Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that the area had low levels of pollution, good access to green space and health services, along with few retail outlets.

In the Battle of Torrington (1646), the Parliamentarians, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax, swept into the town and defeated Lord Hopton's forces.

Today the town is recognised as an important heritage centre for the history of the 17th century, and its people can often be seen dressed in costume for historical re-enactments, festivals and celebrations.

[7] A few small sections of track remain, but most has been removed and replaced with a combined foot and cycle path as part of the Tarka Trail.

The manor of Great Torrington was granted by Queen Mary to James Basset (1526–1558),[8] MP, a younger son of Sir John Bassett (1462 – 31 Jan 1529) of Umberleigh.

1426), Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland and of Sir John Fortescue (ca.

[9] Denys Rolle (1614–1638) of nearby Stevenstone in the parish of St Giles in the Wood, acquired the lordship of the manor of Great Torrington from his descendant Sir William Fortescue.

An "area of waste called the Common" was donated to the town in 1194 by the feudal baron of Great Torrington.

The bill was subject of a local poll, as the document now at Devon Record Office evidences:[12] Poll of inhabitants on "A Bill for Vesting the Management of Great Torrington Common, Castle Hill Common and other lands in the Borough of Great Torrington in the County of Devon in a Body of Conservators and to settle questions between the Commoners of Great Torrington and the Owners of the Rolle Estate and for other purposes".The Rolle Estate was the largest landowner in Devon,[13] having been built up by the Rolle family of Stevenstone.

[17] Local radio is provided by The Voice, a station based in nearby Barnstaple that broadcasts across North Devon on FM and DAB.

Television signals are received from the nearby Huntshaw Cross TV transmitter situated north east of the town.

The Crier is the community newsletter and diary delivered free to most households in the town and surrounding area for ten months of the year.

Roscoff is served by the Brittany Ferries service from Plymouth and is a popular destination for school trips from the area.

Torrington has no direct train services; Umberleigh (8 miles away) is served by the Tarka Line from Exeter St David's.