THE PLACES
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ
Please note that the grid references such as SX 756 698 are Ordnance Survey references.
‘More’ after an entry is a link to photograph(s) and/or further information.
Barnstaple is said to be oldest borough in the United Kingdom. Like all early settlements it is at the lowest crossing point of a river - in this case the River Taw. The name of the town (situated at SS 557 333) comes in part from the fact that it was a ‘staple port’: a port licensed to export wool. It’s importance is underlined by the fact that it once minted its own coins.
Bedford Hotel, Tavistock
The Bedford Hotel, so called because the then Lord Tavistock, Duke of Bedford was responsible for much of the building carried out in the town in the nineteenth century, has been one of our favourite haunts for many years. Characters use it as a rendezvous - usually intentionally but there are sometimes unexpected meetings with interesting consequences. A bit like real life, in fact! Click here for the hotel web site. More.
Bedford Square, Tavistock
The square in Tavistock between the Guildhall and St Eutachious Church.
Blackthorn Bridge
This fictional bridge was inspired by Saddle Bridge - SX 664 719 - which crosses the delightfully named O Brook, a tributory of the Dart. There used to be a wonderful blackthorn growing just downstream of the bridge but this has now died, its roots undermined by the water.
Bodmin Moor, Cornwall
The smallest and most fragmented of the three west country moors. Here are high granite tors, open moorland, areas of march and bog and sunken lanes which abound in wild flowers. Bodmin Moor - like much of Cornwall - is a place of mystery and legend where the atmosphere seems to quicken the imagination of artists and writers - including Marcia. Click here for further information.
Unlike Dartmoor and Exmoor, Bodmin Moor has not been designated as a National Park. Insofar as this moor is less likely to be damaged by housing and other such developments, I suppose this is reasonable. However, I would feel happier if it were a National Park (even though I have worries about the way in which the authorities run the other two).
Book Stop, Tavistock
It was in this book shop that Marcia’s first novel,Those Who Serve, was launched at a rather memorable party. Thus it was inevitable that the time would come when it would make an appearance in one of her novels. Click here to see their web site.
Clearbrook, Devon
Clearbrook is a village on the south western edge of Dartmoor at SX 520 655. Like many villages in Devon, Clearbrook is no longer involved in the industries that created it - in this case mining and farming. It is in easy travelling distance of Tavistock and Plymouth where many of the inhabitants work. More.
Coolings, Gandy Street, Exeter
There was a period when I was making fairly frequent visits to the South West Studies library in Exeter. Marcia and I would often have lunch in in this wine bar/bistro in those days. It was here that Polly, Freddie and Thea met. Click here to visit their web site. More.
Crebers, Tavistock
Crebers in Duke Street is Tavistock’s delicatessen in which we often shop - as do a number of Marcia’s characters. Click here for their web site. More.
Dartmoor, Devon
The largest of the three moors in the west, Dartmoor is underpinned by granite. This has shaped the landscape with dramatic tors and deep river gorges. The moor is a national park. More.
Dawlish, Devon
This town on the south coast receives a mention simply because the main line to the south west runs between it and the sea. This means the trains are very exposed to the waves when the weather is rough - they have been known to arrive at Plymouth or Exeter draped in seaweed. Click here to see some nice photos of the railway here. Situated at SX 956 770, Dawlish is a pleasant town rightly favoured by many holidaymakers.
Dingles, Exeter and Plymouth
These department stores and part of the House of Fraser Group. There is oine in each city.
Dousland, Devon.
A village in the north western part of Dartmoor at SX 536 689 where Marcia used to live - but not in one of the big colonial bungalows but in a very modern one near the Princetown Road. Even so, she could jump over the back garden fence out onto the open moor - and she did!
Elephant’s Nest, Peter Tavy
A pub on Dartmoor at SX 517 800 where Freddy took Jon in Thea’s Parrot - and where, on one occasion, Marcia and I had lunch with her editor from Headline, Clare. Click here for their web site.
Exeter, Devon
County town of Devon. There has been a community here from ancient times. It was the most westerly fortification to be built by the Romans who called it Isca.
Faslane, Scotland
Home to HMS Neptune, the submarine base on the Gare Loch.
Grange, The.
The fictional home of the Halliwell family. It is situated somewhere near Sheepstor (SX 559 676) but we do not know the exact location.
Horn of Plenty, Gulworthy
An hotel and restaurant near Tavistock. Click here for their web site.
Manor, The
Fictional home of the Hope-Latymer family situated in the north west corner of Dartmoor.
Marks and Spencers, Exeter and Plymouth
A well known department store with branches in both cities.
Meavy School, Meavy
The primary school in Meavy, a village at SX 541 672. More.
Nethercombe.
The fictional estate belonging to Henry Morley. It is situated on the southern fringe of Dartmoor somewhere near South Brent.
Plymouth, Devon
City in the south west corner of Devon situated between the River Plym and the River Tamar - the boundary between Devon and Cornwall. There has been a community here since the bronze age and it is one of the great natural harbours in the south west of England - hence its long and continuing association with the Royal Navy.
Princetown, Dartmoor
The highest community on Dartmoor, famous for HM Prison, Dartmoor. SX 590 735. More.
Shaldon, South Devon
Situated at the mouth of the River Teign on the southern side of the river opposite Yeignmouth, Shaldon is a popular village with many tourists.
Tavistock, Devon
A market town at SX 485 745, Tavistock has a long history - a Benedictine Abbey was founded about 975 AD, The town takes its name from the River Tavy - a tributary of the River Tamar. Many visitors to the town do not find the river as it runs to the south of the shopping centre. There is a footpath along the river behind the Bedford Hotel which is well worth exploring. One the of town’s main car parks is built further down the river bank near the Wharf - an Arts and Leisure Centre: Click here for their web site. More.
Teignmouth, Devon
As the name implies, this town is situated at the mouth of the River Teign - at SX 942 738. It is famous for being the last town in England to be invaded by a foreign power. It was an important port when cod fishing was carried out on the Newfoundland Banks and remains a port albeit one used more for pleasure than commerce. Like Shaldon, on the opposite side of the river, Teignmouth arrived as a pleasure centre with the railway. This explains the fine Georgian buildings to be seen there.
Walkhampton , Dartmoor
A village near Tavistock at SX 532 697.
Yelverton, Devon
A village on the main road from Tavistock to Plymouth at SX 520 678. More