Tempting Totnes is too good to miss

Totnes was recently named as a top UK destination for a winter break. CHRISSY HARRIS finds out what the South Devon town has to offer the unseasonal visitor

- CHRISSY HARRIS

Location-wise, Totnes is hard to beat: right on the river, a few miles from the beach and a stone’s throw from some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside. It’s easy to see why lots of people love coming to this pretty place when the sun’s out.

But it’s not all just fair-weather fun in this fair trade town.

In fact, the best time of year to enjoy Totnes is right now. It was recently named one of the top ten best small UK towns for winter breaks by the Guardian newspaper, which highlighted the area’s ‘glut’ of independent shops and cafes, listed buildings and great local food.

All of these things are still perfectly pleasant in the pouring rain or freezing cold.

In fact, browsing around a few boutiques, art galleries, delicatessens and bookstores, punctuated by frequent coffee and cake breaks, is an ideal way to have fun in February.

“It’s a great time of year to visit,” says local tour guide Kathryn Alexander. “It’s lively but not so jam-packed as it is in the summer and it’s great to wander around the shops and the market. You can just peruse the town.”

Here’s how you could spend a winter’s day in Totnes:

Arrive: Getting here is easy, what with all the great transport links. Totnes is on the Great Western Railway’s main line and the National Express’s Plymouth coach route. By road, the town’s not far from the A38.

Breakfast: Start as you mean to go on by eating on arrival. The Wild Fig Deli (53 Fore Street) will supply you with eggs done any which way or a bacon sarnie or else take your pick from vegan breakfast specials, including scrambled tofu, spinach, crushed avocado with spicy butter beans. Other good breakfast venue choices are Mangetout (84 Fore Street) and Woods Bistro (82 High Street).