Totnes Image Bank

Totnes Image Bank is a local archive housed in the heart of Totnes itself, crammed with photographs, documents, and visual records that chart the town's past. It's the sort of place that appeals to anyone genuinely interested in local history rather than casual tourists after a quick look-round. You'll find old prints of the castle, snapshots of the high street from decades past, and records of how Totnes has evolved.

The collection is maintained by volunteers who actually know what they're talking about, which makes a real difference. If you're the type who gets a kick from sitting with an old photograph and listening someone explain exactly where it was taken and who's in it, you'll find an hour or two well spent here. Families with young children might find it slow, but history students or anyone with genuine roots in Devon will get more from this than from most attractions.

It's free to visit, which is the right price for what's essentially a community project. Allow a couple of hours if you want to explore properly - longer if you start asking questions about specific periods. Given Totnes's position in South Devon, it works well as part of a longer visit to the area. If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks like Whitehill Country Park or Hoburne Devon Bay, you can easily slip into town for an afternoon without disrupting your holiday plans. The castle and the town's medieval streets are right there too, so you can build a proper half-day itinerary.