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Learn more about Devon’s history with these attractions

15th October 2021

Categories: Visitor News

Devon has a rich history, with Celtic roots, Roman remains and connections to the English civil war and World War 2. Everywhere you look there is evidence of the region’s heritage with castles, stone circles and more – if you want to find out more about Devon’s history, add some of these attractions to your itineraries.

There are a number of notable former residents of the county, including Agatha Christie, who’s holiday home is in the English Riviera and is managed by the National Trust. Another is Sir Francis Drake who lived at Buckfast Abbey and of course, there is the Courteney family who have owned and lived in stately homes and castles all across the county. One heritage attraction that you can visit and is still one of their family homes is Powderham Castle on the outskirts of Exeter.
The castle’s exhibits share over 600 years of the Courteney family history as well as documenting the various changes to the castle and the estate over that time. Outside there are acres of grounds to explore and a fully working forge where you can see a team of blacksmiths at work using traditional methods. There is so much to do here in fact that you can return for free!

If you happen to be near Exeter, make sure to visit Fursdon House and Gardens. Fursdon is one of Devon’s oldest family homes and the gardens are full of traditional and contemporary landscaping, not only that, but there are spectacular views across Dartmoor and nearby parkland. Of course, we can’t mention Exeter without talking about the city’s cathedral. Exeter Cathedral is one of the most beautiful buildings in the UK and is deemed one of Europe’s most significant cathedrals. With family activities and guided tours, the cathedral has something for everyone, you can even find the team of Red Coated Guides in the courtyard who can give you a real insight to the city’s history. There are even tours of Exeter’s underground passages!

Image: Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

Also based in Exeter is the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, an award winning museum with 16 displays which take you on a real voyage of discovery, covering everything from pre-history to the present day. The exhibitions focus on Exeter and feature history from around the world and their ever changing programme means there is always something different to find.

When it comes to museums, you are never short of them when in Devon. From small museums with a focus on the towns and villages they are based in, to big, nationally well known establishments. In North Devon there are pirate museums and in Plymouth, the maritime museum.

Also in Plymouth is The Box, the city’s newest major museum, gallery and archive. Having opened in 2020 and with a focus on the Mayflower, which set sail from Plymouth 401 years ago. The site has nine permanent galleries showcasing the amazing art from local people, as well as displays on natural history and archival collections.

Another thing that Devon does well is a working museum, where you can see life as it was. Head to Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum, who are now open following the lifting of covid restrictions. It is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK and has been in continuous production since 1797. The mill itself remains largely untouched and still uses the traditional looms and methods of yesteryear.

Image: Bicton Countryside Museum

Another museum which focuses on the agriculture and industrial heritage of Devon is the Bicton Countryside Museum that has a host of eclectic exhibits, giving you a unique insight into post war Britain. The museum is part of the Bicton Estate which also features a series of fascinating gardens and children’s play areas, making it a great day out for the whole family.

For those of you who want to go a bit further back in history, plan a visit to Kents Cavern. Located in Torquay as part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, the caves are some of Europe’s most exciting from the Stone Age era. Join one of the site’s guides on an underground adventure where you can explore the various passageways and learn more about our ancestors.

In East Devon, there is Beer Quarry Caves, another historic cave system, with over 2,000 years of history of quarrying. In fact, Beer Stone was used in the building of Exeter Cathedral and St Paul’s in London. The way the stone is quarried hasn’t changed much since the days of the Romans and there is plenty to discover both at the caves and at the small museum on site.

If you like the idea of immersing yourself in the history of the area, make sure to visit Clovelly. The historic village was once owned by the English monarchy and has no vehicular traffic, just the original cobbled streets and deliveries made by donkey and sledge. The village sits on the side of a cliff offering beautiful views of the coast and you can often see the day’s catch being brought into the harbour. Alternatively, there is Dartington Hall, a Grade 1 listed heritage property set within a 1,200 acre private estate near the town of Totnes. The gardens are also recognised as a heritage attraction and are Grade 2 listed. The whole site is a cultural and heritage attraction, with a year long programme of events, courses and activities. There is even a cinema located within the historic barn and a collection of eateries on site. There are weekly tours of the gardens and in the summer months, Arts at Dartington takes place every year.

Image: Buckfast Abbey

Earlier, we talked about Exeter Cathedral – obviously this isn’t the only building of historical religious importance to be found in Devon. There are medieval churches all over the county, with plenty to be found on Dartmoor. A tranquil place to visit is Buckfast Abbey, which is nestled in the shadow of Dartmoor and alongside the River Dart. As a working monastery, Buckfast Abbey is a wonderfully quiet and peaceful place to spend a few hours in reflection.

Hartland Abbey and Gardens in North Devon is a beautiful family home that has featured in a number of popular television programmes and films including the award-winning Night Manager. The house has fascinating decoration and interiors that are wonderfully complimented by the surrounding woodland, walled gardens and parkland. It has all the warmth of a family home, with the impressive views of a stately manor plus beautiful peacocks and friendly donkeys and black sheep wandering around the grounds to keep you amused. Initially a monastery, Hartland Abbey is believed to have survived longer than any other following Henry VIII’s reign and is full of intriguing history dating back to the 12^th century.

Torre Abbey Museum and Garden is one of the most historic buildings in Torquay, centrally located and with 18 acres of stunning gardens and parkland, the abbey is a wonderful family friendly attraction. Founded in 1196, Torre Abbey was once one of the wealthiest monasteries in the UK, but following the dissolution, became private houses and is now an exciting events venue and heritage site. The gardens even feature a collection of plants to celebrate Agatha Christie, the town’s most famous former resident.

Interested in visiting some more of Devon’s historical attractions? Click here.