Totnes
From Freepedia
Totnes (tot'nus) is an ancient borough in South Devon and is the capital of the South Hams district. It was founded in ancient times, but incorporated as a borough during the reign of King Athelstan the grandson of Alfred the Great of Wessex. As a borough, mint, and parliamentary constituency, Totnes was once a place of some significance; indications of its former importance are given by the remains of the Norman Totnes Castle, now owned by English Heritage. It was built during the reign of William the Bastard. Equally notable is the late medieval church of St Mary built of rich red Devonian stone. The ancient Leechwell (so named because of the supposed medicinal properties of its water) still provides fresh water, and is preserved from former days.
A prominant feature of the town is the Eastgate - an arch spanning the in the middle of the main street. This Elizabethan entrance to the walled town was destroyed in a fire in September 1990, before being rebuilt again. The town is built on a hill above the River Dart, which divides Totnes from the suburb of Bridgetown, and is tidal up to Totnes, where it meets a 17th century wier. It provides navigation to seagoing boats and until 1995 was used for the import and export of goods.
The town attracts people with alternative beliefs and has one of the largest communities of New Age followers in the whole of the United Kingdom.
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Transport
Totnes railway station is situated on the Great Western Main Line, and has trains direct to London and Plymouth. The A38 passes within 10km.
Totnes is the southern end of the Dart Valley Railway which runs a tourist steam engine from Buckfastleigh. and has a wealth of architectural interest on a human scale. At the western edge of the town is the Dartington Hall Estate, which includes the Schumacher College and Dartington College of Arts.
History
The explorer William John Wills of the Burke and Wills expedition fame was born in Totnes. Charles Babbage had a strong family connection with the town.
See also
External links
- Totnes web
- Pictures of Totnes
- Totnes museum
- Community website
- Sharpham
- Shiny hippy people (The Observer)
