1 – Oldest Steam Engine

The town of Dartmouth is home to the oldest working steam engine in the UK; built in the late 18th century from the designs of Devon engineer Thomas Newcomen, the engine was a forerunner of the later expansion of steam power, which became crucial to 19th century Britain.

Dartmouth Steam Engine by Barry Lewis

2 – Exeter’s Water System

The capital of Devon is significant for its cathedral, Roman settlements, and for its importance to merchant trading up to the 20th century, but in the 14th century was also one of the first English cities to pump in pure spring water. The underground passages used for this task can still be accessed if you’re visiting Exeter.

3 – Westward Ho!

The only town in the UK that’s named after a book, and one of the few in the world to have an exclamation point, Westward Ho! was originally a novel by Charles Kingsley. When the town was first developed in the 19th century, the name was used as a way to attract new residents and tourists.

Westward Ho! by xlibber

4 – Hound of the Baskervilles

Dartmoor National Park was chosen as the setting for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles, and has also recently been used as a backdrop in the Steven Spielberg film War Horse.

5 – Two Coastlines

Devon is notable for being the only English country to have two separate coastlines, with the North opening out into the Bristol Channel, and the South into the English Channel.

6 – Oldest Civil Building

The Guildhall on the main high street of Exeter is the oldest civic building still in use within the UK; although some form of building has been on the site since the 12th century, the building was used full-time for council meetings and events from around 1468.

Guildhall, Exeter, Devon, UK by Robert Cutts

7 – Famous Devonians

Some of the famous historical figures to come from Devon include Agatha Christie, Francis Drake, Peter Cook, Richard Burton, and Sir Walter Raleigh.

8 – Ottery St Mary Barrels

One unusual tradition held in Devon is the practice of racing burning hot barrels through the streets of the village of Ottery St Mary on Bonfire Night; the event attracts large crowds, who watch as carriers try to get the barrels to a bonfire before the barrels disintegrate.

9 – Brutus of Troy and Totnes

Legend has it that Trojan warrior Brutus founded London, but first settled in ancient England in the Devon town of Totnes, which has a landing stone claiming to mark this visit.

10 – Haunted Buckfastleigh

The Devon town of Buckfastleigh has a local ghost story that involves Richard Capel, a 17th century squire who was notorious for his violence against women; his ghost is believed to be visible on midsummer’s eve.

Author Bio

Kevin Maddox is a freelance travel writer and Devon native who is always happy to recommend her home county. She recommends renting out a cottage through Cottages Direct if you’re planning a holiday in Devon, as this will give you a good base to explore the county from.

The post 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Devon, UK appeared first on Best of European Union.

The Dartmoor National Park / James Farnham

Water Sports

The coastlines in Devon cover more than 250 miles. This affords a wide range of water-sports. If you are the adventurous, adrenaline seeking type, perhaps white water rafting or kite-surfing might be just what you desire. However, if your idea of fun is far more tame, perhaps sailing or fishing might be more what you are looking for.  The diving in Devon is hard to be beat. There are numerous wreckages and reefs to explore while underwater. If remaining on top of the water is a better idea to you, surfing is practiced year round while wakeboarding, water-skiing, and windsurfing have high seasons and low seasons.

Fishing

Fishermen and women flock to Devon from all over the world in pursuit of the many fishing opportunities. There are occasions to visit any of the many fishing ports where sea vessels take expectant anglers on day trips. There are also a myriad of streams and tributaries offering fresh water fishing if wrestling saltwater fish is not to your liking. Fishing is big business in Devon so whatever your needs or desires, it can all be met here.

Beaches

If all the activity of water-sports or fishing is not quite your style, taking a lazy afternoon to soak up the sun on the beach may be just what satisfies your needs. The large coastline offers many opportunities to do just that. The North Devon Coast and the South Devon Coast each offer unique features. The North Devon coast has hanging cliffs and sandy beaches, whereas, the South Devon coast has sandstone cliffs and pebble beaches.  Some beaches have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag award designating those beaches as some of the best and cleanest in the world.

