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From seaside hotspots and bougie harbour cities to historic cities and rolling rural landscapes, these are among the easiest locations to go to in South Devon…
Southwest England is well the most effective, and hottest, vacation locations within the nation. And Devon has all of it! Seashores to swimsuit all attainable tastes, an epic foodie scene, beautiful little villages, and one among England’s biggest wildernesses.
Neighbouring Cornwall is likely to be higher referred to as a seaside vacation vacation spot, however personally, I feel I desire Devon. I reside simply next-door in Dorset, so I do know the entire southwest very nicely. And after spending the final couple of months visting almost each nook of Devon whereas researching for a guidebook, I do know the county higher than ever!
So, I’ve popped collectively this information to essentially the most lovely cities, biggest seashores and finest locations to go to in your journey to south Devon.
Prepare for seaside days, cliff walks, quaint harbours, river journeys, wonderful wildlife, and SO rather more…
Map: Finest Locations to Go to in South Devon
For tthis submit, I’m specializing in essentially the most southern part of the county fairly than the entire southern half of Devon. Exeter, Exmouth and past fall into ‘East Devon’ and gained’t be coated right here – however they’re nicely value visiting too!
12 Finest Locations to Go to in South Devon
1. Dartmouth
Unfold alongside the west financial institution of the extensive Dart Estuary, Dartmouth has lengthy been a big port. There’s a prestigious naval school, a swanky yacht marina, and a historic harbour space to find.
In the present day, the city’s crooked streets and gorgeous outdated buildings home posh eating places, cosy bars, swish artwork galleries, and funky boutiques. Oh, and a whole lot of nautical clothes retailers – there’s no escaping the maritime vibes right here!
The most effective issues about Dartmouth is exploring by river. Take the ferry downriver to go to Dartmouth Fort, the oldest components of which date from 1388. Subsequent, take a leisurely cruise upriver to identify the wildlife together with seals, kingfishers, wading birds and (typically) otters. Lastly, take the ferry to Greenway, Agatha Chistie’s former vacation residence, now a Nationwide Belief property.
2. Plymouth
Devon’s largest metropolis, Plymouth has a wealthy maritime heritage, incomes it the nickname ‘Ocean Metropolis’. A few of historical past’s most well-known voyages set sail from the port right here: together with the Mayflower Pilgrims, Captain James Cook dinner and Francis Drake.
Extra just lately, Plymouth has been present process a dramatic transformation. The town was closely bombed throughout WWII as a consequence of its function as a key naval port, and the hasty rebuilding left behind a metropolis centre that tended to favour performance over type.
However that’s all altering – thanks to modern new waterfront revelopments round Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard, plus an thrilling new Arts Quarter. This final one is across the College space, with galleries, funky new structure, and the full of life Tavistock Place.
Prime issues to do in Plymouth
- Go to The Field – a implausible new museum showcasing Plymouth’s maritime historical past.
- Discover the historic harbourside Barbican space and go to the Mayflower Steps, the place the Pilgrims sailed from.
- Tour Black Friar’s Distillery – the house of Plymouth Gin and England’s oldest working gin distillery.
- Go to the Nationwide Marine Aquarium – the UK’s largest aquarium.
3. Burgh Island
You’ll be able to’t skip Burgh Island if you go to south Devon – this iconic landmark is the most effective locations for a mini journey! It’s a tidal island, related to the mainland by a strip of seaside that fully dissappears at excessive tide.
At low tide, you’ll be able to stroll to Burgh Island from Bigbury-on-Sea. Or, at excessive tide, there’s the Sea Tractor. This distinctive, bizarre-looking contraption is is operated by Burgh Island Lodge; you’ll discover timetables posted on the seaside carpark in Bigbury-on-Sea and on the entrance to the island.
There are solely a handful of buildings on Burgh Island, and no roads to talk of. It is a place to get away from all of it: stroll the coast path, spot wildlife, and climb the hill for views of the coast. To eat, there’s the swanky artwork deco Burgh Island Lodge or the 14th-century Pilchard Inn – one among England’s oldest taverns and apparently haunted by a smuggler’s ghost.
4. Salcombe
Simply alongside the coast from Dartmouth you’ll discover one other crusing mecca to discover. Siting on the mouth of the serene Kingsbridge Estuary, Salcombe is one among south Devon’s most upmarket locations.
