Honiton is one of East Devon’s most interesting market towns. Once a staging post on the London–Exeter road, it grew into a centre for lace-making, rebuilt itself after devastating fires, and today holds a reputation as Devon’s antiques capital. Its long Georgian High Street still carries the energy of a market town, lined with antiques centres, shops, cafés, and pubs, while surrounding hills and valleys offer rewarding walks. With direct trains from London and Exeter, and easy access to the Blackdown Hills and the Jurassic Coast, it is both a practical base and a destination in its own right.
This guide covers the best things to do in Honiton, including antiques, markets, museums, walks, nearby attractions, places to stay and practical visitor information for exploring East Devon.
Honiton at a glance
Honiton is a traditional East Devon market town, known for its long Georgian High Street, lace-making heritage, antiques shops and regular street market.
Best for: antiques browsing, market days, local history, countryside walks, car-free stays and exploring East Devon, Exeter and the Jurassic Coast.
A good base for visitors who want a quieter inland town with strong transport links, historic character and easy access to both coast and countryside.
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- Map of Honiton
- History of Honiton, Devon: Lace, Coaching Inns and Market Traditions
- What to see and do in Honiton
- What's On in Honiton: Festivals, Highlights and Annual Events
- How to Get to Honiton and Travel Around
- Where to Eat and Drink in Honiton, Devon
- Where to Stay in Honiton, Devon
- Places to Visit Near Honiton
- Practical Information for Visiting Honiton, Devon
- Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Honiton, Devon
- Is Honiton Worth Visiting?
Map of Honiton
History of Honiton, Devon: Lace, Coaching Inns and Market Traditions
Honiton’s history is much older than its neat terraces suggest. On the surrounding ridges stand Dumpdon Hill and Hembury Hillfort, reminders that people defended and farmed this land in the Iron Age. Later, the Romans passed through, leaving traces of their roads.
The medieval town secured its role with a Royal Charter in 1257, granting the right to hold markets. Two fires in the eighteenth century destroyed much of the old, medieval town, but what rose in their place formed the basis of Honiton today: a wide, straight main street lined with Georgian buildings, ideal for coaching inns and traders.
Honiton’s Royal Charter
Honiton received its royal charter in 1257 from King Henry III, which granted the town the right to hold a weekly market and an annual fair. This recognition established Honiton as an important local centre for trade and commerce, attracting merchants and farmers from across Devon. The charter not only boosted the town’s economy but also confirmed its growing status and independence under royal authority. These rights helped shape Honiton’s development through the Middle Ages, laying the foundations for its later prosperity as a market and lace-making town.
Honiton Lace
Honiton is renowned for its lace, a form of bobbin lace characterised by delicate motifs, often inspired by flowers and leaves, which were joined together to form larger pieces. The craft provided vital income for families from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries.
The lace gained international recognition in 1840 when Queen Victoria’s wedding dress featured an Honiton lace flounce. At its peak, thousands in East Devon were employed in making it, though each piece was painstakingly slow (a skilled worker could complete about one square inch per day).
Although the skill of lacemaking has not entirely died out, its production today is no longer commercially viable.
The Allhallows Museum, however, preserves the heritage, holding one of the world’s largest collections of Honiton lace. Demonstrations and displays keep the tradition alive for visitors.
Honiton Pottery
Honiton is also known for its pottery, which gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Produced at the Honiton Pottery works, these hand-painted ceramics often featured bright floral and geometric patterns inspired by the town’s lace designs. At its height, the pottery was both a major local employer and a source of colourful souvenirs for visitors to Devon. The factory closed in the 1990s, but original pieces are now collectable, valued for their charm and connection to the town’s craft heritage. Today, the Honiton Pottery Workshop on the High Street keeps that tradition alive, offering pottery classes, paint-your-own sessions, and the chance to buy vintage Honiton pottery.
