Trust property, Knightshayes holds regular family events, especially during school holidays, most of them are themed around children and family fun. Find out more about Tiverton’s rich heritage by heading to the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life where you can see fourteen galleries of exhibits.

For those of you who are into shopping, Tiverton has a historic Pannier Market where you can pick up bargains and unique gifts. In addition, there are a selection of interesting shops and a weekly Farmers’ Market showing off the locally grown produce. Just om the outskirts of the town is Bickleigh Mill, which is a haven for shoppers. It is full of gifts and homewares from around the world sold by extensive independent retailers.

Speaking of independent retailers and local produce, every July, Tiverton hosts the Mid Devon show. The famous show celebrates rural, country life. Visitors travel from all over the country to enjoy an excellent array of food, music, entertainment, horticulture and to get a glimpse of farm life.