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The Devon businesses that are reopening

17th June 2020

Categories: Visitor News

As lockdown restrictions are eased further and more of our favourite Devon attractions and shops start to welcome us back, we thought we’d pull together a list of businesses that have opened their doors.

First off, shops.

Shops were given the go ahead to reopen from 15^th June providing they could put special measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers. Many of Devon’s high streets were able to welcome back their customers as did some of the more niche shops that we love in the county.

Image: Affinity Devon

Starting in North Devon, Affinity Devon, the outlet shopping centre is now open with a number of safety measures in place, including floor markings, banners and posters to help guests maintain a safe distance. There are also hand sanitising stations at the entrance and revised opening times. The centre is home to over thirty brand name stores, as well as a number of eateries, each individual store has their own opening measures and not all stores may be open when you visit, you can receive up to date information from the team at Affinity by following them on social media.

Similarly, Exeter’s Princesshay shopping centre has also reopened. They have also put floor markers and hand washing in place to help maintain visitor and staff safety. A full list of the individual store’s opening times and any restrictions they may have in place is available on their website.

Torquay’s Fleet Walk shopping area reopened from the 15^th June with additional safety measures including sanitising stations for public use and more frequent cleaning of doors and other high touch points. For the time being, lifts and public toilets will remain closed and individual stores will also have their own safety measures in place.

House of Marbles in Bovey Tracy has resumed their normal opening hours. The Teign Valley shop on site will reopen on 1^st July as will the games garden and play area, but the rest of the attractions are open and a take away service is operating in the restaurant.

Image: House of Marbles.

Nearby in Totnes, the Shops at Dartington are reopening from the 17^th June with revised opening hours of 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. The rest of the Dartington Estate is also now partially open. For the moment, the gardens remain closed, but they are delighted to welcome visitors to other areas of the site. You can find a full list of what shops and facilities are open on their website.

When it comes to attractions, there are several that have been able to reopen. The National Trust have opened a number of gardens around the county on a prebook basis. Visitors will need to book a ticket prior to travelling to limit the amount of people in the gardens at any time. Please head online to the property you would like to visit for more information.

In Budleigh Salterton, Bicton Park Botanical Gardens have reopened Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets will need to be booked, so visitors must book these online 24 hours before they plan to visit. While the shops and museums remain closed for the moment, there are plans to open some of these attractions gradually.

Wildwood Escot, in Ottery St Mary, opened to all visitors from 16^th June with limited numbers in the park at one time. The team are promoting a one way system and only outdoor spaces will be open for the moment, it is hoped that these will be eased as restrictions continue to be lifted. You can find more information on their website.

Image: Crag 2 Mountain

In Dartmoor you’re free to explore the National Park and Crag 2 Mountain, who help make adventures accessible to everyone are continuing to offer their climbing sessions. Currently, they are running Guided Rock Climbing, Guided Hill Walking, Introduction to Climbing, Navigation Courses, Family Rock Adventure and Rock Climbing Coffee Mornings, Home Education and Guided Mountaineering, on a 1:1 and groups of up to 5 people basis.

If adventure is your thing, the North Devon Wake Park near Clovelly is also open with restrictions in place. Currently, only visitors who have booked their session are being allowed on site and there are other restrictions in place, such as visitors arriving ready changed as no changing facilities are able to open. Hand sanitiser is also on hand for guests to use before and after using the rides.

As lockdown continues to ease and more businesses are able to reopen, remember to follow instructions, stay safe and to stay local as much as possible.