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Honiton

Honiton is in East Devon, was originally built along a major Roman road called the Fosse way linking Exeter to Lincoln. Often seen as the gateway ot the South West, it developed as a market town and is just celebrating its 750 th anniversary of its market charter.

During Tudor times, some Flemish immigrants moved to the town and brought with them some lace making skills that developed into the town's most famous industry. Even Queen Victoria's wedding dress had Honiton lace on it. The Allhallows museum housed in 13th Century chapel next to St Pauls Church has an interesting exhibition on the towns history and specifically the lace making. Much of the industry is sadly no longer there, but some of the shop and street names show how important it was.

Honiton museum
Honiton pottery

Other industries in the area include the Honiton Pottery that came to prominence in the 1930s when Charles Collard, originally from Torquay took over the factory and made products that were exported all over the world and are still collectable.

As much of Honiton was destroyed during a fire in the 18th Century a major part of the towns older buildings are Georgian in style. There is a long traditional high street.

Today Honiton is still a busy market town that has excellent travel links that is a good base to visit the areas of outstanding beauty on its doorstep. It is also an interesting place to visit in its own right.

Honiton Hotels
Honiton Cottages