This bougie little city – with its sheltered moorings, white sandy seashores, and fancy meals scene – attracts a little bit of a yachtie crowd. However there’s a lot right here for everybody to get pleasure from.
Prepare for unbelievable seafood (don’t miss the Crab Shack), epic cliff walks, and beautiful seashores. South Sands and North Sands are closest, or take the ferry to discover the idyllic seashores round East Portlemouth on the other financial institution. You may as well take a ferry upriver to the historic market city of Kingsbridge.
5. Torquay & The English Riviera
The three cities clustered across the extensive unfold of Tor Bay earned themselves the nickname of ‘The English Riviera’ across the time of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). With the French Riviera offlimits, rich Georgians turned to the calm, sheltered waters of Tor Bay as a substitute.
Torquay and Paignton are the 2 largest cities. Each have some beautiful seashores and a lot of nostalgic seaside vibes. Should you’re on the lookout for the traditional English seaside expertise, that is the place to return!
Torquay is a bit more upscale, with a lot of grand Victorian villas and parks. Paignton is a bit more ‘low cost and cheerful’ and feels a bit run down in spots. Nevertheless it has some beautiful seashores (Goodrington and Broadsands specifically), plus a retro Victorian pier lined with funfair rides and arcades.
Finest Issues to do within the English Riviera
- Go Undergeround at Kents Cavern, a community of caves straight beneath Torquay.
- Take the steam practice to Dartmouth.
- Stroll the Agatha Christie Path – the world-famous crime fiction author was born in Torquay and plenty of areas right here seem in her novels. Or take a guided tour (from £28pp) – click on right here for more information.
- Hop aboard the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, a Twenties furnicular right down to the purple sands of Oddicombe Seashore.
6. Brixham
Brixham can be on the English Riviera, however has a really completely different vibe to Torquay and Paington. Vibrant fishermen’s cottages are clustered onto the hillside above Brixham’s busy working harbour. That is residence to one of many largest fishing fleets within the UK, so the seafood scene in Brixham is unbeatable!
You’ll be able to take fishing journeys and boat excursions from the harbour, or take a tour of the harbourside Fish Market with a fish breakfast on the wonderful Rockfish restaurant. Don’t miss the lifesize reproduction of the Golden Hind, Fransic Drake’s ship!
7. Dartmoor Nationwide Park
It’s not all concerning the south coast in Devon – there are many superb locations to go to within the county’s beautiful rural inside, too. And one among my private favourites is Dartmoor Nationwide Park.
Actually, I may wax lyrical about this place – however I’ll attempt to comprise myself! It’s one among England’s final true wildernesses: an enormous space of heather-strewn moors, towering granite tors (hilltop boulders) and dense forests. And thriller! Legends, folklore and ghost tales abound on Dartmoor, and amidst these dramatic landscapes its straightforward to start out believing them.
Don’t miss the impossibly cute village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, the traditional Bronze Age settlement at Grimspound, or the long-lasting Haytor Rocks – a fantastic spot for a stroll. I additionally love the stroll alongside the outdated Princetown Railway out to King’s Tor and the historic Foggintor Quarry.
8. Totnes
Proper within the coronary heart of rural south Devon sits Totnes, the UK’s first Transition City and doubtless essentially the most moral city in England! It was one of many very first cities in The Transition Community, a worldwide motion via which communities intention to deal with world crises at a neighborhood degree.
The result’s a artistic, community-minded city with one of the impartial excessive streets you’ll ever discover. The veggie/vegan meals scene is STRONG right here. Don’t miss Riverford Subject Kitchen for a seasonal, farm-to-fork eating expertise.
There’s additionally a whole lot of historical past to find – significantly the anceint Totnes Fort – in addition to the serene, wildlife-rich River Dart. Totnes sits on the head of the Dart Estuary; you’ll be able to take ferry rides and boat excursions to Dartmouth, or hop on a kayak/SUP to discover.
9. Begin Bay
Simply west of Dartmouth, the extensive sweep of Begin Bay is likely one of the most lovely spots alongside this stretch of coast.
Slapton Sands sits on the centre of the bay: a slender strip of shingle seaside between the ocean on one aspect and an enormous lake on the opposite. The lake, Slapton Ley, is surrounded by a wildlife-rich nature reserve and makes a great spot for a stroll. You will get a implausible view of all of it from on excessive as you drive out of the village of Strete. Driving throughout the skinny strip of Slapton Sands is a enjoyable expertise, too.
