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Our Area |
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With the mildest year-round
climate on mainland Britain, the area is the ideal location for
a holiday or short break all year round – indeed the name South
Hams, derives from the old Saxon ‘Hamme’ meaning sheltered
place.
Officially classed as ‘an area of outstanding natural beauty’,
the South Hams covers the most southerly tip of Devon. From the
wild beauty of Dartmoor, to the stunning southern coastline,
there are miles of beautiful countryside and delightful
estuaries and rivers to explore, plus the delights of
picturesque villages to discover. The unspoilt and historic
small towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Totnes, Modbury
and Ivybridge continue to charm visitors as well as offering
individual shops, tempting tearooms and award-winning
restaurants. |
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Salcombe and Hope Cove |
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Salcombe
There is something for everyone and all
tastes and budgets in Salcombe, plus
stunning views!
Situated near the mouth of a tidal estuary
and boasting unspoilt, sandy coves, perfect
for family beach days, its easy to see why
Salcombe remains our most popular location.
Renowned as a sailing centre, with
facilities for all types of craft, boats to
hire and tuition available, Salcombe Regatta
fortnight in August, with activities and
entertainment for all, attracts visitors
year after year. Quieter out of season, the
birds and wildlife, wonderful coastal
walking and the National Trust Gardens at
Overbecks make Salcombe an all year round
choice. Shopping in Salcombe is a treat with
the narrow main streets offering a choice of
individual shops. Then why not enjoy a
delicious ice cream, a traditional cream
tea, a relaxing drink or a locally caught
fish supper?
Hope Cove
Originally a fishing village and smugglers
haunt, Hope Cove’s charm attracts visitors
who return year after year. One of our most
popular family beach locations during the
summer, with sandy beaches and clear waters
attracting bathers, divers and water sports
enthusiasts. Seals and dolphins are seen
regularly in the coves. Hope Cove Weekend in
August is full of fun for everyone and a
wonderful atmosphere. Out of season the
village is sought after by couples and
walkers, with miles of glorious coastal
paths to explore and spectacular views all
year round. The village is two villages in
one – Inner Hope, with it’s square of much
photographed ‘chocolate box’ thatched
cottages and Outer Hope offering pub,
tearoom and shop. |
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Kingsbridge and Start Bay |
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Kingsbridge
Located in the heart of the South Hams – an
ideal base for holidays and short breaks all
year round. At the head of a pretty estuary,
with river trips to Salcombe available
according to tides, this thriving market
town offers twice weekly markets plus a very
popular Farmers Market on the first Saturday
of the month. The narrow steep Fore Street
is well worth the climb, with individual
shops to browse in plus plenty of
refreshment stops along the way.
Start Bay
Stunning views and unspoilt beaches, pretty
villages and a wildlife paradise.
From Dartmouth take the spectacular coastal
road towards Kingsbridge, passing through
the village of Stoke Fleming, perched on the
cliffs 300ft above the sea overlooking the
golden shingle of Blackpool Sands, the
award-winning beach that proves very popular
with visitors all year round. Strete,
occupies a cliff top position with views
over Start Bay, plus boasts a renowned pub
and restaurant as well as a village shop.
Continuing onto Slapton Sands and Torcross,
where the D-Day landings rehearsals took
place in 1944, the freshwater lake of
Slapton Ley , a paradise for birdwatchers
and nature lovers, is separated from the sea
by just a shingle bank and the narrow road.
Torcross offers a shop, tea rooms and great
fish and chips.
Start Point Lighthouse is open to visitors,
whilst East Prawle, situated on the
southernmost tip of Devon, is home to a
popular pub as well as rare birds,
butterflies and wildlife. Hallsands, with
it’s intriguing history and unspoilt cove,
is a perfect base for walking, shore fishing
and exploring the coastline. Beeson lies
half a mile inland from the working fishing
village of Beesands, where you can buy the
freshest fish or enjoy another stretch of
shingle beach. The pretty village of South
Pool, on the Salcombe Estuary, is within
easy reach of the fabulous beaches of
Millbay and East Portlemouth, from where you
can take a small ferry boat over to
Salcombe. |
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South Hams Towns and Villages |
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Thurlestone
Named after the large sea rock painted
by Turner and popular with photographers and
artists today.
Slightly inland, Thurlestone village boasts
pretty thatched cottages, a pub, hotel and
post office. Take off along miles of coastal
paths for wonderful walks with spectacular
views or visit Thurlestone Sands, owned by
the National Trust and popular with families
and water sports enthusiasts. The renowned
links golf course close by is set in 50
acres with fabulous sea views.
Bantham
Close to fabulous beaches with stunning
views across to Burgh Island, of Agatha
Christie fame.
Bantham is a small village, with a pub and
village store, plus thatched cottages
leading down to the sandy beach, popular
with families but also with surfers from far
and wide. Rock pooling, flying kites and
building sandcastles are popular pastimes.
Bigbury
Bigbury village is set slightly inland, with
a pub and village shop plus a golf course
nearby. From the beach at Bigbury-on-Sea the
popular sea tractor takes passengers across
the Burgh Island or you can walk when the
tide allows!
Modbury
Set inland but only a short drive from the
area’s wonderful sandy beaches – an ideal
location for exploring the whole of the
South Hams. Modbury is a pretty little
agricultural town dating back to the 8th
century and offering a wealth of interesting
shops and places to eat, whilst
Aveton
Gifford is a rural village with a tidal road
linking it to Bigbury.
Totnes
Historic Totnes and it’s weekly Elizabethan
market is popular with visitors all year
round.
Enjoy browsing amongst the many interesting
shops in the narrow, steep streets of Totnes
and then reward yourself with a cream tea!
Situated on the River Dart, boat trips are
available taking you winding along past
hidden creeks and sleepy villages to
Dartmouth about 13 miles away. |
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Dartmouth |
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Dartmouth
With its Royal and TV connections it’s no
surprise that picturesque Dartmouth has
become so popular with visitors from far and
wide.
With many properties boasting fantastic
views of the River Dart and its busy
marinas, yachting and boating activities of
all kinds attract many, whilst others simply
board one of several pleasure boats for a
taste of life on the water. Film crews have
chosen historic Dartmouth as the location
for programmes including The Onedin Line and
Down to Earth whilst the town’s Michelin
starred restaurant, ‘The New Angel’ featured
in Channel 4’s Return of the Chef. The
gardens of Agatha Christie’s house,
Greenways, and Britannia Royal Naval College
– where The Queen met Prince Phillip – can
both be visited. Dartmouth Royal Regatta in
August features waterborne activity plus
spectacular air displays, often from the
renowned Red Arrows. Browse amongst the art
galleries and shops of Dartmouth’s narrow
streets, take the ferry over to Kingswear to
catch the steam train or relax in one of
Dartmouth’s many restaurants or tea rooms. |
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