Family Attractions

Many family attractions are available in Devon with possibly Dartmoor National Park being one of the best.  It is an excellent place for lengthy strolls where towns and villages can be explored.  It is free to get into the park so all can go freely.  Morwellham Quay provides an opportunity to step back in time to the 1860’s.  Kids and adults alike can play dress up and experience life as it was in this copper mine and family farm.  There are three theme parks that offer an array of exciting opportunities.  The Milky Way has ferret and falconry displays, the Crealy Great Adventure Park has a tidal ride that will get everyone’s heart pumping, and the Woodlands Leisure Park allows for relaxing on a lengthy toboggan ride.  Finally, if any or all members of the family are animal lovers, the Pennywell Farm provides ample opportunity to interact with various members of the animal kingdom.

If you are planning on visiting this beautiful English county with the family why not book a stay in one of the houses to rent in Devon.  The Owners Direct website has a lot for you to choose from so you are sure to find one that is ideal.

View Amazing Activities to Enjoy in Devon, England United Kingdom in a larger map

The post Amazing Activities to Enjoy in Devon, England | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.

The largest of these rocks is called Yes Tor and rises to a height of 620 meters above sea level. The local peat bogs are among the largest in Europe. There are herds of ponies running free across the protected area, which serves also as a granite mine. You can also find here a number of prehistoric monuments.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Mark A Coleman

Like for the whole Britain, also for this area is typical a fog, which occurs suddenly, absorbs the surrounding countryside and suddenly disappears as well. Dartmoor landscape has always been an inspiration for writers and ideal for creating mystical and sometimes spooky stories. The park is connected with many legends about the mysterious unknown characters and bloodthirsty monsters. It is a place where the legend about a Baskervilles Dog was born. There are constant rains, strong winds, foggy weather and damp. Gloomy atmosphere of this area is also doubled with the famous Dartmoor prison, which was built in 1806 here and was used for the prisoners of the Napoleonic wars. The local largest village of Princetown once served as a hostel for prison staff.

Since 1951, Dartmoor National Park includes also a huge swamp of the total size of 945 km2. First settlements dating back more than 10 000 years, when it was still densely forested plateau. The felling of local forests started in the Stone Age, when the hunters and gatherers tried to get as close as possible to the animals. Also the first agricultural settlements were established here in the Early Stone Age. During the Bronze Age was that landscape completely without forests. There were found the remains of settlements from the Bronze Age, such as houses, yards, burial grounds, megalithic series, stone circles and obelisks having religious significance. There are also the remains of stone walls that were delimiting the pastures and fields, which prove the early human existence. The objects that people used everyday, such as ceramics, various metal objects or bones, were unfortunately not preserved at all.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Tomorrow Never Knows

Dartmoor National Park protects a number of rare habitats. The central part of Dartmoor is composed of a large marshy area. The surrounding terrain is a combination of moorland and meadows, and in the valleys you can find oak forests. Typical for this landscape are also granite rocks – “tors” and roaring rivers falling into deep gorges, cave systems and limestone ridges. There were found the remains of prehistoric animals in the local caves. This collection of the remains is one of the largest in Great Britain and its age is estimated to more than 150 thousand years. For example, in a cave Joint Mitnor Cave were discovered the bones of hippos, hyenas, lions, wild pigs and even Straight-tusked Elephants.

The largest part of the national park is covered with the rare mud. Dartmoor bogs have a depth of at least half a meter, but there are also places where they reach even a depth of 7 metres. In the park there is also very rare Tor Royal Bog, covering an area of 8 km2. National Park became home to a large number of marsh birds.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michal Stehlík

In the Dartmoor National Park you can even find very interesting sight. It is a large Merrivale megalithic complex. You can also visit the Postbridge, sometimes called the Clapper Bridge. This is the most beautiful and best preserved bridge from all the bridges built in this area during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Necessary equipment for hiking along this marshy landscape is the compass and actual map. So do not forget them!

The post Dartmoor National Park – one of the most renowned picnic places in England | United Kingdom appeared first on Best of European Union.