The War Years
Honiton has also played its part in more recent history. During the Second World War, nearby RAF Upottery was used by US forces in the build-up to D-Day. Paratroopers of the 101st Airborne departed from here for Normandy in June 1944, a story told at the Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre. Close by, Dunkeswell Aerodrome adds another layer: built in 1943, it initially served as a US Navy base and later as a base for anti-submarine patrols. Today, it remains active as a busy general aviation airfield, featuring a café, heritage centre, and displays about its wartime role. Aviation enthusiasts should combine a visit here with Upottery to gain a fuller picture of East Devon’s contribution to the war effort.
Wolford Chapel
Another interesting site lies just a short distance away: Wolford Chapel, a small 18th-century Anglican chapel near Dunkeswell, once part of the estate of the Canadian-born Governor General of British North America, Sir Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester). Gifted to Canada in the 1960s, the chapel is maintained as Canadian territory and serves as a memorial to the historic links between Devon and Canada. It makes an interesting detour for those keen on transatlantic history and offers a peaceful contrast to the bustle of Honiton’s markets.
What to see and do in Honiton
Honiton Antiques
Honiton Antiques
Honiton is well known for its long-established antiques trade, with antique shops and centres spread throughout the town. Honiton has developed a reputation as one of the better-known antiques destinations in Devon, attracting collectors, browsers and day visitors throughout the year.
Popular spots include the Fountain Antiques Centre, which brings together multiple dealers under one roof, and Marwood House, known for fine furniture and traditional antiques. Visitors can browse everything from ceramics and glassware to vintage collectables, books, jewellery and decorative pieces.
Even without buying, exploring Honiton’s antiques shops is part of the experience, often combined with independent cafés, lunch stops and a relaxed walk around the historic town centre.
Honiton Market
Honiton still retains the atmosphere of a traditional East Devon market town, with Honiton Market continuing to play an important role in the town centre. Held on Tuesdays and Saturdays along the High Street, the market brings together stalls selling fresh produce, local food, plants, clothing, antiques and household goods.
Market days are among the liveliest times to visit Honiton, giving the town a busy, sociable atmosphere while continuing a trading tradition that dates back centuries.
Honiton Museum
Allhallows Museum (also known as Honiton Museum) is best known for its internationally significant collection of Honiton lace, one of the finest in the world. The museum preserves examples from the seventeenth century through to modern times, including rare motifs and complete garments. Alongside lace, the museum also explores Honiton’s wider history, with displays on local industries, archaeology, wars and community life. It serves as both a heritage centre and an educational resource, keeping alive the town’s cultural traditions for visitors and researchers alike.
Allhallows Chapel, Honiton
The origins of Allhallows Chapel in Honiton go back to the thirteenth century. It was founded as a chapel of ease, meaning it was built to serve townsfolk who lived at a distance from the main parish church of St. Michael’s at the top of the hill. At the time, Honiton was growing as a settlement along the old road, and the chapel provided more convenient access to worship in the busy town centre.
The dedication to “All Hallows” (meaning All Saints) was common in medieval England, reflecting a desire to honour all saints rather than a single patron. Over the centuries, the chapel’s role changed. After the Reformation, it was no longer used for regular worship, and by the seventeenth century, it had been adapted for secular uses, including as a school. Its survival through these shifts in purpose allowed it eventually to become the home of the Allhallows Museum.
Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton
Just minutes away from the shops on Dowell Street, and tucked away behind the long-stay car park, you will find the Thelma Hulbert Gallery. Housed in the Georgian townhouse where the artist lived and worked, it now serves as the town’s public art gallery, presenting changing exhibitions of contemporary art and craft, as well as a permanent connection to Hulbert herself.
Thelma Hulbert: Artist and Legacy
Thelma Hulbert (1913–1995) was a British painter associated with the progressive Euston Road School in London. She became known for her precise still lifes and landscapes, painted directly from observation.
