Discover Hatherleigh: West Devon’s Hidden Gem on the Edge of Adventure
A Characterful Market Town with Big Personality
At the meeting point of the River Torridge and River Lew, Hatherleigh is one of those rare towns that instantly charms your socks off—and then offers you a cozy pub to warm your toes. This delightful West Devon market town is steeped in character, creativity, and community spirit. It’s a place where cobbled lanes meet countryside views, and where history hugs you like a warm woolly jumper.
Explore, Meander, and Potter Around Town
This isn’t just a sleepy village with pretty views (although it definitely has those). Hatherleigh is home to its very own working pottery, where you can see local artisans doing their thing. In the town square, the iconic Rams Head Sculptures showcase the creative spirit that pulses through the place—art isn't just in the galleries here, it’s in the streets!
Add in independent shops, charming pubs, and regular market days, and you've got all the ingredients for a very Devonian day of delightful dawdling. Tuesdays are market day, and trust us—this is no sleepy village swap meet. Locals come out in full force for auctions, fresh produce, and bargain-hunting brilliance.
Eat, Drink, and Devon Out
Foodies and ale-lovers, rejoice: Hatherleigh’s pubs serve up excellent local fare, perfect for a hearty lunch or a lingering pint. Fancy a locally brewed cider with that homemade pasty? This is the place. Prefer to sit back and people-watch while sipping a frothy cappuccino from a quirky café? Sorted.
Start Your Stroll at a Pub That’s Seen It All
If you’re keen to lace up your walking boots, The George pub makes the perfect starting point. Dating back to 1450, The George was lovingly rebuilt after a fire in 2008, yet still retains that timeless, well-worn soul that only centuries of stories can give. Grab a pint, soak in the atmosphere, and let the adventure begin.
Monumental Moments: The William Morris Obelisk
Along the way, you’ll pass the William Morris monument—a striking obelisk dedicated to a local hero who survived the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War in 1854. It’s a slice of Victorian bravado and local pride, standing tall among rolling hills and hedgerows.
Hatherleigh’s Events: Flaming Barrels and Festival Feels
If you're the type who likes your culture with a bit of quirky flair, you’ll love Hatherleigh’s events calendar. July brings the vibrant Hatherleigh Arts Festival, celebrating music, creativity, and community. Then in November, the town gets lit—literally—with two flaming tar barrel runs during the legendary Hatherleigh Carnival. It’s exhilarating, it’s a bit mad, and it’s 100% Devon.
Not to be forgotten is the Ruby Run Half-Marathon, which usually hits the road in June, zigzagging between Holsworthy and Hatherleigh, with the starting point switching each year. Fitness goals, local pride, and a lot of community cheer—what’s not to love?
