Totnes

50.431388888889 - 3.6911111111111Koordinaten: 50 ° 26 ' N, 3 ° 41 ' W

Totnes ( [ tɒtnıs, tɒtnɛs ] ) is a market town in the county of Devon in the UK. Totnes is a typical English city, the narrow streets in the shadow of historic buildings.

Location

The city was built on the site of the River Dart, to where the tide reaches. The city is connected by a bridge to the suburb Brigdetown.

History

According to local legend, Totnes was the place where Brutus of Troy, the mythical founder of Britain, first entered the island.

Historically Totnes is first mentioned in 900, when King Alfred the Great a defensive ring of castles and fortresses in Devon had built. It also received a Totnes Castle, which replaced an older in Halwell.

The origin of the name Totnes itself is unclear, it can be either Celtic or Saxon origin. - nes could be a derivative of nose ( nose) and to a lookout and observation post on a steep hill (probably the castle hill ) refer. In the " Totnes Town Guide 2007 " states: "The name of the city consists of ' the fort for the defense ' ( Tot) and ' on the ridge of the country ' (ness ) together. " In contrast, the legend tells that Brutus supposed to have said of Troy following: " Here I stand and here I rest / And this place Shall be called Totnes. " ( Here I stand and am recovering. Henceforth shall be called Totnes this place. )

Times of greater prosperity lie in the 16th century, served as Totnes as a domestic port for the export of substances to France. This wine was imported from France. In modern times, however, the city is a regional market town, and instead of warehouses houses were built. The overbuilt High Street and the flower-filled squares help that the city participate to a certain extent on tourism of the nearby Torbay.

Totnes lost its city status in 1974 as part of a municipal reorganization.

Historic townscape

The center of Totnes consists of a long main street. In the upper part, the High Steet, spanning a medieval archway, the East Gate, the street. It was severely damaged in a fire in 1990. The now -reconstructed building now houses the Totnes School of English.

Along the main street are several old buildings, such as the Gothic House from the 18th century. Many of the facades are Elizabethan origin, but nowadays often hide behind cladding slate shingles. In one of the best preserved Elizabethan houses the museum is housed. The exhibition in the four-storey building shows household items and furniture from times when wealthy cloth merchant determined social life in the city.

Below the East Gate there is a trail that leads to the old city walls and the church of St Mary in the 15th century around. The exterior of the church building is dominated by red sandstone; inside there is a remarkable stone rood screen. Behind the church is the Guild Hall, originally the refectory and kitchen of a Benedictine priory, now the council chamber.

At the upper end of the High Street Castle Street leads to the remains of Totnes Castle, the oldest monument in the city. The castle dates from the reign of William the Conqueror in the 11th century; is typical norman created as motte-and -bailey. Totnes Castle now belongs to English Heritage.

Quite near Totnes Dartington Hall there is an estate with the oldest medieval manor house in the southwest of England. It was built in 1388 for John Holland, the half-brother of Richard II. The almost derelict mansion and the surrounding houses from the 12th century were bought in 1925 by the American millionaire Dorothy Elmhirst and her husband. The couple opened in the restored and refurbished rooms, an arts and education center, film and theater performances, concerts and workshops, an annual literary festival and a summer festival of classical music events in modern times.

Transport links

The train station of Totnes is located directly on the route London - Reading - Plymouth. Totnes is located at the southern end of the railway line Totnes Ashburton. The railway line is operated by the South Devon Railway as a tourist attraction. An access to the A38 ( National Road 1st order, comparable to a federal highway in Germany ) is located 10 km away.

This and That

  • In March 2007, movement was on the Nacherdölzeit a local currency, the Totnes pound introduced to prepare, in Totnes in the context of growing in the UK " Transition Town". It is intended to strengthen the local and regional economy, and is accepted as legal tender in different stores.
  • The Totnes School of English was founded in 1980 is a resident of the place language school offering English courses and tandem partnerships for foreign students.

Notable people

  • The explorer William John Wills, the participants of the famous Burke and Wills expedition, was born in Totnes. A 1864 built for Wills monument was paid for out of public funds.
  • Charles Babbage had a close family connection to the town of Totnes; he came back and talked to his departure for Cambridge primary school in Totnes.
  • Benjamin Kennicott (1718-1783), English theologian and Hebraist
  • William Stumbels, a watchmaker of the 18th century. His workshop was located within the city walls, probably in No. 4, Castle Street. Two of his watches, a pendulum clock ( Grandfather ) and a clock tower will be exhibited in the museum of Totnes.
  • John Pince was the end of the 17th century vicar of Totnes; he was author of the Worthies of Devon - a biographical work.
  • Pop Jimmy Cauty was born in Totnes.
  • General Sir William Birdwood was appointed in 1919 to Baron Birdwood, of Anzac and Totnes in the County of Devon of.
  • Metronomy, British band
Elizabethan era Order of Saint Benedict John Holland, 1st Duke of Exeter Richard II of England South Devon Railway (heritage railway)
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