Totnes
The ancient borough of Totnes enjoys a prominent position above the River Dart. The town is one of Devon ’s gems; full of both colour and character, that stems from a rich cultural, historical and archaeological heritage. It is the second oldest borough in England, and has a quay, ancient Guildhall and Church, a Norman Castle and the North and East Gates. The town is an architectural feast to those interested in historic buildings – with fine examples of properties dating back to Norman, Medieval and Tudor times.
Modern Totnes is better known as a mecca for all things alternative: therapies, medicines, health foods and lifestyles in general. It is also establishing itself as a hotbed of creative talent: artistic, literary, theatrical and musical. As well as two supermarkets, there are some lovely shops and galleries here selling the curious, the kitsch and the divine. There’s also a wide range of places to sit and eat with restaurants, cafes and pubs offering local and organic food for different tastes.
Totnes’ latest initiative is its determination to become a sustainable eco-town, which buys ethically from locally sourced goods to reduce its carbon footprint. Local businesses, faced with soaring oil prices and a desire to put something back into the community, have launched the green project. The town already has its own currency, the Totnes pound, which encourages people to buy locally. The project hopes to eventually start a renewable energy company and generate its own electricity from solar power.
