Things to do in
Ashburton.

Independent shops in Ashburton, Devon

Give yourself time for East Street, North Street and West Street. The pleasure of shopping in Ashburton is the mix: a handmade bowl, a bright print, a well-chosen bottle or a present wrapped before you leave. Pick a few stops from the features above and let the windows tempt you into the others.

Gift shops, clothing and things made by hand

For a gift shop in Ashburton with plenty to browse, start at tessdesigns on East Street. Its lilac frontage leads to cards, home accessories, bags, toys and clothing. Nearby, Craftmongers brings together ceramics, prints, books and useful objects by independent makers. It is a lovely stop for a craft-led present or something for your own shelves.

Over on West Street, Field System combines a shop, gallery and print workshop. Look for hand-printed clothing, art and home accessories, and check the current exhibition before you visit. Together, these shops make an easy little browse for gifts, books, clothing and contemporary craft.

A wine shop in Ashburton

Jaded Palates on North Street is an independent wine merchant for a bottle to share, a dinner-party gift or something new to try. Tell the team what you enjoy and what you’re planning to eat. If you’re making an evening of it, Emilia on East Street pairs a small Italian dining room with a wine cellar, where bottles are available to drink in or take away.

The soap shop on North Street

If you’re looking for a soap shop in Ashburton, head to Odds & Suds. Handmade soaps sit alongside gifts, interiors and furniture, so a small purchase can become a much longer look around. The soaps are made on the Devon–Cornwall border; the Ashburton shop is the place to browse them in person.

Antique shops & the Ashburton Antiques Trail

Ashburton’s antique shops are a good reason to leave some room in your day. In A Nutshell Antiques & Interiors on North Street is one place to begin, with antique furniture, mirrors, lighting and decorative pieces. Stock changes, which is part of the pleasure of coming back.

The Ashburton Antiques Trail has its own interactive and printable map, with participating dealers across town. Use it to plan your own antiques browse, then check individual shops’ opening days before travelling. It’s an especially useful starting point if you’re looking for antique furniture, vintage finds or interiors with a bit of history.

Cafés, restaurants & pubs in Ashburton

Build a pause into your shopping route. Rafikis brings vegetarian brunch, homemade cake and colourful surroundings to St Lawrence Lane. The Old Library on North Street is another café and restaurant option for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Despite its name, it’s a place to eat, rather than a public library or bookshop.

For pubs in Ashburton, our pick is the Old Exeter Inn on West Street: a pie house with characterful rooms and a walled garden tucked behind it. Book Emilia if an intimate Italian supper sounds more like your evening. Menus and service times change, so use each venue’s feature to find its current website and booking details.

For wood-fired pizza in Ashburton, find Pizza Amore in the courtyard outside Ashburton Arts Centre. The turquoise van and outdoor tables make a lovely supper stop, especially before a show in the old chapel. Service is weather-dependent; check the current opening information before making plans.

For ice cream in Ashburton, put Creamo’s on your list for small-batch scoops, take-home tubs and seasonal bakes. Its St Lawrence Lane shop is changing in November 2026, so read the profile’s visiting update for stockist and pop-up information.

What’s on in Ashburton?

The former Methodist church on West Street is now Ashburton Arts Centre. Its programme brings live music, performances and creative sessions into a remarkable community space. Look at the current listings and book the event that appeals to you; there isn’t a performance every time you drop by.

For a creative afternoon, check Field System’s exhibition and workshop programme too. A gallery visit or a booked show gives you another way to enjoy town when the weather turns.

Things to do near Ashburton

Bloomin’ Lovely Flower Farm at Goodstone Cross is a separate countryside stop outside Ashburton. In the picking season, you can choose flowers and make time for the café; check current opening and workshop dates before setting off. Keep it as a little detour, rather than treating it as part of the town-centre shopping walk.

For a walk around Ashburton itself, Visit Dartmoor publishes an Ashburton Town Walk. Follow its route if you’d like to add a little local history to your day.

Places to stay in Ashburton

Turn your day out into a little break. Our Ashburton stays edit brings together four characterful places, each with a photo gallery, practical details and a link to the booking provider. Choose your base, then save a few cafés, shops and evening plans from the guide above.

Check each feature’s location before booking: some stays are in town and others need a separate countryside journey. Prices, available dates and house rules are confirmed on the booking site.

Finding your way around

Ashburton is in South Devon, England, beside the A38 between Exeter and Plymouth. Its stannary-town history is tied to Dartmoor’s tin trade. Today, the town centre makes a useful starting point for the shops, cafés and galleries in this guide.

The Ashburton map above shows the town’s location, while each place has its own address and directions. Kingsbridge Lane has short-stay and long-stay parking options; check the signs and current council parking information for the section you use. Confirm individual opening times if there’s a particular shop you don’t want to miss.