Walk in the footsteps of Daniel Defoe with a cottage or holiday rental home in Honiton

Honiton is an East Devon market town seventeen miles from Exeter, renowned for its lace making. It is close to the River Otter and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Honiton grew because it was a coaching stop on the busy Exeter to London route. Honiton has been mentioned in several ancient textbooks about travelling around Britain by authors including Celia Fiennes, Charles Wesley, William Camden, William Corbett and Daniel Defoe.

Places to holiday in Honiton

In one of his books, Daniel Defoe wrote, "From Honiton the country is exceeding pleasant still, and on the road they have a beautiful prospect almost all the way to Exeter" This stands true today and despite its continued growth and doubling in size since the 1960's, Honiton is a great place to take a self catering holiday. There is a much to see and do in and around Honiton and a cottage allows you the freedom to plan your day without restrictions.

Holiday cottages in Honiton vary a great deal from and are a far cry from the coaching inns of the 19th century, but one thing that hasn't changed is the traditionally hospitality and the warm and friendly welcome the town offers visitors.

Honiton is cited in the Doomsday Book as Honetone meaning farmstead belonging to Huna and farm cottages. Converted barns are a popular self-catering option in this area and convenient for the neighbouring towns of Axminster, Ottery St Mary, Sidmouth, Colyton, Sidbury, Broadhembury, Awliscombe, Luppitt, Hemyock and Upottery.

Things to do in Honiton

Cyclists will enjoy the eleven mile circular route around Honiton through the Blackdown Hills, which is a beautiful, tranquil fairly isolated landscape with high plateaux, steep ridges, springs and valleys dotted with ancient features, villages and farms. On this route you will pass Wolford Chapel, Combe Raleigh and St Mary's Church at Luppitt. This lovely area has a one of a kind geology and is home to people, wildlife, insects and rare plants. There are also many special organised walks and events around the Blackdown Hills.

Antique lovers will enjoy Honiton as it has more than twenty antique shops and collectors look out for a piece of Honiton Pottery to take home. There is also a sports centre with swimming pool and on Tuesdays and Saturdays there is an outdoor market in the High Street. On Thursdays there is a farmers market at St Paul's Church between 9am – 12.30, which is great for stocking up with fresh produce to take back to your cottage. Farms in the area sell local cider, cheese, speciality breads, goat's milk products and the vineyard at Oakland Farm offers an outing to be remembered.

The high street is a mile long with an extensive range of shops. The museum is housed in a 13th century chapel and has samples of lace making. Honiton Golf Club is a short drive from the town centre, as is course and trout fishing at Hollies Trout Farm and flying lessons at Dunkesfield. Holiday cottages in Honiton are not far from the coast, Dunkeswell airfield museum and there are numerous bars, hotel restaurants, wine bars, cafes and pubs for eating out locally.

Weather in Honiton

Honiton's climate is very mild and warmer than the surrounding coastal districts, as can be seen by the number of grapevines flourishing in the area.

Travel to Honiton

Exeter Airport (EXE) is close to Honiton and the railway station is situated on a passing loop of the main line to the West of England operated by First Great Western trains. Honiton is well served by buses from Sidmouth, Exeter, and Cullompton and coaches from London stop in the high street.