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Honiton is a town in East Devon

, situated close to the River Otter, 17 miles northeast of Exeter

in the county of Devon

. The town's name is pronounced in two ways (hʌnɪtɘn or hɒnitɘn), each pronunciation having its adherents.

History

The town grew along the line of the Fosse Way - the ancient Roman road linking Exeter

(Isca Dumnoniorum

) to Lincoln

(Lindum) on which it was an important stopping point. The location is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Honetone, meaning a farmstead of a man called Huna. It became an important market town known for its lace making that was introduced by Flemish immigrants in the Elizabethan era. In the 17th century thousands of people produced lace by hand in their homes and later in the 19th Century Queen Victoria had her wedding dress made of Honiton lace. The town also became known for its Honiton pottery.

In the mid 18th century the town was largely destroyed by fire. Georgian houses were then built to replace some of those that had been destroyed. Honiton more than doubled in size between the 1960s and 2005 with most development taking place south of the Exeter

to Waterloo

railway line.

Local customs

The Hot Pennies Ceremony takes place annually on the first Tuesday after 19 July in the High Street of the town, and dates back to the 13th Century. The ceremony has its roots in the practice of landed gentry taking pleasure in throwing hot pennies from windows to local peasants, a seemingly philanthropic gesture resulting in burns. The custom also had the purpose of encouraging people to travel to the town from the surrounding area to attend a subsequent fair.

At noon, the Town Cryer accompanied by the Mayor and other local dignitaries, raises a garlanded pole with gloved hand at the top, and ploclaims that "no man may be arrested so long as this glove is up". Warm pennies are then thrown from a number of balconies in the High Street to crowds of local people. The pole is then kept on display for the following "fair week". The children of Honiton Community College

are allowed off campus for the duration of the Hot Pennies Ceremony itself.

Features

The size of Honiton in 2005 was approximately 3.2 km². Further development will be limited as Honiton borders the East Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) to the south and the Blackdown Hills

AONB to the north and east. AONBs have the same level of protection as National Parks of England and Wales which restricts new developments.

There are still indications of its history as a centre for lace making, such as places called "Lace Walk" and the "Honiton Lace Shop". Now a Chinese style restaurant, the shop’s role has been filled by the Allhallows Museum of Lace and Local Antiquities. The museum was once Allhallows Chapel, and built in the 13th century it is reputed to be the oldest building in Honiton and also once housed Allhallows School

.

St Michael's Parish Church, which was rebuilt in 1911 after a fire, is situated on a small hill above the town.

The mid 19th Century St Paul's Church was designed by Charles Fowler and is situated in the centre of the town. Its erection required the demolition of half of the adjacent Allhallows Chapel.

Honiton is host to the annual Honiton Agricultural Show, a traditional event dating back to 1890.

Education

Honiton has two primary schools ( Honiton Primary School and Littletown Primary School) and Honiton Community College

which includes a sixth form.

Shops and leisure facilities

In Honiton there is a sports centre with swimming pool, and just outside the town centre there are shops such as Homebase, Argos and Tesco. Honiton has a good number of independent retailers including a bookshop, fishing tackle shop Otter Country Sports, jeweller, clothing boutiques, cycle shop, butcher, delicatessen and a fishmonger. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, an outdoor market is held on the High Street. Honiton is also popular with antique hunters, boasting over 20 antique shops.

The local football team is Honiton Town F.C. (nicknamed 'rubbish'). It also has an active youth football section, HTYFC.

Honiton ConClub situated on the High Street has been a town institution for many years and offers a relaxed meeting place for friends to enjoy a drink together or participate in the Club's many activities.

The local rugby team is Honiton Rugby Club

Transport

Road

The town is at the junction of the busy A35 the A30 and the A376 roads. The A30 now bypasses the town to the north. Until the bypass's construction in 1966, the town was blighted by traffic congestion.

For Community Transport information contact TRIP Community Transport on 01404 46529