After years in London, she moved to Honiton, where she lived and worked in a Georgian townhouse on Dowell Street. When she died, she left her home and studio to East Devon District Council, requesting it be used to support the arts.
That building is now the Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG), Honiton’s public art space. It shows a programme of contemporary art and craft exhibitions, alongside displays of Hulbert’s own work, and runs workshops and community events — continuing her legacy of making art accessible to all.
Things to do Around Honiton, Devon
Beyond the town and within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, walkers can explore Dumpdon Hill Fort, now managed by the National Trust, for sweeping views over the Otter Valley. The East Devon Way, a long-distance path running from Exmouth to Lyme Regis, passes nearby and might offer inspiration for shorter circular routes suitable for day walks.
Families will enjoy Wildwood Devon at Escot Park, where British species such as lynx, wolves, and red squirrels live in spacious woodland enclosures. Also popular with families is the Aviator Café at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, where, weather permitting, it’s possible to watch a wide range of aeroplanes and helicopters take off and land up close. For the more adventurous, there are trial flying lessons, wing walking and Spitfire experiences (see the website for details)
Aviation history enthusiasts will enjoy the fascinating heritage centres run by the South West Airfields Heritage Trust at Dunkeswell and nearby Upottery, while those with an eye for international connections will enjoy the quiet dignity of Wolford Chapel.
What’s On in Honiton: Festivals, Highlights and Annual Events
What’s On in Honiton reflects both its historic market-town heritage and the surrounding East Devon countryside. Throughout the year, the town and the surrounding area host agricultural shows, traditional celebrations, music festivals, vintage rallies and seasonal events, helping to create a lively programme across the region.
One of the best-known local traditions is Honiton Charter Day, which celebrates the granting of the town’s royal charter in 1257 with entertainment, stalls, music and community events across the town centre. Closely linked to this is the long-running Honiton Hot Pennies tradition, in which pennies are thrown from windows and balconies along the streets, a custom dating back centuries.
Honiton Hot Pennies
The tradition of Honiton Hot Pennies dates back over 800 years, when tolls were collected from people entering the town’s markets and fairs. To mark the opening of the annual fair, the wealthy would throw heated pennies from the windows of the town’s inns onto the streets below, where the less well off would scramble to collect them despite the risk of being burnt. Today the custom survives as a colourful local festival each July: pennies are still thrown—though no longer hot—celebrating Honiton’s heritage as a historic market town.
Popular recurring events in and around Honiton include:
- Honiton Charter Day
- Honiton Hot Pennies Festival
- Honiton Show
- Devon Truck Show
- Honiton Hill Rally
- Beautiful Days Festival at Escot
- Honiton Carnival
- Goren Festival near Stockland
- Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels
The nearby East Devon countryside and villages also host agricultural fairs, food festivals, live music events and seasonal celebrations throughout the year, particularly during spring, summer and early autumn.
Honiton Show remains one of the largest agricultural events in the South West, attracting visitors from across Devon and beyond with livestock competitions, rural crafts, food stalls and countryside displays. Meanwhile, events such as the Beautiful Days Festival at Escot and the Honiton Hill Rally bring larger festival-style weekends to the surrounding area.
Later in the year, Honiton Carnival and nearby traditions such as the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels help round off the events calendar with autumn and Bonfire Night celebrations.
Whenever you visit, it is worth checking local listings, and our regularly updated “What’s On in South West England” guide on This Is South West for current dates and seasonal highlights across East Devon.
How to Get to Honiton and Travel Around
Honiton is well connected by road and rail. The town is on the West of England Railway Line, with trains from London Waterloo taking around three hours and Exeter, a little more than half an hour. Services are operated by South Western Railway, and Honiton train station is just a short walk from the town centre.
Drivers will find Honiton at the junction of the A30 and A35. From Exeter, it is a twenty-mile drive, while from Dorset, the A35 brings you in past Lyme Regis and Axminster. For those travelling by air, Exeter Airport is about twenty minutes away by car, with domestic and European flights.
