The historic market town of Honiton is a major antique centre set in the heart of spectacularly beautiful countryside.

The town started life as lace-making centre and later became a busy coaching station.

The old inns are still recognisable today along the main Georgian street, by the archways leading onto former stable yards. The tradition of welcoming visitors continues, with a wide range of inns, restaurants, cafes and hotels offering a warm and friendly reception.

There are 30 shops devoted to furniture, art and second-hand books and the Thelma Hulbert Gallery offers innovative art exhibitions.

The surrounding countryside is a walker's dream come true and there are opportunities for horse riding, 4 x 4 off-road driving, swimming and golf.

For more information and a copy of our guide, contact:

Honiton Information Centre
Lace Walk Car Park
Honiton
EX14 1LT

Tel / Fax: 01404 43716

The history of the town over the centuries is intrinsically connected with its Lace-Making.

A recently excavated site has uncovered a fascinating insight into pre-historic Britain. Hippopotamus, elephant and Ox reveal a snippet of the landscape and wildlife as it used to be over 100,000 years ago. These are now on public display at Honiton's All Hallows Museum, itself housed in one of Honiton's oldest buildings.

Honiton, with its rich craft heritage is a tribute to the evolution of man and his capacity for labour. Wool and cloth were some of the first goods to be traded on a commercial basis in the town in the 13th Century. By the 19th Century, around the year 1881, Honiton's repute had spread beyond fabrics and wool, to pottery. It began to produce highly unusual and world renown pieces after the Second World War, when its art deco pieces established the town as a centre for expertise.

One of the old traditions of Honiton that lives on today is that of the Hot Penny Catching Ceremony. The town crier ushers in the celebrations surrounding the town's annual fair. The strange ceremony entails a golden glove being carried around atop a long garlanded pole. It is said that whilst the golden glove is raised thieves and criminals are immune from prosecution. The town crier announces the beginning of the annual fair, and soon after, heated pennies are cast among the onlookers and eagerly gathered by the town's young people.

[devontowns]