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Devon is a large county in South West England, bordered by Cornwall to the west, and Dorset and Somerset to the east. It is unique among English counties, in that it has two separated coastlines, on the English Channel and Bristol Channel branches of the Atlantic. Devon is the third largest of the English counties. The county town is the cathedral city of Exeter. The Dorset and East Devon Coast, otherwise known as the Jurassic Coast for its geology and geographical features, is the only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in England. Geologically, Devon, along with its neighbour Cornwall, is known as the "Cornubian massif". This geology gives rise to the unique landscapes of Dartmoor and Exmoor, both National Parks. In addition to these, Devon has many seaside resorts and several historic towns and cities, plus a mild climate, accounting for the large tourist sector of its economy. Ashburton is a small town on the edge of Dartmoor in
Devon, adjacent to the A38 Devon Expressway. It was formerly important as a
stannary town (a centre for the administration of tin-mining), and remains
the largest town within the National Park, with a population of around
3,500. Ashburton has six pubs within the centre of town, and two
restaurants. Crediton is a town in the Mid Devon district of Devon, at the junction of the A377 and A3072 about 12 km north west of
Exeter, with a population of about 6,500.The town is situated in the narrow
vale of the River Creedy near its junction with the River Exe, between two
steep hills, and is divided into two parts, the east or old town and the
west or new town. The Church of Holy Cross, formerly collegiate, is a noble
Perpendicular building with Early English and other early portions, and a
fine central tower. Dartmouth is a town in Devon in the south-west of England. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty The town contains historic buildings, the most obvious of which is the Butterwalk, built 1635 - 1640. Its intricately carved wooden fascia is supported on granite columns. Charles II held court in the Butterwalk whilst sheltering from storms in 1671 in a room which now forms part of Dartmouth Museum. Exeter is the county town of Devon, in the southwest of England, also known as the West Country. The City of Exeter was established on the east side of the River Exe on a ridge of land backed by a steep hill. It is at this point that the Exe, having just been joined by the River Creedy opens onto a wide flood plain and estuary. flooding is quite common. The Northcott Theatre is located on the campus of the university and is one of relatively few provincial English theatres to maintain its own repertory company. Its annual open air Shakespeare performance in the grounds of Rougemont Castle is well regarded nationally.
Ilfracombe is a seaside resort on the north
coast of Devon, with a small harbour, surrounded by cliffs. The town
stretches along the coast from 'The Coastguard Cottages' in Hele Bay toward
the east and 6 km along The Torrs to Lee Bay toward the west. The resort is
hilly and the highest point within the town boundary is at 'Hore Down
Cross', 3 km inland and 270 m (860 ft) above sea level. A seasonal foot
passenger ferry service runs from the harbour to Lundy Island and The
Balmoral, The Waverley and pleasure boats ply to Porthcawl near Swansea.
Newton Abbot
is a market town in Devon, on the River Teign, with a population of
23,580 (2001 census). Newton Abbot has a racecourse and boasts three country
parks; Decoy, Stover and Bradley. Part of Newton Abbot's heritage is the
historic Cheese and Onion Fayre, originally held on 5,6,7 November in honour
of Saint Leonard. It is still held to this day, but earlier in the year at
the beginning of September.
Paignton is a coastal town in Devon. Together with Torquay and
Brixham it forms the unitary authority of Torbay which was created in 1998.
The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera.
Paignton's population in the United Kingdom Census of 2001 was 47,398. Tavistock is a market town within West Devon. on the River Tavy, from which its name derives, and has a population of 11,018. It traces its history back at least to AD 961, when Tavistock Abbey, whose ruins lie in the centre of the town, was founded. Its most famous son is Sir Francis Drake.
Torquay is a town in the unitary
authority of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon. It lies 26 kilometres
(16 miles) south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, and
adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. In the
19th century, it became a fashionable seaside resort. Renowned for its
healthful climate, it earned the nickname of the English Riviera. Torquay's
name originates in it being the quay of the ancient village of Torre. In
turn, Torre takes its name from the tor, the extensively quarried remains of
which can be seen by the town's Tor Hill Road. |
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