• What's On
    • Big Devon Events
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Food & Drink Festivals Events
    • Sports Events
    • Art Events
    • Music Events
    • Monthly Events Calendar
    • Tell Us About Your Event
  • Explore
    • Areas to Visit
      • Dartmoor
      • The English Riviera
      • East Devon and Jurassic Coast
      • Mid Devon
      • North Devon
      • South Devon
      • Exeter
      • Plymouth
      • Exmoor
    • Cities, Towns & Villages
      • Ashburton
      • Axminster
      • Barnstaple
      • Beer
      • Bideford
      • Bovey Tracey
      • Brixham
      • Budleigh Salterton
      • Chagford
      • Combe Martin
      • Crediton
      • Croyde
      • Cullompton
      • Dartmouth
      • Dawlish
      • Exeter
      • Exmouth
      • Honiton
      • Ilfracombe
      • Kingsbridge
      • Moretonhampstead
      • Newton Abbot
      • Okehampton
      • Ottery St Mary
      • Paignton
      • Plymouth
      • Salcombe
      • Seaton
      • Sidmouth
      • Slapton
      • South Molton
      • Tavistock
      • Teignmouth
      • Tiverton
      • Torquay
      • Totnes
      • Westward Ho!
      • Woolacombe
    • Eco Friendly Devon
    • Dog Friendly Devon
      • Dog Friendly Beaches
    • History and Heritage
      • D Day in Devon
      • Dartmoor’s Myths and Legends
      • Devon's Commonwealth Graves
    • Webcams in Devon
    • Autumn Breaks
      • Amazing accommodation
      • A fresh new flavour
      • Something new with every season
      • Things to do in the autumn
    • Faces of Devon
  • Accommodation
    • All Hotels
      • Boutique Hotels
      • Country House Hotels
      • Spa Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses
    • Self Catering
      • Cottages in Devon
    • Campsites
    • Campervans & Motorhomes
    • Caravan & Holiday Parks
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Farm Stays
    • Hostels and Budget
    • Romantic Breaks
    • Dog Friendly
    • Eco Friendly
    • Serviced Apartments
    • Wellness Retreats in Devon
  • Things To Do
    • Attractions
      • Beaches
      • Adventure, Theme & Water Parks
      • Animals & Aquariums
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Castles, Forts & Caves
      • Cinemas in Devon
      • Breweries and Micro Breweries in Devon
      • Family Friendly
      • History & Culture
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Marinas in Devon
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Stately Homes & Manors
      • Theatres & Events
    • Activities
      • Outdoor Pursuits
      • Walking & Hiking
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Cycling & Cycle Routes in Devon
      • Climbing
      • Horse Riding
      • Shooting
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Health & Fitness
      • Horse Racing
      • Cookery Schools
      • Boat Trips in Devon
    • Watersports
      • Surfing
      • Swimming
      • Sailing
      • Kayaks, Canoes and Rowing Boats
      • Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
      • Paddle Boarding
    • Shopping
      • Shopping in Devon
    • Free Days Out
    • Rainy Days
    • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Tours & Sightseeing
  • Food & Drink
    • Places to Eat & Drink
      • Restaurants
      • Cafes & Tearooms
      • Pubs & Bars
      • Fast Food & Takeaways
    • Special Requirements
      • Vegetarian & Vegan
      • Local Produce
      • Family Friendly
      • Seafood
    • Devon Cream Teas
    • Afternoon Tea in Devon
    • Award Winning
    • Food Tours, Breweries & Vineyards
    • Cookery Schools
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Devon Gin
    • Food and Drink Events
  • Conferences
    • Conference Venues
    • Delegate Accommodation
    • Eating Out in Devon for Conference Delegates
    • Incentive Travel
    • Make an Enquiry
    • Making the most of your time
    • Team Building
    • Travelling to Devon for Conference Delegates
    • Why Devon
  • Weddings
  • Special Offers
  • Visitor Info
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Visitor Information Centres
      • Maps & Guides
    • Getting Here
      • Great Western Railway
      • South Western Railway
    • Getting Around Devon
      • Parking in Devon
    • Competitions
      • Win a Whisky Tasting Experience with Dartmoor Whis
    • A guide to social distancing on the beach
    • More Information
      • Contact Us
      • Enewsletter Sign Up
      • Visit Devon News
      • Advertise With Us
      • Important information on Covid-19
    • Escape the Everyday
  • COVID-19
    • Good to Go Accommodation
    • Good to Go Things to Do

