Newton Abbot
River Lemon | Stover CanalInformation and Access
Newton Abbot is a traditional market town in Devon holding Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The indoor market is open every day except Sundays.
Recent improvements to the town center include pedestrianisation, access for mobility scooters and a covered area in Market Walk.
The introduction of the railway in the 19th Century created business opportunities and the town still maintains a strategic position on the main railway line to Penzance in Cornwall, London, Bristol and the North. The railway station is on the eastern side of the town and offers access to Torbay. It is also offers access to nearby Teignmouth and Dawlish along one of England's best loved and scenic coastal railway lines.
Geographical location
Newton Abbot is located in Devon to the south east of Dartmoor where the River Teign and the River Lemon converge. The town nettles between Knowles Hill on the northern side and Wolborough Hill on the southern side.
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River Lemon
The River Lemon source is on Dartmoor due east of Haytor and it is almost 10 miles in length. The River Lemon is joined by the River Sig and the Langworthy Brook at Sigford as it flows south. Finally turning eastwards, it is joined by the Kestor Brook and runs through Bradley Woods on the west side of Newton Abbot. In the town, it can be seen as it flows past the new Asda building and onwards towards the center of the town. A 400 metre section has been completely covered by Highweek Way, the bus and market areas. However the river reappears at the junction between Sherborne Road and Courtenay Street at Union Bridge. The river continues due east alongside Victoria Gardens and Marsh Road. Then it passes under the bridge on The Avenue. At this point it aligns with The Templer Way trail flowing under the railway bridges where it merges with the larger River Teign passing the Town Quay and finally into the Teign Estuary.
The area near the Town Quay is suitable for kayaks and a good launching point for accessing parts of the River Teign and the estuary, but the River Lemon is not suitable for kayaking. The River Lemon in Newton Abbot is tidal and you can often see Grey Mullet and Trout. There is a good many Mallards, Little Egrets and Swans which use parts of the river, but mainly congregate around the Quay.
There is much useful information with images to be found in the Bridges and Walks pages.
Stover Canal
The canal was built at the end of the 18th Century by James Templer of Stover House. Today it forms part of the Templer Way Trail and work steadilly progresses to revitalise the old canal.
A wonderfully interesting website to visit is the Stover Canal website run by the Stover Canal Society. There are excellent images that display the history associated with the Stover Canal.