China Blue

Station Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JR

Tel: 01803 860905 (shop),

01803 860906 (café),

01803 860908 (ceramic studio)

e-mail: shop@china-blue.co.uk

website: www.china-blue.co.uk

China Blue is hard to describe and equally hard to resist. Based in the town of Totnes that is also noted for its quirky individuality, China Blue is a combination of many different things under one roof. If you're in the mood for shopping then the Homeware Store prides itself on offering as wide a range of home goods as any department store. They stock many exclusive brands and have been a 'shopping heaven' since 1997, as well as offering interior design advice for the home from their experienced team. The store is full of creative ideas for bedroom and bathroom, kitchen and living room, and outside in the garden too.

If you're hungry or just want a lovely place to sit down with a cup of coffee, the China Blue Café has a delightful conservatory dining room, and outdoor seating too. You can enjoy the complimentary newspapers over a cappuccino, a freshly-squeezed orange juice or a glass of wine, or perhaps have something more substantial. The all-day menu includes home-made cakes, wicked pastries, healthy salads, baked potatoes, baguettes and paninis, or a bowl of soup with a choice from the gourmet breads all baked on the premises.

Another indulgence available at China Blue is to treat yourself at the Blue Hair Studio. This cutting-edge hairdressing and design salon offers styling for weddings and other special occasions, or will suggest a hairstyle make-over, for men and for women. They also use and sell the top US brand, Redken.

As if all this wasn't enough, China Blue also has its fabulous Ceramic Studio, the biggest of its kind in south-west England. You can go in and put your creativity to the test by learning how to make original ceramic items, perhaps as gifts to take home as an unusual holiday souvenir. Advice is on hand to help you make plates, pots, mugs and more, with a range of colours, brushes and designs to choose from. If you're feeling really brave you can try one of the studio's state-of-the-art potter's wheels, while children can have their own fun and make robots, castles, or perhaps a little Devon duck.

You can also join in one of the classes teaching you how to create textiles and make your own jewellery, or visit the glass-blowing workshop and gallery too. In fact a visit to China Blue is almost a day out by itself.