Things to do in Totnes

Top Things to Do in Totnes, Devon - Totnes Must See Attractions

Things to Do in Totnes


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Top Attractions in Totnes

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.

What travellers are saying

  • Elizabeth R
    Beijing, China5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We visit the Narnia shop/Timehouse every time we visit Totnes. We love the shop, there is always something to buy (and please do buy something, we want the Narnia shop/Timehouse to be around for a long while more!). But of course there is also the art installation, comprising seven themed rooms, which together take you on an awesome interactive journey through time and space. Apparently the installation will close for the season at the end of September. But the shop is always worth visiting.
    Written 19 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tricia H
    Bracknell, UK20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this castle. Didn’t manage to walk around due to a knee injury but has great scope for a long walk. Fantastic little cafe with a log burning stove - not cheap but decent menu.
    Written 3 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • HuntersWood
    Bath, UK80 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    We have a 2nd home locally and were really excited to visit SB and support a local winemaker and restaurant.

    In short, the food and venue are top notch but the overall experience was badly let down by really poor service.

    Our young waiter didn’t write anything down (despite my prompting) and proceeded to get both our order wrong and (later) the bill.

    Given the fact that this is a small plates restaurant (12 different plates between 4 of us) getting the order wrong was really frustrating and disruptive. It also meant that lunch for 4 took 2.5 hours because the service is so slow.

    Would maybe return but certainly not recommend. Shame.
    Written 9 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Dave L
    Burntwood, UK24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just came back from a visit to the Rare Breeds Farm in Totnes.
    We did it via the South Devon Steam Railway journeys and had time to kill before the return leg back to Buckfastleigh.
    The Rare Breeds Farm is a great place to get to see several animals close up, and you can also feed some of the animals too (50 pence for a bag of food)
    Highlights of the trip today were being able to pet a Guinea pig and also spend some time with Pete, who was telling us all about the Owls.
    Pete is utterly devoted to his furry friends, and it's obvious that they are as devoted to him from their reactions to his attention.
    I really can't speak more highly of this gentleman....he was engaging, informative, knowledgeable, and passionate about his subject.
    Our time with him and the Owls was worth the entry price alone.
    Written 26 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EESW1
    Lincolnshire, UK4,707 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It was raining steadily, so I was pleased to get out of the rain.

    The museum is in a wonderful Elizabethan house on Fore Street and I was initially more interested in seeing the architecture of the house. It is a wonderful hotch potch of artefacts and I was soon engrossed by the old kitchen at the back of the museum as well as the display of weights and measures. There are lots of informative boards covering the history of Totnes. The Charles Babbage room could easily take a half day as there is so much information about him and his incredible inventions.

    So definitely a worth while visit not just to get out of the rain! Entry is free, so please leave a donation.
    Written 22 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EESW1
    Lincolnshire, UK4,707 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Opening very much depends on having volunteers and I had to come back in the afternoon as there was no one available that morning. It was also the last day, before closing for the winter. I was welcomed by a lovely lady who apologised they didn’t have any written information for me to take away.

    It is a fascinating place to visit with the old magistrates court on the ground floor with the cells beyond. There are examples of a man trap (gruesome) as well as the town stock and a reconstruction of a pillory - designed so an offender couldn’t cover his face with his hands...

    Upstairs is the public gallery with the council chamber and mayor’s parlour (with the iron door to the strongroom). Don’t miss the giraffe on wheels parked up in the gallery. Apparently this gets rolled into the council chamber if someone drones on for too long!

