Welcome back to Dark Tides, where we explore the shadowy history of smuggling along the North Devon coast. This Podcast was created by Devon History Tours and today we are going to delve deeper into the organized gangs that controlled this illicit trade, the authorities who fought to stop them, and the ingenious methods used to transport and conceal contraband. From hidden caves to secret tunnels, from brandy wine to French lace, this is the story of North Devon's shadow economy.

In our first episode, we introduced you to North Devon's rugged coastline and the economic conditions that made smuggling not just profitable, but for many, a necessary means of survival. Today, we'll explore how this illicit trade was organized, the networks that sustained it, and the cat-and-mouse game played between smugglers and the authorities.

If you enjoyed diving into North Devon's smuggling secrets, share this episode with fellow history lovers. Drop a comment and tell us what you thought.

For more hidden tales from Devon's past, follow Devon History Tours on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss our latest historical adventures.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the horizon and remember history's greatest adventures often happened in the shadows.

When darkness fell across the rugged cliffs of North Devon, a different kind of commerce came alive. For three centuries, this wild coastline became the backdrop for one of England's most lucrative and dangerous trades smuggling.

From the treacherous rocks of Hartland Point to the hidden coves of Ilfracombe, discover the untold stories of the men and women who defied the Crown's tax collectors and built underground empires. 

Journey through moonlit adventures where a single cargo could make or break fortunes, where revenue officers played deadly games of cat and mouse with local smugglers, and where the line between hero and villain blurred like morning mist. Uncover the secret tunnels still hidden beneath coastal villages, the coded signals that warned of approaching danger, and the epic chases that became local legend.

This isn't just the story of brandy and tobacco it's the tale of ordinary people who chose extraordinary risks, of communities that created their own laws, and of a coastline that harboured secrets as deep as its hidden caves. From the golden age of "free trading" to its decline, experience three centuries of adventure, betrayal, and survival.

Prepare to see North Devon's picturesque harbours and scenic footpaths in an entirely new light as the stage for England's greatest maritime rebellion.

If you enjoyed diving into North Devon's smuggling secrets, share this episode with fellow history lovers. Drop a comment and tell us what you thought.

For more hidden tales from Devon's past, follow Devon History Tours on Facebook and Instagram. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss our latest historical adventures.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the horizon and remember history's greatest adventures often happened in the shadows.