Explore Totnes shops, Devon beaches and the best coffee shops in the South West with the SMALL-FOLK Totnes Guide. In this guide: peaceful parks for taking a pause and places of adventure for children.
If you don’t fancy the drive to the beach, there are fantastic gardens and parks in and around Totnes that are perfect for keeping little ones entertained all through the year, and on days when it’s not raining they are where we like taking a bit of time out on lunch breaks.
On the site of an ancient orchard, Leechwell Garden is the closest park to the highstreet and many people don’t know that it’s there. A community garden that is nicely tucked away from the bustle of the nearby roads, more often than not you’ll be able to sit in peace and quiet. We recommend grabbing a coffee in town before walking up to Leechwell which is open from 8:30am until dusk for most of the year. Just remember that dogs aren’t allowed.
[Images from: Visit Totnes and Earth Wrights]
As mentioned in our coffee section of The SMALL-FOLK Totnes Guide, heading a short drive or walk outside of town opens up more options, including the New Lion play area situated next to the New Lion Brewery. Small but sweet, the spot is great for grown-ups to watch over little ones whilst enjoying a drink, or in the evenings a pizza and street food from stalls that are set up within the perimeter. 
[Images from: What Pub and Whissendine]
Further into Dartington Estate is the Dartington Hall play area, near the Green Table cafe. At the top of Dartington Lane, the play area was designed with the help of Park school children by Earth Wrights and includes two large climbing towers, traversing ropes, a slide, hangout tyre and a big tree as the centrepiece. If you want a longer walk, there is a lot to see in the surrounding areas of the gardens and deer park, as well as a collection of buildings by one the pioneers of modernism in American architecture, William Lescaze.
[Images from: Visit Totnes and Muddy Stilettos Devon]
We hope you enjoy reading our suggestions. Let us know if you stop by any of our recommendations, you can tag us at @small.folk or #smallfolktotnes.