Honiton High Street is at the centre of Honiton and contains many of the town’s main attractions, shops, cafés and antiques centres, making it easy to explore on foot. Car parks are located close to the centre, but can be busy on market days. Public transport connects Honiton to Exeter, Axminster, and the surrounding villages. However, a car helps explore the Blackdown Hills and coastal towns like Sidmouth, Beer, and Seaton.
Where to Eat and Drink in Honiton, Devon
Honiton offers a range of dining options. Close to the town centre, The Holt combines inventive menus with local ales from Otter Brewery. The Yellow Deli serves homemade soups and sandwiches in a distinctive rustic setting, though it closes on Saturdays. For pub classics in a traditional setting, the thatched Heathfield Inn provides traditional pub meals and a family-friendly garden. The Otter Inn, located near Honiton, is a historic 18th-century riverside pub situated beside the River Otter. It is renowned for its pub food, traditional character, and spacious, family-friendly beer garden.
For something special, a short drive leads to THE PIG-at Combe, an Elizabethan manor house hotel and restaurant known for its kitchen-garden philosophy. The menu changes daily, reflecting what is grown or sourced nearby, making it one of the area’s standout dining experiences.
Where to Stay in Honiton, Devon
Accommodation suits a range of budgets. In town, the Heathfield Inn offers rooms above its pub, ideal for those who want to be within walking distance of shops and markets. There is also the Premier Inn, Honiton, a 10-minute walk from the town centre. A few miles away in Dunkeswell, Lakeview Manor offers hotel rooms and self-catering lodges set within landscaped grounds featuring fishing lakes. For an indulgent stay, THE PIG-at Combe offers stylish rooms, extensive gardens, and a focus on comfort and cuisine.
Places to Visit Near Honiton
Honiton makes a handy base for exploring East Devon’s countryside and coast. Within half an hour, you can combine Iron Age hilltops, bluebell woods, seaside villages and family days out on the Jurassic Coast.
Blackdown Hills AONB
North of town, the Blackdown Hills roll away in quiet ridges and valleys. Hembury Fort and Dumpdon Hill offer sweeping views and a real sense of ancient Devon, with waymarked paths through pasture and woodland.
Blackbury Camp and the bluebells
A short drive south brings you to Blackbury Camp, an Iron Age earthwork hidden in oak woods. Free to visit, it is famous for its carpets of bluebells in late April and May, and is a peaceful, almost secretive place for a picnic at any time of year.
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
Between Honiton and the coast, Bicton’s historic glasshouses, formal gardens and little woodland railway make a gentle day out. Families love the play areas; gardeners come for the collection of trees and seasonal borders.
Wildwood Devon at Escot
Set in parkland east of Ottery St Mary, Wildwood combines wildlife enclosures with woodland trails and a Saxon village. Expect to find lynx, wolves, and wild boar alongside a maze and adventure play area, making it a good all-weather choice.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
Free to visit and open daily, the Donkey Sanctuary’s hillside paths overlook the sea, and there are hundreds of rescued donkeys to meet. The café and visitor centre make it easy to linger, and dogs on leads are welcome on most paths.
Jurassic Coast: Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer and Seaton
Honiton is minutes from the coast. Sidmouth offers Regency seafront charm and red cliffs, with Jacobs Ladder and the Connaught Gardens for classic views. Branscombe hides thatched cottages and a long shingle beach backed by green valleys. Beer is a working fishing cove with brightly painted boats, caves and cliff walks. Seaton is the place for a level promenade, the Seaton Wetlands nature reserve and easy access to family-friendly attractions.
Beer Quarry Caves and Pecorama
Pair an underground tour of Beer’s famous stone quarries with an afternoon among model railways and landscaped gardens at Pecorama above the village. Both sit on the hillside with big sea views and plenty to entertain children.
