Totnes (tot'nus) is a small town in the county of Devon in England, regarded as a part of the South Hams area. It was founded during the reign of Alfred the Great. It was once a borough and an important market town; indications of its former significance are given by the remains of the once formidable Totnes Castle which dominates the town, and which was built by the Normans during the reign of William I of England

The River Dart runs below the centre of the town, dividing Totnes from its sister Bridgetown. It provides navigation to seagoing boats. Until 1995 the River Dart was used for the import and export of goods.

Totnes has a wealth of architectural interest on a human scale common in this part of Devon and is the southern end of the Dart Valley Railway. At the western edge of the town is the Dartington Hall Estate, which includes the Schumacher College and Dartington College of Arts. On the other side of town is the Sharpham estate which includes Sharpham College .

During the 1980s and 1990s the town attracted people with alternative beliefs and has the largest New Age community in a small British town outside Glastonbury.

Charles Babbage spent a large part of his early life in Totnes. There is an exhibit of early computers in Totnes Museum.

Explorer William John Wills of Burke and Wills expedition fame was born in Totnes

Internal links

• Totnes Community Mag

External link

• Totnes (DMOZ.org)