Long weekend in Newton Abbot Area of Devon

purpleducky

OH and I (both in our twenties) are travelling from London to visit relatives in Newton Abbot next week - anyone have ideas for places to go that aren't kid-orientated?

OH likes long walks but I'm not much of an outdoorsy type, I love museums, churches and sewing . Someone suggested 'Trago Mills' to stock up on quilting fabric, and I intend to seek out a cream tea somewhere(!) but other than that I'm stuck.

mumma2one

Hello, I live in Newton Abbot

Erm, not a lot to do in our little town really lol.

Trago is very good for material/fabrics.

Dartmoor is always good for walks and Widecombe village has a lovely little cafe for cream teas.

Newton Abbot has a small railway museum, the next nearest is Torquay Museum which is quite decent as is Exeter.

Paignton Zoo is a nice trip and Living Coasts in Torquay.

The House of Marbles (not just marbles - lovely glass ornaments/vases/art, furniture and gifts) in Bovey Tracey (near Trago Mills) is a nice place to visit they have a lot of historical displays and if you go at the right time can sometimes watch them working and blowing the glass.

I'm not very good at thinking of non-child orientated places to go lol, I am always trying to think of places to take my son so have kiddie places on the brain :rotfl:

Hope I've helped a bit.

Mrs.D

Exeter Cathedral is worth a visit if you like churches. You can get a direct train from Newton Abbot to Exeter - it's relatively cheap and you don't have to worry about parking.

Trago Mills is like Aladins Cave! If you're not careful you'll spend hours there and come out with armfuls of things you didn't think you needed!

National Trust properties / gardens are always good for cream teas in my experience. Not sure whether you have a car? If so, you may be able to combine your OH's love of the outdoor with a look around a beautiful country home. Many have coastal / country walks either in the grounds or close by. Most are relatively child-free... and you'll definitely be able to get a cream tea!

Madmel

Exeter's museum is currently shut for refurbishment and won't be open until 2010.

The Cathedral is nice, but they ask for quite a hefty donation to go in there. You can get in to the refectory without paying to go in the Cathedral and the food is home-cooked and good value (and it does support the Cathedral!)

If you want to head to the coast why not try Teignmouth or Shaldon? We went on May Day BH and had a lovely day. They aren't as busy as Torquay and you are more likely to find a good cream tea.

Enjoy whatever you decide to do!

trish06

Lovely church Buckfast abbey in Buckfastleigh Devon

Just google for site info .

jetty

My folks live in Newton and like everyone says, there's not much there! If you are willing to travel, you should definately go to Paignton Zoo, we love it there lol

purpleducky

Thanks so much for all the advice guys. OH drives so we should be able to do do the zoo and House of Marbles over the weekend and perhaps Exeter on the way home on Monday. I'm quite looking forward to it now, just hope the weather looks up a bit!

redpete

Hay Tor is a nice place to go on Dartmoor hat is close to Newton Abbot and doesn't require much of a walk. Becky Falls just outside of Bovey Tracey is good, especially after it's been raining.