Honiton Tourist Information

Honiton in East Devon is a thriving market town famed for its lace and pottery. The town is a real local produce and specialist shopping centre in East Devon located just inland from the Heritage Coast, separated from the coast by steep sided hills. Honiton High Street is lined with fine antique shops, pottery outlets and independent stores. Georgian architecture is evident in the courtyards, alleyways and old Georgian coaching inns. Street markets selling a wealth of fine local produce take place twice weekly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and a country market is held on the third Thursday of the month. Visit Allhallows Museum to see examples of Honiton’s famous pottery and lace. The town is also home to the award-winning Thelma Hulbert Gallery housed within a Grade II Listed town house formerly the studio of the artist Thelma Hulbert.

Pottery, Lace & Allhallows Museum

The pottery trade in Honiton peaked in the 1930s but its roots were in the 19th century when local figure Charles Collard and his contemporaries produced their first Honiton pottery pieces. Original pieces are highly coveted today and members of the Honiton Pottery Collectors’ Society and other admirers remain passionate about the collection. Honiton lace was once regarded as the finest in Europe and the industry thrived in Devon thanks to the wool and flax trades in the area. In the 1500s local textile workers were charged with meeting the incredible demand from royalty and the aristocracy, and in the 19th century Queen Victoria’s love for the material revived interest and the market for Honiton lace. The Allhallows Museum of Lace and Local Antiquities in Honiton holds one of the best collections of Honiton lace in the world as well as examples of Honiton Pottery.

Honiton Festival

The Honiton Festival held annually throughout the month of May is an acclaimed classical music and arts festival famed for showcasing the best of up and coming new talent in classical music. The festival attracts artists and performers from across the county and neighbouring counties, and features a series of lunchtime and evening concerts. You can book tickets at The Beehive, a venue for theatre, comedy, cinema, music and exhibitions the town.