Where to live in Devon... again (sorry!!)

[mappleyard]

Hi
Been reading the previous threads about the best places to live in Devon, but as this is Mumsnet, the requirements of most are a bit different to my partner and myself.

We have grown up children and whilst not retired, we really want to get out to the countryside and live a much quieter life. Ideally we are looking a an old "dream home" property in the countryside, that's not too far (15/20 mins) from a town for the weekly shop and probably 30-mins from a main-line train station.

We are very active cyclists, don't have a craving to be near a beach or a sea-side town, but do want to be able to go out to great pubs and restaurants, go walking, the theatre/cinema occasionally , and definitely want an area where "outsiders" are accepted and we can build a social life - we like entertaining and meeting friends

Any help will be very much appreciated - thanks in advance !!
Mike & Gilly

I would recommend the south coast/East Devon, around Seaton/Sidmouth/Beer as the coast is beautiful, countryside is lovely and you are about a 40 minute drive from both Taunton and Exeter for stations but Sidmouth itself has lovely shops and cafes, as does Lyme Regis along the coast into Dorset. I am not as familiar with the inland area but I know Honiton is a nice market down and again, not far from Taunton and Exeter.

It's not quite in your search area but Bridport in Dorset and the surrounding villages meet all your requirements and is only 20 mins from Devon. I find it has slightly more going on (at least 3 theatre spaces, great pubs, independent restaurants, great walking etc) and not far from Axminster or Dorchester for train stations (different lines so great if engineering works going to London) and a great place to meet people

Tavistock in West Devon might suit - close to Dartmoor, granite trail for cycling, has some decent restaurants and friendly. Probably 30 minutes by car from Plymouth station except at rush hour. Big enough not to be insular.

Atherington or High Bickington.

Second Tavistock, although you get more for your money house wise if you venture over the Tamar and look at the Tamar valley.

Tavistock isn't just close to Dartmoor, some of the houses there are within the boundaries of the National Park, or back right on to it.

Shopping there is excellent - three butchers (Howells being the best), a greengrocers, the best cheese shop, and a lovely deli called Root and Vine, which dh groans at as I disappear in before returning to Belgium. There is an independent book shop, a great shop for all your needle craft requirements, and a couple fo good independent clothes shops. Same for footwear.

There are markets every day bar Monday and Sunday, food festivals, Goose Fayre.

Great places to eat from Dukes for the best bacon sarnies and tuna melts, to The Kitchen for the best croque monsieur ever (and I live in croque central in Belgium), and fantastic eggs Benedict. The Ganges was a great Indian but has recently been taken over.

There is a library, swimming pool, and an arts place called the Wharf that houses a small cinema.

There are lots of country pubs about; Theatre Royal in Plymouth and larger cinemas.

If I had another couple of hundred k lying in my account, I would move back to Tavi like a shot. I am there frequently as my Mum lives there. I had lived in and around Tavi since 1986 til 2006 when dh was posted abroad again, and I went with him. We move back to the Tamar Valley this year, and I am so looking forward to being able to go and potch around the market with Mum on a Saturday.

Sounds like you have a 30 min drive requirement to Exeter or Taunton for theatre (probably Plymouth too but then I don't know Plymouth).

In a town? Or a village and drive / cycle to go out?

If you like cycling then Devon is very hilly. Short sharp ones at that! Maybe look at the Blackdowns near Taunton and Wellington so you can ride the Somerset levels for a change from hills! I like Ilminster and Crewkerne round there.

The Wellington wheelers used to be a lovely cycling club 25 years ago, I hope it still is!