CLOSE TO THE SHOPS

Tby Gillian Molesworth

is the season to get shopping for your Christmas presents, and as usual at the Western Morning News, we advocate shopping local. Keep those pounds in your community and support the local guys. Less is more: buy fewer presents of better quality, and everyone will be happier. No one needs cheap plastic, let alone our planet! Totally non-partisan, wise words from your property editor.

Anyway, let’s get to the point. This week we are rounding up homes near great shopping, where you can just nip out and have access to some great retail therapy, complemented of course with a cup of tea and cake when you are fatigued. Here are our favourites:

5 Victoria Terrace, Bideford, North Devon, £315,000

This four-bedroom property is in the market town of Bideford in Victoria Terrace, an attractive row of three storey Regency homes along a characterful square at the top of the town. The property overlooks Bideford’s historic pannier market, a pretty covered former market building built in 1884 which today houses cafes, coffee shops, boutique and craft stalls, independent shops and stalls.

Agents: Stags, www.stags.co.uk

2 Parkdale, School Lane, Truro, £385,000

Many Cornish locals will flock to Truro to tick names off their Christmas lists: it’s got a fab range of independent and High Street shops, something for everyone. Here’s a modern semi-detached house, set in a development of only four properties built in 2011, and still with the remainder of the NHBC. Built by C J Pearce Homes to a high standard, it’s got great insulation, solar panel water heating, double glazing and ventilation and heat recovery system. Four bedrooms and parking for three to four vehicles.

Agents: Philip Martin, Truro, 01872 242 244, www.philip-martin.co.uk

The Inglewood, Primrose Hill, Torquay, £349,950

This new development is a short distance from Torquay, with a range of independent and High Street name shops. With the new link road, you’ve also got easy access to Newton Abbot and Exeter. On the doorstep is The Willows shopping area, including Boots and M&S. At Primrose Hill, the Inglewood model is a four-bedroom family home with en-suite master bedroom, large open plan kitchen / dining room, family-sized lounge and spacious bedrooms with parking and a garage.

Agents: Cavanna Homes, www.cavannahomes.co.uk.

Rosemount, Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, £950,000

Rosemount is a beautiful late Georgian Grade II listed residence in the heart of the village. It sits within striking distance of three great shopping destinations: the award-winning ‘one-stop’ shops at Dartington (don’t miss their Christmas Fair on 16-17 December); Totnes which is full of eclectic, independent shops; and Newton Abbot, with the wonderful Austins Department Store and High Street names. Approached by a carriage circle drive, this genteel home has five bedrooms and lovely period features.

Agents: Marchand Petit, Totnes, 01803 847 979, www.marchandpetit.co.uk

Khandallah, 39 Dunheved

£309,000

The hub town in one of the Westcountry’s most successful farming belts, Launceston has great farmers markets and Christmas Fairs, as well as award-winning cafes and a diversity of individual shops with character.

Bideford,

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Launceston, You’ll have a nice day browsing for gifts, against the backdrop of fine historic buildings. Khandallah is a period four to five bedroom house in a favoured residential area, with parking and garage.

Agents: Kivells, Launceston, 01566 www.kivells.com

Old Appleyard, Totnes, £625,000

Fab cottage with annexe on the outskirts of Totnes, a medieval village with a quirky independent flare. Formerly a farm worker’s cottage for the Duke of Somerset Estate, The Old Appleyard has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a generous garden, country views and parking. It’s just a mile from the town (which offers late night Christmas Market shopping on December 4,11 and 18).

Agents: Chartsedge, 01803 www.chartsedge.co.uk

2 Burley Close, Truro, £475,000

It’s just 700 yards’ stroll to the city centre from this house, which is yet privately located in sourrounding gardens, bordered by a stream. Built in the 1990s to quality specification, this home has been in the same family for nearly 20 years. It’s got plenty of space, with up to six bedrooms: you can use one of them to hide all your presents.

Agents: H Tiddy, St Mawes, Truro, 01326 270 212, www.htiddy.co.uk

1 Speculation Cottages, Yealmpton, £350,000

This three-bedroom character cottage is a short walk from Ben’s Farm Shop, part of the Riverford group, which includes a café, a locally sourced butchers, fresh produce and a wide variety of other foods - everything you need for the table. Yealmpton is a thriving South Hams village which also boasts two convenience stores, a post office, garage, doctors and primary school.

Agents: Luscombe Maye, Yealmpton, 01752 880044, www.luscombemaye.com

1 Baring Crescent, St Leonards, Exeter, £1.6 million

Exeter is a fantastic place to do your shopping, with everything from malls to atmospheric independent shops set down mysterious alleys. Live in grand style at this Georgian villa in an exclusive garden crescent. The house has five bedrooms, three bathrooms, three reception rooms, study, library, snug, office and huge open plan kitchen/dining room/lounge.

Agents: Wilkinson Grant, Exeter, 01392 427500, www.wilkinsongrant.co.uk

Mimosa Lodge, Treffry Road, Truro, £380,000

Another gem in Cornwall’s capital, just 10 minutes walk from the shops, restaurants, and weekly Farmer’s Market. This handsome three-storey home comes with five bedrooms and has been beautifully modernised. It’s also close to an excellent school.

Agents: Humberts, Truro, 01872 www.humberts.com

5 Victoria Terrace, Bideford

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