We drive around the coastline of Devon in Southwest England for a Devonshire Tea and find secluded villages full of charm – not to mention lots of tourist tat in the shops – and plenty of natural beauty too…
We drive around the coastline of Devon in Southwest England for a Devonshire Tea and find secluded villages full of charm – not to mention lots of tourist tat in the shops – and plenty of natural beauty too.
The high hedgerows mean you are often quite enclosed on the roads. A major highlight on the way is the rocky coastline- with many coves that were used for smuggling back in the 1600-1700s. Look over the Bristol channel as sometimes on a clear day you can see across to Wales.
We drove past Hunter’s Inn, an historic tavern, amongst the leafy glens.
Driving through the countryside isn’t hard work when you have views out the window like this.
Lynmouth is known as Little Switzerland, as it is so steep and rocky. In 1952 Lynmouth was the scene of England’s worst flood disaster where most of the town was washed away and 34 people died. A commemorative cross marks the tragedy on the side of the river wall. At the top of the hill and accessed via a funicular railway, is the town of Lynton.
Below: Lynmouth Rock House
Lynmouth boats at low tide, some used as pleasure craft and some for lobster fishing.
A plastic rock lobster advertises local lobster, or crayfish, for sale.
Today, tourism is a huge industry and touristy knick knack shops are intermingled with ice-cream parlours along the seashore. Sadly there isn’t anything good for sale. Where are the nice hand-made gifts from local craftspeople?
From Lynmouth drive forty-five minutes to the West to Barnstaple, the biggest town in North Devon and the oldest borough in England. It still holds a Pannier Market with a distinctive jagged roofline and Butcher’s Row running alongside. Every September a travelling fair arrives for three days and is incredibly popular, with a formal welcome given by the town dignitaries.
In Barnstaple Square, the annual Green Man parade for the Pilton Festival, celebrating harvest rituals from ancient times, was underway on Saturday 17 July with dozens of locals taking part in the loud and fun parade through village streets to Pilton Park to a community funfair.
The Green Man King and Queen.
Cute vintage home and garden shop, Lytton & Lily, in Barnstaple.
And a lovely old-fashioned little fabric shop, Malbers Fabrics in Barnstaple.
We ate at this little cake shop in Barnstaple, Lindsey’s cake shop, for a cream tea. A cream tea is a scone with jam and clotted cream served with tea, a famous local favourite and we can see why.
Enjoying the scone and cream!
By Megan Robinson 17 July 2010
Photos Kevin Robinson
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