Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot is situated at the head of the river Teign. The town has a long history, with the surrounding area being inhabited since Neolithic times and later occupied by the Romans. Referred to as the New Town of the Abbots it was renamed Newton Abbot by 1300. The South Devon Railway reached Newton Abbot in 1846 and transformed the market town into a communications centre and a base for industry. The railway linked London to the south west with the Torquay branch line added in 1848.

Some of the town’s history can be seen with a visit to St Leonard’s Tower, the remains of an ancient church demolished in 1836. Other historical building’s include a National Trust property, Bradley, a medieval manor house and Forde House. The rest of the history of the town can be explored further with a visit to Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum.
Newton Abbot is a great place to stay in South Devon as it has many activities including Newton Abbot Racecourse which holds summer meetings, and many other events throughout the year like Antique fairs and car boot sales. Tuckers Maltings offering craft beers, beer festivals and also houses Teignworthy Brewery and Dartmoor Gin distillery.

There are several parks nearby offering a range of activities. Decoy Country Park where there are woods and a lake offering fishing, a spot of bird watching, cycling, water activities and enclosed children’s play area. The park offers wheel chair and pushchair access. Alternatively take the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail at Stover Park. There is also the Teign Estuary Trail a cycling/pedestrian route over the Town Quay Bridge.