Newton Abbot
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Newton Abbot is a market town in Devon , England on the River Teign, with a population of 23,580 (2001 census). The New Town of the Abbots (of Torre Abbey) was given the right to hold a weekly market on Wednesdays sometime between 1247 and 1251. On the strength of the market it quickly became a successful thriving town and a good source of income for the Abbots. It then grew very rapidly in the Victorian era as home to the Great Western Railway trainworks depot. Newton Abbot has a racecourse and boasts three country parks; Decoy, Stover and Bradley. Part of Newton Abbot's heritage is the historic Cheese and Onion Fayre, originally held on 5,6,7 November in honour of Saint Leonard. It is still held to this day, but earlier in the year at the beginning of September. The small town does have lots of activities to do. You can enjoy anything from golf and country walks to sports at Bakers park or swimming at Dyrons leisure centre. Newton Abbot is close to the historic Dartmoor country park. The locals also like to enjoy fishing on the weekends or horse racing at Newton Abbot racecourse. The town of Newton Abbot is only interesting to elderely people. It contains many charity shops and not a lot of big name stores, not to great for younger people. If you wanted to shop at HMV or JJB sports for example you would have to travel 12 miles to Torquay for your local outlet. Though Newton Abbot does still has it's plus points. It is approximately 10 miles (about 15 minutes drive) away from 3 beaches. Such as Paignton, Torquay and Teignmouth. Newton Abbot attracts many visitors from all over the country and the world.
St Leonard's Tower
The centre of the town features the ancient tower of Saint Leonard. The tower is all that remains of the medieval chapel of St. Leonard, founded in 1220 and first referred to in 1350 in a document of the Bishop de Grandisson of Exeter, the main chapel being demolished in 1836. Adjacent to the tower is a plaque; marking the spot where the first declaration of the newly arrived William III, Prince of Orange was read in 1688. It reads "The first declaration of William, Prince of Orange, the glorious defender of the Protestant Religion and the liberties of England, was read on this pedestal by the Rev John Reynall, Rector of this parish, on November 5th 1688". Although William arrived in Brixham on the 5th November he did not reach Newton Abbot until the 6th November when he stayed overnight in the town at Forde House as he made his way to London to assume the English throne. There are three other buildings of note in the town namely Forde House, Bradley Manor and the Passmore Edwards Public Library.
Forde House
Located in the south east corner of the town, was built with an 'E' shaped floor plan, in honour of Queen Elizabeth I, by Sir Richard Reynell in 1610. King Charles I stayed at the house in 1625 and William of Orange on his way to London in 1688. It now houses the offices of Teignbridge District Council.
Bradley Manor
At the opposite end of Newton Abbot is the National Trust run property, Bradley Manor. This is 13th century (circa 1420) manor house in its own secluded woodland setting, with a notable great hall - emblazoned with the royal coat of Arms of Elizabeth I. In the woodland, close to the manor house you will find the 'Puritan Pit' - a natural hollow where non-conformists held their secret meetings to avoid persecution.
The Passmore Edwards Public Library
John Passmore Edwards originally wanted to have a hospital built for the Town in memory of his mother. However as the Town already had a hospital and wanting to give something for the benefit of Newton Abbot, he decided on a Public Library which was opened in 1904.
Tucker's Maltings
Close to the railway station is Tucker's Maltings, the only traditional malthouse in the U.K. open to the public. The malthouse which offers the visitor hour long guided tours from the barley to beer discovery centre, produces malt for over 30 breweries and enough to brew 15 million pints of beer per annum. In April every year the maltings hosts a three day beer festival, one of the finest in the country where over 200 different real ales can be sampled.
Newton Abbot Town and G.W.R. Museum
This fine little museum next to the Town Hall is well worth a visit. In addition to the history of Newton Abbot it has plenty of information about the Great Western Railway.
Old Phillpott's House
Old Philpott's house is located in Abbotskerswell, a village to the south of Newton Abbot. It is an old-time cider making facility, (pound house) and has been making fine Devon cider since 1666.
41 Wolborough St
Standing on the corner or Wolborough St and East St is one of Newton Abbot's older surviving buildings. The building has seen many changes but these have always been as an inn, pub or restaurant. Most Newtonians would best remember when the building was 'Kennedys' in the 90's. Today it is an Indian restaurant with bright yellow walls. Notably 'Brunel' stayed here whilst over-seeing construction of his ill-fated Atmospheric railway.
External links
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