Plymouth: A Comprehensive Travel Guide
Come rain or shine, Plymouth is a vibrant waterfront city packed full of attractions, eateries and things to do. ...
by Emily Mercer / Area Guides
With so much to see, do and explore in this wonderful Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, take a look at our video for an insight into the 11 best places to visit in South Devon!
Known for its meandering rivers, world-class beaches, enchanting woodlands, dramatic valley and moorlands that stretch as far as the eye can see, there’s no limit to what you can get up to here. So, whether you have a holiday home in South Devon or you’re heading here for your next staycation, keep scrolling to uncover all the best places to visit in South Devon.
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Whilst the awe-inspiring footage above speaks for itself, you can learn and explore more about each of these wonderful locations right here. Use the quick links below to find out more about any of the destinations mentioned, or simply continue reading for our top 11 must visit places in South Devon:
Skip Ahead to:
• Bigbury-on-Sea
• Salcombe
• Bantham
• Hope Cove
• Torcross
• Hallsands
• Beesands
• Thurlestone
• Dartmouth
• Dittisham
• South Pool
A popular seaside village situated at the mouth of the River Avon in the South Hams district, Bigbury-on-Sea is home to an award-winning beach that draws in lots of surfers and water sports enthusiasts from the local area and further afield.
If you’re hoping to get up to a bit of surfing, wakeboarding or kayaking yourself, then be sure to head to the Discovery Surf School next to the car park where you can either book lessons or hire equipment out for yourself.
Stretching across to Burgh Island, the third generation Hydraulic Sea Tractor is the perfect way to gain access at high tide. So, whether you’re heading across to explore this historic island, or to simply enjoy a meal at the iconic Pilchard Inn, this is a great option to consider if you’re unable to cross the sand on foot – The fare is £2.00 each way.
The popular sailing town of Salcombe is home to 7 sandy beaches, some of which are located at East Portlemouth, reached by the small foot passenger ferry from Salcombe Landing in the heart of the town.
Located at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary and firmly within the South Devon AONB, the town extends along the steep western edge of the water and has long been a favourite spot for yachts and pleasure boats looking to navigate the waterways here.
With beautiful options including the aptly named ‘Sunny Cove’, the peaceful ‘Small’s Cove’, and the popular inlets of South Sands and North Sands, those wanting to build sandcastles, swim, or paddleboard have plenty of options, many of which offer great views of the historic ruins of Salcombe Castle too.
If you plan on visiting this lovely town on your next trip to South Devon, be sure to take a walk along the waterfront (Fore Street) to discover the best cafés and pubs, perfect for kicking back and watching the world go by.
If you happen to be visiting this South Devon town in May, then be sure not to miss the Salcombe Crabfest, one of the biggest events that takes place here every year!
Regarded by many as a “Surfer’s Paradise”, Bantham Beach makes for a fantastic place to pick up new skills or hone your abilities, no matter if you’re into kayaking, windsurfing or something completely out-of-the-ordinary!
It’s also a great place to flock to for an afternoon of sunbathing, as this South Devon beach offers plenty of room for visitors on its golden sands which stretch nearly half a kilometre in length and offers impeccable views of Burgh Island across the bay.
And for those of you who are completely new to water sports and fancy giving surfing a go, there are surf schools offering great tuition – Bantham Surf School and Discovery Surf just across the water at Bigbury-on-sea. Don’t worry about equipment, they can help with that too! Check out the lad enjoying his surf lesson in the video – who just so happened to be on holiday with Coast & Country Cottages at the time!
Nestled on the South Devon coastline, just a short drive from Salcombe and Kingsbridge, and with the South West Coast Path running through it, Hope Cove is a small village with a big character.
Not only is it one of the best places to visit in South Devon on a day trip, but it’s also a wonderful holiday destination for those looking to truly experience a seaside getaway.
Hope Cove has two popular bars, serving great food and fantastic local tipples. Why not sip a Salcombe Gin and Tonic in the sunshine on the balcony at The Cove Café Bar!
Not only that, but also here you’ll find the Lobster Pod Bistro, a well-renowned seafood restaurant that serves delicious local produce sourced straight from the sea. As the name suggests, this restaurant features a number of glass pods to the rear, where diners can sit and enjoy their meals at any time of the year.
The picturesque village of Torcross lies at the southern tip of Slapton Sands, a 3-mile-long stretch of shingle beach overlooking Start Bay that’s dog-friendly all year round.
