www.thisistorrington.co.uk

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thisistorrington

Historic Pannier MarketBuilt in 1842 and refurbished in 1999. Twelve shops, workshops and a café. Market every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.From March - December, Tuesday Market

The Landmark Trust, 28 South StreetBuilt in 1701, is unusual for a Merchant’s house as the ground-floor rooms were designed for the family instead of trade.

The Glove FactoryGreat Torrington was known for its glove manufacturing industry. This Victorian glove factory, Vaughan Tapscott Ltd, was built in the style of a Methodist church, although it is no longer in use.

From this amazing viewpoint observers can take in the magnificent countryside.

The Battle of Torrington 1646The Battle of Torrington, on February 16th, 1646, was of such importance as to mark the end of Royalist resistance in the Westcountry and led to the eventual defeat and execution of King Charles I. The anniversary of this cold winter's night and bloody battle is remembered in February each year with a spectacular torch-lit procession when the town turns out in 17th century costume and re-enacts the proclamation of the victorious Sir Thomas Fairfax.The Parliamentarians, under Fairfax, succeeded in taking the town from Lord Hopton’s men. Not realising that Hopton had chosen to use the church as a powder store, Fairfax imprisoned some two hundred Royalists within the building. Unfortunately, no sooner was this accomplished, than a huge explosion caused the death of all the prisoners and the near total destruction of the church along with many of the town's historical records.The church was rebuilt in 1651 and is today the Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels (107). Though there are some significant changes in appearance resulting from repairs and rebuilding during the intervening years, the large cobbled "mound" outside the church door, where the remains of the prisoners' bodies are said to be buried, is still visable.A fascinating visitor attraction, Torrington 1646 (5), gives the visitor a wonderful insight into the 17th century by bringing history to life.

26 Crafty Needles

27 Designers

28 HQ Hair

29 The Newmarket

30 Tattersalls

33 Torrington Framing

35 LA Wash n Dry

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More Than Movies

38 Chef Lin37 Well Street Clinic

36 Kia-Ora

34 North Devon Hospice 32 Kenwyn Stove & Chimney Company

31 Tanya’s

85 Sorting Office

84 Steve Gladwin

86 Studio C

87 Chapters

88 AJ

75 Jack & Molly’s76 Jewellers77 Barclays Bank78 Slice of Life

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25 Fish n Chip24 Times Past23 Sheena’s Sweetshop

22 Odds & Sods21 Market Café

20 Function Fitness

72Maya

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Browns Deli74

Torridge Vale Social Club

92RHS Garden Rosemoor

5Torrington 1646

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Bickford Centre 70

River Reads 69

Torrington Grill68

R&S Ware 67

Soap Kitchen Plus 66

Love Lea’s 65

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Barley Grove

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School Lane

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Torrington Golf Club103

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The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen

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Swimming Pool105

Windsor House

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1. Instant Images: Personalised Embroidery, School Clothes & Shoes2. Londis: Convenience Store3. Conservative Club4. Castle Hill: Town Council, Library & Tourist Information5. Torrington 1646: Visitor Centre, Café & Gardens6. Berrys: Chartered Accountants7. Crawfords: Newsagents, Cards & Gifts8. Xanadu: Fruit, Vegetables & Health Foods9. Co-op: General Groceries10. Whiskers Pet Centre: Pet Food Supplies11. Taylor’s: Café12. Taff’s: Fish & Chip Restaurant & Take-away13. Great Torrington Heritage Museum14. CAT Computers: Computers, Sales & Repairs15. Fiddlesticks: Antiques and Musical Instruments16. Socks: Socks and Underwear17. British Red Cross18. Second Life Toys: Second Hand Children’s Toys & Books19. 14 The Gallery: Local Arts & Crafts20. Function Fitness: Fitness & Dance Studio21. Market Café: Food to Eat in or Take-away22. Odds & Sods: Antiques & Collectables23. Sheena’s Sweetshop: Sweets & Treats24. Times Past: Antiques & Collectables25. Fish n Chip: Local Arts & Crafts26. Crafty Needles: Haberdashery, Fabrics & Wool27. Designers: Florist & Gifts28. HQ Hair: Hairdressers29. Newmarket: Public House30. Tattersalls: Property Management 31. Tanya’s: Beauty Salon32. Kenwyn Stove & Chimney Company: Multi- Fuel & Woodburning Stoves. Furniture, Accessories & Giftware33. Torrington Framing: Framing Service for Pictures34. North Devon Hospice: Charity Shop35. LA Wash n Dry: Launderette 36. Kia Ora: Fish & Chip Restaurant & Take-away 37. Well Street Clinic: Chiropodist & Podiatrist38. Chef Lin: Chinese Take-away39. More Than Movies: Films, Games & Drink40. Windsor House: Bed & Breakfast41. The Cavalier: Public House42. Jack & Molly’s Trading Co: Organic Gifts & Collectable Books43. Yau’s House: Chinese Take-away44. Paul Donner: Optician45. Nationwide Building Society46. Eastmond House: Bed & Breakfast47. Sandford’s: Bakery48. Forget-Me-Not: Tea Room49. SPRA: Charity Shop50. John Patts: Fruit & Vegetables51. Bond Oxborough Phillips: Estate Agents52. The Plough Arts Centre: Film, Theatre, Workshops, Gallery & Café53. The Globe: Hotel & Restaurant54. British Red Cross55. Toyzone: Toys & Cards56. Lloyds Pharmacy57. Ferry’s Hardware: Hardware Store58. Natwest Bank59. Post Offi ce60. Obsessions: Hairdressers61. Fresh n Fruity: Fruit & Vegtables, Garden Plants & Ornaments62. SPAR: Convenience Store63. The Black Horse: Public House

