Tiverton (& Crediton, Exeter...)

[Walnutshell]

Hi MNers, I'd really appreciate some help in researching Tiverton as a strong possible destination for my dh and ds and I to move to from E Mids. Went there to look at a couple of houses on Saturday and definitely liked the look of the place. Also considering exploring Exeter in a bit more detail plus Crediton and then if that's not hitting the spot, we'll start travelling down the A38!
But for now... areas around the river/centre of Tiverton - anyone got any experience of living there? It certainly looked nice to me.

we moved to Tiverton 3 days before xmas last year. We love it. Neither quaint, pretty nor chocolate-boxey; it's close to the M5, my parents travel down from Notts to see us and access is easy. You can be on the beach [south] in 35 mins, the rugged north coast in 50 mins and there's lots of quaintness around and about. It has a fab independent department store, M & S Foods are opening in the New Year, surrounding countryside is gorgeous. Plenty of friendly, welcoming people - i've made lots of friends and kids have settled well. It really isnt pretty and often takes a while to grow on people, but it has done on us.

I went to boarding school in Tiverton 11 years ago - it was a bit of a dump at the time and there was a lot of poverty, but it sounds like it has improved.

The surounding countryside is beautiful though, and there's a fab country pub nearby- what's it called, lambchop? The one next to the bridge? Trout Inn or something?

Trout Inn and then the Fisherman's Cot, just round the corner. The Cadeleigh Arms is in that neck of the woods too and word has it, there's a fab menu there, going in a couple of weeks on a works do. Wil let you know. Were you at Blundells then?

The Fisherman's Cot ... what a great pub and I have lovely memories of the place
(I Went to Exeter Uni)

My in laws live in Tiverton. I didn't like it much at first - but it has certainly improved hugely in recent years ! The shopping is a lot better now - a big new Tesco's opened recently and is the talk of the town ! For real shopping you have to go to Exeter or Taunton.

I ahve changed my mind so much now that we very nearly bought a huge Victorian house down there a few months back - 8 bedrooms for just under £360K !! Bargain ! DD would have gone to Blundell's School.

It is certainly convenient for the M5 - but as lambchop says it isn't pretty or picturesque.

yes, Blundell's. I really hated it to be honest, put me off independent schooling for life.

My best mate grew up in Cullompton and her dh is from Tiverton, they now live in Cullompton, and are very happy there. I visit quite a lot and love the area. She wrote a "locals guide" once for another MNer who wanted to move to that area, I'll see if I can find it for you...

Here it is

LOL - I did my teaching practice in Collumpton - St Andrew's Primary school IIRC ...
Least said about THAT the better ... but I am sure it is a lovely town

Thanks for all the comments folks! Sorry it's took so long to get back to y'all but really appreciate all the help we can get 200 miles north. Bit disappointed to find consensus of opinion that it's a bit plain looking as I thought it was quite nice, but then we did only touch on a little bit of it and plan to visit again Saturday 9th.

Hey lambchop, we live in Notts at the moment and have some family there, so that's reassuring. Def glad to be near-ish the beach, would love to be closer but East Devon a bit pricey for our new, erm 'streamlined' situation (ie loss of my salary if - WHEN - we move...). Do you mind me asking - are you near the centre? We looked around the river (near town hall?) and it seemed OK, quietish and convenient... Any good playgroups??!

Scatterbrain - CREASED at Tesco's being the talk of the town! We've currently got all major supermarkets within 15 minutes drive, oh the high life eh? 8 bedrooms AND a private school? What the hell, I'll have two of em! (Can you tell we are in different price brackets here?)

Bibiboo, thanks that was helpful. Not so sure about Cullompton as a bit small and realising that I need to ease into SW living a bit more gently coming from a big City as we are. Tiverton looked like a good compromise - or is it just cheap housing wise? Well, I don't mind admitting that's a factor right now...