Great Torrington is perhaps best known now as the home of RHS Garden Rosemoor, but the Plough Arts Centre at the top of Fore Street is a very good reason to spend more time in the town. Housed in a Victorian former drill hall, this independent arts centre punches well above its rural weight, programming theatre, live music, comedy, film and visual art across the year in a programme that mixes local and community events with genuinely ambitious touring work.
The theatre and performance spaces are intimate in the best sense, shows here feel closer and more involving than in a larger venue, and the gallery has a rolling programme of contemporary exhibitions. The cinema screen operates year-round, showing a mix of mainstream and arthouse releases that makes it a proper cultural asset for the surrounding area.
The café is good, and the building has a warmth and energy that reflects the affection the community has for it. The Plough is a reminder that culture does not require a city.
The Plough makes a very natural companion to a day at RHS Rosemoor: the two are within five minutes of each other in Torrington, and combining a garden visit with an evening show at the Plough is a thoroughly satisfying way to spend a day. About 22 miles from Woolacombe.
The Plough’s commitment to rural arts access means that it programmes deliberately for its local audience as well as for you, and this gives it an authenticity and warmth that is not always present in more you-oriented arts venues. The building has been well-maintained and retains the character of its Victorian industrial origins while functioning as a fully contemporary performance and exhibition space. Check the programme online before your visit and book ahead for any evening performances, as popular shows sell out quickly in this relatively small venue.
