Torrington combines historic sites with experiences in the countryside; garden culture, glassmaking and a varied cultural programme add to the choice. When looking for a hotel, one simple priority can help: would you like to spend most of your time on the Commons and the Tarka Trail, or focus more on the museum, market and history?
Exploring the outdoors: the Commons and Tarka Trail
The Commons of Great Torrington cover 365 acres and surround the town on all sides except the east. They are open to the public; visitors can use 20 miles of footpaths across the area. Landscape features include ancient woodland, a wildflower meadow and access down to the River Torridge valley. The Commons therefore offer a clear focus for time outdoors, distinct from a visit to a museum or exhibition.
The Tarka Trail, which is over 52 kilometres long, runs from Braunton via Barnstaple, Instow, Bideford and Great Torrington to Meeth. It is a shared route for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, mobility scooter and powered mobility vehicle users, dog walkers and horse riders. If you coordinate your route choices with others, you can take these different types of use into account from the outset. The route passes through several of the places mentioned; Great Torrington lies along its course.
Market, museum and local history
Torrington Pannier Market opened in 1842 and is housed in a Grade II* listed Market House. The market offers many independent traders and stalls. Torrington Museum is located right beside the market entrance, in the centre of Great Torrington. Admission is free, and the museum is run entirely by volunteers. Together, the market and museum bring built heritage and local exhibitions together in one specific location.
Inside the museum, 1646 Civil War Street recreates the night of the last major battle of the English Civil War, on 16 February 1646. Another reconstruction depicts Vaughan Tapscott’s factory, with original machinery and artefacts. The two displays highlight different ways of exploring history: a recreated street scene and a factory display featuring preserved objects. The town’s building history can also be placed in context: Torrington Castle began as a manor complex; around 1090, a Norman motte-and-bailey castle was built on the highest point of the hill. Parts of the church of St Michael and All Angels date from 1259.
A regular event in local life is Great Torrington’s Mayfair, held annually on the first Thursday in May. The festivities include the crowning of the May Queen, maypole dancing, a carnival and a fair. If you would like to plan your trip around the event, check the specific event information for your visit.
Gardens, glass and cultural programme
RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington is set in a valley in Devon and combines formal and informal planting. Those interested in garden design will find a different perspective here than on the paths of the Commons: the focus is on designed plantings rather than the woodland and meadow landscape described there.
The Dartington Crystal Visitor Experience adds glassmaking to these themes. A timeline exhibition showcases products from 1967 to the present; demonstrations of glassmaking are held in the studio area, which has a melting furnace. The programme at the Plough Arts Centre includes films, live performances, exhibitions and workshops. These different formats give you several cultural options to consider when planning your trip, without committing to just one type of event.
Getting here and choosing where to stay
Great Torrington is close to the A361. Regular bus services connect the town with nearby places; the nearest railway station is in Barnstaple. As travel information can change, check the latest timetables before your trip. This means you can start choosing your accommodation with the places and activities that matter to you during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Lympstone, Pennymoor, Manaton, Starcross, Broadhempston, Sidmouth, Staverton, Winkleigh
For the wider travel overview: Devon.
