Lorna Ruby is everything you want from a shopping experience in Exeter – and I don’t say that lightly.  It’s perfectly – and prettily – situated off the busy main drag, on the way to Cathedral Green and next to Lloyds Kitchen (a great pitstop for refuelling).  And it’s a welcome antidote to the high street chains, with a truly independent look and feel.

Owner Lorna does a cracking job of carefully curating a selection of beautiful, wearable and affordable fashion from upcoming designers (lots of Scandi names on the rails, for starters); gorgeous jewellery, much of it from local makers; gifts and covetable pieces for the home.  Seriously, this is a girl with a great eye for what we all want in our homes and our wardrobes. Damn her – I’m nearly bankrupt!

Expect to discover new brands and find some favourites, like Veja, Selected Femme and Bellerose;  try colours and designs that you wouldn’t normally eyeball on a shopping trip; and to return again and again as this place becomes your go-to store when you want to treat yourself, or someone else.  And to top it off, they’re a right nice bunch (and the sales are a proper treat, too!).