Board 6. Den Entrance
The reclaimed grassy area, known as the Den, has seen a great variety of activities over the years.
It has been used for the laying out of fishing nets, the production of salt, as a fashionable promenade walk, for a concert and entertainment venue and for various sports including horse racing. Fanny Burney, writing in 1773, described the pig races on the Den. The unfortunate animal had its tail docked and greased and was presented as a prize to the man who could catch it. She also describes the excellent cricket ground on the Den, one of the earliest records of cricket in Devon.
Among the famous entertainment artists appearing in Teignmouth were Edmund Kean, the Shakespearian actor, and Norman Wisdom in the film “Press For Time” made in the town. In 1967 the Beatles stayed in the Royal Hotel (now Royal Court) when they were filming “Magical Mystery Tour”.
The rock band ‘Muse’ returned to Teignmouth in 2009 to perform concerts on the Den.
All the band members had been students at school here and were enthusiastically received by thousands of fans.
For next board: Now walk towards the Ness Headland to the end of the Point car park.
Your next boards
Board 7. Point Car Park
The River Teign rises in the peaty bogs of Dartmoor and flows 61 miles to its estuary. Shifting sandbars, silting and strong currents have always presented a challenge to both local and visiting sailors.
Board 8. The Ship Inn
The inns along the River Beach are some of the earliest in Teignmouth. The ‘Ship Inn’ has a history dating back to the 1830s when it was originally known as ‘The Pilot’.
