Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s up and coming. A few years back everyone was moving to Ashburton, now house prices are going north, the next-door town of Buckfastleigh is better value for money, with much of the same charm and commuter links. The architecture and rambling medieval layout is utterly charming, yet you&#8217;re just as close to the A38 Devon Expressway. Plus, it&#8217;s a town that feels like a village with a creative community (thanks to nearby Dartington Hall) with the rugged wilds of Dartmoor and the River Dart on your doorstep. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THEDOE-BUCKFASTLEIGH.jpg" alt="The Doe Buckfastleigh " class="wp-image-77788" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THEDOE-BUCKFASTLEIGH.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THEDOE-BUCKFASTLEIGH-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THEDOE-BUCKFASTLEIGH-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THEDOE-BUCKFASTLEIGH-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The town does better for cafés and tea rooms than night-time eateries but oh, <a href="https://www.thedoe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Doe</a> (above)! Here&#8217;s a very stylish restaurant and wine bar for a Voyager coffee or light bite, while <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheSingingKettleBuckfastleigh/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Singing Kettle</a> is more traditional for a cream tea. Bouji boutique hotel and inn, <a href="https://furzeleigh.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Furzeleigh Mill</a> on the edge of town, has a good restaurant and al fresco cream teas served under the magnolia trees. <a href="https://fieldkitchen.riverford.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Riverford Field Kitchen</a>, Riverford Organic&#8217;s eatery offers veg-centric feasts at Wash Farm. You&#8217;re minutes away from Ashburton&#8217;s French bistro <a href="https://www.levinperdu.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Le Vin Perdu</a> (pop-up chef nights) and their sister eatery, the rustic Italian trattoria <a href="https://www.emiliaashburton.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emilia</a>, while vegetarians are well catered for at <a href="https://rafikis.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rafikis</a>. Once this population of 3,000 had 27 pubs, now it&#8217;s down to an abstemious three, including <a href="https://www.globeinnbuckfastleigh.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Globe</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kingsarmsbuckfastleigh/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Kings Arms</a>, where you can join the weekly open mic session.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THESTABLES-BUCKFASTLEIGH.jpg" alt="The Stable Buckfasleigh " class="wp-image-77790" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THESTABLES-BUCKFASTLEIGH.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THESTABLES-BUCKFASTLEIGH-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THESTABLES-BUCKFASTLEIGH-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/07/THESTABLES-BUCKFASTLEIGH-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Not a lot, but what they&#8217;ve got we <em>like</em>, top of the list being <a href="https://www.thedoe.co.uk/thestable" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Stable </a>(also run by Zoe and Fabio who own The Doe) for a curated mix of homeware, local-made gifts and boho clothing. For the food shop, there&#8217;s the weekly <a href="https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/events/events-list/dartmoor-events/buckfastleigh-farmers-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farmers market</a> every Thursday behind Tikka&#8217;s Tearoom, and <a href="https://www.buckfastleighseed.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Seed</a> for whole foods, groceries and <a href="https://www.hylstenbakery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hylsten Bakery</a> sourdough. Buckfastleigh&#8217;s Mardle Way business park, where Hylsten is based, is a great hub for shopping, with <a href="https://societyhouse.co.uk/pages/outlet-store-new" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society House</a> offering a huge warehouse of Nkuku-style homeware and furniture, an upholsterer and an exceptional French baker. It&#8217;s also home to <a href="https://www.voyagercoffee.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Voyager Coffee</a>, a small batch roaster and their new café, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebrewhubdevon/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Brew Hub</a>. <a href="https://strawberryfieldslifton.co.uk/pages/buckfastleigh-farm-shop" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Strawberry Fields</a> opened their new farm shop in 2023, with the South West&#8217;s largest electric car station, just off the A38.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>You have idyllic wild swimming and walks on your doorstep thanks to the River Dart and a specialist in Bowen Therapy at <a href="https://www.dartmoorbowen.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmoor Wellbeing</a> with two practitioners in reflexology, reiki and somatic breathe work. You can have your garden designed or enjoy a talk from Jacquie Felix-Mitchell of <a href="https://www.oasisgardendesign.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oasis Garden Design</a>. Several good yoga teachers are based here, including Kevin of <a href="https://www.wellswoodyoga.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellswood Yoga</a>, who runs a weekly all-ability class in the town. Buckfastleigh has its own <a href="https://www.buckfastleighmc.nhs.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medical centre</a> and there&#8217;s an <a href="https://www.buckfastleighpool.