If you’re up for a big hike, then you’re in luck! You can actually make your way across this entire beach uninterrupted until you reach Strete Sands and the village of Strete to the east, which covers around four kilometres.
Full of historical and natural interest, this scenic village is home to a handful of popular eateries and bustling pubs, all within easy walking distance of some truly charming local beaches, including the Blue Flag-awarded Blackpool Sands that’s regularly touted as one of the best places to visit in South Devon.
The quaint fishing village of Hallsands, situated on the edge of Start Bay, makes for a brilliant place for those of you hoping to explore South Devon on foot, as the popular South West Coastal Path can be found running through the village.
Not only that, but it’s also home to the popular Hallsands North Beach, a large shingle beach that doesn’t have any restrictions for dog walkers. It also offers easy access to the water for boats, making this a great spot to go sailing for the afternoon if that’s on the agenda.
In terms of walking routes, one of the most popular to follow is the mile-long walk from here to the neighbouring village of Beesands, which takes around half an hour and offers unparalleled views of Start Bay. For more information on this route, be sure to check out our guide on the Beesands to Hallsands Circular »
Perfect for those of you hoping to switch off from your daily routine to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Beesands makes for the perfect spot to ‘get away from it all’. Found just a few miles north of Hallsands and also offering amazing views of Start Bay, this South Devon beach offers plenty of space to park along the seafront and also grants easy access for boats to the water.
Home to a brilliant dog-friendly beach that doesn’t operate any seasonal restrictions, you can quite easily spend an entire day wandering across the golden sands with your four-legged friends before enjoying one of the village’s fantastic eateries afterwards, such as the Britannia @ The Beach and The Cricket Inn. No matter which one you choose, both offer impeccable views of the sea and make for great places to stop off after a busy day.
Named after the Thurlestone Rock formation that can be seen off the shores of South Milton Sands, Thurlestone is a quaint village on the South Devon coast that boasts two fantastic beaches to enjoy whilst here, the other being named after the village.
With Burgh Island visible to the west, this village is best known for its golf course, which offers impeccable views of the island and the rest of the bay. In addition, the beaches are also popular hotspots for surfers year-round, making them a great place to go for an adrenaline kick if that’s your thing!
Away from the coast, the village itself is steeped in history with many of its buildings dating back to the 17th century and beyond. It also has a great pub known as the Village Inn, a modern gastropub that serves mouth-watering dishes and a great selection of drinks.
Arguably one of the best-known places on the South Devon coast, the town of Dartmouth sits along the mouth of the River Dart and has long been a popular destination amongst tourists.
Lined with beaches nestled in between its two historic castles, Dartmouth is also home to a large harbour where local sailors and visitors bring their boats to rest.
In the town itself, you’ll find many great places to stop off for a bite to eat and a drink too. This includes well-renowned restaurants like The Seahorse and beautiful country-style pubs like Seven Stars.
With 52 miles of meandering river to explore, Dartmouth is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, or those simply looking to enjoy breathtaking views. For inspiration on how to spend your time in this historic town, read our blog ’12 ways to enjoy the River Dart’.
Just a short ferry ride or drive from Dartmouth, the village of Dittisham is a timeless destination with a number of pubs and eateries to enjoy whilst visiting this picturesque location.
For locally caught seafood, be sure to make your way to the Anchorstone Café on the waterfront, or for character and charm visit the Ferry Boat Inn. Combining food and drink with a village shop and post office, the Red Lion Inn is also in the heart of Dittisham.
With a ferry running from the village’s pier over to Greenway on the other side of the River Dart, heading across the water will bring you to Greenway, a gorgeous National Trust property that was once home to famous author Agatha Christie.
Found at the end of Southpool Creek, the pretty village of South Pool is a fantastic destination for a waterside break. A slice of Old England, this village features winding historic streets that pass by 17th-century cottages and wonderful pubs like The Millbrook Inn, an award-winning establishment that’s well worth visiting whilst here.
In terms of things to do, this village is a popular spot for crabbing, which can be done from the pontoon at high tide. Being so well-connected to the rest of the coast via the sea, it’s also a place where you can jump on a boat and visit the neighbouring village of Salcombe.
Hoping to visit this beautiful on your next staycation? If so, then booking one of these holiday cottages in South Devon is a must-do! For more ideas on what to get up to here, take a look at this guide covering What’s on in South Devon in 2024 »
by Emily Mercer / Area Guides
I’ve been a member of the South West regional team since 2015, and now manage a team in our Salcombe office. There are so ma...
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