Don't miss

  • Thumbnail for The English Riviera

    The English Riviera

  • Thumbnail for Plymouth

    Plymouth

  • Thumbnail for Mid Devon

    Mid Devon

  • Thumbnail for South Devon

    South Devon

Menu
  • Explore

    Explore

  • Stay

  • Experience

  • What's On

    What's On in Devon

Site Search

Book Accommodation

Book Experiences

Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

List All My Saved Itineraries

  • Print Logo
Town Centre Clock
  • Town Centre Clock
  • Town Crier
  • Castle Hill View
  • Autumn walks
  • Castle Hill

Great Torrington

Visit Website

Book Tickets Online

About

Built on the site of an ancient settlement atop an inland cliff with the River Torridge below, Great Torrington is a friendly, welcoming market town which enjoys spectacular views across rolling hills and unspoilt green countryside. 

Things to do in Great Torrington

Great Torrington is full of independent shops offering unique items, many of which are made by local crafts-people.  Regular markets are held in the Victorian Pannier Market on Fridays and Saturdays and there are often pop-up craft events and shops at Castle Hill, in the Town Hall and at The Plough Arts Centre. 

Fancy taking in a show?  The Plough Arts Centre is a welcoming and dynamic venue for arts events showcasing a mix of local and national talent to suit the whole family, including theatre performances, concerts, comedians, art exhibitions and workshops.

There are a wide range of other attractions in and around the town too. Explore the enchanting gardens of RHS Rosemoor and take a leisurely stroll through the huge variety of formal and informal gardens; take a factory tour around Dartington Crystal to experience the traditional craft of glass making followed by a visit to the UK’s largest glass shop; visit the Heritage Museum to find out more about the fascinating history of this important market town or, spend a few quiet moments in the magical Secret Memorial Garden just a few paces from Sydney House Car Park which was created as a memorial to five young evacuees who tragically lost their lives in a fire close by at Sydney House.

Great Torrington is connected to many local villages and towns via a network of walking and cycling trails, including the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile figure of eight which runs through North Devon following the route taken by the fictional Tarka the Otter in the famous novel by Henry Williamson. 

Great Torrington hosts a number of events throughout the year including a parade every February to commemorate the Battle of Torrington in 1646, the annual Mayfair and Carnival celebrations during the first week of May, a bonfire every November for Guy Fawkes Night and a Christmas Lights switch-on event in the town centre. 

In 2022 the town will be celebrating H.M. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a ‘fun-day’ and lighting of a beacon on Thursday 2nd June and a Big Jubilee Community Picnic in the town centre on the afternoon of Sunday 5th June 2022. Throughout the summer months the town will play host to a variety of street musicians on Saturdays in the town square and Pannier Market. On Saturday 10th September we will be hosting a one-off History Alive event to showcase Great Torrington’s rich heritage which dates all the way back to the 8th century AD.  The event will involve plenty of free, fun, educational and interactive ‘living history’ activities which will highlight important milestones experienced by our relatively small but hugely significant Northern Devon Market Town throughout the ages. 

 

Local Food and Drink

Great Torrington has a variety of eateries and pubs including several cafes in the town centre serving locally produced delights.

Surrounds

The countryside around Great Torrington is brimming with spectacular flora and fauna and thanks to its prominent hilltop position, boasts impressive views over the surrounding area.  The town is enveloped on three sides by 365 acres of common land given to the people of Great Torrington in the 12th Century and since 1889 administered by a Committee of Conservators.  The area is freely accessible to all, and visitors can walk the 20 miles of footpaths, ranging from the 9-hole golf course in the north; ancient wood and wild flower meadow in the west; and dropping down to the beautiful River Torridge to the south of the town.

History

Great Torrington has a long and varied history. As ‘Toriton’ it is mentioned in the 1086 Domesday survey of Devon while the remains of Neolithic and Iron Age settlements show that people have lived in the area for thousands of years. In the 12th century, Toriton was designated a borough under the control of a succession of local barons; the town evolved to become the busy centre of a thriving agricultural economy with people travelling from miles around to trade at the large weekly markets.

Although the Normans and their successors built a castle and fortifications to take advantage of its position overlooking the valley, the town was recorded as peaceful until the 17th century. In 1646 the town played its part in the English Civil War when the Parliamentarians under Sir Thomas Fairfax defeated Lord Hopton and his Royalist army. The Battle of Torrington marked the end of Royalist resistance in the West Country, leading to the defeat and execution of Charles the First and a significant step towards our current parliamentary democracy.