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open-air pool </a>for your morning swim. There&#8217;s also an adventure playground here, with climbing, skating, under 5s play and the pool tuck shop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a friendly community to move into with plenty to get involved with, including the local WI and Wool Hub for knitting and crafting classes. There&#8217;s also clubs for bowls, cricket and rugby. The town&#8217;s <a href="https://www.thebungalowyouthproject.co.uk/what-we-do" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bungalow Youth Project </a>runs an after-school space and weekly get-togethers for juniors and older kids. For mums and toddlers, there&#8217;s <a href="https://bebuckfastleigh.co.uk/little-lambs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Lambs</a> every Thursday morning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/south-devonrailway-heritage.jpg" alt="South Devon Railway " class="wp-image-79315" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/south-devonrailway-heritage.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/south-devonrailway-heritage-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/south-devonrailway-heritage-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/09/south-devonrailway-heritage-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Buckfastleigh has three remarkable attractions, the old steam rail line, <a href="https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Devon Railway</a>, which gently rumbles beside the River Dart to Totnes and back, offering dining and afternoon teas and a popular Christmas event. <a href="https://ottersandbutterflies.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Otters and Butterflies</a> is an otter sanctuary with a greenhouse full of tropical butterflies (and a resident iguana called Izzard), while <a href="https://www.buckfast.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckfast Abbey</a> is home to (the famous Buckfastleigh Tonic) and an active community of Benedictine Monks with regular choral music, services and a famous Christmas market. The last couple of years, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wintertide.sw/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wintertide</a>, another (very cool) Christmas Market has popped up, showcasing a brilliantly well-curated mix of local West Country makers. Take your credit card!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>The Abbey has a year-round itinerary of services, choral music and events, including a huge Christmas Market, food festival and summer fayre. The town also has its own small museum, <a href="https://valiantsoldier.org.uk">The Valiant Soldier</a> preserved as the 1960s pub just as it was when it closed. The new <a href="https://www.moorimagination.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moor Imagination Centre</a>, aka the MIC, runs shows, gigs and classes supporting culture and wellbeing with a plant-based organic café at its heart. In nearby Ashburton, the vibrant&nbsp;<a href="http://ashburtonarts.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arts Centre</a> has Saturday morning jamming sessions and regular music events, while the streets bristle with antique stores and an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ashburtonantiquestrail.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antiques Trail</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>According to Rightmove, properties went for an average £313k over the last year, with terraces going for £228k, and detached homes for £446k, with semi-detached houses reaching around £285k.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/buckfastleigh-inigo.jpeg" alt="5-bed property for sale in Buckfastleigh " class="wp-image-80612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/buckfastleigh-inigo.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/buckfastleigh-inigo-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/buckfastleigh-inigo-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/10/buckfastleigh-inigo-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Well hello, <a href="https://www.inigo.com/sales-list/new-park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5-bed Buckfastleigh beauty </a>&#8211; with your name on it? On with Inigo for £1.8m</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.nannybearschildcare.co.uk/our-locations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanny Bears</a> has one of six local nurseries at Duckspond Road, with a uniquely designed Hygge room, as well as a free-flow to a undercover outdoor space. Open 7.45am &#8211; 6pm, Mon – Fri.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.buckfastleigh.devon.sch.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckfastleigh Primary School</a>&nbsp;was rated Good in 2024 with two areas Outstanding. There&#8217;s a Catholic primary school, <a href="https://www.st-marysrc.devon.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary&#8217;s</a> in nearby Buckfast, also rated Good in 2021. The co-ed day and boarding&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stover.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stover School&nbsp;</a>is eight miles away, from which many younger children go onto the girls and boys grammar at Torquay. Progressive independent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sands-school.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sands School&nbsp;</a>is a non-hierachical democratic school based on the ethos of shared responsibility and with no Head. There is a bus route from Ashburton organised by parents from Newton Abbot to the academically strong independent,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exeterschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter School</a>, while Devon’s oldest private school&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blundells.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blundells</a>&nbsp;(43 miles away at Tiverton) runs a bus service from Heathfield near Newton Abbot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a tea plantation on the edge of town where they grow tea and run regular tours and tea ceremonies,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dartmoorestatetea.com/">Dartmoor Estate Tea</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE </h2>



<p>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 41mins to London Paddington by train via your nearest station at either Totnes or Newton Abbot (about 20 mins drive).</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 260 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Buckfastleigh

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