Holiday Cottages in South Devon

Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers lie opposite each other on a creek of the beautiful wooded estuary of the Yealm. The Yealm estuary is a haven for artists and yachtsmen with pretty waterside cottages and sailing vessels of every shape and size making an idyllic scene for all who visit. Newton Ferrers gives shelter for the yachtsmen using it during the summer and boasts 3 pubs within a stone's throw to make the ambience complete. Walking enthusiasts can enjoy beautiful coastlines particularly Warren Point, a spectacular area, where wildlife abounds. The little church of St. Werburgh, standing on the cliff at the junction of several of the parish footpaths, has stood on this wild piece of coastline since the 14th century. Another landmark to look out for is the Great Mewstone, a rock like a right angled triangle where people have lived in the past.

The Avon Valley is an unspoilt, rural haven and Modbury , once a prosperous market town is in the heart of this rich farming region. With its dignified terraced houses, slate hung walls and enticing old fashioned shop windows it creates an impression of entering a film set for a drama set in the last century, however, do not be deceived by this timeless character, this little town is a hive of activity with three inns and an array of excellent specialist shops.

Five miles away is the small village of Aveton Gifford located at the head of the tidal road to Bigbury. Here the estuary both at high and low tide is filled with a wonderful array of birds, including oystercatchers, curlews, redshanks and swans to name but a few. A very pleasant walk can be enjoyed alongside this scenic estuary, where many a photograph has been snapped, but it is impassable at high tide. There is a good pub/restaurant and a local shop/post office.

Around and about Loddiswell there are a number of unusual attractions including the Blackdown Rings, a massive Iron Age earthworks, a superb spot from which to view the South Hams and an excellent picnic area.

Bigbury beach is all that is expected of a beach - miles of sand, excellent for castle building, (and burying the relatives!) cricket, volley-ball, windsurfing and kite-surfing. It is also a wonderful spot for dogs in the low season, as they can race along the beach, yet remain in view of their owners!

Bantham and Bigbury on Sea is where the river Avon joins the sea and the tide ebbs and flows very fast and can be strong along this stretch, therefore swimming may be dangerous in some places. There are, however safe areas and coast guards are on duty in the summer at both Bigbury and Bantham. This is a glorious beach in a fabulous setting, where sometimes one can imagine being in some far-away romantic place, especially amid the sand-dunes. It is extremely popular for families, couples and also excellent for surfers, wind and kite surfers and The Sloop Inn, located in the tiny village itself, is frequented by both those on holiday and locals alike.

West Buckland, a pretty little hamlet just half a mile from Bantham, is tucked away down a quiet country lane and is ideally situated for the beaches and facilities of both Bantham and Thurlestone alike, which are equidistant. Easton too is another tiny hamlet near Bigbury and has the added advantage of a wonderful little shop at St Ann's Chapel which sells an abundance of local produce. All in all, this entire area is a wonderful holiday destination at any time of the year for all age groups.

Hope Cove is two villages in one - Outer and Inner Hope. Inner Hope is a pretty little olde worlde Devon fishing village with a collection of thatched cob and stone cottages set around a tiny square, whereas Outer Hope hosts the local pub, the Hope and Anchor and the village shop which are situated opposite the beach. Both "villages" in fact have their own beautiful sandy beaches and are a delight, being popular for families with children, picnicking and generally enjoying this scenic spot.

The walk from Overbecks to Hope Cove is one of the most rewarding coastal walks in Devon, about 6-8 miles in all, depending on whether or not, you walk from Salcombe and views from the cliff paths can be quite breathtaking.

"Hope Cove Weekend" a fun couple of days for all the family takes place in August and should not be missed.

The market town of Kingsbridge lies at the head of the Kingsbridge/Salcombe Estuary and has been the principal market town of the region since 962AD. It is said to have derived its name from a Saxon king when on reaching Dodbrooke during his travels, was unable to cross the stream, so a volunteer from a local family carried the king across the Dod on his back. Kingsbridge to this day remains the capital of the South Hams and offers an assortment of things to do and see, including an excellent range of shops. Here you can buy some first rate quality clothes and there are several shops with a creative and artistic flair, a large supermarket and there are also some outstanding restaurants, plus of course several pubs, some being waterside.

A round trip river cruise of approximately an hour to Salcombe is a very pleasant and relaxing way of seeing the countryside and many of the estuary birds that inhabit this unique and exceptionally beautiful stretch of water.

A colourful outdoor market is situated on the Quay, where a variety of goods can be purchased, including local crafts and farm produce. The area surrounding Kingsbridge is mainly rural and there are many little hamlets interspersed with the typical Devon villages that we know and love, though some have been modernised over the years, they still retain their olde-worlde charm.

Prawle Point is on the most southerly tip of Devon. The coastline is rugged, with magnificent cliffs and delightful coves, lending themselves to coast path walks, which are quite breathtaking. This area is quiet, unspoilt and boasts an abundance of wildlife and birds, including the rare cirl buntings which farmers and naturalists in the area are working hard to protect. The area is said to resemble the shape of a pig, hence 'The Pig's Nose Inn' and 'Piglet Stores' in the village of East Prawle. For walkers there is idyllic rambling country which can always begin or end at the Millbrook Inn, South Pool situated just off the main Kingsbridge to Dartmouth road. A walk in">

Further west along the coast is East Portlemouth, with its fine sandy beaches, overlooking the popular town and harbour of Salcombe. There is a ferry service which takes visitors from East Portlemouth to Salcombe where there are excellent shops, pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes. It is a location particularly popular with yachtsmen, writers and artists as its natural beauty combined with the excellent sailing facilities enable all those visiting to appreciate its unique situation. Along the cliffs from Bolt Head to Bolt Tail above Hope Cove, hundreds of wrecks have been charted and the area has been listed as one of outstanding natural beauty.