Seaton Tramway
The heritage electric tram runs between Seaton seafront, Colyford and Colyton across open wetlands rich in birdlife. It is a simple, scenic ride that works in sunshine or showers, and Colyton’s old streets make a relaxed stop for tea.
Otter Estuary and Budleigh Salterton
Follow the River Otter down to the restored salt marshes at the estuary, a haven for wading birds and winter flocks. Budleigh’s long pebble beach curves beneath red cliffs and colourful beach huts, with level walking and cafés along the promenade.
Exmouth and the South West Coast Path
For a classic seaside day, combine Exmouth’s vast sands with a short section of the South West Coast Path for headland views towards the Exe Estuary. A La Ronde, a quirky National Trust house above the town, adds an easy cultural stop.
Killerton, National Trust
Just west of Honiton, Killerton’s Georgian house, parkland, and waymarked trails are ideal for a gentle stroll under veteran trees. Seasonal trails, orchards and exhibitions keep it fresh for repeat visits.
Lyme Regis, over the border
Ten miles east into Dorset, Lyme Regis rewards the short hop with fossil-rich beaches, the historic Cobb harbour and independent shops. It pairs well with a countryside walk above the town for views across the bay.
Practical Information for Visiting Honiton, Devon
Practicalities
🛍️ Shops & Supermarkets – Well served. For more specialist items, the nearest city is Exeter.
🏥 Nearest Hospitals – Honiton Hospital Minor Injuries. Call 999/112 for emergencies & 111 for health advice.
🚔 Police Station – 167 High Street, Honiton, EX14 1LQ. Call 999/112 for emergencies & 101 for non-emergencies.
💊 Pharmacies – for medical advice, prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines.
🍽️ Restaurants – sit-down meals ranging from local cuisine to international.
☕ Cafés & Tea Rooms – casual spots for coffee, cakes, and cream teas.
🍺 Pubs & Bars – traditional inns and modern places to drink.
✈️ Nearest Airport – domestic and European connections from Exeter Airport.
🚆 Railway Station(s) – Honiton: connections to London, Exeter and beyond.
🚌 Bus Services – Local and regional routes. Use Rome2Rio for information and bus stop locations.
🅿️ Car Parks – short and long-stay parking options.
⛽ Petrol Stations & EV Charging – fuel and charging points.
💵 Banks, ATMs, and Currency Exchange – cashpoints, Banking, and Currency Exchange.
📮 Post Office – sending letters, parcels, and other services.
🛏️ Hotels & B&Bs – places to stay in and around town.
🚻 Public Toilets – Lace Walk Car Park, EX14 1LT and King Street Honiton, EX14 1DA.
🚶 Tourist Information Centre – Dowell Street, Honiton, EX14 1LT.
Helpful Links
- Booking.com – for most accommodation needs. Look out for options that include free cancellation.
- Easy Tide – Free UK tidal prediction service, providing tidal data and tide times for the current day and 6 days into the future.
- Expedia – good for flights and packages.
- Get Your Guide – find and book things to see. Includes unusual things to do.
- Hostelworld – Hostel-focused booking platform that fosters backpack connections.
- MetOffice – Weather forecasts from the UK official meteorological office.
- National Express – UK-based coach operator providing long-distance bus services
- Omio – Book travel tickets by comparing trains, buses and planes in one search.
- Rental Cars – to search out and book hire cars.
- Rome2Rio – Great for comparing local transport options (and for locating bus stops).
- Ticketmaster – What’s On – Major Events – Venues – Bookings
- Trainline.com – our go-to online platform for booking train and bus tickets, offering route planning, price comparisons, seat reservations, and ticket sales.
- Traffic England – for live traffic updates on major roads.
- Traveline SW – Comprehensive public transport information from A to B by bus, coach, train, ferry in South West England and Great Britain.
- TripAdvisor – for reviews of… pretty much everything. Our go-to before booking anything.
