D+J Services

Garden design and landscaping, decking, patios, fencing and driveways.  High standards of work with particular attention to preparing surfaces properly. Derek is very punctual, and always leaves your premises tidy. Quotations and drawings prepared at no charge. Happy to show portfolio of work.  As at Jan 2011 D+J are the most recommended business in our guide!

Crediton Farmers Market

Winner of the 'Best Farmers Market of the Year' (Devon Life Food and Drink Awards 2008-9), and promising a 'True Taste of Devon'. Crediton Farmers Market is on the first Saturday of every month, 10-1pm, on the new market square. It offers a wide range of organic and conventional produce with all stallholders living within 30 miles of the market.

Oliva Restaurant in Topsham

Oliva brings the flavours of the Mediterranean with a Spanish feel, using the finest local produce. Inside you can enjoy a relaxed ambience of style and comfort, or dine or take a pre-dinner drink on the Mediterranean terrace. Devon Life Restaurant of the Year 2007/8/9/10, Devon life Chef of the Year 2008/9.  Taste of the West Silver Award (Restaurant) 2009, Bronze award 2010.  Online booking service available through excellent website.

*SPECIAL OFFER! Present the Our Local Expert printed annual guide on arrival for a free glass of house wine with evening meals from the a-la-carte menu (Tues-Thurs).*

Budleigh Salterton Farmers Market

Every last Friday of the Month (December t.b.c.) from 9am – 1pm at Rolle Mews Car Park on Fore Street at the bottom of the High Street, with up to 15 local producers of meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, processed food and drinks.

The Holt

Otter Brewery’s first pub enjoyed an excellent write-up in the Telegraph, and is well recommended for being ‘consistently good with lovely staff’. The Holt has a contemporary yet homely feel. An extra buzz comes from the vibrant open kitchen, preparing the regularly updated menu which includes homemade bread and home smoked foods. They even hold regular smoking classes at the Holt. Pre-meal drinks and tapas can be enjoyed on comfy sofas in the pub, where real ales glide effortlessly down. Winner of 2010 Taste of the West best dinning pub and now in the top 35 Gastro pubs in the UK.

The Hourglass in Exeter

Just off the Topsham Road, this wonderful small pub with authentic atmosphere, serving quality, interesting food from a manageable menu with regularly changing specials. Good local beers and wide selection of wines. Relaxed but often busy, so get there early or book a table in dining room in advance.

Exeter Carpet Company Limited

For all your domestic flooring needs, Exeter Carpet Company were recommended for being ‘incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, honest, and understanding’. Products include natural Flooring,(sustainable wood, rubber), vinyl, Amtico, Karndean, laminates and more. Also a great selection of curtains and blinds. Excellent service and Installation at competitive prices. Visit showroom or call to arrange home visit. *5% discount if Our Local Expert mentioned*

Blakes Plumbing

‘Prompt, efficient and fair’ is how Malcolm Blake was recommended to us. For all general plumbing, 24hr call-out and OAP discount. Member of CIPHE.

Pynes Farm Shop

Top quality, good value home produced veg, and their own free-range eggs.  A well presented shop providing ALL your greengrocery needs using as much West-Country produce as possible including wines, beers and logs.  Open Mon-Sun for good old fashioned customer service, and parking right outside the shop.  Turn off the main road between Colaton Raleigh and Budleigh Salterton, or call in if you’re walking along the Otter Estuary.

Norman Spencer and Son Plumbing and Heating Engineers

Prompt, honest and reliable service with free quotations and competitive rates.  GASsafe registered, fellow of CIPHE; highly qualified with 35 years experience.  All work fully insured, includes boilers, pumps, valves, radiators, hot water cylinders, immersion heaters.

The Salty Monk - Sidford nr Sidmouth

For spectacular service of contemporary English cuisine, dishes bursting with flavour and colour. A light, airy and spacious restaurant overlooking beautiful award winning gardens. Upstairs are five individually decorated bedrooms. Features include a spa, hydro massage shower, or a king size waterbed. Intimate and relaxing atmosphere with a dedicated team providing a personal level of service which is quite outstanding. Winner of national “Bed and Breakfast of the year Excellence Award 2008-09”.

Pipers Farm Quality Meat and Meal Delivery

Multi award winning, Pipers Farm offers exceptional quality home produced meat. Slow grown traditional breeds, properly hung and immaculately butchered. ‘Pipers Farm has been an eye opener that shows we should include quality, naturally produced meat as part of our everyday shopping for good value.’ Clever single portion packaging makes cooking simple without waste. Shop 8.30am–8.30pm Mon – Sat.

Complete meals and casseroles for delicious dinners without fuss. Telephone and online orders accepted for free delivery throughout Exeter and most of East Devon.

Helen Gibson - STAT qualified Alexander Technique Tutor

Helen Gibson - STAT Qualified Alexander Technique Tutor. Put the spring back in your step. The Alexander Technique can help you recover postural ease, well-being and reduce stress. Proven as an effective treatment for back-pain in NHS-funded Clinical trial. Experienced teacher, “enthusiastic and sympathetic”, previously trained in Physiotherapy. New courses for stress-reduction and posture for singing.

No 21

Perfectly situated, good quality and highly flexible. No21 is a quick-snack café by day with coffees and popular breakfasts from 9am, moving to bistro lunch snacks and afternoon teas. Contemporary styling with huge windows framing the Cathedral and grounds. Creative modern European cooking using only the best local ingredients. Only open in the evenings for private parties by prior arrangement, allowing a more intimate full table service.

Gibson’s Plaice Fishmongers

Exeter’s award-winning fishmonger. Proudly independent, they personally buy their seafish every morning from Brixham, to ensure quality of produce, and reduce food miles. Free local home delivery, free local parking. *10% discount on fresh fish to readers of Our Local Expert – bring copy of printed web page to claim*

PPR Plumbing and Heating

A family run business, PPR provide all aspects of plumbing and heating, specialising in bathroom fitting. People use their services because of the high standard of work offered. GASsafe registered, with all work guaranteed.

Combe House Hotel and Restaurant

A Grade1 Elizabethan Manor, set in beautiful gardens amidst acres of Devon estate. The two Master Chefs of Great Britain weave their culinary magic drawing from east Devon’s seasonal larder. With 40% of all fruit and vegetables grown on-site in the restored Victorian Gardens, Combe House can talk in ‘food metres’, rather than ‘food kilometres’. Memorable dining rooms for special celebrations. Open daily for coffee, lunch, tea and dinner, with visitors always most welcome. Holder of Condé Nast Johansens UK and Ireland 2010 ‘Most Excellent Innovation in Sustainable Hospitality’ award.

We are lucky enough to have eaten at Combe House, please read our review!

Roger M Constable

Roger M Constable, Chiropodist and Reflexologist, F.S.S.Ch, DipPod Med, MBChA, MBRA Member of Health Professional Council (HPC). Surgery in Sidmouth, and home visits in East Devon and Exeter, including reflexology. Friendly, reliable service at reasonable rates.

The Hollies Guest House - Bed and Breakfast in Sidmouth

Pam and Mike Fletcher ensure a warm and comfortable rest in this beautiful 4-star Regency-style guest house. The Hollies is renowned locally for superb breakfasts and the clean, comfortable, well equipped rooms; including televisions, tea-making facilities, and ensuite bathrooms. Visit Britain 4-Star Gold Award winner.  Located in Sidmouth Town Centre, five minutes from the seafront. Enquiries 9-10am.