For those of you coming to North Devon for the first time in 2022, here’s some things you might not know about the region so you can wow your friends with your local knowledge!
Did you know…?
Barnstaple is the oldest borough in England.
Not only is North Devon’s premier town one of the largest in the region but it is one of the longest running boroughs in the country! In fact, you can still see bullet holes left over in Litchdon Street.
Did you know…?
England’s oldest golf course is in North Devon.
The Royal North Devon Golf Club which is in Westward Ho! was founded in 1864.
Did you know…?
Elephant fossils were found in Barnstaple.
The discovery was made in 1844 in Summerland Street and were identified as being from straight tusked elephants which became extinct 120,000 years ago.
Did you know…?
Britain’s last executed witches were from Bideford.
Though dwarfed by the Salem Witch Trails, the UK had their fair share of superstition around witchcraft too and the last three women put to death for the crime came from Bideford in North Devon. Apparently, it was all thanks to a tabby cat and a magpie that they were arrested. The three were convicted and sent south to Exeter for execution.
Did you know…?
Westward Ho! is the only town in Britain to be named after a novel. Local author, Charles Kingsley, who was probably best known for his novel the Water Babies, published a book called Westward Ho! in 1855 that featured a small white town that was heavily based on Bideford, which is where he lived. When Westward Ho!, the town, started being established, Kingsley gave his permission to name a hotel after the novel and then a series of villas. The name of the town came later.
Learn more about North Devon and Exmoor here.