This very popular pretty village with its thatched cottages and colourful gardens benefits from its own warm, dry microclimate resulting in more sunny days per year than neighbouring villages a mile or two further inland. Thurlestone takes its name from the large distinctive rock off the shore and actually means pierced stone. There are several large sandy beaches, including South Milton Sands, which are safe for bathing and other more secluded coves, most of which are also good for swimming and they can be reached by walking across the prestigious golf course via public footpaths which form part of the South Devon coastal path. Look out for the remains of a shipwreck at low tide, one of many along this stretch of coastline.

The village boasts one of the best hotels in Devon, (the bar, restaurant, beauty treatment salon and the 9 hole hotel golf course are open to the public). There is also a superb and famous 18 hole championship golf course (available to players with a handicap), an excellent pub - The Village Inn - which serves a first class thirst-quenching pint and good food and is said to have been partly constructed with the ships timbers from a stricken Armada vessel! Furthermore, there is a lovely old church beside the village green and a new small supermarket /post office and for those who enjoy a brisk stroll, the villages of Hope Cove and Bantham are both within walking distance along the beautiful cliff paths which offer stunning views at every turn, making Thurlestone the perfect setting for a fabulous holiday.

Start Bay, an outstandingly beautiful part of this coastline, extends from the Mew Stone at the entrance to the river Dart and encompasses the famous Blackpool Sands beach, the glorious sweep of Slapton Sands and culminates in the craggy cliffs that curve round to Start Point Lighthouse.

The coastal road villages of Stoke Fleming and Strete are within a mile of Blackpool Sands. This lovely cove, at the northern end of Start Bay, is flanked by steep wooded cliffs and its two thirds of a mile long beach of sand and shingle has facilities that include windsurfing, canoeing and sailing. This is one of the very best beaches in Devon and is extremely popular with families. There is a café/restaurant, toilets, disabled visitors' facilities including access to the beach and a slipway.

Slapton Sands extend for over three miles, at the northern end is Strete Gate, a secluded picnic spot and vantage point. The coast road is unique, flanked by both the beach and a freshwater lake with an abundance of rare flora and fauna; much of the countryside is now a National Nature Reserve. This is an area of breathtaking beauty with water-meadows, marshland, a nature trail and a public hide for watching the ever-changing bird population. Slapton Ley Field Centre organises guided walks and talks around the Ley.

The quaint village of Slapton lies about half a mile inland, with two excellent pubs, the 14th Century Queen's Arms and the 13th Century Tower Inn which lie tucked away in the centre of this delightful and historic village, only a short walk from the Sands.

The peaceful scene of the area was shattered during the last war when the US forces used the area to train for the D-Day landings. For security and safety, over 3000 local people had to leave their homes and farms at short notice. The grateful American forces erected a monument on the Sands to thank them for their sacrifice.

By the Torcross car park is a Sherman Tank recovered from the sea in 1984 and now a memorial to the 800 American servicemen who lost their lives when their landing craft sank. Torcross is at the southern end of Slapton Sands and from here it is a great walk south along the coast to Beesands with its row of fishermen's cottages and a pub on the beach, and then on to Hallsands. At the beginning of the last century South Hallsands was abandoned in a severe storm and the remains of the cottages can still be seen. Continuing along the coastal path takes you over the cliff tops to Start Point, the lighthouse and a fabulous vantage point from which to view the whole of Start Bay and its spectacular coastline. Slightly inland is the thriving village of Stokenham with a farm shop, a 'pick-your-own fruit and vegetables' and two good taverns that border the delightful enclosed village green.

This unique area of outstanding natural beauty is particularly popular with sailors and fishermen along with all those with an artistic temperament and who enjoy peaceful tranquillity in a truly beautiful rural environment. Delightful riverside villages such as Dittisham, Tuckenhay, Ashprington and Stoke Gabriel situated in the heart of the South Hams make this area unique. Unspoilt tree-lined banks, secret creeks with countryside sweeping down to the river have been inspirational to many. Walkers, ornithologists and photographers can enjoy the delights of river, estuary and countryside and boat trips from Dartmouth will take you up river to Totnes with its winding streets, historic town walls and ancient castle.

Rising up out of the river Dart, opposite the historic naval town of Dartmouth, is Kingswear home of the Royal Dart Yacht Club. A castle defends the mouth of the river and the town, a short drive from the attractions of Torbay, boasts its own steam railway, which runs along the River Dart to Paignton. Car and passenger ferries run regularly between Kingswear and Dartmouth.

Dartmouth on the opposite bank is, like many coastal towns, built on the side of a steep, wooded valley overlooking the river, a picture book location. The training ground of the officers of the Royal Navy, Britannia Royal Naval College stands proud in its traditions and position overlooking the town. Dartmouth offers a stunning array of bistros, pubs, restaurants, boutiques, galleries and specialist shops that all line its narrow streets with their long flights of winding steps and intriguing medieval buildings.