Great Torrington

Many visitors fail to discover the undoubted charms of Great Torrington, mainly because most through traffic passes along New Street, a very ordinary street which gives a false impression with almost nothing to indicate the presence of an ancient Market Town which has its own unique place in History.

Visitors who take the trouble to detour from the main road into one of the centrally situated car parks are well rewarded, with an historic town Square, a newly refurbished thriving Pannier Market, and a wide variety of shops. Once known as the ‘English Jerusalem’ because of its hilltop location, the town enjoys magnificent views over the River Torridge and its lush valley and surrounding Commons.

Cavalier and Roundhead

If a more substantial meal is required; where better than the historic Black Horse Inn in the square? Dating back in part to the 12th century, the inn played a major part in the Civil War. Visitors to 1646 will have learned that the Royalist Commander, Lord Hopton, used this ancient hostelry as his headquarters prior to the battle. Rumour has it that when the Parliamentary forces attacked the town, Hopton left his unfinished supper on the table, it was then finished by Fairfax when he took the town. You will find a warm welcome to this friendly pub and the staff will ensure that you are able to enjoy the excellent food on offer without interruption.

Torrington’s parish church, St. Michael and All Angels, has had a far from peaceful life, which visitors to the award winning visitor attraction, Torrington 1646, will learn all about. Torrington 1646 is a truly unique visitor attraction, established by the Community Development Trust as a means of attracting visitors into the centre of the town, Torrington 1646 has become one of the best ‘living history’ experiences of its kind.

Travel back in time to the 17th.Century for a truly unique ‘experience’. Escorted throughout your visit by a variety of characters from the period, all speaking and acting in the manner of the time, visitors will sample a slice of life from the time of the English Civil War.

Meet the healers and the gory Barber Surgeon who offers his own version of N.H.S (No Hope Surgery!!) Try the armour and clothing, or perhaps some pike drill. See musket balls being cast and hear the story of the ‘great’ battle of Torrington from some of the survivors. Meet the rogues and strumpets who lived; loved; laughed; looted and lied their way through this turbulent period of history.

When the tour is finished they may enjoy a relaxing snack in the themed Restoration Coffee Shop, which sells fresh locally made soups, bread and sandwiches and delicious cakes. The coffee shop also stocks a selection of toys and souvenirs.

Guaranteed great fun for all ages, Torrington 1646 truly brings the 17th century to vibrant life. The villages which lie on either side of the River Torridge between Bideford and Great Torrington have a charm all of their own and because this is a steeply sided, often wooded, valley, the views can be the equal of any in the county.

If you leave Torrington by the A386 towards Bideford you will first drop down a steep hill with magnificent views of the Torridge Valley in front of you and will then be following the course of the river right through to the estuary at Bideford. It is interesting to see the river turn from a typical inland river with wooded banks and kingfishers to the tidal stretch with mud banks and wading birds.

Nestled behind the village green in the hamlet of Frithelstock, just off the main A386, opposite the 13th Century Parish Church of St Mary and St Gregory you will find The Clinton Arms. This warm and friendly 17th Century inn provides superb food, comfortable en-suite accommodation and has a well-earned reputation for its hospitality.

The inn’s excellent chef prepares delicious food from both its bar and a la carte menu, added to fine local ales and a selection of new world and traditional wines, it is the perfect place for refreshment.

The pub has fishing rights on the River Torridge where sea trout and salmon abound and is within a mile of the Tarka Trail enjoyed by both cyclists and walkers.

For historians, the monastic ruin of the Frithelstock Priory, lies adjacent to the church, built in the 11th Century and unique to this part of the County. It was founded in 1220 by Sir Robert de Bello Campo, with the assistance of Bishop Walter de Stapledon from nearby Monkleigh. The Clinton Arms features in ‘Frithelstock Past and Present’, the history and gossip of the parish covering the last 150 years.