Beyond the Obvious: Mid Devon’s Lesser-Known Highlights

Mid Devon has its headline acts – the National Trust estates, the Grand Western Canal, the big family attractions – and they’re popular for good reason. But the district has plenty more going on beneath the surface: community arts centres and craft workshops, working farm cafés, WW2 heritage tucked away on the Blackdown Hills, pump tracks and play parks, and garden centres that have quietly become destinations in their own right. Here are some of the places that deserve more attention than they usually get.

History & Heritage

Dunkeswell Airfield Heritage Centre

Dunkeswell Airfield sits on the Blackdown Hills, still very much in active use, with light aircraft, microlights and parachutists coming and going throughout the day. The Heritage Centre on site tells the story of the airfield’s extraordinary WW2 history: it was a base for the US Navy’s Fleet Air Wing Seven, hunting U-boats in the Atlantic, and the connections reach all the way to Churchill, Roosevelt and Eisenhower. The collection includes over 400 photographs, WW2 uniforms, dioramas, models and film footage, including footage of B24 Liberator briefings filmed at Dunkeswell itself. Run entirely by unpaid volunteers, and free to enter (donations welcomed).

The Liberator Coffee Bar & Grill is next door, open seven days a week, with views across the airfield, a good spot to watch the planes coming and going while you have lunch.

Open Good Friday to end of October, Thursday–Saturday 11am–4pm, plus bank holidays. Airfield tours available by appointment.

Upottery Nissen Hut Heritage Centre, Smeatharpe

A few miles from Dunkeswell, the Upottery Nissen Hut Heritage Centre occupies a genuine preserved WW2 Nissen hut on the former RAF Upottery airfield, and the story it tells is remarkable. This is where Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (the “Band of Brothers”) were stationed before their D-Day jump into Normandy. The photographs on display tell their story. The recreated bunking area, home front room, RAF exhibits and personal stories combine to make this a really fascinating visit.

Free entry. Open Good Friday to end of October, Thursday–Sunday 11am–4pm plus bank holidays. Run by the same volunteer team as Dunkeswell, a day combining both sites makes a great heritage outing.

Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre

Bampton is one of those small Devon market towns that is worth a proper look rather than a drive-through, and the Heritage & Visitor Centre, housed inside St Michael and All Angels Church, is a good starting point. Local history displays, photographs, artefacts, short films about the Bampton Railway and the Charter Fair, oral histories recorded by local residents, and children’s activities including dressing up. It’s also a Tourist Information Point, with knowledgeable volunteers who can point you towards the best of the Exe Valley and Exmoor fringe. Free entry (donations welcome). Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–3pm, April to October.

Ashley Court, Tiverton

A beautifully preserved Regency country house tucked away just a mile south of Tiverton, Ashley Court is the kind of place you could easily drive past without ever knowing it was there. Built in 1805, it has remained largely unaltered since the early 1800s, former home to three of Tiverton’s mayors and possibly visited by Richard Cosway, painter to George III and IV. The house and its historic walled kitchen garden (currently being lovingly restored) open for NGS days, events and visits throughout the year, with a programme that spans visual arts, music, literature, dance, day retreats and community seasonal festivities. Seasonal catering from a plant-based kitchen using produce from the walled garden.

Check their website and social media for the current events programme and open days.

Creative & Craft

Heathcoat Fabrics Retail Shop, Tiverton

Most people drive past the Heathcoat Fabrics factory on the edge of Tiverton without a second thought, but tucked inside the former factory schoolhouse is one of the largest fabric shops in the West Country. Packed with soft furnishing, dressmaking and craft fabrics, haberdashery, yarn and more. Seasonal craft workshops run throughout the year; check their website and social media for the current programme.

Open Monday–Friday 9:30am–4:30pm, Saturday 9:30am–1pm. Closed bank holidays.

