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Devon is full of beautiful towns, and although I grew up in the county and have lived here for most of my life, there are still several I've not yet been to. Last weekend I set out on a first-time visit to one Devon town that was really unique - with independent shops, beautiful green spaces along with a really interesting character.

Sitting nearly in the middle of the county and right on the edge of northern Dartmoor is the market town of Okehampton. I travelled there by rail from Plymouth, passing through the city of Exeter before changing and hopping on to a two-carriage train which takes you along The Dartmoor Line. It's a pretty journey, passing fields of sheep, river scenes and an abundance of oak trees. As I approached Okehampton, the first thing I saw was a stark-looking collection of new houses on the town's edge.

The town, named after trees, takes its name from the old English for oak - and the meaning for "hampton" is settlement. The Visit Okehampton website explains that the town's "prominence began in the Saxon era".

Their website added: "The name "Okehampton" is derived from Old English, with "Ock" meaning oak and "hamtun" referring to a farm or settlement, indicating that it was likely a settlement near oak trees."

After alighting from the pleasant 40-minute train ride, it definitely felt much chillier being right beside the moor. I's a short walk into the town through a park area, or down the hill, Station Road.

The town centre is charming with quality fabric shops, other quirky independent offerings including a Victorian shopping arcade along with local cafes and bakeries.

The Visit Okehampton website describes the arcade: "The Victorian Arcade in Okehampton is a truly fascinating place.

"For a small rural market town, being home to an original Victorian Arcade is really a mark of pride and the people of Okehampton are justifiably proud of this historical gem."

Okehampton is quirky and steeped in history, it even has an impressive castle site just out of the town, but you cannot go in unless you book a guided tour, however, you can see much of the medieval remains by peering over the fence.

A pretty old church looms in the centre of Okehampton and there's several historic pubs and inns along the main stretch of Fore Street. I stopped in the The Pig Pen Cafe for a coffee and a piece of cake.

Then, I discovered a wonderful organic fruit and veg shop in Red Lion yard which is another part of the town just off Fore Street speckled with old buildings - and several great shops.

There was an antiques shop, a few independent clothing retailers selling nice clothing - and another shop that caught my eye was the Devon-made goods in the Enchanted House Beds shop.

I spoke with a lovely local woman in the New '2' You shop next to The Cubby Hole antiques just outside one end of The Okehampton Victorian Arcade, she told me current roadworks are causing issues in town.

There are several road diversions currently in place as Wales & West carry out an "essential gas upgrade project", but people living in Okehampton are finding their car journeys hindered by the roadworks - and the gas upgrade is set to take some time to complete.

Wales & West Utilities report on their website that the upgrade is "progressing well" and the "£305,000 project" is to upgrade gas pipes in the Exeter Road area of Okehampton.

They said that the works "are essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations".

Nationally gas pipe upgrades are happening all over the country at different times, but for a small town like Okehampton, this can cause issues as locals struggle to get out and visitors struggle to get into the town.

The local woman I spoke to also told me that "so many of the fields have now been built on" which has "changed the town", however, I'm certainly not surprised that more people want to move to charming spot with a proper Devonian vibe.