Moretonhampstead basking in Autumnal glory

The town boasts several ancient and interesting buildings, such as the Alms Houses and the Parish Church of St Andrew, which dates from around 1450 and stands on high ground adjoining the sentry.

Enjoy a brew or two in a local pub

Moretonhampstead has no less than four pubs and three cafes and there's a wide selection of hotels, bed and breakfast, self-catering and camping accommodation and a good Tourist Information Centre.

And if that wasn't enough to keep the visitor happy, the town also has some great shops including Barry Moore Butchers - famous for its speciality sausages and quality local meats, and Arnolds the ironmongers shop which is like a 'Tardis'!

Stoney gaze of the Dartmoor Pony sculpture

The town's also an important centre for arts being home to several artists and potters.

There are galleries and workshops throughout the town and there are some wonderful sculptures of local wildlife dotted around.

Dartmoor ponies 'graze' at the top of Pound Street, mice and owls decorate the town's railings and a dramatically swooping sparrowhawk can be seen on a wall in the town 'square' - which is actually a triangle!

'The town also boasts its own business group, the Moretonhampstead Business Association, that publishes a regular directory of local businesses and services - called Golden Pages - useful for locals and visitors alike.

When I moved here, I was amazed to hear people refer back to the Civil War, and how Moretonians were Round Heads and how 'them in Chagford' were cavaliers, or 'Chuggy Pigs' as they are called. Although it is spoken of light-heartedly, there is still a degree of rivalry between the two towns - I can't imagine there are many places in England where such distant history is still in peoples' minds!

And they call it puppy love

And so I live contentedly in the sheltered Wray valley, just to the south of the town, with my dog Rosie and my hens. I am lucky enough to walk every day in a beautiful area, live and work in a house I love, in a community I feel happy and secure in. I know I am fortunate and am very glad that my impulsive move brought me to this special place.

Perhaps you would like to extol the virtues of YOUR
Home Town. Email us and tell us why. devon.online@bbc.co.uk

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