Crediton Arts Centre

Crediton’s Arts Centre has been a cultural anchor for the town for over thirty years, housed in a converted Victorian building on East Street. It runs a full programme of performances, films, art classes, drama workshops and community events, including Shakespeare in the Square, the Spring Awakenings music festival, Crediton Food Festival, and the Crediton Summer Arts Festival in collaboration with the Crediton Heart Project. Youth Theatre, visiting musicians and theatre companies perform regularly. If you’re spending time in Crediton and want to know what’s on, this is the place to check first.

Bar on site. Check their website for the current programme.

Paint Pots of Devon, Crediton

A paint-your-own pottery studio at The Creedy Centre on Crediton High Street, bookable slots, a wide range of pottery to paint from animal figurines to mugs and plates, and a café with food, drinks and a play area for younger visitors. Also specialises in baby handprint and footprint keepsakes. A relaxed, creative afternoon option that works for all ages, and a good rainy day backup if you’re exploring the Crediton and Creedy Valley area.

Bridge Troll, Tiverton

Tiverton’s independent board game café on Angel Hill is one of the town’s best-kept secrets. A huge and growing library of games for all ages and abilities, drinks and snacks, and a welcoming community atmosphere. The shop sells board games, collectible card games and tabletop miniature wargaming. They also run a Pokémon club for those who want to get into the game. Summer opening: Tuesday–Friday 10am–10pm; Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10am–4pm.

Garden Centres Worth a Proper Visit

Bow Garden & Aquatic Centre, Bow

Garden centres don’t usually make it onto tourism blogs, but Bow Garden & Aquatic Centre, nestled between Crediton and Okehampton, is genuinely worth the trip in its own right. There are fish to discover, tropical, marine and pond, including giant koi you can feed, free indoor and outdoor play areas for children, and a Waterside Café with homemade food and a decking area overlooking Dartmoor. The aquatics range is one of the largest in the South West, and the plant selection is extensive and well-kept. A family-owned independent that has built a loyal following. Dogs welcome throughout the shop and on the café decking. Open Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4:30pm.

The Old Well Garden Centre, Waterloo Cross

Just off Junction 27 of the M5 near Cullompton, The Old Well has been a family-run independent garden centre since 1982, starting life as a petrol station and evolving over four decades into a proper destination. The plant selection is excellent, the gift shop and homeware section is ideal for browsing, and the Food Hall is stocked with homemade cakes, scones, tray bakes, pies, local bread, free range eggs, jams, chutneys, craft beers, ciders, gin and other local artisan treats. The restaurant and tea room do good homemade lunches and cake stops. An easy and satisfying detour if you’re travelling through the Culm Valley. Dogs welcome outside and in the shop areas. Open Monday–Saturday 9am–5:30pm, Sunday 10am–4pm.

Food, Drink & Local Produce

West Middlewick Farm Shop & Hayloft Café, Nomansland

West Middlewick is a traditional family-run dairy farm that has recently expanded their offer. The farm shop stocks the farm’s own award-winning raw and pasteurised milk, farm-reared meats, seasonal fruit and veg, artisan cheeses and locally sourced goods. The new Hayloft Café above serves breakfasts, lunches, coffees and cakes, with a proper Devon cream tea (cream first) and stunning views across to Exmoor from the windows. Seating for 40–50 and available for group bookings too.

Bridwell Park Orangery Café, Uffculme

The Orangery Café at Bridwell Park is a beautiful Georgian estate just outside Uffculme, with a popular café serving coffee, lunch, cream teas, cakes and local produce in an elegant but relaxed setting. Wander the parkland, spot the free-roaming deer, geese and ducks, and enjoy the setting. Open six days a week, 10am–4pm, closed Tuesdays. Dogs welcome on leads throughout the parkland. Check the Bridwell website and social media before visiting as the estate also hosts private events and weddings.

Little Park Pantry, Sampford Peverell

The Little Park Pantry is a lovely little coffee shop at Sampford Peverell Play Park, serving coffee and fresh bakes in one of the prettiest village settings in Mid Devon. The Grand Western Canal runs alongside, making it a natural stop on a towpath walk or a reason to visit the village in its own right. Check their Facebook page for current opening hours.

Plan Your Visit

For more ideas across Mid Devon, from walking routes and accommodation to events and local food, browse the website.