64. Webbers: Estate Agents65. Pollyfi elds: Home Fragrances, Potpourri, Garlands & Other Interior Furnishings66. Love Lea’s: Shabby Chic Gifts for the Home67. Soap Kitchen Plus: Hand Made Soaps, Toiletries & Quality Gifts68. R&S Ware: Butchers69. Torrington Grill: Fast Food to Take-away70. River Reads: Specialist Fishing Books, Vintage Tackle & General Collectable Books71. Bickford Centre: OAP Drop in Centre72. Maya: Authentic Indian Restaurant & Take-away73. Browns: Delicatessen & Café74. Torridge Vale Social Club75. Jack & Molly’s Trading Co: Organic Gifts & Collectable Books76. Torrington Jewellers : Jewellery & Watch Repairs77. Barclays Bank78. Slice of Life: Sandwich Bar and Café79. Squires: Electrical Home Appliances80. Town Hall81. Green Lantern: Bakery and Tea Room82. Ian’s Hair: Barbers83. Lloyds Bank84. Steve Gladwin: Butchers85. Royal Mail Sorting Offi ce86. Studio C: Antiques & Collectables87. Chapters: Hair & Beauty88. AJ: Opticians89. Jayne Poole Photography: Wedding, Portraits & Commercial90. Cornmarket Gallery: Contemporary Art Gallery91. Easy-Fix: Computer Repair92. RHS Garden Rosemoor93. The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen94. The Torridge Inn: Public House95. Methodist Church96. The Old Glove Factory97. Torrington Cycle Hire 98. Puffi ng Billy: Café99. Torrington Arms: Public House100. Baptist Church101. The Royal Exchange: Public House102. Dartington Crystal103. Torrington Golf Club104. Vicarage Gardens: Nursery105. 1610 Leisure: Swimming Pool106. Play & Skate Park107. Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels

NOT SHOWN ON MAPNew Road Garage, New Street: Cars Bought & Sold, Car Servicing McColls, New Road: Convenience Store S&G Carpets, New Road: Carpets, Laminate FlooringTorbridge Veterinary Centre, New Road: VetsBP Service Station, New Road: Petrol & Convenience StoreHappy Days, Calf Street: Convenience Store 1610 Torrington Sports Hall & ATP, Hatchmore Road: Sports and Leisure Facilities Greenways Valley, Caddywell Lane: Holiday Park Tarka Pottery, Little Torrington

For up to the minute shop and event information please visit our website at www.thisistorrington.co.uk

Guide to TorringtonTown Centre

An Historic Market Town full of Charm and Character

GREAT TORRINGTON CHAMBER OF TRADECastle Hill, Great Torrington, Devon EX38

With its dramatic setting, historic civil war heritage, major attractions and independent shops, Great Torrington is a perfect visitor destination. Nestled in the heart of North Devon’s breathtaking countryside, the town offers plenty of things to see and do whether you are interested in nature and the countryside, history, arts and crafts and shopping or good locally sourced food and drink.

At the heart of Tarka Country

At the heart of Tarka CountryTh

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thisistorrington

YOUR TOWN CENTRE GUIDE

Designed by

Shop images supplied by © Andy Oliver, email: andy@thinkingcapp.co.ukCover images supplied by © D. Eadie, email: revdj.eadie@gmail.comClock Tower image on cover supplied by © Dave Elliott, email: davidelliottphotos@orange.net

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RIVER TORRIDGE

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MONUMENT PATHGEORGES WALK

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ALEXANDER’S PATH

ROMAN ROAD

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The Tarka TrailCYCLE TRAIL AND FOOTPATH

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WEARE GIFFARDFeatures include The

Church of the Holy Trinity and Weare Giffard Hall.

