In and Around South Molton

South Molton is an ancient market town; cattle and sheep bred on the hillsides of Exmoor have been brought here to market for centuries. It gets its name from the river Mole that has supplied the needed power for woollen and corn mills over the years. The South Molton Town Hall that houses the museum on the ground floor dates back to 1743. It is located in the main square next to the market. The town has some interesting shops, mostly small and family run.

One place that is a ‘must visit’ is The Corn Dolly, also in East Street. This relaxed and friendly tea shop calls itself a ‘Real Tea Shop’, and has been granted an award of excellence by the national Tea Guild for the quality of its products and service for each of the last five years. The tearoom, which is a popular meeting place for locals and a magnet for Devon’s visitors, provides a delicious range of meals and snacks throughout the day. The best local produce is used, including free-range eggs, hand carved ham, bread from a small village bakery, and of course, delicious cakes and scones made on the premises. The Corn Dolly is open seven days a week throughout the year.

On the same premises you will find a selection of gifts for sale including quality greeting cards, paintings by local artists, and, of course, corn dollies.

Mark Young’s bookstore R. M. Young in Broad Street, opened in 1998, stocks a wide selection of local books and maps. Local authors are actively supported and you will feel most welcome in this truly independent bookshop. Whilst most of the stock is new you will be able to find some interesting older books, especially on countryside matters. Bargain books, DVDs and range of cards can all be found here, along with a full ordering service.

The town’s Guildhall building is impressive enough from the outside, but the inside will really surprise you. The Mayor’s parlour in particular is one of the most impressive of its kind and the town museum, also housed in the Guildhall, has a collection of items spanning three centuries.

The displays offer a most coherent story line of the life and times of the town and the surrounding district, with items and photographs depicting domestic activities, trades, industry and farming, all fascinating glimpses of the past. You will discover a massive wooden eighteenth century cider press with contemporary implements, two fire engines, one a Newsham’s model bought in 1736 for £46 and the second which is a horse drawn appliance bearing the date 1886.

Just a few miles South of South Molton, in the middle of the beautiful conservation village of Kings Nympton is The Grove Inn. A classic Grade II listed thatched pub that serves great beers (CAMRA Listed), ciders and quality wines that include some of the very best Devon has to offer. Since 2003, Robert & Deborah Smallbone have worked in partnership with local farmers/producers to provide a menu of locally sourced food that gives its customers - a real taste of Devon.

The Grove was recently awarded Silver in the prestigious ‘Taste of the West’ awards and named ‘North Devon’s Best Pub’ in the ‘North Devon Food & Drink’ awards for both 2005/06 & 2006/07 - a pub not to be missed from any visitors itinerary.