On the southwestern finish of the bay, Begin Level is a superb space for climbing and adventures. Hit the coast path to glimpse the stays of South Hallsands village, washed away by a horrible storm in 1917, and to go to Begin Level Lighthouse. Observe the trail across the headland to achieve the distant, crescent-shaped seaside at Mattiscombe Sands. Likelihood is, you’ll have the place to your self!
10. Teignmouth
Simply northeast from Torquay sits one other historic seaside city: Teignmouth. There’s a grand Victorian pier, a reasonably Georgian seafront, and a putting rust-coloured sandy seaside.
Past the nostalgic seaside vibes, Teignmouth additionally has a wonderful meals scene. It sits on the mouth of the River Teign (therefore the imaginative title!), so is surrounded by wonderful produce. There are mussel and oyster beds on the river, a lot of fertile farmland, and a implausible native fishing trade.
11. Dawlish Warren
Simply alongside the coast from Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren is residence to one of the lovely seashores in south Devon.
Dwalish Warren itself is a small village recognized for its cheap-and-cheerful vacation parks and retro amusement park. However simply exterior of the city sits Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve – the proper place to get away from all of it.
The reserve is correct on the mouth of the Exe Estuary, one of the vital areas for migrating birds recognized for its wealthy and diversified wildlife thorughout the 12 months. And skirting this nature reserve is an idyllic – and infrequently virtually empty – white-sand seaside backed by grass-topped dunes.
12. Tamar Valley AONB
Final, however undoubtedly not least, on this checklist of the perfect locations to go to in South Devon, we have now the Tamar Valley Space of Pure Magnificence. Simply north of Plymouth, it is a wealthy rural panorama filled with rolling valleys and picturesque woodland.
Right here, historical past and nature collide. Although Cornwall is extra well-known for its mining heritage, West Devon had its share of mines – significantly across the Tamar Valley. Don’t miss the traditional stannary city of Tavistock, a fantastic little place with a fantastic impartial buying scene, or Morewellham Quay, a residing museum the place you’ll be able to take a experience on an underground mine practice!
The Tamar Valley is additionally a fantastic place for strolling and biking. Strive Drake’s Path, a 21-mile biking and strolling route between Tavistock and Plymouth. You are able to do the entire thing, or only a part!
Prime Points of interest in South Devon – A Fast Checklist
Beneath, I’ve listed just a few of the highest points of interest dotted round South Devon. These aren’t fairly ‘locations to go to’ however they’re all nice additions to any vacation.
- Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Firm – take a steam practice from Paignton to Dartmouth, river cruise to Totnes, then a bus again to Paignton. You are able to do this ‘Spherical Robin’ journey in any order.
- Greenway – a grand white nation manor as soon as owned by Agatha Christie.
- Buckland Abbey – a manor home constructed from a 700-year-old Cistercian monastery, as soon as residence to Francis Drake.
- Saltram Home – historic property close to Plymouth used as a filming location for Sense and Sensibility.
- Overbeck’s Backyard – lovely clifftop gardens close to Salcombe.
- The Miniature Pony Centre to satisfy Dartmoor’s most well-known residents!
- Salcbome Gin Faculty – distill your individual bottle of gin!
- The Outlets at Dartington – posh boutique retailers on the Dartington Property.
- Sandridge Barton – a winery close to Dartmouth and the house of Sharpham Wine.
Finest Seashores in South Devon
A fast spherical up of the perfect seashores to go to if you hit the south Devon coast!
- South Milton Sands
- Hope Cove
- Dawlish Warren
- Bantham Seashore, close to Bigbury-on-Sea (one of many south coast’s finest browsing seashores)
- Blackpool Sands, close to Dartmouth
- South Sands and North Sands , Salcombe
- Anstey’s Cove, Torquay
- Goodrington Seashore, Paignton
- Broadsands Seashore, Paignton
- Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay
- Mattiscombe Sands, Begin Level (can solely be reached by strolling)
- Ness Cove Seashore, Teignmouth
- Wembury Seashore, close to Plymouth
Learn Extra
50 Distinctive Issues to do in Dorset
Finest Locations to Go to on the South Coast of England
Finest Locations to Vist in South England
Are there any extra nice locations to go to in South Devon that I’ve missed? Let me know within the feedback!
