The town of Newton Abbot, in the lovely county of Devon, is a bit of an anomaly: It is definitely a city that lives and breathes in a modern sphere yet it doesn't completely shrug off its history like many cities of its ilk. Instead, Newton Abbot is proud of its long and storied past and, though it has countless fun diversions for people who care not for history, it still adheres to traditions and mindsets that have come and gone long before. With a population of about twenty five thousand, Newton Abbot is definitely a significant part of Devon and has been so for many centuries.
Though inhabitation of Newton Abbot can be traced back to the days of Neolithic tribesmen, the Newton Abbot we all know and love didn't truly come into being until the mid 1200s, when it was given to right to hold a weekly market. In those days a city wasn't really a city until the King allowed a weekly market to be held in the town and Newton Abbot quickly shot up in prominence almost immediately after being given its rights. The market still stands in Newton Abbot and it is still held weekly in much the same way that it has been for nearly eight hundred years.
By Medieval times Newton Abbot was secure in its place as one of the most important cities in Devon and it only grew in fame when sheep rearing became the trade of the town. Wool was the main industry for quite some time and Newton Abbot was known as the place to go if you wanted superior wool. Countless wool-oriented jobs arose in Newton Abbot including fellmongering (which is essentially the art of removing wool from a sheep), dying, weaving, spinning, and nearly anything else that has to do with sheep. Around the same time leather starting becoming yet another profitable commodity in Newton Abbot and the two industries helped to bolster the town's economy for over six hundred years.
Many of the gorgeous historical buildings in Newton Abbot can still be seen to this day but most people visit the town not for history lessons but for the fun diversions found within. Tucker's Maltings is of particular note because it is the only malthouse in the United Kingdom that is open to the public. This is where some of the finest malts are created for the best beers in the country and the tours of the factory are fascinating and eye-opening. Each year a three day beer festival is held at the Maltings and it is considered one of the best beer festivals in the U.K. Newton Abbot is also home to several exciting country parks including Decoy and Bradley Park. Put simply, there is truly something for everyone when you visit Newton Abbot. Anybody who has yet to lay eyes on this fascinating burg would do well to take a trip as soon as possible to Devon's little slice of wonder.
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