A view on history
Devon Life|April 2020
A 17th century holiday destination combining old world charm with stylish contemporary comfort offers a unique glimpse of the sea-going history and traditions of the South Devon coast.
PHILIP DALLING
A view on history

Holidaymakers fortunate enough to enjoy the delights of one of South Devon’s most characterful holiday homes enjoy a panoramic view of a stretch of water which has witnessed some of the greatest events in English history.

The four-storey Dragons Nest, which has accommodation for up to eight people, has gazed down on the ancient port of Brixham and Torbay since the 17th century, witnessing in 1688 the start of the Glorious Revolution, when William of Orange’s Dutch fleet anchored in the bay and he stepped on to the quayside to claim the throne of England.

The Dragons Nest again saw scenes of wild excitement when HMS Bellerophon anchored at Brixham with a special passenger – Napoleon Bonaparte, who had surrendered to the Royal Navy after defeat at Waterloo.

Memories of an earlier epoch in Devon’s maritime history are kept alive by the full-size replica of The Golden Hind, the vessel in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe in 1588. Also on display in the harbour is The Vigilance, the oldest surviving Brixham trawler from the days of sail.

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Devon Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2020 edition of Devon Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM DEVON LIFEView All
Legends Of Lockdown
Devon Life

Legends Of Lockdown

A new online exhibition features an array of Devon’s lockdown legends exploring their lives and communities during the pandemic restrictions

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Look Out For Intelligent Slime!
Devon Life

Look Out For Intelligent Slime!

Think you know your waxcaps from your dog vomit slime mould? Exmoor’s conservation team needs our help to record the pretty and the not-so-pretty wildlife living in this unique national park. finds out more

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Retirement redefined
Devon Life

Retirement redefined

Millbrook Village’s Leah Jackson talks to AMELIA THURSTON about how wellbeing and quality of life are at the heart of the later living community

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Look to the future
Devon Life

Look to the future

SU CARROLL talks to Sir Antony Gormley about his contribution to Devon’s artistic life

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Natural beauty
Devon Life

Natural beauty

Working with nature and the cycle of seasons, a new flower farm is blossoming in a fold of the beautiful River Teign valley

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
THE DIARY
Devon Life

THE DIARY

SU CARROLL recommends the best events across the county this month

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2020
My kinda city...
Devon Life

My kinda city...

With the perfect balance of country and city life, Exeter still shines as the jewel of the West. STEPHANIE DARKES shares her insider insights into the city that stole her heart

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
Letting themselves in for hard work...
Devon Life

Letting themselves in for hard work...

Renovating your entire house is tough. Renovating someone else’s seven-bedroom Grade-II listed Georgian farmhouse and turning it into a high-end holiday let is even trickier. CHRISSY HARRIS went to Kingston see how it’s done

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Lessons from history
Devon Life

Lessons from history

History author Ian Mortimer has taken readers on travels through time from the Middle Ages to the Industrial Revolution. STU LAMBERT asks him how our country and our county changed in Regency times

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
A Reform character
Devon Life

A Reform character

The owner of North Devon’s longest standing brewery is about to take on a new challenge, as CATHERINE COURTENAY discovers

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020