Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pop-goes-the-new-kitchen">POP goes the new kitchen!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="884" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/pop-kitchen.jpg" alt="santa at POP Kitchen Exeter" class="wp-image-61750" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/pop-kitchen.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/pop-kitchen-679x800.jpg 679w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/pop-kitchen-445x525.jpg 445w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>Muddy&#8217;s insta-nose has been stuck into the ups and downs of the build at @Webuiltarestaurant for months now, but at last the wait is over as *drumroll* <a href="https://www.popexeter.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">POP Kitchen</a> is finally open. Located in Exeter&#8217;s Princesshay, in the former Cove beauty salon, the new eatery, built from scratch by four local guys, is a cool daytime place for coffees, pizzas and small plates, with late nights on until 10pm from Thurs-Sat. If you want to give power to their hard-working elbows, here&#8217;s just the spot to escape the Xmas shopping when you&#8217;re in the city. Open every day except Sunday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-sculpture-wander-returns">Winter sculpture wander returns </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture.jpg" alt="RHS Garden Rosemoor Winter Sculpture Exhibition 2023" class="wp-image-61839" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/rosemoor-sculpture-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>RHS Rosemoor’s annual <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/whats-on/winter-sculpture-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Sculpture Exhibition</a> featuring 120 artworks by local and national artists returns to the Great Torrington gardens this winter. Ranging in scale from tiny cast mice to a life-size horse made from recycled metal tools, all of the pieces are unique. Plus, if you fancy splashing the cash, you could come away with one for your own garden. For an extra thrill, take a trip on 27-28 Jan 2024&nbsp;(11am – 3pm) for the Living Sculpture Weekend when the artworks will be brought to life by &#8211; you guessed it &#8211; living statues. Hopefully the kind dressed up as bushes who leap out at the unsuspecting while you snigger at a safe distance. Open daily, from 10am-5pm until 31 Jan 2024, and you can pick up a catalogue at the entrance so you won&#8217;t miss any. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-bean-to-coffee-bar">From bean to (coffee) bar</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/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography.jpg" alt="Owens Coffee Perfect Waves Café at Ivybridge " class="wp-image-61787" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Perfect-Waves-Cafe-Interior-bar-area-and-seating-credit-Paul-Slater-Photography-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Need a new spot for your morning cuppa Joe? Ethical Devon coffee roaster, Owens Coffee, who make the most delicious organic and Freetrade blends (do try Jabulani Rwanda) has opened <a href="https://owenscoffee.com/pages/visit-coffee-roastery-devon">Perfect Waves Café</a>. It&#8217;s a stylish expansion of their existing Roastery takeaway at Ivybridge, where their state of the art, production facility has been based since 2018. The new coffee spot is just off the A38 at Plymouth and it&#8217;s dog-friendly, so why not pop in when you&#8217;re buying your Christmas decs at nearby Endsleigh Garden Centre, any time Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4pm and Saturdays from 9am-4pm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mansion-has-its-cafe-back">The Mansion has its café back</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen1.jpg" alt="Tara and Matty, Owners of Canteen, Totnes " class="wp-image-61844" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen1.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>



<p>Totnesians rejoice! The wailing and gnashing of teeth that followed the closure of Edgy Veggie at the community-owned Mansion on Totnes&#8217; High Street has been replaced by whoops of joy at the opening of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551774426431">Canteen</a>. It&#8217;s run by the hugely talented Tara Vaughan-Hughes (formerly Estate Food Lead at the nearby Dartingon Estate) and Matty (formerly front of house manager at Dartington&#8217;s Green Table). The already popular breakfast/brunch is a go-to  for omnivores, vegans and veggies, serving up coffee and cakes, mezze, frittata, plus daily soups and specials, including comforting winter stews and salads. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1.jpg" alt="dish at Canteen Totnes " class="wp-image-61842" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/canteen-1-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>They make everything themselves, and I mean <em>everything</em>, from the amazing salsa on their steak sandwich to the mince in the mince pies. Open Tues-Sunday, 9am-4pm, and the Tuesday late night Christmas markets, when you can grab a hearty burrito and an After Eight &#8211; a hot chocolate spiked with mint liqueur which sounds dangerous but good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phoenix-from-the-flames">Phoenix from the flames</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="935" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance.jpg" alt="The Old Firestation " class="wp-image-61836" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-800x499.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-1000x623.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-768x479.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Topsham-Fire-Station-Entrance-842x525.jpg 842w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Hilton Barnfield </figcaption></figure>



<p>Don&#8217;t you love it when a gorgeous old building is saved from demolition by an entrepa&#8230;, entrepren&#8230; a local with get up and go? Yup, Dan Gould, a Topsham resident who hails from a family of fireighters has not only saved the town&#8217;s fire station but has teamed up with a hip local brewery to turn it into a tap room, brewery and hip local hub, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theoldfirestationtopsham/photos?locale=en_GB">The Old Firestation</a>. </p>



<p>Thanks to Exmouth&#8217;s <a href="https://www.crossedanchors.co.uk">Crossed Anchors</a> brewery (who own <a href="http://www.thegrapevineexmouth.com">The Grapevine</a>) it&#8217;s now a bar and eatery with a casual, open-plan layout where you can sip right next to the stills and a huge wooden beer cask with taps, serving their tasty local beers and Sandford Ciders. The menu is covered by a few different pop-ups, including Big Bear Burgers and Loluli&#8217;s Fire and Fish who cook up fresh fish over a hot grill. Lobster Mac n&#8217; cheese anyone? Open daily midday until 10pm, and sometimes till later when the beer&#8217;s a-flowing. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-buds-for-plymouth">New buds for Plymouth</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/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants.jpg" alt="Bud House Plants, Hyde Park, Plymouth " class="wp-image-61751" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/bud-houseplants-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><br>Need more lushness in your life? The Muddy Award-winning plant store, <a href="https://www.budhouseplants.co.uk">Bud House Plants</a>,&nbsp;has outgrown its space in Hyde Park, Plymouth and has put down roots next door in a bigger, brighter shop where you can find even more hip house plants, pots, botanical accessories and gift vouchers. Its green-fingered owner Julie is also on hand with helpful growing and displaying advice. Now open six days a week, Mon &#8211; Sat, 10am &#8211; 4pm. (And Julie, the plant I got from you is still alive nearly two years later!!)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signing-santa-for-powerham-castle">Signing Santa for Powerham Castle</h2>



<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/14/2023/12/powderham-lights-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Christmas illuminations at Powderham Castle " class="wp-image-61797" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/powderham-lights-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/powderham-lights-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/powderham-lights-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/powderham-lights-788x525.jpeg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/powderham-lights.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Powderham&#8217;s Christmas at the Castle is returning to the 14th century pile at Kenton, near Exeter, this Yuletide with a helpful new option for the deaf and hard of hearing. This year they&#8217;re working in association with the Deaf Academy to provide their very first <a href="https://powderham.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/53373?catID=50813">British Sign Language Grotto</a> which also has ramped entrance suitable for wheelchair users. You can book tickets alongside admission to the amazing illuminations, running until 31 December. £8 per child, including a gift.</p>


Superflashy December! Cool new openings in Devon

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