Hello to all our lovely readers and welcome back to our blog. We know you cannot visit right now, but we thought we would continue our ‘Discover’ series to get you excited about the places you can discover in the future. The other week we looked at the charming town of South Molton while this week we will discover Axminster. Axminster is famous for its carpets which were first made by Thomas Whitty in 1755. However, there is lots more to Axminster, so be sure to keep reading to discover more.
Things to do
If you want to learn about the history of Axminster, then you must visit the Axminster Heritage Centre. It showcases the history of the charming town from its famous carpets to the other craft-based skills in the town. You will be taken along the ages from the Bronze and Stone ages through to the busy agricultural market town it became.
For those of you who are planning a visit to East Devon from February 2021 onwards then it would be worth taking a look at Axe Valley Wildlife Park. It is a sweet, friendly zoo that is situated in the beautiful countryside of the Axe Valley. The small zoo is an excellent day out for the whole family with a great range of animals to see. During the summer months, they have lots of activities available from keeper talks, animal encounters, and you can even become a keeper for the day. For more information, click here to go their website.
Another fantastic experience that many would love to take part in is to walk with Alpacas and you can do just that at Little Orchard Alpacas. You can take part in the ‘meet the alpacas’ tour or can go walking with them on either their Orchard walk or their Woodland Walk. For more information about what they can offer click here.
For any ‘foodies’ amongst you, you will be delighted to learn about the Miller’s Farm Shop. It is a traditional farm shop that has been growing and selling local produce for over 40 years. There is a wide range of produce from fresh fruit and vegetables to locally sourced meat and fish. The owners Malcolm and Angela frequently travel to the French markets to source goodies including an amazing selection of wines. As well as picking up some goodies to cook at home you can also stop off at their ‘Teapot’ cafe where they serve delicious breakfasts and cakes.
Another one for the food and drink lovers, Dalwood Vineyard offer wine tours showcasing the wonderful vineyard that they have created. They will take you through the different grapes they grow, the wine they produce and of course a taste of their delicious wine. For more information click here.
Places to eat
On the topic of food, there are lots of lovely places to eat in Axminster, including the Axminster Inn. They describe themselves as ‘purely a pub’, but that means it is a traditional, charming pub filled with a warm atmosphere. They serve a fantastic range of ales and serve food on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
For those of you looking for a delicious meal then you must book a table at the famous River Cottage. They serve a fantastic range of food and drinks as well as run cooking courses for those who want to learn from the best. Click here to learn more.
One great restaurant is The Tucker Arms, it is a 13th century thatched inn and is located in a small village close to Axminster. There is a large open fire, a garden and parking. It offers lovely food and a great range of ales. For more information visit their website.
Another fantastic restaurant to eat at is The Ship Inn. It is a family-run restaurant offering locally sourced food located on the outskirts of Seaton. It also has a brilliant beer garden with stunning views over the River Axe. To view what they have on offer, click here.
Further Information
We hope you have enjoyed today’s blog; we have only touched on some of the things you can do and places to eat in Axminster with lots more you can discover if you decide to visit. If you would like to find somewhere to stay close by, be sure to take a look at the accommodation we have on offer in East Devon.