Nice large villages/small towns in Devon

[Progress2019]

I posted something like this recently, but no one replied.

We’re looking to relocate to Devon in the next year or so and are busy exploring.

We’d like 4 bedrooms, preferably detached, and a garden. Ideally within about 40 minutes of Exeter.

I really like larger villages or smaller towns, the kind that have a few shops, post office, pub etc. It doesn’t have to be coastal. Max budget £400,000 but preferably less.

So far we think central, south or east Devon would suit us most

I’d love ideas for where to explore next. Please help!

If you are looking at North Tawton you could look at Okehampton which is a small town with quite a few amenities. But you should be able to get something within budget. However, it has the same issue as Ashburton with rainfall as being close to Dartmoor. However, if scenery and walking is your thing it might suit. Also it doesn’t rain all the time.
Will your DC want to do things when they visit?

I live in Wellington which is in Somerset but on the Devon/Somerset border. We're about 30-35mins away from Exeter & next to M5. Also close to the North Devon Link Road & A30. You can get a 4-bed detached house around here & some of the surrounding villages for under £400k but they are mostly new or newish builds.
Wellington is a lovely town, mix of independent & normal high street shops, cafes, butchers, greengrocer plus Waitrose, Coop & Asda. It's got a lot of community stuff going on & a great WI (I used to be a member but stopped when I had DC as couldn't commit).
Other villages to try would be Hemyock, Willand, Culmstock, Holcombe Rogus, Sampford Peverell.

NHS dentist in Plymouth, as my Mum goes there from Tavistock.

Forgot to mention the Farmer's Market in Tavi as well. There is also a small cinema, a library, swimming pool, and a park to walk through. Several nice villages nearby,such as Lamerton, Mary Tavy, Brentor, Yelverton, Crapstone, Buckland Monachorum and Milton Combe. Fab pub at the latter as well.

I know it’s obvious but Think about public transport too as busses in rural areas can be limited if you don’t drive or can’t drive due to health issues. Your budget will buy a 4bed but it will come with compromises. House prices have crept up and up in recent years as WiFi has meant more folk from the SE can live further from their jobs and still work from home or commute weekly.

Topsham

So many brilliant ideas.

I had no idea nhs dental care might be a problem, as where we are, years ago there was a short supply, but now everywhere you go there are signs saying ‘vacancies for nhs patients’ or whatever it is. We’ll just stay with the ones we go to as we’ll still be visiting a lot, and they don’t send letters anymore.

I really really don’t want new build, but trawling rightmove yesterday I saw a beautiful thatched cottage that looked old but was built in 2001. I love tgatcged cottages, and know we probably won’t get one (not on our budget), but even if I could just see one I’d be happy. I love churches too although not religious.

Would the children want to do things with us? Youngest is into rock climbing, but mostly all they do is lie in bed and watch Netflix. Obviously we’re hoping that loses its novelty soon, and they realise there’s a big beautiful world outside.

Off to lose a few more hours on Rightmove. It worries me our budget isn’t big enough, but we’re hoping to be mortgage free, or at least a smaller one. I’d rather lose a bedroom than increase what we spend.

So are your DC at university now or have they already moved out?

Crediton has a very big church if you like them.

One has moved out, the other is looking for a job in London, and wants to rent a flat share when shes found something. Neither are exactly settled, so we’d like to have space for them if necessary.

I love churches just to look at. Not sure why. The perfect British village would have to have a pretty church, shop and pub. I can’t even remember the last time I went in a pub...