Devon Travel Guide - Towns and Villages Gazetteer

A historic market town on the northern fringe of Dartmoor. Rising above the town centre is Okehampton Castle, an 11th-century fortress that is reputed to be haunted. Also in Okehampton is the evocative Museum of Dartmoor Life, housed in a Victorian mill. Three miles distant is Finch Foundry, a Victorian forge powered by water.
Okehampton, Devon, England

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A small market town with a superb 14th-century parish church modelled after Exeter Cathedral, Ottery St Mary has been settled since the time of Edward the Confessor. The mechanical medieval clock still strikes the hours.
Ottery St Mary, Devon, England

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Heritage Highlight: The parish church of St Mary is one of Devon's best

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A large seaside town on Tor Bay in south Devon, Paignton is a popular resort area, with two large, sandy beaches to enjoy. Much of Paignton is geared to the tourist trade, with all the facilities one would expect in a seaside family holiday resort.
Paignton, Devon, England

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The old town of Plymouth has a long and rich history as a seaport. The old town centre boasts several fascinating older buildings, including Elizabethan House, a half-timbered merchants house built around 1584. Of a similar age is Merchants House, a rambling half-timbered house once owned by William Parker, a friend of Sir Francis Drake.
Plymouth, Devon, England

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One of the most popular destinations in Dartmoor National Park, Postbridge is famous for its old medieval clapper bridge, one of the best-preserved (and certainly one of the easiest to reach) clapper bridge on Dartmoor.
Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon, England

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Heritage Highlight: 12th-century clapper bridge

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The administrative centre of Dartmoor National Park, Princetown is the highest town on Dartmoor. It is also home to the infamous Dartmoor Prison, originally built to house French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars.
Princetown, Dartmoor, Devon, England

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Heritage Highlight: St Michael's church, built by prisoners

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One of the major towns of the beautiful South Hams area (Kingsbridge being the other), Salcombe is a popular centre for pleasure boating. Salcombe stands on the Kingsbridge estuary and offers easy access to the spectacular coastline that makes the South Hams such a popular area for visitors. You can take cruises up the estuary and to the exotic gardens that surround the Edwardian house of Overbeck. There are wonderful coastal walks along the South West Coast Path.
Salcombe, Devon, England

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Sheepstor is a beautiful little village set in lovely countryside on the western edge of Dartmoor. The White Rajah of Sarawak, Sir James Brooke, is buried in the churchyard at Sheepstor. Just a short drive away is Burrator Reservoir, which supplies the city of Plymouth with water.
Sheepstor, Dartmoor, Devon, England, PL20 6PF

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Sidbury is an attractive village just north of Sidmouth on the River Sid. The parish church of St Giles retains its Saxon crypt, and just west of the village s the Iron Age hillfort of Sidbury Castle. The village boasts a wealth of picturesque thatched cottages.
Sidbury, Devon, England

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Heritage Highlight: Saxon crypt in St Giles Church

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Sidmouth is a seaside resort town on Lyme Bay which dates back to the time of the Domesday Book. The town was a popular holiday destination in the early 19th century and much of the architecture date from the Regency period. The royal family had a summer home here during the Victorian period.
Sidmouth, Devon, England

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Heritage Highlight: The Old Chancel, a rebuilt medieval relic

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