Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Tiverton, Devon

Serene and pastoral, Tiverton lies in Mid Devon along the banks of the River Exe. The historic core of the town is located on elevated terrain on the eastern shore of the river, where one can explore Tiverton Castle, notable for its numerous Medieval remnants, and St Peter’s Church, distinguished by its elaborately adorned southern façade.

In the early 19th century, Tiverton became connected to the Great Western Canal to enhance the local quicklime industry.

This canal remains one of the few waterways in the UK operating horse-drawn barges, with over 11 miles designated as a country park.

Tiverton offers a wealth of historical experiences at the National Trust’s Knightshayes Court and the moated Bickleigh Castle.

Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts may consider donning their hiking footwear to navigate the Exe Valley Way, which leads north towards Exmoor and south towards Exeter and the coastal areas.

1. Knightshayes Court

Completed in the early 1870s, Knightshayes Court is a Gothic Revival country house crafted by the renowned architect William Burges.

Burges had a falling out with his client, Sir John Heathcoat-Amory, which led to his dismissal before the project was completed; consequently, the house turned out to be less theatrical than many of Burges’ other designs.

Ever since the National Trust took possession of Knightshayes Court in the 1970s, numerous original features have been restored. For instance, in the drawing room, an ornate ceiling was uncovered in 1981, and fixtures from other Burges estates have been incorporated, such as a fireplace found in the drawing room and a bookcase situated in the great hall.

The property features Gothic-style carvings throughout, including representations of the Seven Deadly Sins, peculiar grotesques, and gargoyles in the great hall, where the cinquefoil minstrels’ gallery adds an enchanting detail.

2. Knightshayes Gardens

Edward Kemp, a well-regarded landscape architect who fashioned parks throughout Victorian Britain, was commissioned to design the gardens of Knightshayes.

The walled kitchen garden, also imagined by William Burges, is a remarkable feature, as indicated by its castle-like corner turrets.

This garden was not always as picturesque as it appears today; it remained overgrown and was used for grazing throughout much of the 20th century until its renovation in the early 2000s.

Currently, the garden is exceptionally productive, providing ingredients for the menu at the Stables Café located on the premises and offering surplus produce at Tiverton’s Pannier Market for up to seven months annually.

Visitors are encouraged to explore the sequoias in the Arboretum, as well as various distinct areas such as the sunny South Garden, the Garden in the Wood, the Fox and Hounds topiary, the grand Pool Garden, the Paved Garden, and the Formal Garden. Notably, the estate also preserves a stické court, a 19th-century indoor racquet sport.

3. Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life

This well-curated local museum provides insight into the lifestyle and labor in Mid Devon through the ages.

The Authers Gallery is particularly impressive, constructed around a 1400 Class Great Western Railway steam locomotive known as the “Tivvy Bumper,” which was operational from 1934 to 1965. It is accompanied by other transport relics, including signaling apparatus, a mini, and bicycles.

The museum showcases traditional trades, such as lace-making, which was introduced by entrepreneur John Heathcoat in the 1810s.

Visitors can view one of Heathcoat’s patented lace frames here.

Additionally, the museum features historic agricultural tools in the Agricultural Hall, medieval cloth seals in the Wool Trade Gallery, and intriguing archaeological finds in the Britton Gallery.

4. Tiverton Castle

Originally constructed as a Norman motte-and-bailey fortress overlooking the Exe River in the early 12th century, Tiverton Castle underwent modifications throughout subsequent centuries as it served as the residence of the Courtenay Earls of Devon.

The castle was only actively engaged in conflict during the Civil War in the 17th century, when a fortunate strike by Parliamentarian forces severed the drawbridge chain, facilitating a swift capture.

Today, Tiverton Castle operates as a private residence but is open to the public from Easter Sunday until the end of October.

Visitors can explore the remnants of the Medieval perimeter walls and the evocative remains of the Solar Tower, constructed in the early 14th century by Hugh de Courtenay.

