Living in Okehampton

The sense of community in Okehampton is one of its defining features. Residents describe the town as warm, inclusive, and supportive, with numerous community groups, clubs, and societies bringing people together. Regular events, including the Okehampton Show, craft markets, and seasonal festivals, foster a strong communal spirit.

The town boasts an active sports scene, with clubs for rugby, football, cricket, tennis, and running, as well as popular walking and cycling groups making full use of Dartmoor’s landscapes. Venues like the Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA) and the Ockment Centre support local activities and offer space for classes, meetings, and social gatherings.

Green spaces abound, from Simmons Park’s ornamental gardens and sports facilities to the dramatic wilds of Dartmoor, offering residents a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Community gardens, local allotments, and regular volunteering opportunities further enhance local engagement and wellbeing.

Okehampton is generally regarded as a safe place to live by both residents and visitors. The area reports lower levels of crime compared to urban and larger town centres in Devon, with anti-social behaviour and burglary being relatively uncommon. The strong sense of community engagement and neighbourly support is often cited as a factor contributing to Okehampton’s safety.

Policing in Okehampton is proactive, with regular patrols and an established local police team that works closely with community groups and neighbourhood watch schemes. While, like any area, it experiences occasional incidents, the town’s crime rates tend to be significantly lower than national and county averages. Initiatives led by community organisations promote public safety and foster a sense of collective responsibility, enhancing the area’s peaceful reputation.

Parking in Okehampton is generally considered convenient, with a range of long-stay and short-stay car parks located near the town centre. On-street parking is available in residential areas; however, restrictions may apply in busier parts of the high street. Resident parking permits are available in selected zones for those living in or near the centre.

The A30 dual carriageway is just outside the town, ensuring fast and direct road links east toward Exeter and west into Cornwall. This makes Okehampton a practical base for local travel and access to the scenic Dartmoor countryside. Road congestion is rarely an issue except during major local events or peak tourist seasons, when some delays may occur.

Travel times to nearby towns and cities:

• Exeter – approx. 30 minutes via A30 (23 miles)
• Launceston – approx. 25 minutes via A30 (16 miles)
• Tavistock – approx. 35 minutes via A386 (21 miles)
• Plymouth – approx. 55 minutes via A386 (32 miles)
• Barnstaple – approx. 50 minutes via A386 and A377 (33 miles)

Okehampton’s dining and social scene reflects its market town roots and rural setting. Traditional pubs such as the renowned White Hart Hotel and the Kings Arms offer classic fare, real ales, and an inviting atmosphere. Several independent restaurants and cafés serve everything from Devon cream teas to international cuisine, including Thai, Indian, and Italian options. Takeaways and bakeries add to the town’s culinary diversity, with local produce frequently featuring on menus.

Farm shops and the local market offer fresh, seasonal ingredients, and several cosy coffee shops provide ideal meeting spots for friends and families. While Okehampton is not known for a lively nightlife or club scene, there are occasional live music events, quiz nights, and beer festivals, mostly hosted in pubs or community spaces. The area’s focus is on relaxed socialising rather than late-night entertainment, appealing more to those seeking friendly, low-key evenings.

School quality: Families moving to Okehampton benefit from a range of primary and secondary schools rated as "Good" by Ofsted, delivering a strong foundation and educational support for children of all ages.

Parks and green space: Simmons Park and the proximity to Dartmoor ensure that families have excellent access to safe play areas, open countryside, and outdoor activities.

Childcare: Several nurseries and pre-schools are available in Okehampton, with options for wraparound care and holiday clubs through local schools, supporting working parents and younger children.

Safety: The town is recognised for its low crime rates and neighbourly atmosphere, with active policing and a strong sense of local vigilance contributing to family wellbeing.

Family activities: Sports clubs, youth groups, holiday events, and an active community centre ensure regular, diverse entertainment for children and families, making Okehampton an appealing choice for raising children in Devon.

Living with pets in Okehampton is popular and supported by the area’s abundance of green spaces and open countryside. Simmons Park and the walking trails along the East Okement and West Okement rivers provide ideal settings for daily exercise and dog walking, while Dartmoor’s vast moorland is easily accessible for longer walks and adventures.

The town hosts several local veterinary practices, pet supply shops, and dog-friendly venues, including many pubs and cafés. Renters and buyers will find that pet ownership is generally welcomed, reflecting the wider rural traditions of Devon. Responsible pet ownership is encouraged, and regular dog walking communities further strengthen local social ties.

Okehampton benefits from improved transport links that make it more accessible than many rural Devon towns. In 2021, the reopening of the Okehampton railway station as part of the Dartmoor Line restored direct train services to Exeter, offering regular and reliable rail connections for commuters and leisure travellers. The station is centrally located, with journey times to Exeter St Davids typically around 40 minutes, making Okehampton increasingly popular with those working or studying in the city but preferring rural living.

Bus services connect Okehampton with surrounding villages and market towns, including Tavistock, Launceston, and North Devon, while national coach services provide less frequent links to larger destinations. The main A30 dual carriageway passes just south of the town, providing easy west-east road connectivity between Cornwall and Exeter. For international travel, Exeter Airport is approximately 35 miles away, accessible by road or a combination of rail and bus.

Commute Times to Key Destinations:

• Exeter: approx. 40 minutes by train (Dartmoor Line) or 30 minutes by car (A30, 23 miles)
• Plymouth: approx. 55 minutes by car (A386, 32 miles)
• Launceston: approx. 25 minutes by car (A30, 16 miles)
• London: approx. 3.5 hours by train via Exeter or car via A30/M5

Education in Okehampton caters to a wide cross-section of learners, with several primary and secondary options as well as access to further education. Primary school choices include Okehampton Primary School, a well-regarded institution offering a broad curriculum and active learning environment. Another notable option is St James Church of England Primary and Nursery School, praised for its supportive ethos. Both schools are part of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, benefiting from collaborative resources and shared standards. Okehampton Primary was last inspected by Ofsted in 2017 and was rated "Good."

At secondary level, Okehampton College stands out for its high standard of teaching and results, consistently rated as "Good" by Ofsted in its 2022 inspection. The college not only serves Okehampton but also outlying rural communities, providing GCSEs, A-Levels, and a variety of post-16 options through its Sixth Form. Academic performance and creative opportunities feature strongly in its offering.

For further education, Okehampton College’s Sixth Form prepares students for university and employment, while Exeter College, one of Devon’s leading further education colleges, is accessible in nearby Exeter and offers an expanded choice of vocational and academic courses. There are no universities based in Okehampton, but the University of Exeter, a highly respected institution, is roughly thirty minutes away by car or rail, opening up a range of undergraduate and postgraduate pathways.