Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT/WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4126-1000x750.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms Winkeigh " class="wp-image-71513" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4126-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4126-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4126-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4126.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Catkin Blooms is a two-time winner of Best Florist in the Muddy Awards in 2023 and 2024. Based in a former garage in the pretty thatched village of Winkleigh in Devon, it&#8217;s a florist-come-café with the old Gulf sign still outside. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="747" height="799" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkin-shot-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-71528" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s owned by florist Cath (second from right), who had a floristry shop in the village until three years ago, when the opportunity came to move into the premises. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4131-1000x750.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms Muddy Award winning florist " class="wp-image-71519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4131-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4131-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4131-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4131.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Now, Catkin Blooms is open from Weds-Saturday, selling grown-not-flown flowers, running workshops and events and serving up coffee, cakes and seasonal light bites.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4130-1000x750.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms Winkeigh " class="wp-image-71523" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4130-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4130-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4130-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4130.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Up-cycled vintage charm and workshop chic. It&#8217;s not much a leap of imagination to picture it as the old garage, thanks to the blue sliding door to the front and the mechanic&#8217;s inspection pit just visible beneath the rattan rugs under the floor. Natural light floods in from the original metal-framed windows accentuating the botanicals and feel-good vibe, and highlighting distant Dartmoor views. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4133-1000x750.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms Winkleigh " class="wp-image-71517" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4133-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4133-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4133-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4133.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>These days, it&#8217;s not Rovers you&#8217;ll find, but rubber plants and jugs of British-grown flowers. Instead of an old Caterham, there are foodie classics &#8211; chocolate cakes, and homemade apple sponges with local coffees from nearby Okehampton and chai latte for offer on the blackboards.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4148.jpg" alt="table at Catkin Blooms" class="wp-image-71515" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4148.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4148-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4148-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4148-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Friends are chatting on upcycled church pews, a pair of big leather green sofas, and a table made which Cath says was made from a chopped-down sequoia tree, and the old work table from her last florist shop. My table was an old military trunk find from salvage with the owner&#8217;s address still on it.</p>



<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/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-wreath.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms wreath" class="wp-image-71518" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-wreath.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-wreath-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-wreath-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-wreath-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Next to the cake counter is Cath&#8217;s floristry workshop, where she creates seasonal designs from British-grown blooms. We were heading into festive season on the day of our visit and the counter displayed two beautiful dried wreaths she was working on. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="703" height="817" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkin-3.jpeg" alt="Catkin Blooms " class="wp-image-71527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkin-3.jpeg 703w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkin-3-688x800.jpeg 688w" sizes="(max-width: 703px) 100vw, 703px" /></figure>



<p>And the pièce de resistance is a wall devoted to Cath&#8217;s marvellous Muddy win &#8211; something she richly deserves &#8211; including a celebratory display of stilettos. This summer she made a giant flower installation with shoes all sourced by Cath&#8217;s friends and customers from second hand stores. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/red-stilettos2-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-66373" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/red-stilettos2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/red-stilettos2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/red-stilettos2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/06/red-stilettos2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We heard about her ingenious plan and surprised her with a pair while dishing out the certificates at this year&#8217;s Muddy Awards too. Bravo Cath!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</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/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-cofffee.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms coffee and cake " class="wp-image-71520" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-cofffee.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-cofffee-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-cofffee-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-cofffee-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Here&#8217;s a friendly hub for morning coffee and cake, a lunchtime soup with bread from the local bakery, or quiche and salads in summer. There&#8217;s no room for a kitchen here, so Cath sources bread and cakes from from the local bakery and Exploding Bakery in Exeter, and the local farm shop makes the soups and quiches. The excellent coffee is from No.1 Coffee, an award-winning roasters on Dartmoor. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID-FRIENDLY?</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/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-kidscorner.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms kid-friendly corner " class="wp-image-71521" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-kidscorner.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-kidscorner-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-kidscorner-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/catkinblooms-kidscorner-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>By the old sofas is a colouring corner for kids. You can&#8217;t imagine anyone turning a hair of kids were tumbling around here &#8211; that fireman turns up in all sorts of unexpected places according to Cath.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessibility">ACCESSIBILITY?</h2>



<p>Good, on a level and with plenty of room for a wheelchair on either side of the pews.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Yes, in fact I just missed out on a cute loads of puppies who&#8217;d visited that morning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<p>Cath runs regular workshops on floristry and wreath-making. Keep an eye on her socials if you&#8217;d like to join her for a festive course in the run-up to Christmas. One corner is devoted to a little shop where Cath curates local crafts, such as handcrafted wooden spoons by artist Rosie Brewer, and she&#8217;s just launched a dog photography exhibition with local photographer Fiona Crawford.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</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/14/2024/11/IMG_4155.jpg" alt="Catkin Blooms Winkleigh " class="wp-image-71522" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4155.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4155-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4155-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/11/IMG_4155-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Very Devon and utterly charming. It&#8217;s a real home from home sorta place, and the location&#8217;s industrial past just adds to its interest and appeal. Bouquets all the way!</p>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: a relaxed chinwag with your mates over coffee; dropping in with the dogs post walks; a breather with the kids; shopping for locally curated art, crafts and Xmas decs; a cyclist&#8217;s stop-off.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: dinner, it&#8217;s strictly daytime; those without transport &#8211; it&#8217;s pretty remote.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: two coffees and two slices of cake £14.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://catkinblooms.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Catkin Blooms</a>, Bisset&#8217;s Garage, Exeter Road, Winkleigh EX19 8HW</em></strong>. <strong><em>Tel 01837 748039; Email enquiries@catkinblooms.co.uk</em></strong>. <strong><em>Open Tuesdays to Fridays 9.30-5pm Saturdays 9.30-1pm Closed Sunday/Monday</em></strong>.</p>


Devon’s cutest café and flower shop? We know…

You may also like