Ottery St Mary, Parish town in East Devon, England
Ottery St Mary is a town in East Devon where the River Otter flows through, shaping the landscape. The centre features a Gothic parish church with medieval buildings surrounding it, set within agricultural countryside.
The settlement appeared in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Otri, later gaining the addition of St Mary to mark the connection to the church of St Mary in Rouen. The King's School was established in 1545 by Henry VIII, reflecting the place's earlier role as an education centre.
The town is strongly connected to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, founder of Romanticism, who was born here in 1772. His influence shapes the cultural life today and is celebrated annually through the Coleridge Memorial Festival.
The town is easily accessible by car with parking available in the centre, from where everything is walkable on foot. For longer walks, visitors can explore the riverside landscape around the Otter, though sturdy footwear is recommended.
Every year on 5 November, the Tar Barrels Festival takes place, where locals carry burning barrels through the streets. This lively tradition reaches back to the 17th century and draws onlookers from across the region.
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