West Alvington

South Devon

West Alvington is situated on the outskirts of the market town of Kingsbridge which 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.