I visited a traditional UK village with ‘thriving’ independent shops | UK | Travel

While I appreciate living in a city, I equally relish escaping the commotion periodically to find somewhere where I’m enveloped by forest and can listen to birdsong. I recently visited a location providing respite from urban life – and it’s an ideal « traditional » destination with several flourishing independent retailers alongside excellent rambles and landscape.

Residing in Plymouth means I’m spoilt for options regarding fleeing the concrete and cobblestones of urban areas. Readily accessible are the South West Coast Path, stunning beaches and inlets, and numerous other small towns and hamlets to discover. I recently visited a hamlet on Plymouth’s periphery, and it’s a treasure of a destination. Yelverton, particularly the Yelverton Roundabout area, is straightforward to reach (I travelled there by bus) and boasts a thriving collection of retailers, as well as magnificent countryside in every direction.

This cherished hamlet sits on the city’s outskirts. I appreciated the journey, travelling through Plymouth, then, abruptly, the urban landscape was abandoned, substituted by Roborough Down.

Following passage through the moorland, golden with gorse and scattered with Dartmoor ponies, you encounter the Yelverton Roundabout – and this spot even possesses its own Facebook page with over 7,000 followers.

Now, following several hours spent there, I can understand why it’s so beloved. Yelverton hamlet has preserved its village character despite housing estates emerging around it throughout the decades.

The locals were welcoming, and the independent shops and businesses are one-of-a-kind, boasting a proper butcher’s, a deli, a café, a gift shop, and considerably more. Even the Post Office shop is brimming with practical and fascinating items.

There’s even a classic old red telephone box still standing at Yelverton Roundabout, directly opposite the picture-postcard church on the green.

My first port of call was the Dartmoor Bakery, a short stroll from the roundabout over at Leg O Mutton Corner on Roborough Down. I sampled a savoury swirl with honey-garlic roasted tomatoes and brie, and it was absolutely delightful.

I enjoyed my bake while seated on a bench that was « erected in 1968 » by the Yelverton District Residents Association, in « memory of Winston Churchill ».

Afterwards, I strolled over to the shops and green area beside the roundabout, where I chatted with three residents, Belinda Gardiner and husband-and-wife duo Ian and Liz Marshall.

Ian informed me there’s a « thriving set of shops » surrounding the Yelverton Roundabout, and although they’ve « changed over the years », they are all « really well used ».

The three residents reflected that, generally, since the 1980s, the area has changed « very little », although there are « more cars » and a « few more surrounding houses ».

« We’ve also lost two pubs », Ian explained, « the Leg O Mutton pub and the Devon Tors hotel are gone, but we still have The Rock Inn, which is great and well used ». The three residents described it as a marvellous location to reside in, with abundant wildlife, including owls and bats, excellent walking and cycling paths, alongside « a reliable bus route » that transports passengers to Plymouth or Tavistock every 20 minutes.

I subsequently visited Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery and Meatbox, a substantial independent establishment with extensive local meats available. A staff member was preparing some exceptionally appetising-looking pasties behind the counter, and I particularly appreciated that there was a vegetable stand within the premises.

I chatted with the proprietor, Richard Hearn, aged 40, who has worked as a butcher for over 20 years. He’s also a passionate local and « sixth-generation » farmer’s son.

Richard informed me: « I love it, the customers, the trade, I wouldn’t do anything else, it’s what I know. We push the local side of things, purchasing a lot of the meat from a farm in Meavy.

« I first worked here aged 22, then eventually started it up as my own business, the customers are fab, friendly and smiley – and it’s a slower pace of life here than Plymouth. »

Similarly, flourishing enterprises surround Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery, including the highly-rated gift boutique, Cards and Moor, characterised as a « beautiful shop full of treasures » by patrons.

I dropped in to browse, and it’s undoubtedly brimming with delightful gifts, cards and some charming-looking Easter confections.

I’ll certainly bear these Yelverton establishments in mind when I need to buy a birthday present or another gift.

Residents informed me that this charming cluster of flourishing shops is « getting busier », and every person I encountered was courteous and welcoming, with the area positively buzzing.

Another outstanding establishment, The Larder Yelverton, is equally unmissable should you venture up this way, offering distinctive cheeses, pottery crafted in Cornwall, and much more. I simply cannot wait to return.

Henry Smith, aged 46, is one of the proprietors of The Larder Yelverton, the delicatessen which opened in September 2020. Ever since, the remarkable store has proved popular, with the cheese selection proving particularly well-received amongst locals and visitors alike.

Henry told me: « It’s a nice area to live and work in, it’s the people, and it’s so great to see the community supporting all the shops here.

« We have a lot of regulars along with walkers, cyclists, visitors and people on holiday – we even had a celebrity visit the shop yesterday.

« The only slight issue is parking and traffic flow in the area at times, but it’s great that it’s free to park for up to 2 hours at the Yelverton Roundabout. »

Debra Dewinne was enjoying lunch at another flourishing establishment in the same location, Scarlet’s Kitchen. Debra, who relocated to the area several years ago, praised the local bus service, while also acknowledging that traffic congestion can occasionally pose a challenge in Yelverton.

« The car park is always full », she said, « but it’s a sign that the shops are well supported here ».

The Ochre Hair Lounge is also situated nearby, alongside The Rock Inn and various independent enterprises at The Rock Complex, Dousland Rd, just a brief stroll from the other outlets.

It is undeniably a flourishing locale, despite comprising a modest cluster of shops and businesses; one can find almost everything required at Yelverton Roundabout, it would seem.

While in Yelverton, I also met with parish councillor and local resident Alastair Cunningham, an Independent Councillor on West Devon Borough Council representing the Buckland Monachorum Ward.

Addressing matters of parking, planning notices and traffic concerns, he said: « Our parish council meetings are open to anyone local, if people have any issues or problems they’d like to discuss, they can come along. »

Notices of these gatherings are displayed on the noticeboard beside the red telephone box, Cllr Alastair noted.

Cllr Alastair commented: « It’s a good area to live in, there’s a lot of community, and the village halls and businesses are thriving here. The people and the shops are great; people tend to pick up their litter here, but we also have volunteer litter pickers.

« The butchers transformed the area, and we’re really lucky to have the community we’ve got in Yelverton. It’s a unique and traditional area. »