Want to spend an hour or two in Totnes, Devon? It's a lovely town, full of unexpected delights. Between May and September, each Tuesday morning local residents and traders wear Elizabethan style clothes to the "Elizabethan market." Pictured above is a church tower in the town centre.
The name Totnes derives from the Saxon word for fort or a lookout on a ridge. Originally a fortified Saxon settlement, the town was built to protect upper reaches of the river from Viking raiding parties. It was one of the five Devon towns originally mentioned in the Domesday Book. The town’s medieval wealth and prosperity grew from the export of wool from Dartmoor, as well as locally-mined tin. Totnes's location made it both the highest navigable port and the lowest bridging place on the River Dart.
A World War I memorial in front of the church. Note the arched windows with leaded glass.
The 16th-century Totnes Guildhall on Ramparts Walk was originally part of the Benedictine Priory. The building was constructed in 1533 and still is used as a town council chamber. It also has served as a school and a courthouse. In addition to the council chamber, it contains a mayor's parlour and prison cells. Visitors to the Guildhall can see the table where Oliver Cromwell sat in 1646.
The charming Tudor Cottage, located in a street near the Guildhall.
A Moorish-style door on Fore Street leads to a shop selling Middle Eastern items, including an Egyptian hubbly bubbly pipe. A quick peek in the window is all we have time for today.
A sign on a stone column pointing to "Please's Passage." Shall we go exploring? Oh look at that costume museum! And that antique shop! I wish that tiny sewing machine from the 18th-century would fit into my luggage. Jordana would love it! Hmm, David thinks we should leave before I spend any money.
Are you hungry? Let's stop for a quick bite at Seeds Bakery. All their sandwiches are made with organic ingredients, as are their pastries!
Time to walk off our snack. Doesn't this courtyard have a lovely potted garden?
Ah, the canal! Check out the lavender scaffolding alongside apartments built in converted warehouses. If you look closely, in the distance maybe you can see that bold fuschia Smart car parked on the quay! Smart cars are everywhere in Paris, but typically they're silver and black.
Warehouse residents' boats are linked together to buoys in the canal.
Be sure to follow the rules! The residents in this neighbourhood maintain high standards. But no cycling?
Scenic cruises to Dartmouth six miles downstream are offered several times daily from the Old Steamer Quay on the River Dart. Want to go aboard? On second thought, maybe we don't have time today.
After all that walking, perhaps you'd like some tea or juice at this cheery lemon yellow corner cafe?
Locally-grown asters are sold from a lively market near the cafe.
Check out the hanging beads giving traditional lace curtains a modern edge in this cottage window.
I'd really like to go inside and shop at this charming cottage and boutique, but David says we must be driving to our next destination, where friends await. Thanks for coming along on this quick tour of Totnes!
OMG...my mouth is STILL hanging open! Absolutely lovely! Thank you for the beautiful trip! I wish I couldn't been there with you!
Posted by: Paula Scott | 27 September 2007 at 04:55
You sure can use your camera to create a magic carpet ride. Thank you!
XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 26 September 2007 at 21:20
Fat lemons cafe looks lovely! And everything else is just stunning! Thanks for the lovely getaway!
Posted by: Alex | 25 September 2007 at 20:52
Oh! Did I see scones in that bakery window? Hope you managed to taste some with clotted cream and home-made jam!
Posted by: Mountain Dweller | 25 September 2007 at 19:01
Wonderful tour ... the town definitely has a quirky edge to it! Marvelous, xx, JP/deb
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 25 September 2007 at 17:02
Tara, your photos are just glorious! Thank you so much for taking us along on this tour! I just had to tell my friend Mary about this. She is from Devon.
I would love to know what kind of camera you have...would you mind sharing?
Oh, I see Mary has been here!! I know she loved your photos!
I will be back,
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah | 25 September 2007 at 15:45
Hi Tara - what a thrill to be directed to your blog by a friend and find such great Totnes pictures! I grew up just 15 mins. from that quaint town and spent a lot of time there - and still do when I return for visits. In fact I'll be there in Oct. and can't wait - still homesick for Devon after 45 years living here in the USA!!!
Thanks for sharing - you must have an awesome camera for such clear shots - lovely!.
Posted by: Mary | 25 September 2007 at 15:32
THis is truly wonderful! ..like tripping through a fairytale! Wow!GorgeouS! Merci !
Posted by: Pam Aries | 25 September 2007 at 14:13
Fantastic pictures. I especially love the flowers, the canal pictures, and the beads handing in the cottage window. But the carrot and cheese sandwich blew me away. I'm sooooo hungry and that's my kinda food! Thanks for sharing such eye candy.
Posted by: artzyjudie | 25 September 2007 at 13:30
You take really really good pics. Your camera is so clear. I can't believe the colours and detail in the bouquet. Just beautiful. I always forget my camera when going out, but if I remembered it, the pics wouldn't be as nice as yours. I felt like I was there!
PS thanks for the comment on my sunday scribblings!
Posted by: Jennifer | 25 September 2007 at 12:39
How beautiful are your exquisite tours.
Love you my friend!
