Introducing your South Devon Village Guide

South Devon’s villages, along with our unspoilt coastline and the natural beauty of our countryside, play a large part in making our region special.

Some of these, like Loddiswell and Stoke Fleming for example, make excellent starting points for coastal or inland walks. Others, including Dittisham, East Allington and South Pool, are home to cosy traditional pubs, serving homemade food that pulls in visitors from all over the region.

Several South Devon villages also have fascinating histories to tell, such as Dartington – home to the Elmhirsts’ world-famous “Dartington experiment” – and Hallsands, the lower part of which was lost to the sea after a great storm in 1917.

To celebrate our favourite villages in South Devon, we’ve created an ongoing series of articles. You can already find out more about the following villages, and more guides will be added throughout the year:

Blackawton

Blackawton is a peaceful rural village close to Dartmouth and Start Bay’s northernmost beaches.

Chillington

On the scenic coastal road between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, Chillington is a thriving village within easy reach of Torcross Beach and the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.

Dartington

Home to the picturesque, historic Dartington Hall Estate, Dartington is a magnet for artists from around the world.

Dittisham

Situated on the bank of the River Dart across from the Greenway Estate, beautiful Dittisham is home to an Anchorstone Café and the Ferry Boat Inn.

East Allington

The quiet village of East Allington, deep in the South Hams countryside, is where you’ll find the excellent Fortescue Arms pub.

Frogmore

This pretty settlement sits at Frogmore Creek on the Kingsbridge Estuary, and is home to the much-loved @The Bakery.

Loddiswell

Right on Loddiswell’s doorstep, you’ll find a wonderful woodland walk along the old railway line, the Avon Mill Garden Centre, the South Devon Chilli Farm and Valley View Café.

Malborough

Malborough offers lovely circular walks taking in coastline and countryside, easy access to Salcombe and a couple of popular community pubs.

South Pool

South Pool Creek, and indeed the village itself, is a pleasantly tranquil beauty spot deep in the South Hams countryside. South Pool is also home to the Millbrook Inn, a tiny but highly renowned gastro-pub.

Stokenham

With a couple of nice pubs, a walking trail to Start Bay and pretty, leafy surroundings, Stokenham offers a scenic place to stop on the coastal road from Kingsbridge.

Stoke Fleming

A waypoint on the South West Coast Path between Dartmouth and Blackpool Sands, Stoke Fleming provides stunning coastal views and a pub to refuel thirsty hikers.

Strete

Strete, a small coastal village above Slapton Sands, is home to the excellent Laughing Monk restaurant, whose reputation is amongst the best in South Devon.

Torcross

Torcross sits at the southern edge of Slapton Sands, where you’ll find the Start Bay Inn, two cafés, a memorial to the fallen and the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.

We also recommend this article on three of the most picturesque fishing villages in South Devon, and you might also be interested in our guides to the best South Devon walks.

Tranquil South Devon spots for relaxing breaks

As well as a wide range of properties in the popular holiday destinations of Salcombe and Dartmouth, we have a variety of holiday homes in stunning locations in:

• Torcross and Start Bay
• Hope Cove
• Thurlestone

Explore our portfolio of ‘country escapes’ or see the full range of our South Devon properties here.