Sections
In Tudor times, the manor house at Bovey (still standing today) and surrounding land formed part of the dowry of Henry VIII’s 6th wife, Catherine Parr and in the late 18th century Beer’s relative isolation in a secluded valley made it a perfect place for smuggling. The infamous smuggler, Jack Rattenbury, known as The Rob Roy of the West plied his trade from the village often hiding contraband in the quarry caves and the nearby Bovey House provided a ‘convenient’ ghost to keep prying eyes away! In later years the limestone was commercially quarried as it was highly prized because of its workability for carving and it can be seen in cathedrals such as Exeter, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Pages: 1 2
-
Beer Beach
Beer beach is a natural suntrap and the waters in the bay are very sheltered with the imposing limestone cliffs giving protection from the wind. Because it is a ‘working beach’ the picturesque paraphernalia of the fishing industry with its brightly coloured wooden boats, nets, winches and neon-coloured floats add to its charm with the […]... Read More
-
Norman Lockyer Observatory
Stargazers will love a visit to the Norman Lockyer Observatory. Founded in 1912 by Sir Norman Lockyer, the observatory was a centre for... Read More
-
Escot Park
For all lovers of nature and the great outdoors, Escot is a unique experience and offers a great family day out. Set in... Read More