Exeter & East Devon

Towns & Villages

HONITON

A thriving market town, Honiton is famous for lace making, an industry that brought prosperity to local people for nearly 300 years until the 19th century.

Flemish immigrants had introduced the idea during the reign of Elizabeth 1.

Queen Victoria’s wedding veil was made of Honiton lace and hand-made lace is still produced here.

Honiton - Photo: Tony Atkin CCL

Honiton Town Museum - Photo: Tony Atkin CCL

Allhallows Museum is housed in the town’s oldest building, the 13th century Chapel of Allhallows, and boasts a largest collection of lace in the world.


The town now stages one of the biggest agricultural shows in the southwest and is also famous for its ‘hot pennies’ ceremony in which heated coins are thrown into a crowd of onlookers.


Nearby Hembury Fort is one of the finest Iron Age hill forts in Devon and offers panoramic views.