Top things to do in Honiton and East Devon

With the abundance of countryside surrounding it, Honiton is a great place to visit in the Spring. You’ll be able to watch the new lambs, hear the birds singing and even see the spring flowers by exploring the Blackdown Hills and the surrounding countryside.

If you’re planning to spend some time in Honiton, here are some of top things to see and do while in the area.

Antique shopping

Did you know that Honiton is one of the leading places for antique shopping in the UK? Well, now you do! With a host of different antique shops, you can find some incredible gems!

Go to a museum or gallery

Because of its reputation for antiques, it should be no surprise that there are plenty of museums and galleries in and around Honiton to explore. The town’s museum gives a real insight into the history of Honiton lace, while there are always new exhibitions and events taking place at the local galleries.

Explore the Blackdown Hills

As the gateway to the west, Honiton is the perfect place for exploring the Blackdown Hills. As a Natural Landscape (formerly AONB), the Blackdown Hills straddles the border between Devon and Somerset and is full of wonderful wildlife, walking routes and a host of fascinating archaeological finds. Here you’ll find Roman remains, Iron Age Forts, medieval buildings and even air fields left over from WWII.

Or the East Devon Way

The East Devon Way provides endless routes and trails that allow you to really immerse yourself in nature. It covers a host of popular walking places, including Woodbury Common, Aylesbury Common and Farway Common, all of which are easily accessible from Honiton.

Jump back to the Iron Age

Honiton is a wonderful base for exploring the countryside and on the outskirts of the town, you’ll find several sites that date back to the Iron Age. Nearby places include Musbury Fort, which is on the East Devon Way, Woodbury Castle which is closer to the coast, Dumpdon, in the Otter Valley and Hembury, which is on the outskirts of Honiton.

See some of the region’s most notable residents

As you walk around Honiton and the surrounding area, you can find some of East Devon’s most notable residents, including Sir Walter Raleigh who was born in nearby Budleigh Salterton and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who was born in Ottery St Mary. There are statues dedicated to both of them in their respective towns.

Go beaver spotting

Not far from Honiton is the town of Budleigh Salterton, which is home to a successfully reintroduced colony of beavers. Simply head to the River Otter and follow the riverside walk with your eyes peeled, you’re likely to see a couple of beavers splashing around or at least their various damns and other creations.

Looking for more things to do while in the Honiton area?

You can find places to stay and activities and attractions across East Devon below.