Step back in time and discover clues to our Tudor past
On Tuesdays, from May through to September, it is Elizabethan Day in the historic town of Totnes, Devon. As part of the programme of events there is an entertaining guided walk of ‘Tudor Totnes’ led by costumed guide, Mistress Alice.
From 9am till 3pm, in the Market Square, there is a charity and craft market, manned by townsfolk in Elizabethan costume and at 11am there is entertainment with Tudor dancing being one of the main attractions. There are also Stocks.
At 11.30am the guided walk begins at the Market Square, lasting about an hour and a quarter. This costs £5 per adult and blends interesting facts with entertaining anecdotes, drawing on the evidence of the Tudor buildings around. No booking necessary.
Other attractions in Totnes include the town museum, well worth a visit, the Guildhall, the Costume Museum, and the Norman castle (English Heritage) besides a vast array of interesting little shops to browse and more than a fair share of tea shops, coffee houses, and eateries. If you are familiar with the town you will know that it is compact and that everything is within easy walking distance, albeit on the side of a hill.
If you park at the bottom and don’t fancy the walk up, you can take the yellow ‘Bob the Bus’ to the Narrows at the top. It leaves the bus bay opposite the Royal Seven Stars hotel at a quarter to the hour. If you get the 9.45 or 10.45 you have plenty of time to enjoy the walk down through the historic ‘Narrows’ to the Market Square and Elizabethan market. After perusing the market stalls and enjoying the entertainment, you have the option of taking the guided walk, or you can enjoy the own wander down through the High Street and on to the beautiful river Dart at the bottom.
Private bookings for groups:
‘Mistress Alice’ can be booked for private guided tours of ‘Tudor Totnes’ or ‘Totnes Through Time’ for clubs, societies, coach parties, visiting groups. School parties have the option of booking the walking tour (please email the number of children in the group for a quote) or booking a full day ‘Totnes Experience’, details on links below.
Find out more -
Accomodation -
The Royal Seven Stars Hotel, tel. 01803 862125, email: enquiries@royalsevenstars.co.uk
(photo credits - Totnes Image Bank)