Brimming with unbiased retailers and historic curiosity, this charming market city is effectively value a go to – and there is hardly any chain shops.
Nestled in stunning countryside, this little city is enjoyable to discover (Picture: Katie Oborn )
Devon is filled with stunning cities, and though I grew up within the county and have lived right here for many of my life, there are nonetheless a number of I’ve not but been to. Final weekend I set out on a first-time go to to at least one Devon city that was actually distinctive – with unbiased retailers, stunning inexperienced areas together with a very fascinating character.
Sitting almost in the midst of the county and proper on the sting of northern Dartmoor is the market city of Okehampton. I travelled there by rail from Plymouth, passing by the town of Exeter earlier than altering and hopping on to a two-carriage prepare which takes you alongside The Dartmoor Line. It is a fairly journey, passing fields of sheep, river scenes and an abundance of oak timber. As I approached Okehampton, the very first thing I noticed was a stark-looking assortment of latest homes in town’s edge.
Journalist Katie Oborn visits Okehampton (Picture: Katie Oborn)
The city, named after timber, takes its title from the outdated English for oak – and the that means for “hampton” is settlement. The Go to Okehampton web site explains that the city’s “prominence started within the Saxon period”.
Their web site added: “The title “Okehampton” is derived from Outdated English, with “Ock” that means oak and “hamtun” referring to a farm or settlement, indicating that it was probably a settlement close to oak timber.”
After alighting from the nice 40-minute prepare experience, it positively felt a lot chillier being proper beside the moor. I’s a brief stroll into the city by a park space, or down the hill, Station Street.
The city centre is charming with high quality cloth retailers, different quirky unbiased choices together with a Victorian procuring arcade together with native cafes and bakeries.
The Go to Okehampton web site describes the arcade: “The Victorian Arcade in Okehampton is a very fascinating place.
“For a small rural market city, being residence to an unique Victorian Arcade is mostly a mark of pleasure and the folks of Okehampton are justifiably happy with this historic gem.”
Okehampton’s Victorian arcade was accomplished in 1896 (Picture: Katie Oborn)
Okehampton is quirky and steeped in historical past, it even has a powerful fort web site simply out of the city, however you can not go in until you ebook a guided tour, nonetheless, you possibly can see a lot of the medieval stays by peering over the fence.
A fairly outdated church looms within the centre of Okehampton and there’s a number of historic pubs and inns alongside the primary stretch of Fore Road. I finished within the The Pig Pen Cafe for a espresso and a chunk of cake.
Then, I found an exquisite natural fruit and veg store in Pink Lion yard which is one other a part of the city simply off Fore Road speckled with outdated buildings – and a number of other nice retailers.
There was an antiques store, a number of unbiased clothes retailers promoting good clothes – and one other store that caught my eye was the Devon-made items within the Enchanted Home Beds store.
I spoke with a stunning native girl within the New ‘2’ You store subsequent to The Cubby Gap antiques simply outdoors one finish of The Okehampton Victorian Arcade, she advised me present roadworks are inflicting points on the town.
There are a number of fascinating outdated buildings within the city, but additionally plenty of present roadworks (Picture: Katie Oborn)
There are a number of highway diversions at the moment in place as Wales & West perform an “important gasoline improve mission”, however folks residing in Okehampton are discovering their automotive journeys hindered by the roadworks – and the gasoline improve is ready to take a while to finish.
Wales & West Utilities report on their web site that the improve is “progressing effectively” and the “£305,000 mission” is to improve gasoline pipes within the Exeter Street space of Okehampton.
They stated that the works “are important to maintain the gasoline flowing safely to warmth and energy native properties and companies, retaining folks heat for generations”.
The day’s greatest headlines in UK and World information Subscribe Invalid e-mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embody adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Nationally gasoline pipe upgrades are occurring everywhere in the nation at totally different instances, however for a small city like Okehampton, this will trigger points as locals battle to get out and guests battle to get into the city.
The native girl I spoke to additionally advised me that “so most of the fields have now been constructed on” which has “modified the city”, nonetheless, I’m actually not stunned that extra folks need to transfer to charming spot with a correct Devonian vibe.
Leave a Reply