Newton Abbot (Newton Abbot)

Member Name: ashton08

Product:	Newton Abbot
Date:	20/08/08 (137 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Central location to beaches or Dartmoor

Disadvantages: The english weather

Newton abbot in South Devon, close to Exeter and Torquay. It got its name from The Torre Abbey Abbots, the New Town of the Abbots, they held a market on a wednesday. The markets were very successful and the town thrived. There is still a market, having just undergone a recent renovation. Wednesdays are 'cattle market day'. The town is twinned with Besigheim in Germany and Ay-Champagne in France.



History;

The area goes back to Norman times where there were 2 settlements, one on the high ground (Highweek) and one on the low ground (Wolborough).

Newton Abbot was well known for its wool trade, the 19th century Vicary's woolen mills were an important employer in the town, in the 1920's they employed over 400 men. The business closed down in 1972 after business declined. My husband's Grandad was born in one of the mill cottages which were built around 1890 to house the worker's.

The Newton Abbot Railway Station was opened in 1846, this turned the town from a small market town into a base for industry. It was also the base of the South Devon locomotive works.

Newton Abbot was bombed twice during World War II, killing 21 people.



Places of interest;

Olde Forde House- Built in 1610 as a home. Many notorious visitors have stayed here over the years including, King Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and William of Orange. It was bought by the council in 1978 and is now used as their offices, conferences and weddings.

Bradley Manor- Set in amongst woodland and meadows, the 15th century building is now owned by the national trust.

The Library- Opened in 1904, John Passmore Edwards wanted something built to serve the town in memory if his mother. It is the most amazing building to look at, the terracotta mouldings around the windows and doors with grey stone covering the rest of it.

St Leonards Tower- Known locally as the clock tower is the only remaining part left from the medieval chapel which stood there. The main chapel was demolished in 1836.

Tuckers Maltings- Built in 1900, it is the only traditional Maltings in England that is open to the public for guided tours.

Ye Olde Cider Bar- One of the only 4 remaining Cider Houses in the UK. They don't sell any beer, only Cider, wine, Perry and soft drinks.

Newton Abbot Racecourse-First established in 1866 when the 91 acre site was purchased. The main grandstand was built in 1969 and opened by the Queen Mother. There are races often in the summer, but because of its close proximity to the River Teign, it often gets flooded or water-logged. There are alot of corporate facilities, 2 bars, restaurant and cafe. It also holds monthly car boot sales and antique fairs.



The town also has 3 country parks;

Decoy- Decoy was once a clay quarry but now supports a wealth of wildlife. The site is divided into 4 main areas; the formal area, the playing fields and children's play area, the ponds (Decoy Lake and Magazine Pond) and the woodland. The recently regenerated play park includes a wooden adventure castle and water fountain play area.

Bradley- Woodlands, river, streams, tennis courts, meadows and an enclosed play park. Its great for the family and walking dogs.

Stover- Over 114 acres of woodland, lake, marshland and an abundance of wildlife. There is an education centre, which was opened in 2000 by Prince Edward and Sophie.



Newton Abbot is my home town, I moved here when I was 13 from West London. It is a nice place to live, and visit. The town centre has quite an array of pubs, with a thriving night life. Only 1 nightclub but most pubs are open till midnight or 2am. Its not great for shopping, unless you like charity shops. In which case you would be in your element here. There is however a department store named Austins which is in 3 seperate buildings, likened to Debenhams. The stores are seperated into clothing, toys and homewares.

With its situation, you are close to the moors or the coast so its an ideal base for a hoilday, if you're not sure what you want to do with your time.

Summary: Worth a visit or a good base for a holiday