Salcombe Shops
Salcombe is a small yet perfectly formed paradise for shopaholics. In particular, this charming South Devon town is the...
Wondering whether to visit South Devon for a holiday? We’ve put together 51 reasons why coming here for your next break is an easy choice.
South Devon is an officially designated Area of Outstanding Beauty, famous for its patchwork fields, rolling hills, winding rivers and dramatic coastline. That’s why the first item on our list of reasons to visit South Devon has to be the overall beauty of our region.
A magnet for artists and craftspeople from around the country and beyond, South Devon is a great place to pick up original paintings, sculptures and other works of art.
Thanks to companies like Dartmouth Boat Hire and Dittisham boats, you can hire a cruiser and use it to explore some of the region’s best scenery from a whole new angle. Many people come to visit South Devon every year to explore its rivers, estuaries and coastline – why not join them?
One of the best and more popular reasons to visit South Devon is to give yourself the chance to get to know some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, including two Blue Flag Beaches in Blackpool Sands and Bigbury-On-Sea. Find out more about the best beaches in South Devon here.
Spice-seekers simply have to take a trip to the South Devon Chilli Farm to find out why celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver rate their products so highly. From chilli chutney to a bewildering variety of chilli chocolate, you can enjoy it all.
There’s a café onsite and a show tunnel where you can find out more about how they do it.
Explore some stunning stretches of the South West Coast Path on foot, for example from Dartmouth to the southern tip of Start Bay, or from Hope Cove’s beaches to Bigbury Beach.
If bustling beaches are what you’re looking for, you’ll have a wonderful time at spots like Bantham Beach and South Milton Sands. But if you’re looking for ‘secret’, secluded coves you’ll find plenty of these too – like Mattsicombe Beach and Lannacombe Beach for example. Next time you visit South Devon, make sure to stray a little from the beaten track – you’ll be amazed at the beauty spots you’ll uncover.
Dartmouth and Salcombe are fantastic spots for crabbing, something that kids can enjoy for hours on end. You can pick up all the required equipment from a range of local outlets so you’ll be ready to start the hunt in no time!
Nothing says ‘Devon’ like a traditional Cream Tea. Few people can visit South Devon without having this at least once during their stay.
With a huge range of cafes offering this local speciality, you can have your fill of the clotted cream classic, or why not try an alternative – chilli teas at the South Devon Chilli Farm cafe and cheese teas are two we recommend. Take a look at our recommendations for places for Cream Teas in Devon here.
In 1925, two idealistic aristocrats by the names of Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst bought the 14th century Dartington estate, and transformed it from its neglected state to a space that welcomes musicians and artists from all over the world. Explore the estate and its stunning landscaped gardens.
Dartmouth Castle’s 600-year history began when the town’s merchants required a way to secure the growing wealth of the town from the greedy eyes of pirates and foreign invaders. Explore the castle’s evocative interior, not forgetting to look out over the beautiful Dart estuary from the building’s commanding position.
Find out more about Dartmouth Castle in this blog post.
The importance of sailing, sea trading, fishing and the Royal Navy to South Devon are reflected in two of its most popular events: The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta and the Salcombe Town Regatta, two of the biggest events of their kind in the south west.
South Devon is a great place for fishing, whether that’s from a chartered vessel, the banks of the Dart or Kingsbridge Estuary, the shores of Start Bay, or the harbour’s edge in Salcombe or Dartmouth.
There’s more information about fishing in South Devon here.
Local specialities don’t get much more indulgent and addictive than the Devon fudge you can pick up from independent producers like Edward’s Fudge Kitchen in Dartmouth. Find out who won our South Devon Fudge Off here.
Greenway, the former home and estate of Dame Agatha Christie, sits on the bank of the beautiful River Dart. You can reach the stunningly-restored and maintained house and grounds via river cruise from Dartmouth or even by steam train from Kingswear.
Explore South Devon’s three National Trust properties in this blog article.
Hope Cove’s beaches are two of the most scenic and characterful in South Devon, great for rockpooling and building sandcastles as well as just lying back and enjoying the vista. After a day at the beach, head back into the village to choose from its wide range of fantastic pubs and restaurants.
With two fabulous local producers of delicious handmade ice cream in the form of Salcombe Ice Cream and the Dartmouth Ice Cream Company, you’re sure to find your favourite flavour.
One of the best things about living in or visiting South Devon is the beautiful views you can enjoy when travelling from place to place – a far cry from a typical urban commute. The coastal road (A379) running along a stunning section of Start Bay is especially impressive.
While there are plenty of river cruise options in the region, there are none quite like the traditional Paddle Steamer that leaves Dartmouth on a range of coastal and river routes. Discover more about Dartmouth boat trips here.
The iconic Start Point Lighthouse, accessible via the South West Coast Path or the nearby Start Point car park, is well worth a visit in order to enjoy some of the region’s most spectacular coastal scenery.
The Coombe Park Visitor Centre at the Mare and Foal Sanctuary in Littlehempston near Totnes is a wonderful place to learn about these magnificent animals and the good work done by this charity.