- Vrbo – Great for self-catering and vacation holiday home rentals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Honiton, Devon
Why is Honiton famous?
Honiton is best known for Honiton lace, a fine form of handmade bobbin lace that gained international recognition when it was used in Queen Victoria’s wedding dress. The town is also known for its antiques trade, historic market traditions and long Georgian High Street.
Is Honiton good for antiques?
Yes. Honiton has developed a strong reputation as one of Devon’s best-known antiques towns, with antiques centres, dealers and collectables shops spread along the High Street and surrounding side streets. Browsing the shops is one of the most popular things to do in Honiton.
Does Honiton have a market?
Yes. Honiton Market takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays along the High Street and continues a trading tradition dating back to the town’s royal charter of 1257. Stalls typically include fresh produce, local food, plants, clothing, antiques and household goods.
Can you visit Honiton without a car?
Yes. Honiton is well suited to car-free visits thanks to direct rail services to Exeter and London Waterloo, along with local bus connections across East Devon. The High Street, antiques shops, cafés, museums and many attractions are easy to reach on foot from Honiton railway station.
Are there dog-friendly places in and around Honiton?
Yes. Walks around Dumpdon Hill, the Blackdown Hills and the surrounding East Devon countryside are popular with dog walkers, and many nearby beaches allow dogs either year-round or outside peak summer restrictions. Always check local signage and keep dogs under control near livestock and wildlife.
What are the must-see attractions in Honiton?
Popular attractions include Allhallows Museum and its internationally important Honiton lace collection, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton’s antiques centres and the views from Dumpdon Hill Fort. Nearby highlights include Wildwood Devon at Escot, Dunkeswell Aerodrome and the Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre.
What annual events should I plan for?
Honiton’s best-known annual events include Honiton Charter Day, the Hot Pennies Festival and Honiton Show. The surrounding area also hosts larger events such as the Beautiful Days Festival at Escot, the Honiton Hill Rally and the Devon Truck Show near Smeatharpe.
Where can I eat, drink and stay?
Honiton has a good selection of cafés, pubs, restaurants and independent food spots around the High Street and surrounding area. Accommodation ranges from traditional inns and B&Bs to countryside hotels and self-catering stays, with THE PIG-at Combe nearby for a more luxurious break.
Are there free or low-cost things to do?
Yes. Walking around the historic High Street, browsing Honiton’s antiques shops, exploring local churches and visiting surrounding countryside viewpoints are all inexpensive ways to enjoy the area. Countryside walks around Dumpdon Hill and the Blackdown Hills are particularly popular.
What easy day trips can I do from Honiton?
Honiton is well placed for exploring East Devon and the Jurassic Coast. Easy day trips include Sidmouth, Beer, Branscombe, Seaton and Lyme Regis, while inland attractions include the Blackdown Hills, Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, Wildwood Devon and the Otter Valley.
Is Honiton Worth Visiting?
Yes. Honiton is worth visiting if you are looking for a traditional East Devon market town with good transport links, independent shops and easy access to both the countryside and the coast.
Its location makes it a practical base for exploring East Devon, with Exeter, Sidmouth, Beer, Seaton and the Jurassic Coast all within easy reach. Honiton is also well-suited to car-free stays thanks to its railway station, regular bus services and walkable town centre.
Known for its lace-making heritage and long-established antiques trade, Honiton combines history, markets and local character with a relaxed small-town atmosphere. Visitors can explore antique centres and independent cafés, learn about the town’s lace industry, or use Honiton as a base for exploring nearby countryside, coast and historic sites.
The surrounding area also adds variety, from the Blackdown Hills and East Devon countryside to nearby Second World War heritage sites at Dunkeswell and Upottery, and the internationally connected Wolford Chapel near Dunkeswell.
Whether you are visiting for a market day, antique hunting, countryside walks or a quieter base for exploring East Devon, Honiton offers a practical and enjoyable alternative to the busier coastal towns.
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