Johns of Instow, Marine Parade, Instow, Devon, EX39 4JJ
If there is one stop on your North Devon itinerary that will make your self-catering stay feel genuinely luxurious, it is Johns of Instow. Tucked into the gorgeous estuary village of Instow, just a short drive from Byron, this much-loved deli and independent shop is the kind of place that reminds you why local really does mean better.
Johns is famous for sourcing and championing the very best of Devon and the wider West Country. The shelves groan with artisan cheeses, cured meats, freshly baked breads, locally made preserves and an array of carefully chosen produce that will transform your kitchen at Byron into something rather special. Everything feels hand-picked, because it is.
Among the highlights is the shop’s proud support of Atlantic Spirit Gin, a gin distilled right here in North Devon and inspired by the wild coast on your doorstep. Pick up a bottle, settle onto the Byron terrace on a warm evening and raise a glass to the good life. That is a proper holiday moment.
Beyond the food and drink, Johns stocks a wonderful selection of gifts and lifestyle products that feel genuinely rooted in where you are. These are not generic souvenirs. These are things made by real people not far from where you are standing, and that provenance matters.
Instow itself is worth the journey. The village sits at the point where the rivers Taw and Torridge meet the sea, with a sandy beach, a row of painted houses and a pace of life that feels miles from the everyday. Combine a visit to Johns with a walk along the estuary path or a sit-down lunch at the cafe and you have an afternoon well spent.
This is the North Devon that people come back for year after year, and Johns is right at the heart of it.
