Rather than limiting yourself to weeklong holidays this year, why not enjoy more of the UK by taking shorter trips and weekend breaks? Places like Honiton are perfect for little weekends away, not only is it easy to reach from places like London, Bristol and Birmingham using the rail network, but is also easy to reach using the motorway, or the A303 – making it a great destination for weekend visit.
Honiton is a great destination because of its location, close to the Somerset border, a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast and surrounded by beautiful countryside, it’s perfect for anyone wanting to escape the city for a peaceful, rural retreat.
Here’s how we would spend the weekend enjoying the tranquillity of Honiton.
Saturday morning: explore the town
Start off your weekend visit by exploring the town itself. You can stroll along the high street where you’ll find a host of independent shops and cafes and the chance to go antique shopping. Honiton is known as the antique capital of the South West and is a great place for picking up gifts or homeware. Collectors and browsers alike love whiling away the hours poking around the town’s antique shops, so join them and see what you can find!
The town centre is also home to the Allhallows Museum, which showcases the history of Honiton and its lace making history. Make sure to call in to discover more about the Honiton hippo – yes hippos once roamed this area! – and the tradition of Honiton lace. The museum houses a red nightgown made with Honiton lace that once belonged to Wallis Simpson, as well as the details of Queen Victoria’s wedding dress, which was made from Honiton lace in 1839.
Saturday afternoon: explore nature
Once you’ve exhausted the high street, stop off for some refreshments and one of the town’s cafes, where you’ll find seasonal menus full of locally sourced ingredients.
Once you’ve had your fill, spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding countryside and discovering Honiton’s natural attractions. Nature enthusiasts will want to head to Honiton Bottom Community Nature Reserve, which is great for bird watching, especially at this time of year when the new fledglings are starting to appear.
Another great spot for a Saturday afternoon stroll is the Glen, a 6 acre public park – this one is easy to walk from the high street!
Sunday: exploring the surrounding area
As you’ll be heading home on Sunday, we don’t want you to get too caught up in traffic, but you’ll still find plenty to entertain you before you head off. Honiton is known as the gateway to the Blackdown Hills National Landscape (AONB) which is full of walking and cycling routes and is great for spotting the local wildlife.
Alternatively, you can go a bit further afield to visit the East Devon Way, another scenic place for cycling and walking and easy to visit from Honiton.
Before you head off home, make sure to stock up on snacks for the journey from one of the region’s cafes!