WHY?

Say hello to a mini-me Hampstead and the Gateway to the Dartmoor. The community in this ancient stannary town tends to be artistic and laid-back, with a mix of creatives, as well as surfers who’ve made it their base for the coast at Wembury. Gardens are on the small side in the town, so, if you’re green-fingered and if want to live the landed Devon dream, look to the villages in the surrounding countryside.

EAT

It’s bustling. Loads of excellent indie choice, including a brilliant deli, an artisan bakery, the veggie restaurant Rafikis, Muddy Awards 2021 finalist, the wine bar and restaurant Coljan and The Old Library which has a faithful following for its popular brunches and locally-sourced menu.

And don’t miss out on the Muddy-reviewed Riverford Field Kitchen at nearby Buckfastleigh for local-grown sharing menu – and a gorgeous bucolic setting.

SHOP

Indie heaven! For thoughtfully curated gifts, lovely bags, jewellery and wrapping paper, Muddy loves Tess Designs. For floaty linen pieces, bags and homeware, we love the Muddy Awards 2021 Women’s Store winner My Fabulous Things and Quirky Bird Retro for vintage pieces. And there are so many excellent antiques stores and interiors options (Odds and Suds and Clinton House Interiors), plus an Antiques Trail around the town so you don’t miss anything.

And once you have your dream home, should you be in need of an ace interior designer, get Ashton House Design on the blower – their contemporary country house styling is on point.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The River Dart Country Park is a great watery and zip-wire day out for kids, as is Buckfastleigh’s Otters & Butterflies – an unusual combo but it works! Muddy loves the shops and gardens at Dartington Hall (once a country estate but now HQ of a trust that focuses on the arts and sustainability) where they have shed-loads of interesting courses and workshops, as well as the brilliant Ways with Words literary festival and a Barn Cinema for a culture hit.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

£494k but more like £800k if you’re after a period townhouse close to the town centre. Good local estate agents include Howard Douglas and Sawdye Harris (their facebook is full of interesting local news and goss).

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

Ashburton Primary School is rated ‘Good’ and the co-ed day and boarding Stover School is eight miles away, from which many younger children go onto the girls and boys grammar at Torquay. There is a bus route organised by parents from Newton Abbot to Exeter School, while Devon’s oldest private school Blundells (43 miles away at Tiverton) runs a bus service from Heathfield near Newton Abbot.

BEST KEPT SECRET

The Last Leg and Taskmaster comedian, Josh Widdicombe, moved from London to Dartmoor when he was three years old having attended Ashburton’s South Dartmoor Community College.

COMMUTE

You’re right on the A38 Devon Expressway, and just over half an hour by car to either Exeter or Plymouth, and 16 miles to the M5 southbound. Or its 2hrs 41 minutes to London Paddington by train via your nearest station at either Totnes or Newton Abbot (about twenty minutes drive).

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