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 25 September 2007 at 11:33
Had to catch up on my favorite blogs to read... love this post and all the wonderful photographs :) Hope you are well...
Posted by: robyn pope | 25 September 2007 at 06:37
These pictures are so enticing and beautiful... I've spent a lot of time in Devon, staying with friends near Axminster. The next time I go... I will take your lead and head towards Totnes, for I would love to stop with you for a cup of tea at the Fat Lemons Café!
Posted by: Lea | 25 September 2007 at 06:30
It was so much fun walking along the streets of Totnes with you, thank you for bringing me along!
Posted by: Madeline | 25 September 2007 at 02:13
Oh I loved those photos - especially the canal and the
fat lemons cafe:)
cheered me up from my horrible cold -
I went to convent in Devon - in Sidmouth!
Wonderful cheery post - thank you!
Posted by: maddie | 25 September 2007 at 00:49
thanks for the tour. i *love* the photo of the fat lemons cafe. that looks like such a wonderful place to stop and rest.
Posted by: leonie (chocolate covered musings) | 25 September 2007 at 00:16
Oh I living in this country!
Now if I could only drive!
Sigh ...
Posted by: lacithecat | 25 September 2007 at 00:10
I could live there! Oh me oh my, yes I could. I am in the wrong part of the world I tell ya... I want to go there with you one day.... xxo
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 24 September 2007 at 23:26
Totnes has completely cheered me up today, thanks Tara. I have been under the weather for a couple of days. Foggy headed. But these door photos, and the collection of blue pots in the container garden, made my day.
It is hard to choose the best one, you captured all the images so well.
xo
Blue
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 24 September 2007 at 22:12
What a fun tour - I would love to visit Totnes in person - it looks lovely - but especially to have a taste from that bakery, lol.
Thank you for another lovely armchair travel tour, Tara! xox
Posted by: tinker | 24 September 2007 at 21:29
what a lovely tour - loved those gorgeous blue pots and the lemon yellow cafe... and all those organic pastries - I'll have a berry scone please!
thanks so much Tara...
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 24 September 2007 at 21:17
Ooh I love the way you always share with us your photos and information about the places you visit!! Nearly as good as going myself, reading your lovely posts..
Posted by: Sophiehoneysuckle | 24 September 2007 at 20:30
What a fun tour it was, too - thank you! xox
Posted by: tinker | 24 September 2007 at 20:29
What a treat!! Those blue pots really got my attention! I love that smart cars are all over Paris, will we ever give up our monstrous SUV's?
All of your photos are so inviting! so glad to be able to tag along!! Love your eye, like catching the beads hanging in the window..beautiful!
Posted by: stephanie | 24 September 2007 at 20:18
You seem to be able to capture the features of our towns so well. You have made me want to visit Devon again. Harvey has never been other than on business and straight on and off a plane. He needs to go don't you agree?
Posted by: Di Overton | 24 September 2007 at 19:48
Another incredible adventire. How I would have loved to have been there, I want to peek behind the door and have lunch at the wonderful cafe.
XOX
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 24 September 2007 at 19:12
utterly delightful in every way. thanks so much for giving me the mental vacation to such a lovely place. your photography & commentary are so great ~ you're a true darling!
Posted by: anjie joon | 24 September 2007 at 19:02
the ancient architecture demands our respect, getting a glimbse of the past returning to the times of knights and lady guinevere. the cottages are so lovely and the vibrant colors of the asters are dashing!
how is fall doing in paris, tara? over here we had a beautiful weekend. since this afternoon storm and rain on its way again.
Posted by: marita | 24 September 2007 at 18:25
Thank you, Tara! This is WONDERFUL! I love the name of that Cafe. And those blue pots! I have been thinking of starting a garden of pots. That way I could take them when we leave. Those look great! And I am wondering, did they paint the church red, or is that in the clay? Very beautiful.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 24 September 2007 at 18:24
I love your photo journaling! You go to so many wonderful places.
Posted by: khambagirl | 24 September 2007 at 18:02
Dear Tara,
Your tour of Totnes immediately made it my favorite place that you have brought us to on your blog. What a completely charming village. I'm in love. And that beaded window . . .!!! I'll be returning to this particular entry many times.
Hugs
Annie
Posted by: AnnieElf | 24 September 2007 at 17:56
tara...thanks for the tour...the courtyard garden and fat lemons cafe are my favs...hope you are having a great time...blessings, rebecca
Posted by: Rebecca Parsons | 24 September 2007 at 17:53
Your pics are always so vibrant Madame Parfait, love the pastries and the flowers too. Wish I could jump on a plane right now to France
Posted by: cathy | 24 September 2007 at 16:28
So many pictures. I am always so impressed by your photography.
Posted by: Brian | 24 September 2007 at 15:33
So beautiful! And I'd love a quick stop at the Fat Lemon Cafe !!
Posted by: bella | 24 September 2007 at 15:00
Thanks for the tour Tara! Such beauty. I just adore old buildings! So having the chance to be a fairy in your pocket with you is fun.
No dog fouling. That's a good one!
Posted by: rochambeau | 24 September 2007 at 14:54