Bovey Tracey

About

Lying on the West Teign river, Bovey is named for the Saxon township of "Bofa" and the medieval landlord William de Tracey, who built the church in 1200 as penance for his part in the murder of Thomas Becket. The remains of a pottery which produced sanitary ware from the fine clays from Bovey Heathfield is now home to the House of Marbles - a fascinating glass studio and manufactory. The town's history is detailed in the Heritage Centre at the old station. You can find out more about the town at the Tourist Information Centre in the town car park.

Next to the river, in a refurbished mill, you will find the home of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, founded in 1955 to promote the development of the westcountry's traditional crafts and now a centre for cutting edge art and craft work.

The town has a range of everyday and more specialist shops, as well as a Farmers Market on alternate Saturdays.

Four miles to the west are the famous Becky Falls. A little further to the west is Haytor Down where the massive Tor attracts hundreds of visitors each year. Close by is Haytor Quarry where granite was hewn for prestigious buildings in London including London Bridge. The granite was transported to the docks at Teignbridge partly by a granite railway, still visible near the quarry. This is also the start of the Templer Way - an 18 mile walk that takes you all the way to the coast at Teignmouth.