The site features medieval garderobes, concealed passages, charming walled gardens, and collections related to the Civil War, Devon’s gold and silver industries, the First World War, and the Napoleonic period.

5. Devon Railway Centre

This attraction located in the nearby village of Bickleigh is situated at the former Cadeleigh Station, a component of the GWR’s Exe Valley Railway.

The centre boasts the largest assortment of narrow gauge locomotives and artifacts in the South West, including “Rebecca,” a German-built O&K steam engine, which provides access to a riverside picnic area.

Additionally, the center features a 7¼” miniature railway spanning a half-mile through a “Magic Wood” inhabited by gnomes, alongside the Exe Vale model village, which resembles an Edwardian rural setting from the early 20th century.

Here, visitors can engage with interactive elements, activating trains, and operating windmills and beam engines.

Inside, an impressive model railway exhibition displays 14 layouts, with up to 40 trains navigating the tracks concurrently.

6. Grand Western Canal Country Park

Initiated in the 1810s, the Great Western Canal was envisioned as a transport link for coal and limestone between the Bristol Channel and the English Channel prior to the advent of rail travel.

The intent was to eliminate the protracted and perilous journeys around Land’s End, necessary for transporting quicklime.

The canal connected Tiverton, where it merged with the River Exe, to Taunton, located 20 miles away in Somerset, but saw a significant decline in use during the 20th century.

While the Somerset section has largely faded away, 11.25 miles of the Devon canal were reopened as a country park in the 1970s.

Visitors can enjoy a relaxed walk or cycle amidst scenic countryside, traversing 24 bridges and stopping at cafes for refreshments.

7. Tiverton Canal Co.

Operating one of the last horse-drawn barges in the country, the Tiverton Canal Co. conducts excursions along the Grand Western Canal.

This 75-seater narrowboat, drawn by a powerful shire horse, operates from early April through late October.

The company’s most sought-after voyage is a 2.5-hour round trip to East Manley, during which guests receive fascinating insights about the waterway and its supporting industries.

Upon reaching East Manley, “Prince,” the horse, is afforded a rest, and guests are welcome to disembark for a leisurely stroll, viewing the aqueduct designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s engineers.

The company also provides the option to rent rowboats and canoes for those wishing to explore the canal independently.

8. St Peter’s Church

Perched on a low cliff overlooking the River Exe adjacent to Tiverton Castle, this Grade I parish church, dating back to the 11th century, underwent an elaborate restoration and expansion during the mid-19th century.

As you approach the south entrance through the churchyard, you will be greeted by intricate Perpendicular Revival carvings featuring tall pinnacles, openwork battlements, corbel tables, ornate window tracery, and large gargoyles.

Inside, notable memorials in the Chancel include a Gothic chest tomb for a local merchant on the south side, and a Renaissance tomb on the north wall, dating from the early 17th century, adorned with cartouches and caryatids.

The church boasts Victorian and Edwardian stained glass produced by the esteemed workshops of William Wailes and Hardman & Co., while the organ was first installed in 1696.

9. Devon Badger Watch

Despite being synonymous with the English countryside, badgers are notoriously elusive and rarely spotted.

Devon Badger Watch, located close to Tiverton in Stoodleigh, organizes evening excursions for badger watching in serene woodlands.

A typical Badger Watch experience involves a discussion about these fascinating creatures led by a knowledgeable guide at the visitor center, followed by a stroll through woods carpeted with bluebells in spring.

You will then settle into a specially constructed hide to observe the badgers as they emerge from their sett just a few meters away. Remaining quiet allows for the chance to observe badgers as they feed and interact.

10. Bickleigh Castle

This moated medieval manor house, which has been owned for centuries by the Courtenay and Carew families, is positioned along the River Exe and is often rented as a wedding venue.

Through the official website, inquiries can also be made regarding site tours, which last an hour and are highly recommended.