Through the Middle Ages the wool industry grew and thrived but by the 18th century was overtaken by glove making as the town’s main employment. The next two hundred years saw the growth of factory-based work, a canal was built to transport heavy goods, a railway to the town was opened in 1872 and the town became home to the largest dairy in Europe. Great Torrington’s heritage remains accessible through existing homes, civic buildings, disused factories, monuments, infrastructure and landscape. Like most towns it has been home to people who are of historical interest such as Lady Margaret Beaufort, the grandmother of Henry VIII; Thomas Fowler, inventor of central heating and a wooden computer; William Keble Martin, botanist and illustrator; and, of course, Tarka the Otter.

Great Torrington’s rich history can be further explored at the town’s Museum and self-guided History and Civil War Trails will soon be available.

Fascinating history, arts, crafts and culture, a beautiful setting and friendly locals all make a visit to Great Torrington worthwhile.

Book Tickets

Facilities

Parking & Transport

  • Car Parks - Sydney House (South Street) Long Stay Car Park EX38 8AA: approx.280 spaces Barley Grove Long Stay Car Park: 70 spaces
  • Coach Parking - Sydney House (South Street) Long Stay Car Park
  • Free car park - Parking free in Sydney House (South Street) Car Park after 12 midday Saturday and all day Sunday Limited on-street parking in High Street, South Street and Fore Street.
  • Parking for disabled visitors - Disabled parking available in Sydney House (South Street) and Barley Grove Car Parks

Towns & Villages

  • ATM - No charge ATMs available in Co-op on South Street, Duffy’s Home Hardware on High Street, ATM at corner of Sydney House (South Street) car park and South Street and in BP/M&S Petrol Station on New Road
  • Church - Church of England: St Michael and All Angels Church, Church Walk, Great Torrington, Devon EX38 8BN: https://www.stmichaelstorrington.org.uk/ Catholic Church: Holy Family Catholic Church, Gas Lane, Torrington, Devon, EX38 7BE: http://www.bidefordcatholicchurches.org.uk/html/torringtoninfo.html Baptist Church: Torrington Baptist Church, New Street Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8BS: http://www.torringtonbaptist.org/ Methodist Church: Windy Cross, Mill Street, Torrington, EX38 8AL: https://torringtonmethodistchurch.weebly.com/ Grosvenor Church: Great Torrington Bluecoat C of E Primary School, Borough Rd, Great Torrington, Torrington EX38 7NU: http://torrington.grosvenorchurch.org.uk/
  • Farmers market - Torrington Pannier Market: https://www.facebook.com/Torrington-Pannier-Market-183018365640547/
  • Information Centre - http://www.great-torrington.com/ Torrington TIC, Castle Hill, TORRINGTON EX38 8AA
  • Museum - http://www.torringtonmuseum.org.uk/ Great Torrington Heritage Museum 14 South Street, Great Torrington, Devon,EX38 8AA
  • Public telephone - Corner of Sydney House (South Street) Car Park and South Street
  • Public toilets - Sydney House (South Street) Car Park: South Street, Torrington, EX38 8AA The Commons: Old Bowling Green, Station Hill, Great Torrington, EX38 8DL Pannier Market, Torrington, EX38 8HD
  • Recycling points - Sydney House (South Street) Car Park, Torrington, EX38 8AA
  • Supermarket - Lidl: New St, Great Torrington, EX38 8BX Co-op: 22 South St, Great Torrington, EX38 8AA Morrisons Daily: New Road, Gt Torrington EX38 8EJ M&S Food at Great Torrington BP Service Station, New Road, Torrington EX38 8EJ
  • Toilets for disabled visitors - Full facilities (including Radar) at South Street and The Commons public toilets and partial facilities at the Pannier Market.
  • Train station - Nearest train stations are: Chapelton and Umberleigh

Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

Exit the M5 Southbound Exit at Junction 27, and join the A361 link road signposted Barnstaple/Bideford. At Barnstaple join A39 signposted Bideford (Atlantic Highway), keep heading towards Bideford on the A39 until you reach a roundabout signposted to Great Torrington (B3232). Take this road and follow it into Great Torrington.

Public Transport Directions

Trains to Exeter St Davids run direct from Plymouth, Taunton, Bristol, London and other cities. The 5B bus leaves from in front of the station (stop A), every two hours Monday to Saturday (no buses Sunday). It’s a scenic 90 minute journey to Great Torrington.

 

Alternatively, you can take the train to Umberleigh or Barnstaple on the Tarka Line. Umberleigh is a request stop, from where you will need a pre-booked taxi. Barnstaple has a taxi rank and the 5B bus to Great Torrington.

