South Devon

Trip made by Eustace and Eunice Alliott along South Devon coast, including visits to Torquay, Salcombe, Dartmouth and Sidmouth.

Film record of a visit to South Devon comprising shots of local beauty spots, visitor attractions and the activities of locals and tourists. Shots on reel 1 include: the exteriors of historic buildings in Wells, the cathedral and bishop’s palace, the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the exterior of Exeter cathedral; Cheddar Gorge and the surrounding countryside, notably shadows cast by the Gorge over the valley below; views of the coast at Torquay and Salcombe harbour and estuary. Shots on reel 2 include: the activities of tourists and locals along the South Devon coast, notably Eunice Alliott and her younger sister, Violet Rachel Caroline Hawes Wilson, fish for mackerel off Bolt Head, Salcombe; Eunice Alliott takes a scenic walk along the cliffs at Bolt Head; the Alliotts take a boat tour with other tourists up the River Dart and film an organ grinder with his monkey at Totnes; a blacksmith is filmed at work at the old forge in Branscombe and fishermen and villagers are filmed at work along the shore at the village of Beer; one fisherman, John Bull, poses for, and addresses, the camera.

Featured Buildings

Reel 1: Wells Cathedral Bishop's Palace, Wells Cheddar Gorge Glastonbury Abbey Exeter Cathedral Oddicombe beach, Torquay Salcombe harbour Reel 2: Dartmouth Castle Floating Dock, Dartmouth St Petroc’s Church, Dartmouth Sharpham House Seven Stars Hotel [possibly], Totnes The Royal Glen Hotel, Sidmouth The Victoria Hotel, Sidmouth The Old Forge at Branscombe near Sidmouth

Keywords

South Devon beauty spots; Inter-war tourism; Landscape history

Intertitles

Reel 1: Our way lay by the Great Cathedral of Wells Nearby was the moated palace of the old time bishops Music hath charms! Leaving Wells we motored to Cheddar, descending the gorge to the lovely village at its mouth The mouth of the Gorge, and the long outlines of the Mendips, seen from its south rim The early sun drew shadow castles on the rocks below – and the spectre of the Gorge lurked nearby See once more the wildest crags, first from below then from above, mimicked by their shadows Seen from the crags the hurrying cars crawl like ants far beneath one’s feet Next came the ruined Abbey of Glastonbury with traditions of Joseph of Aramathea Arthur and Guinevere Old Joe, of the Abbots kitchen says he “always photographs best with the ladies” Sunset added still more beauty to Exeter Cathedral The charm of dusk at Teignmouth: followed by a joyous morning at Oddicombe beach, Torquay Tor Bay, Berry Head and the Thatcher Stone from the Marine Road, Torquay Next came the Dart and the ferry to Dartmouth Salcombe – the end of our pilgrimage: Views of the harbour and Portlemouth ferry All kinds of tropical plants flourish in the gardens At South Sands To be continued on next reel Reel 2: In the estuary Mackerel fishing near Bolt Head Bolt Head is not least among the glories of the Devon coast Tumultous [Tumultuous] seas at Hopes Cove and Thurlstone Labour and repose at Hope’s Cove Bigbury Bay seen from Bolt Tail The Dart tour brings miniature memories of the Hudson and Rhine It begins at Dartmouth Castle Dartmouth and the Royal Naval College It was saddening to see the long lines of unemployed ships beyond the floating dock Sharpham Woods and house The end of the voyage – Totnes A diversion by the way On our homeward way we stayed at Sidmouth Fishing was “champion” at Ladram Bay The Royal Glen and Victoria Hotels have links with Queen Victoria’s childhood The Old Forge at Branscombe near Sidmouth Beer in sober truth is a busy Devon fishing village Old and young, girl and man, must toil at the windlasses to haul the boats up the steep beach John Bull – of beer (yes – it really was his name) gave us a cheery goodbye The End

Other Places

Wells; Cheddar Gorge; Glastonbury Abbey; Exeter Cathedral; Teignmouth; Oddicombe Beach, Torquay; Salcombe; Bolt Head; Hope Cove; Thurlestone; Bigbury Bay; Dartmouth; Totnes; Sidmouth; Ladram Bay; Branscombe; Beer