Newton Abbot

Where to Stay in Newton Abbot
Food and Drink in Newton Abbot
Things to Do in Newton Abbot
What’s On in Newton Abbot
Town Map

Newton Abbot is a historic market town surrounded by beautiful South Devon countryside. The town is home to a large range of shops, restaurants and open spaces and is perfectly located close to both Dartmoor National Park and a number of lively seaside towns.

Check out the Visit Newton Abbot video on YouTube and see the great things to do and see while visiting Newton Abbot.

Things to do in Newton Abbot

If you like shopping, there are a number of markets held throughout the week including an Outdoor Market held on a Wednesday and Saturday, a popular Indoor Pannier Market open Monday to Saturday and a weekly Produce Market held every Friday in Courtenay Street. As well as the markets, Newton Abbot town centre is home to wide variety of shops from high street names to independent retailers and a department store.

For families there are plenty of attractions in Newton Abbot and the surrounding area. Newton Abbot Racecourse hosts race meetings throughout the summer months. Trago Mills Shopping and Leisure Park has a family fun park, discount shopping and one of the biggest garden centres in the area.

Newton Abbot provides access to some great parks and outdoor spaces. Decoy Country Park, Courtenay Park and Bakers Park can all be found within walking distance of the centre, as can the Town Quay and new bridge, which forms part of an extended cycle route. Within a short drive you’ll find Stover Country Park and the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail. If you are looking to explore on foot, Newton Abbot sits part way along the Templer Way, a walking route tracing the 18 mile historic route granite took from the quarries at Haytor, Dartmoor, to the docks at Teignmouth.

Where to Stay in Newton Abbot

Accommodation in Newton Abbot offers a variety of hotels, holiday cottages, farm B&B’s and countryside holiday parks all within the local area. Find your perfect place to stay in Newton Abbot here.

Places to eat in Newton Abbot

In Newton Abbot and the surrounding area you will find a great range of pubs and restaurants, as well as serving up great local produce these establishments are packed full of character, atmosphere and charm.

Throughout the year a number of great food and drink festivals and events can be found in the towns and villages around Newton Abbot, as well as a produce market held on Fridays, in the town, you won’t be able to miss your chance to sample some fresh local Devonshire produce when you visit.

History of Newton Abbot

The area has been inhabited since Neolithic times and was later occupied by the Romans. Referred to as the New Town of the Abbots (from the nearby Torre Abbey) the town was renamed Newton Abbot by 1300 and thanks to its market it became a thriving centre. Both wool and leather industries prospered here during the medieval period, and later the clay industry became a major employer.

In 1846 The South Devon Railway reached Newton Abbot and transformed the market town into a communications centre and base for industry. Branch lines opened to Torquay in 1848 and Moretonhampstead in 1866, making Newton Abbot a prime location for further industrial development. Some of the town’s history can be seen with a visit to St Leonard's Tower, the remains of an ancient church demolished in 1836, which sits in the centre of the town. The history of the town can be explored further with a visit to Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum.

At Christmas the town of Newton Abbot hosts a wonderful range of different events, watch a video from 2016's festivities here to get you in the Christmassy mood.