    It is free entry, so please leave a donation in the box before leaving!
    Written 6 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jason Parkin
    London, UK17 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really enjoyed this stay. Set in a grade 1 listed stately hall, part of which dating back to medieval times. Very idyllic, beautiful gardens and a great base to explore the local area. This place is now a trust and you can tell its not about the money but more about maintaining the gardens (which are stunning) and supporting the local community. As a result, it feels very competitively priced to alternative options nearby.
    Written 29 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Skiboy 20/20
    Kent, UK265 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This area is stunningly beautiful with hidden gems to be found around every corner.
    I came here when I was a young boy and thought it might have changed for the worse but after 40 years or so, I assure you it's still as beautiful as ever.
    The coastal routes are delightful, however a little narrow and hair-raising at times.
    I can't beieve they run double decker buses through the most narrowest of roads, it's somewhat uncomfortable to think that after following a single track lane with high hedges for the last 3 miles, you come across the No.*** Totnes to Salcombe double decker bus facing you around the bend, head on, with nowhere to go but in reverse!!! The only drawback but the area certainly pays its dividends in full. Will always recommend the area, may be not the narrow lanes! ha! ha! Be warned!
    Written 10 November 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tracey1169
    Willenhall, UK587 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Didn’t know the market was on so great find. We parked in the car park by the market which I’m glad to say still uses real money. Lots of different stalls food produce, bric a brac, plants & lots more.
    Written 2 October 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EESW1
    Lincolnshire, UK4,707 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    OK in many ways there isn’t a lot to see. If you are going wanting to be entertained, then you are likely to be disappointing - after all, all you see is a ring of stone and a large expanse of grass with trees...

    It is one of the best preserved Norman motte and bailey castles in the country and considering how many castles William the Conqueror was responsible for, that is quite an achievement. It stands on a man made motte (mound), 60 feet above the surrounding area. Now that in itself is quite a building feat. Then consider getting all the stone up there too... Just climbing the steps up the motte leaves many people puffing.

    The castle was never really intended as a residence - its main purpose was to let the locals know the Normans were boss. It was intended to dominate and control the surrounding area. 900 years later, it is still doing that.

    The best bit are the views from the top of the shell keep and it is worth the climb just for these. Also don’t miss the passageway to the latrine within the walls of the shell keep.

    The inner bailey is now a large grassy area with a few mature trees. There is no evidence of the range of wooden buildings that would have been found here. A gateway at the far end leads out to the moat.

    Despite a cold and very wet day at the end of October, I found this a worth while visit.
    Written 18 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • EESW1
    Lincolnshire, UK4,707 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The tall tower of St Mary’s Church dominates the surrounding area. You can’t miss this church - it was designed to be seen! When it was built in the mid C15th, Totnes was the 16th richest town in England and the church reflects this.

    It is built of red sandstone which glows in the sunlight, especially after rain.

    The inside reflects the importance of Totnes. The highly carved civic pews date from the mid C17th and were made for the mayor and Aldermen of the town. They now stand in the centre of the aisle, having been moved here in the C19th.

    The wonderful stone rood screen is mid C15th and stretches across the nave and side aisles. It is one of the few stone screens in Devon and is regarded as one of the finest with its delicate tracery at the top. Don’t miss the equally elaborate stairs in the chancel which would have given access to the top of the rood screen.

    Also look up at the chancel roof with its carved wooden angels above the stone corbels.

    There are memorials to the great and good of Totnes. These included the memorial to William Smythe in St George’s Chapel who bought the priory ruins after the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII and gifted them to the town to be used as a Guildhall.

    On the north wall is the splendid monument to Christopher Blackhall, a prominent Totnes citizen who died in 1633. Kneeling in a line below him are his four wives.

    The terracotta memorial at the back of the church near the font remembers the two Venning brothers, John and Walter who set up the Society for the Improvement of Prison Discipline in London. John Venning went on to establish the Russian Prison Society and worked for better prison and lunatic asylum conditions.

    It is definitely worth going into . The ‘Secret of St Mary’s’ booklet available in the church is £3. 50 and worth buying as it lists all sorts of things both inside and out that are so easily missed.
    Written 20 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Karen B
    29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    As we were staying at the attached campsite and love cider we thought it only prudent that we sampled their wares. Tour was short but informative and the tasting with Mrs Hunt and the chief cider maker was fun and tasty and the samples were a plenty. Glad we didn’t have far to get ‘home’ to our tent as. 🤣🤣returned from Devon with a boot full of cider to enjoy at home.
    Written 27 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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