Also recorded inhistorical documents as;

Torryton; Chepyngetoritone.TORRINGTON TRAIN STN.PUFFING BILLYNow a pub serving food, the Puffing Billy was theterminus of L&SWR with through trains to Waterloo.There are plans to re-instigate the railway line from heretowards Bideford.

BIDEFORD TRAIN STN.Opened 1855 as the terminus of the Bideford Extension Railway. Features a café.

DUNSBEAR HALTAn example of the manysculptures found along

the Tarka Trail.

EAST YARDELocation of Yarde Halt railway station, constructed in 1925 to serve clay works along its route.YARDE ORCHARDCafé and camping.

LANDCROSS TUNNELFormer rail tunnel. Therailway was extended to Torrington in 1872.

Sir Walter Raleigh landedhis first shipment of

tobacco here.14th CenturyLong Bridge built by Sir

Theobald Grenville.Boats to Lundy Island.

WATERGATE BRIDGELocation of Watergate Haltrailway station, which was

no longer than a singlecarriage.

© Philip Halling

© Lobstertherm

idor

A Hidden Gem at the heart of Tarka Country...Surrounded by dramatic, breathtaking countryside, Great Torrington offers a unique visitor experience with its historic town centre, great independent shops and iconic attractions. There is plenty to do whether you visit for a day, a weekend or longer.

The local area offers much to the active visitor. You can cycle or walk for miles along the famous Tarka Trail which explores the stunning countryside and offers tempting end points from nearby local towns to excellent cafés and pubs. Why not leave the car where it is and make a round trip from Torrington to one of the well-placed eateries before slowly making your way back to town.

You can spend time at one of the world famous visitor attractions, getting horticultural inspiration at RHS Garden Rosemoor or trying your hand at glass blowing at Dartington Crystal. Or why not steep yourself in civil war history taking an historic walk around the old town centre, visiting Torrington 1646 or the Great Torrington Heritage Museum. Standing with your back to the old site of the castle and gazing across the Common and down the sheer drop to the river location of the former leper colony at Taddiport, it’s easy to imagine lepers tilling the strip fields still visible on the south side of the river, or Cavalier soldiers crossing the ancient stone bridge heading for a meeting at the historic Black Horse pub.

The town centre itself is full of irresistible, independent shops where you can buy delicious local produce, antiques and

bric-a-brac, and locally produced arts and crafts. If you are bitten by the shopping bug, there are also regular retail and farmers’ markets held in the restored Victorian Pannier market.

After a day of retail therapy, how better to relax than by eating at one of the many restaurants, cafés or pubs before taking in a movie, theatre or comedy performance at the unique and friendly Plough Arts Centre.

Great Torrington truly is a surprising gem of a town hidden away in the most beautiful and least commercialised part of Devon.

Come and visit. We can’t wait to see you!

The Plough Arts CentreThe small venue with the big reputation! The latest Plough programme of events can be freely downloaded from the website.

Torrington 1646Torrington 1646 is an historical all weather tourist attraction that makes history fun! Tour, weaponery displays and dungeon.

RHS Garden RosemoorOpening Times: Mon to Sun, 10am-6pm (5pm Oct – Mar) / Last admission 5pm Tel: 01805 624067Rosemoor is more than a garden. There is something for everyone to enjoy, from the stunning gardens (including Lady Anne’s original garden, the arboretum and the cottage garden) to the Woodland Walks which offer interesting glimpses of local wildlife and flowers. Also a family friendly picnic and activity area, a range of Children’s Trails and exciting activities for the whole family. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

Images from left: Dartington Crystal Glass Blower1, Town Hall2, Big Al - the Town Crier3, Rothern Bridge3, Mayfair Day 20132, The Burning of HMS Victory (Cavalier event 2005)4, May Day Queen3, Torrington Common from Sydney House Car Park3 1 Image supplied by © Dartington Glass / 2 Images supplied by © Lesley Phillips / 3 Images supplied by © D.Eadie, email: revdj.eadie@gmail.com / 4 Image supplied by © Dave Sanders, email: dave@davespix.co.uk

Dartington CrystalVisitor Centre & Shops Opening Times: Mon - Fri: 9.30am –5.00pm / Sat: 10.00am – 5.00pm / Sun: 10.00am – 4.00pmFactory Experience is open Mon/Fri only Tel: 01805 626242The only remaining UK manufacturer of crystal and glass. A great day out for all the family – with much to see and do in the Visitor Centre and Factory Experience, watch the masters at work and why not take a piece of the magic home with you! www.dartington.co.uk

© Great Torrington Chamber of Trade 2013

Box Office: 01805 624624www.theploughartscentre.org.uk

Tel: 01805 626146www.torrington-1646.co.uk

Rev. William Keble Martin (1877 – 1969)British botanist and botanical illustrator, known for his ‘Concise British Flora in Colour’. He was incumbent at Torrington from 1934.

