Colyton, Devon
It’s hard to say whether Colyton is really a village or a small town; some insist it’s a village, but it’s a big one and there’s quite a lot going on so it doesn’t seem wrong to call it a town. The layout of the streets reveals that there was a settlement here in Saxon times, so there’s a lot of history here; Colyton was one of the most prosperous wool towns in Devon in the 15th century and it also played its part in the Monmouth Rebellion with several of the locals joining the ranks of rebels.
There are a few local shops including a rare bookshop and a couple of friendly pubs, but what Colyton is best known for is the grammar school, the unusual church with its hexagonal lantern tower, and the heritage tram that runs along the wetlands of the River Axe estuary. Alight at the station here and enjoy a cream tea in The Tramstop Café.
There are nice riverside walks around the town and a few miles away at Southleigh is Wiscombe Park, famous for its challenging hill climbs.
All information correct at the time of writing