Tiverton Merchant's Trail
Step Back in Time on Tiverton’s Historic Merchants’ Trail
From 1500 to 1750, Tiverton wasn’t just another market town—it was the place for woollen cloth manufacturing. The town thrived, thousands were employed, and wealthy merchants left their mark on the streets, buildings, and history you can still explore today.
Follow the Tiverton Merchants’ Trail, a self-guided walking route through the heart of the town centre. Just look for pavement medallions and informative panels that reveal stories behind Tiverton’s most iconic buildings and its booming wool trade past.
How to Follow the Merchants’ Trail
You can hop on the trail at any point, but we recommend kicking things off at Panel 1 at the top of Phoenix Lane. Here's a quick walking guide:
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Start at Panel 1 – Learn about the 18th Century Merchants
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Turn left onto Fore Street and stop by St George’s Church.
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Head down Angel Hill to Panel 2 – uncover tales of 16th and 17th century merchants.
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Walk to the bridge for a classic Tiverton view: St Peter’s Church upriver
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Climb back up Angel Hill to St Peter Street.
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Explore Greenway Chapel in the churchyard.
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From here, Tiverton Castle is just a short step away.
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Retrace to Newport Street, stopping at The Lamb
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Cross over and head along Newport Street
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At Clare House, turn right towards the Pannier Market.
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Exit left onto Market Walk and find Panel 3 – meet The Widow and the Town’s Historian.
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Continue along Gold Street to Panel 4 – the story of Tudor merchant John Greenway
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Cross the road and head down to Lowman Bridge for Panel 5 – dive into Tiverton’s wool and education legacy.
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Continue a bit further to reach Old Blundell’s.
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Retrace your steps up Gold Street, finishing your journey where you began.
Tiverton's History Lives On
This trail was created by the Tiverton Civic Society to celebrate and spotlight the town’s remarkable architecture and merchant history. A detailed leaflet is available at the Tiverton Tourist Information Service, located inside the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life—well worth a visit if you're keen to dig deeper into the town’s rich past.