Thomas Fowler (1777–1843)Thomas Fowler invented the Ternary Calculating Machine (a mechanical binary/tertiary computer). This was exhibited before members of the Royal Society in May 1840. A replica can be found in the Great Torrington Heritage Museum collection. In 1828 he also invented the Thermosiphon, the first convective heating system.

Tarka the OtterThe River Torridge is home to ‘Tarka the Otter’ in Henry Williamson's book.

BIDEFORD7 miles

APPLEDORE11 miles

CLOVELLY19 miles

STIBB CROSS5 miles

HOLSWORTHY16 miles

BUDE25 miles

UMBERLEIGH8 miles

SOUTH MOLTON15 miles

TIVERTON34 miles

BARNSTAPLE12 miles

CROYDE21 miles

WOOLACOMBE23 miles

The Chapel of St Mary MagdalenThe first mention of the chapel is in 1311, when Sir Richard de Brente, a priest, was

instituted chaplain "to the chantry of St. Mary Magdalen, juxta porta de

Chepyngetoritone".

Leper FieldsThe fields were in the possession of Taddiport's Leper Hospital which had existed since the Middle-Ages, but fell into disuse at the end of the 17th century.

Parish Church of St Michael & All Angels“This Church was blowen up with powder Febr ye 16th Anno 1645 and rebuilt Ao 1651”.

Torrington Cycle HireTel: 01805 622633www.torringtoncyclehire.co.uk

The Tarka TrailThe Tarka Trail is a long-distance cycle trail and footpath following a figure-of-eight course throughout North Devon, with Torrington at it’s heart. It traces the route taken by Tarka the Otter in the famous 1920s book by Henry Williamson. Over substantial lengths, the Trail follows the course of the North Devon Railway, which, for this section, closely follows the line of the River Torridge.

The Black Horse InnOriginated in the 15th century. Reputedly the oldest pub in North Devon, it was the headquarters for Lord Hopton during the English Civil War.

Castle Hill Torrington Castle was first built by William de Toriton, it was ordered to be destroyed in 1228. Rebuilt in 1340 by Richard de Merton. Demolished in 1780. The earthwork remains include a mound, possibly the site of the castle keep.

The Pannier MarketRestored Victorian Pannier Market.

RHS Garden Rosemoor 1m

Great Torrington Golf Club 1m9 hole, 18 tee, par 64 (4440 yard). Heathland golf course founded in 1895. Ten par 4s and eight par 3s.Tel: 01805 622229 www.torringtongolfclub.co.uk

Torrington CommonsTowards the end of the 12th century a 'large waste called The Common' was given to the people of Torrington. In 1889 the rights to this land were transferred, by an act of parliament, to an elected Committee of Conservators. The common is freely accessible to all, and visitors can walk the 20 miles of footpaths, ranging from the golf course in the north; ancient wood and wild flower meadow in the west; and dropping down to the beautiful river Torridge valley to the south of the town.www.torringtoncommon.co.uk

Torridge ValeDairy Crest Creamery

(built 1948)

HATHERLEIGH13 miles

OKEHAMPTON20 miles

DARTMOOR25 miles

Rothern BridgeBeautiful 15th century bridge.No longer in use by traffic, but still accessible.

Rolle RoadFollows the line of the former Rolle Canal, built for Lord Rolle in 1827 to transport clay & lime to the boats at Landcross. It was abandoned in 1871 in favour of the railways.

Great Torrington Heritage Museum Captain Thomas Colby RN served as a lieutenant on the Thunderer at Trafalgar, promoted to Captain. On retirement became Mayor of Torrington,1834-35. A portrait of him and his sword are displayed in the museum.www.torringtonmuseum.org.uk

Torrington CavaliersA long established local fundraising group whose main events are always giant themed Bonfires on the Old Bowling Green. Next scheduled bonfire is TOWER BRIDGE due August Bank Holiday Saturday 2015.www.torrington-cavaliers.co.uk

The Village of TaddiportIn the Middle Ages it was a leper colony. During the Rolle Canal years there was a quay on the opposite bank.

Waterloo MonumentA stone obelisk erected in 1818 by "The Ladies of Great Torrington" to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo.

Palmer House b.1752Dr. Samuel Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds were frequent visitors.

© Copyright Estate of C F Tunnicliffe RA OBE

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The Torrington Chamber of Trade makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information shown on these maps. However, the representation on this map of any road, track or path is no evidence of the existence of a right of way. The map is for illustrative purposes only.