Devon Heartland
Blackdown Hills
Thomas A Beckett on 29th December 1170.
Some say that the ghost of Thomas a Beckett can be seen galloping on a white horse through the village on the anniversary of his death on his way to confront his murderer. Watch out for him on the 29th December! Have you seen him?
T
here’s only one way to describe Devonshire’s Heartland: the focal point of a whole new holiday experience! By using one of the peaceful towns
and villages as a base, you can enjoy the best of Devon, exploring the area’s beautiful hills and valleys, or stretching your wings to visit Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks, or the ever popular north and south Devon coasts. No matter what time of year you visit lovely Devonshire’s Heartland, and whether for a holiday or a short break, there is so much for you to enjoy such as the River Exe at Bickleigh a lovely setting, charming waterside inns and visitor attractions all within a few miles of the market town of Tiverton.
Lapford is a traditional rural Devonshire village steeped in history. It is located on the rising of a hill above the river Yeo in the heart of the Mid Devon countryside. It is about 18 miles away from Exeter, just off the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road. Lapford has a railway station on the Tarka line which runs between Exeter and Barnstaple. This area of Devon is known as “the River country” for good reason; there are many rivers nearby including the beautiful river Yeo which runs through the valley a short distance to the south of Lapford. The lovely stone church is believed to have been built by William De Tracey as penance for his part in the murder of the then Archbishop of Canterbury,
89
Crediton is a thriving market town serving the local agricultural area. It is set in a landscape that is typically Devonshire, amidst lush valleys of fertile deep red soil. Visiting the town today, it is doubtful if you would appreciate its historic importance, were it not for the impressive red sandstone collegiate Church of the Holy Cross, which suggests an affluent past. In fact Crediton is regarded as the birthplace of St. Boniface, a major influential figure in Christian Europe. His reputation was such that the locals immortalised his image as the town seal which can also be seen outside one of the local pubs. In other parts of Crediton do not worry if you have visions of giant ships funnels, very long cars, crocodiles, or even cars on roof tops,
these are all very natural, they may have been
transported here by strange and unexplainable world events, or even from other worlds.
The surrounding countryside provides idyllic peaceful walking and there are a number of attractive and interesting villages worth visiting including the cob and thatched village of Cheriton Fitzpaine, Colesbrooke and Shobrooke Barton. North of the town, beside the little river Creedy, a footpath leads to Upton Hellions. Walks are to various villages and hamlets including Shobrooke Barton with its lovely Anglo-Norman church of St Swithins and Shobrooke Park. Within easy reach of the town there are many things to enjoy such as golf, fishing, riding etc; the local Tourist Information Centre will be pleased to help with any information.
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