Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Tiverton has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Tiverton.
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Sights in Tiverton
Tiverton is a picturesque market town in Devon, England. The town is situated on the banks of the River Exe, and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Tiverton has a long history and was once an important woolproducing town. These days the town is a popular tourist destination, and is home to several attractive sights.
The most obvious sight in Tiverton is the grand twotowered Norman castle which dominates the town centre. The castle was built in the 12th century and was the seat of the powerful Courtenay family for centuries. Today the castle is open to the public and is well worth a visit.
Just a short walk from the castle is Tiverton Museum. The museum is housed in a stunning Georgian building and tells the story of the town and its people. The museum has a great collection of artefacts, including some from the Roman period when the town was known as Twyham.
If you are interested in architecture, then you will also want to check out St Michael’s Church. This pretty medieval church is one of the finest in Devon, and has a beautiful interior.
Just outside the town centre is Tiverton Canal, which is a great spot for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. The canal was once an important transport route but is now used purely for recreation.
There are also several attractive parks and gardens in Tiverton, including Victoria Park, which has a lovely children’s play area, and Tiverton Park, which is perfect for a peaceful stroll.
With its attractive setting, fascinating history and array of sights, Tiverton is a great place to visit.
History of Tiverton
Tiverton is a town in Devon, England. The name derives from the River Tone, an important waterway which runs through the town.
The earliest confirmed use of the name Tone town was in 1086 in the Domesday Book. There was already a settlement there at that time, which may have been founded by the Saxons. The town grew up around the River Tone and the nearby market which was held in the High Street.
In 1196 a charter was granted by King Richard I for a weekly market and an annual fair. The market was originally held in the High Street but later moved to its current site in fore Street. The fair was also moved from the High Street to Fore Street.
King John had a palace built in the town in 1215 and this was regularly used by succeeding monarchs until the reign of Elizabeth I. In 1627 Charles I also visited the town.
The Civil War started in 1642 and Tiverton was strongly Royalist. On 4th September 1645 the Battle of Tiverton was fought just outside the town between the Royalist forces under the Earl of Glamorgan and the Parliamentarians under the Earl of Essex. The Parliamentarians won the battle and Tiverton was subsequently occupied by Parliamentary troops.
After the Civil War the town became an important wooltrading centre. In the 18th century the town also developed a thriving silk industry.
The 19th century saw the coming of the railways and the growth of the tourist industry. Tiverton was served by two railway lines the Great Western Railway and the London and South Western Railway. The latter built a branch line from Tiverton Junction to Barnstaple which opened in 1898.
The 20th century saw further growth, particularly in the light engineering sector. The town was also home to a number of multinational companies such as Courtaulds and British Celanese.
Today Tiverton is a thriving town with a vibrant economy. It is a popular tourist destination and is wellknown for its lively farmers’ market which is held every Thursday in Fore Street.
Vacation in Tiverton
Tiverton is a town in Devon, England, on the River Exe 8 miles (13 km) northeast of Barnstaple and 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Exeter. The town has 15,872 inhabitants (2011 census), and is the main town of the Mid Devon district. It is currently twinned with Bouchain, France.
There is evidence that the town existed in AngloSaxon times: it was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086) as having three churches, and was also known as Twyvetone, meaning “double farm”. The Norman church of St Michael the Archangel was built in the 12th century, and the local market charter was granted by Henry II in 1184.
The town grew in the medieval period as a market town and centre for the wool industry, and became a borough in 1515. It was represented in Parliament from 1302 until 1832 when the constituency was abolished.
The town has a multistorey indoor shopping centre, the Mid Devon Shopping Centre, opened in 1982. The site of the old cattle market is now a car park.
The town has two primary schools, two secondary schools, Tiverton High School and Tiverton Academy, and a further education college, Petroc. There are also several private schools, including Blundell’s School, which was founded in 1604.
The town has a leisure centre, with a swimming pool, badminton courts, a gym and a climbing wall. There are also several parks and open spaces, including the Grange, Queen’s and Butterstor parks.
The town has a football team, Tiverton Town F.C., who play in the Southern Football League Premier Division. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in the 2004–05 season.
The town also has a cricket club, Tiverton Cricket Club, who play in the Devon Cricket League.
Tiverton Castle, located on the edge of the town, was built in the 11th century by Baldwin de Brionne, Earl of Devon, and rebuilt in the 14th century. It is now owned by the Landmark Trust and open to the public.
The town has a museum, the Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, which is located in the old town hall in Fore Street. The museum has galleries on local history, geology, ecology and archaeology, as well as a handson section for children.
There are several art galleries in the town, including the TivertonArt Gallery, which is located in the Castle Hotel in Fore Street, and the Photography Gallery, located in the former Masonic Hall in Gold Street.
The town has a thriving arts scene, with a number of annual festivals and events, including the Tiverton Festival, Tiverton Food Festival, Tiverton Literary Festival, Tiverton Balloon Fiesta and Tiverton Canal Festival.
The town is also home to the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, a cooperative of over 200 Devonbased artisans, which has a gallery and shop in the town centre.
Tiverton is a great base for exploring the surrounding countryside and coastline. The Exmoor National Park is located just to the north of the town, and the South West Coast Path passes through the town.
The town is also wellconnected by public transport, with regular buses to Exeter, Barnstaple and other nearby towns, and a railway station with direct services to London, Bristol and Plymouth.
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