Explore Crediton, a Devon town with unique shops, historic sites, and a strong community spirit.
A family hardware shop has lasted a long time. A butcher shop has a 140-year history, and The Ship Hotel has been there for two centuries. Its landlady recently improved it.
A top cafe is near the town square. It is run by a former Prime Minister’s caterer. He left London for a calmer life. A fashion boutique is on North Street. The owner used to design movie costumes and Virgin Airways’ red uniforms.
The Bookery is a great shop on High Street. It won awards in 2022 for independent and children’s bookselling.
Crediton often gets less attention than Tiverton. Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable is realistic. He knows Crediton is not a main destination, but he says it’s on the way to other places.
He adds that Crediton has lots to offer, including sports and arts activities, pubs, restaurants, and a food festival. The town has clubs, events, and a strong community. It packs a punch for its small size.
Crediton looks unchanged, having avoided big modern changes. It’s a lively town, especially on High Street, which has regular traffic. The Ship Hotel is a historic place on that street.
It was once a coaching inn and also served as a coroner’s court. Emma Phillips has run it for seven years, though she didn’t plan to come to Crediton.
Emma worked hard to fix up The Ship, which was almost falling apart. She reopened the restaurant during lockdown. She believes in the high street’s future and thinks local spending would help everyone.
Laura Jones is a costume designer. She opened The Makers Boutique, where workshops offer something distinct.
Laura says Crediton’s High Street is lovely and has many different shops to see. She worked in London with famous designers and on big movies. She teaches sewing now and is against fast fashion. Her boutique features handmade designs, and she supports local talent, too.
Eran Hovav runs Baobab Cafe. He says diners feel like they are home. He wants people to enjoy food and the vibe because community matters to him.
Eran talks to his customers and helps them. He knew one child before birth. He used to cook for famous people in London.
Crediton’s High Street has many shops where you can find wine, flowers, books, and baked goods. Many are family businesses, though some shops closed recently.
Jan Tucker works at Adams Home Hardware, a family business. She is worried about online retail’s impact, saying parking is expensive and banks closed. She has concerns about public drinking, noting that people shop online now and the town sometimes feels empty.
Gail Wills agrees shops struggle. She worked at Crediton Card Centre for decades. Supermarkets attract customers, and parking is a problem since the town is hilly. Parking meters would hurt business.
Louisa adds that Crediton needs more funding and older buildings need investment. It is a good place for families. They want to offer distinctive cards like the ones that left the market.