During the Civil War, the fortified manor on the west range was destroyed; however, much of the courtyard complex, encompassing the chapel, gatehouse, moat cottage, and the former magistrates’ court, predates this era.

The gatehouse is classified as Grade I, originally built in the early 1100s and modified in the 14th century, while the chapel is potentially the oldest preserved structure in Devon, featuring an Anglo-Saxon sanctuary referenced in the 9th century, though likely predating it.

The north range, dating from the 17th century, houses a 16th-century overmantle salvaged from the demolished western range, intricately carved with scenes from the Exeter Conspiracy of 1539, during which Henry Courtenay and Sir Nicholas Carew were executed at the Tower of London.

11. Coldharbour Mill Museum

Located east of Tiverton, en route to the Blackdown Hills, is one of the UK’s oldest woolen mills, which has been operational since 1797. Established by the Fox Brothers, who still continue the business and previously employed 5,000 workers, the mill processed imported fleece into textiles, cloth, and yarn.

As one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the UK, visitors can experience the sights, sounds, and smells of an industrial revolution-era factory floor and observe skilled artisans creating hand-woven rugs, stair runners, textiles, and yarn.

The museum houses a collection of spinning frames for worsted processing, as well as operational Hattersley looms for rugs, tartan cloth, and yarn.

The 19th-century steam engines and boilers can be viewed on-site and are operated during special Steam Days, while a restored breast shot waterwheel from 1821 is also in working order.

12. Diggerland Devon

A perfect destination for children fascinated by construction machinery, Diggerland Devon provides an engaging experience centered around JCBs and excavators.

This venue allows kids to operate heavy-duty excavators in a sandpit and even take the wheel of a police SUV, tractor, dumper truck, or JCB within a secure environment.

Moreover, there are numerous rides adapted from construction machinery, such as the Groundshuttle, Skyshuttle, and the Dig-a-Round, which is propelled by a JCB and features seating within excavator buckets.

13. Exe Valley Way

Spanning from the source of the Exe River on Exmoor to its estuary at the English Channel, the Exe Valley Way is a clearly marked walking path of 50 miles that follows the river’s trajectory.

The route passes through Tiverton, positioned approximately at the midpoint, offering the opportunity for either challenging ascents into Exmoor or a leisurely stroll down toward the coast.

The path is divided into ten sections, all of which are feasible to complete at a leisurely pace within a half-day, with both northbound and southbound directions adequately signposted.

Just north of Tiverton in Exmoor, visitors will encounter steep, wooded banks with sharp elevation changes, while the southern sections feature a more gentle meander as it flows into tranquil villages leading to Exeter.

14. Pannier Market

In the 2000s, Tiverton’s Pannier Market hall on Fore Street underwent a £3 million renovation.

This market site has been a hub for trading for nearly 700 years, reassuring visitors of its enduring legacy which continues today by offering primarily locally sourced produce.

The principal market days are Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, providing a selection of artisan cheeses from the West Country, freshly baked bread and pastries, farm-fresh eggs, locally sourced meat, alongside a variety of fruits and vegetables, some of which are harvested from the walled garden at Knightshayes.

During these market days, an array of exotic foods such as salami and olives, in addition to books, yarn, fabrics, clothing, stationery, and much more can be found.

An antiques and flea market operates on Mondays from 09:00 to 14:00.

15. Mid Devon Show

This one-day agricultural fair, known as the Mid Devon Show, is a family-friendly event held on the last Saturday of July.

From 09:00 to 17:30, a multitude of activities are scheduled on the grounds of Knightshayes, including live entertainment, horticultural exhibitions, a livestock showcase, and demonstrations of farm machinery.

Within the main arena, visitors can witness riding stunts, scurry racing, a vintage tractor parade, and displays of draft horses.

The livestock section is among the largest nationwide, allowing families to get up close to prized cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, heavy horses, and pygmy goats.

A significant portion of the event focuses on shopping and dining, with numerous stalls, trade displays, and food vendors from throughout the South West.