Totnes is an ancient trading town nestling in the Dart valley somewhere between Dartmoor to the north and Dartmouth to the south.
 | | The mott and bailey Totnes Castle |
Its rich history is woven into the fabric of the town and is visible everywhere from the iconic Eastgate clock tower which bisects the main street to the 13th century mott and bailey castle, one of the finest examples of its kind remaining in the country. If you stand on the battlements of Totnes Castle and look south you can see right down the River Dart to Sharpham, where they make award-winning local wine. It is instantly clear why Brutus of Troy first stepped ashore here and named it ‘lookout on the ridge of land’ – or Totnes, to you and me. If it’s history that floats your boat, more can be found at the many museums around the town. There’s the Totnes Museum in Fore Street or the Costume Museum, at Bogan House in the High Street.
 | | A famous sight, the Totnes Clock |
The town’s photo album is the Totnes Image Bank, above the Tourist Information Office on Station Road, or there’s the Guildhall behind St Mary’s Church which is used as chambers by the Town Council. Modern Totnes is better known as a mecca for all things alternative – therapies, medicines, health foods and lifestyles in general. It is also establishing itself as a hotbed of creative talent – artistic, literary, theatrical and musical. The nearby Dartington Summer School and Ways With Words Literature Festival feed this vibe in abundance. There are some great shops and galleries here selling the curious, the kitsch and the divine. There's also a wide range of places to sit and eat with restaurants, cafes and pubs offering local and organic food for different tastes. Totnes is well fed with markets too. The Pannier Market runs every Friday morning in the Civic Hall square; and summer months host the Elizabethan market in the Civic Hall square, where stallholders regularly don traditional costume.
 | | Looking over Totnes |
Travel links are well served here, for public transport there is a mainline railway station and coach routes to anywhere. For anyone transporting themselves the A38 linking to the M5 is 8 miles away and the River Dart offers temporary moorings. I moved here over 30 years ago when I was knee high to a river rat and grew up surrounded by rolling hills and the beautiful river scenery. Totnes is a lively town packed with character and characters and has long since cast its spell on me. I challenge any visitor to defy its charms and not be planning a return visit by the time they get home.
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