Share
ShareDevon has provided inspiration for a host of literary greats down the centuries. Many of them lived in Devon, or stayed to be inspired for a time.
North Devon provided the inspiration for the classic novels Lorna Doone and Tarka the Otter. Exmoor is Lorna Doone country, as brought to life by Richard Doddridge Blackmore, who was actually born in Oxfordshire but will forever will associated with North Devon, where he spent most of his childhood.
The book's Doone Valley is around five miles from Lynton and is best reached via Malmsmead. Exmoor provides a unique landscape of moorland, woodland, valleys and farmland, shaped by people and nature over thousands of years.
Where high cliffs plunge into the Bristol Channel, and cosy pubs and tearooms offer delicious local produce.
Tarka the Otter was based around the Taw-Torridge rivers. The Tarka Trail, as it is now called, is a honeypot for visitors every year. The countryside described by Williamson has remained virtually untouched. For those wishing to see the place where the Tarka's journey started and ended, it is Canal Bridge on the River Torridge near Weare Giffard.
For more local tourist information:
- Barnstaple Tourist Information Centre
- Email Address info@staynorthdevon.co.uk
- Contact Details 01271 375000 / 346747
Refine your search:
The Tarka Trail © VisitDevon
The Tarka Trail © VisitDevon
Horses on Exmoor © VisitDevon
Exmoor Views © VisitDevonYou may be interested in...
Take the Pinkery Challenge at Exmoor’s Chains
There are few locations more stunning than Exmoor but if its wilderness you are after, then places don’t get much wilder than Exmoor’s Chains.
Location: Exmoor, Devon
Explore Exmoor on foot at its annual walking festival
Pull on your hiking boots and join in the march at the North Devon and Exmoor Walking Festival.
Location: Exmoor, Devon
Soak up the seaspray in Exmoor
Get ready for a thrill-seeking break spent kayaking or coasteering around Exmoor's dramatic landscapes.
Location: Exmoor National Park, Devon /Somerset
Latest Twitter updates
RT @VisitWiltshire: Mere is a beautiful place to visit on your trip to Wiltshire https://t.co/PzCL7LVxBp #timeforwiltshire https://t.co/xms…
RT @FrockMeImFamous: Girls Guide to Liverpool - I've got you covered on where to stay, eat, shop & drink: https://t.co/gbnCBjursa <3 #Girl…
RT @VisitKent: The results are in and Kent’s sweeping coast is blessed with 10 #BlueFlag #beaches! Secluded spots, sandy bays and family-fr…
RT @VisitLiverpool: How amazing are these photos of the #Liverpool2018 clipper sailing into New York City ✨ The team have just finished Le…
Instagram updates
Close
Customer survey …
VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website.
It should take no more than a couple of minutes.
Close