South Molton

• THE historic square in South Molton.

SOUTH MOLTON lies in the folds of a green patchwork quilt of fields and woods tucked up against the mauve pillow of Exmoor. One Canadian visitor stood looking at the scene for a long time, then drew a deep breath and said simply: “THIS is England.”

The ancient market town is a centre for the local agricultural community and, for the visitor, is the gateway to some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.

It is noted for its elegant Georgian buildings and antiques shops which offer every kind of memorabilia from bric-a-brac to period architectural items – including bathrooms! It is a good centre for day-to-day shopping too, with small, friendly family stores, a sprinkling of national names and a pannier market which, on Thursdays and (in summer) Saturdays, sells fine local produce.

• THERE is plenty of fresh, local produce for sale at South Molto's Pannier Market held on Thursdays.

There are lots of places to eat and drink, from quaint tea-rooms and restaurants to the traditional English pub.
Guided tours take you round the splendid town hall built in the 1740s. The 15th century parish church with its 500-year-old font should definitely be on all visitors’ itineraries.

South Molton’s small museum holds a wealth of fascinating bygones, including a fire engine from 1739. You can also see a copy of the borough’s charter granted by Elizabeth I in 1590.

You can leap – literally – into the 21st century at the town’s fine new swimming pool and visit Quince Honey Farm to watch a world of bees at work. Not far away is the Cobbaton Combat Museum, based on the hobby of owner Preston Isaac, who collects militaria. Here, you will find many artefacts from the war years as well as military vehicles, including tanks, from around the world.

Today the road through South Molton it is a place to stroll around in a pleasant environment and enjoy a town of which you can say, like its surroundings, “THIS is England”.