Devonshire, or Devon, is a county in England, located in the southwest, the capital is Exeter.On the coast of the county there are many harbors, conveniently located and well equipped.In the 19th century, a railway was laid in Devon, due to which the seaside resorts of the county began to develop rapidly and the tourist industry became the basis of its economy.By the middle of the 20th century, tourist interest in Devonshire had noticeably faded, and it began to revive only at the beginning of the 21st century, and the goal of many travelers was no longer the seashore, but the national parks.
The county of Devonshire played an important role in the art of creating detective stories: it was here that Agatha Christie, the author of many wonderful novels with a detective story, was born, the action of the film "10 Negroes" took place here, the famous dog of the Baskervilles lived here and terrorized local residents at night.
A LITTLE HISTORY
The territory of Devon began to be inhabited by people immediately after the ice age, since those times, about 500 Neolithic sites remained in the Dartmoor area, which gave archaeologists a lot of information and valuable finds.By 55 ADthere are.the Romans occupied the region and left only 250 years later.Roman settlements became the basis for the creation of the British state.Then there were revolutions and wars, including the brutal war with the romantic name of the Red and White Roses.
HOW TO GET
It is most convenient to start your journey around Devonshire from the capital - Exeter.Exeter is at a distance of 172-199 (depending on the chosen route) miles from the English capital.You can get to the city by highways M4 and M5, A303, M3 and A35.
Trains depart from London Paddington Station to Exeter according to the timetable, with a journey time of 2h 50m to 3h 50m.Exeter International Airport operates around the clock and serves more than 1 million passengers a year.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
A large number of castles have been preserved on the territory of the county.It cannot be said that all of them are in excellent condition, but there is something to look at.Compton Castle (5 miles from the village of Torquay) was rebuilt as a fortification from an ordinary manor house, is preserved almost in its original form and gives an excellent view of medieval buildings.
Lytford was used as a courthouse and prison, its history has many scary and sad pages.Okehampton, built in the 11th century, is now the remains of the walls and ruins of the main tower - the keep - and is famous for the legend of Lady Howard, whose carriage was built from the bones of four of her husbands who died prematurely one after the other.
This lady really lived here and had four husbands in succession - that's what the documents say.There is no documentary evidence that she was the cause of their death.
Paudeham Castle, south of Exeter, was much rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries, so it looks very picturesque, but gives little idea of the Middle Ages.To this day, it remains in the possession of the Earl of Devon family.
Totnes Castle, worth a visit in the town of the same name on the banks of the River Dart, is the best surviving example of Norman castles.
It is in this Devonshire, by the way, that the Jurassic Coast of Dorset and East Devon is located, the only natural object in England included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.Many tourists come to walk along the hiking trails of this natural park, to admire the coexistence of various birds, animals and plants, many of which are listed as rare or protected.
For a long time, residents of the county have been concerned about the preservation of a healthy ecological environment, so much attention is paid to landscaping and the use of natural materials in construction, to the point that the roofs of many houses are covered with reeds.
SIGHTS OF EXETER
On the banks of the navigable river Aix, 15 km from its confluence with the English Channel, the city of Exeter stands in a very beautiful area.It was once built for defensive reasons: narrow winding streets have been preserved in the old part of the city to this day.The main attraction of Exeter is the majestic cathedral, which was founded in 1050, originally built in the Norman style, and later rebuilt in the Gothic style.It is famous for its magnificent organ, surprisingly beautiful windows, unique library and clock of the 14th century.
A special pride of the cathedral is the Minstrels Gallery - a gallery of niches, in each of which there are angels playing musical instruments, amazing sculptures that testify to the high level of development of art in the Middle Ages.
The City Hall was built in the 15th century and is one of the oldest existing municipal buildings in the country.The narrowest street in the city, Parliament Street, which has remained unchanged since the construction of the High Street in the Middle Ages, attracts travelers with its unusualness.
It must be said that Exeter is a good place for shopping, and buying souvenirs and gifts in stores located in warehouses built at the end of the 19th century will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of past centuries.Complement it with a visit to "Molly's Cafe", which has existed in the city since Elizabethan times.
A walk on a rented boat or ferry on the river Aix will bring new emotions and impressions, will allow you to see the city from another perspective.Surprisingly, their guests are unanimous in their high assessment of city hotels.One gets the impression that for local hoteliers the stars on the facades of hotels have no meaning, the service is above all praise.In the design and functioning of most hotels, modern technologies are organically combined with the traditions of old England.
University of Exeter
Exeter is also famous for its university, which is one of the most popular in England.About 15,000 students from different countries of the world study at 11 faculties, and the university campus is considered the most beautiful in England.Providing students with the opportunity to receive an excellent education, the university leaves its mark on the entire city life: student music festivals and sports competitions are held here systematically and gather many participants and fans, as well as just curious tourists.
RESORTS AND BEACHES
The Devonshire sea coast is very picturesque.Despite the fact that the bathing season in these parts is short, the resorts of Devon attract many vacationers.The reason for this is the mild climate, excellent ecology, and beautiful landscapes.