Great Torrington

Visit Website

Add Great Torrington to your Itinerary

What's Nearby

  1. Dartington Crystal

    Dartington Crystal

    As the only remaining UK glass factory, Dartington Crystal Torrington is the true home of…

    0.5 miles away
  2. RHS Garden Rosemoor

    RHS Garden Rosemoor

    RHS Garden Rosemoor is an enchanting garden nestled in the beautiful Torridge Valley and…

    1.09 miles away
  3. rollercoasters

    The BIG Sheep

    The BIG Sheep – world famous for the hilarious Sheep Racing !

    North Devon’s most popular…

    6.38 miles away
  1. Queens Theatre

    The Queens Theatre

    The best live entertainment.

    9.35 miles away
  2. The Milky Way Adventure Park

    The Milky Way Adventure Park

    You'll find fantastic and SAFE fun for the family at The Milky Way - the only attraction…

    11.46 miles away
  3. Clovelly

    Clovelly

    Clovelly, North Devon.  Welcome to a different world!

    11.84 miles away
  4. Quince Honey Farm birds eye view

    Quince Honey Farm

    Visit Quince Honey Farm, a working honey farm based in South Molton. Offering a full day…

    13.46 miles away
  5. Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum

    Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum

    Intriguing Regency house and impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles, set in…

    14.8 miles away
  6. Hartland Abbey & Gardens exterior

    Hartland Abbey & Gardens

    A day out at Hartland Abbey, a stately home and popular film location in a stunning…

    16.48 miles away
  7. Wolves

    Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park

    This amazing Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is not only home to some of the most endangered…

    17.18 miles away
  8. Roadford Lake

    Roadford Lake

    Create your own adventure at Roadford Lake

    Between Okehampton and Launceston, PL16…

    18.98 miles away
  9. Bridge

    Stone Lane Gardens

    Stone Lane Gardens amongst the gently rolling hills of the North East corner of Dartmoor…

    21.93 miles away
  10. National Trust - Castle Drogo

    National Trust - Castle Drogo

    Dramatic National Trust castle overlooking the Teign Gorge, undergoing a conservation…

    22.88 miles away
  11. Miniature Ponies

    The Miniature Pony Centre

    The Miniature Pony Centre is a hands-on day out for all the family, bursting with…

    25.36 miles away
  12. Fursdon Gardens and Tea Room

    Fursdon Gardens and Tea Room

    Fursdon is one of Devon’s oldest family homes where the Fursdon family has lived for more…

    27.73 miles away
  13. National Trust - Knightshayes

    National Trust - Knightshayes

    One of the finest gardens in the South West, Knightshayes is a masterpiece of…

    28.59 miles away
Previous Next

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles
Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..
Loading..Loading..Loading..
Contact Us

Contact Us

Request a Guide

Request a Guide

E-newsletter

E-newsletter

Travel Info

Travel Info

  • Devon
  • North Devon
  • Sidmouth
  • Industry
What's On
Big Devon Events
Festivals
Markets
Food & Drink Festivals Events
Sports Events
Art Events
Music Events
Monthly Events Calendar
Tell Us About Your Event
Explore
Areas to Visit
Cities, Towns & Villages
Eco Friendly Devon
Dog Friendly Devon
History and Heritage
Accommodation
Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
Romantic Breaks
All Hotels
Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses
Self Catering
Campsites
Caravan & Holiday Parks
Farm Stays
Serviced Apartments
Dog Friendly
Things To Do
Attractions
Activities
Watersports
Shopping
Free Days Out
Rainy Days
Ideas and Inspiration
Tours & Sightseeing
Food & Drink
Places to Eat & Drink
Special Requirements
Devon Cream Teas
Award Winning
Food Tours, Breweries & Vineyards
Cookery Schools
Celebrity Chefs
Food and Drink Events
Special Offers
Attraction & Activity Offers
B&B and Guest House Offers
Food and Drink Offers
Holiday Park Offers
Hotel Offers
Seasonal Offers
Conference and Wedding Offers
Self Catering Offers
Visitor Info
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
Getting Around Devon
Competitions
More Information
Escape the Everyday
COVID-19
Devon Business
Membership
Business Directory
Members Blog
Press and Media
Image & Video Library
Contact Us

© Visit Devon Community Interest Company

  • Enewsletter Sign Up
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms & Conditions UGC
  • Tell Us About Your Event
  • Terms and Conditions
Made by Simpleview Logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By

Beyonk Logo
Experience Booking Powered by Beyonk