Travelling through our glorious Devon countryside, it is not unusual to come across a characterful and inviting village shop. Often run by volunteers, they offer a lifeline and focal point for local people, well stocked with everyday basics, fresh produce and often unusual gifts. Some feature as the local Post Office and paper shop, while others serve delicious goodies and drinks, making them a great stopping off point for walkers and cyclists.
Here is our round up of the wonderful village shops within easy reach of Crediton. All of them are worth visiting but do check opening times on their Facebook pages.
Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop
The shop is an integral part of community life in this thriving and friendly village. It supports many local food producers and sells everything from everyday essentials to luxury chocolate. Newspapers, stamps, cards and stationery are available as well as a range of gluten /dairy free products. This is a Community Benefit Society, with not-for-profit status. It does a great job of serving its community and everyone who passes by.
Church Street Stores and Café
The Morchard Bishop is a veritable emporium of goodies. This is a village shop, takeaway and gift shop. If you are looking for an idea it also sells gift vouchers and flowers from Ford Moor Cottage; no air miles, no plastic! This is a good stop for cake and comfort food on a rainy day. They sell fresh sausages from Jubilee Park Farm and Chinn's Sausages and Devon beef from Cox Butchers of Crediton.
Copplestone Farm Shop
This shop focuses on championing local suppliers and producers. Shopping there you can be sure of supporting the local economy. It offers a varied range of fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetables, meats, cheeses, bread, cakes, honey, jams and much more.
Situated on the A377 it is a convenient stopping off point, where you can pick up a takeaway coffee and pasty, as well as some groceries.
Kennerleigh Community Stores
The news from Kennerleigh is that they have had a planning application accepted for a rebuild of the shop to provide space for a café area and other services, like dry cleaning. Sonnie, the shop manager, says that she has a hardworking band of volunteers who do a great job covering the shop opening times. There are lots of loyal customers who support the shop.
Sandford Community Stores
Sandford Community Stores is a busy shop at the centre of the local community. It is a not for profit organisation which supports local charities and is run by a committee of local people. So, buying its lovely products also supports our rural communities. They sell vegetables, dairy products, bread, groceries and newspapers. There is an Off Licence and Post Office. They serve freshly ground Exe Valley coffee and Crediton based Peck and Strong cakes and shortbread. Taw River ice creams are also available. Sandford is also an interesting village to explore.
Thornes Farm Shop and Café
Thornes Farm Shop and Café is part of a popular growing and Pick your Own business, providing quality fruit and vegetables with minimal food miles. There is up to date information about what is in season and ready for picking on their Facebook page. Their café and farm shop are very popular, selling their home grown produce, local meats, cheeses, beverages and breads, also a wide range of interesting products and gifts, including bird feeders and bug boxes.
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