Thanks to the famous South Devon microclimate, we usually enjoy warmer summers, milder winters and fewer days of rainfall than the UK average. The palm trees love it down here, and we’re confident you will too! What better reason to visit South Devon than to soak up the sun – without having to endure airports, ferry port queues and jet lag?
It’s impossible to visit Dartmouth without noticing the imposing Naval College that towers over the town, but did you know you can see it up close by signing up for a historical tour? Britannia Naval College Tours take place on Mondays – find out more from the Britannia Association.
Overbecks House and Gardens, the former home of the eccentric scientist and inventor, Otto Overbeck, are worth a visit for the exhibitions of art and natural history, the beautiful gardens and the fantastic views from on high.
Pennywell Farm, one of the best-loved animal attractions in Devon, is a popular petting zoo in easy reach of the South Hams, just off the A38 near Buckfastleigh.
Take a trip to Totnes to meet a range of pet-able critters including several species of owl, in addition to plenty of interesting farmyard animals.
The South Devon Railway, a steam and vintage diesel service running between Totnes and Buckfastleigh via beautiful Staverton, offers a fantastic day out, with opportunities to save money on admission to Buckfast Butterflies, Dartmoor Otters and the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm.
Sailing and South Devon are traditional bedfellows and the sport of sailing remains hugely important to the character of the region. Never done it before? Why not learn to sail under expert instruction with Salcombe Dinghy Sailing? Take a look at our first time sailing tips here.
Bill ‘Scratch’ Hitchen is another friendly local sailing instructor offering expert lessons to novices and advanced learners. We asked him all about the unique Salcombe yawl in this article.
Salcombe crab sandwiches are a true South Devon delicacy – if you’ve never tried one before, be sure to order one next time you’re in the region.
The mott and bailey castle still standing proud over Totnes is a beautiful sight, but it’s the view outwards from inside the castle – giving you unbeatable views of the town and the River Dart – that will really take your breath away.
Enjoy South Devon hospitality at its best with a pampering session at one of its best spas, such as Dart Marina or Dartmouth Golf and Country Club.
Sharpham Vineyard, a pioneer of English commercial winemaking, is a fantastic place to visit to learn about the art and since of producing wine, do some tasting and perhaps pick up a few bottles. There’s also an al fresco Anchorstone café, with a menu designed to complement the wines produced at the vineyard.
Beaches like Salcombe South Sands, Bantham Beach and South Milton Sands offer excellent opportunities for surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, whether you’re a beginner looking for tuition or an expert needing a place to hire equipment.
The largest theme park of its kind in Devon, Woodlands is a favourite with kids of all ages, and has a huge indoor adventure centre for the little ones to enjoy on rainy days.
Several local companies offer yachts for chartering, such as Salcombe Sailing Experiences – which offer them with or without a skipper.
In addition to the excellent animal attractions we have in our region, sitting very close to the South Hams are two other excellent zoos. Dartmoor Zoo is the inspiration for the Hollywood film,’ We bought a zoo’, while Paignton Zoo is renowned as one of the biggest and best in the country.
Buckfast Butterflies is a popular animal attraction within easy reach of the South Hams. Meet and learn about a variety of local and exotic butterflies and moths. Animal lovers will find plenty to keep them occupied when they visit South Devon, as you’ll see from some of the other attractions in our list.
South Devon has some of the oldest and most charming pubs in the country, from the foodie Cott Inn in Dartington, which has been welcoming guests since 1320, to the tiny Cherub Inn in Dartmouth, which resides in a glorious old building dating back to 1380. Find out more about the best pubs in South Devon here.
South Devon welcomes dogs in many of its shops, cafes, pubs and beaches, while there’s no shortage of high quality holiday homes also open to dog lovers.
Coast & Country Cottages offers around 400 luxury holiday properties in Salcombe, Dartmouth and elsewhere in South Devon, so there are ideal options for large groups, couples, young families, friends and more.
There are wildlife reserves at Slapton Ley (the largest freshwater lake in the south west) and Widdecombe Ley – great for birdwatchers – while off the coast you stand a good chance of catching a glimpse of a seal, dolphin or even a basking shark.
Shopping with a South Devon twist means making the most of the unique, individual shops and galleries that decorate our towns. Whether you’re looking for designer clothes, locally produced jewellery or unique works of art, you’ll find it all here.
South Devon’s reputation as a haven for foodies grows every year. With award-winning restaurants like Mitch Tonks’ Seahorse in Dartmouth and some fantastic gastro-pubs, you’ll never be short of options – no matter what the occasion.
Our towns and many of our local villages are blessed with some excellent independent bakeries and delis, like @11s in Kingsbridge, the Salcombe Bake House, Salcombe Deli and more. Find out who won our best Devon pasty award here.
The annual Dartmouth Food Festival, called a top 10 UK food event by the Guardian newspaper, is a great place to learn from the masters as well as to sample some of the best cooking from the region. 21st to 23rd October 2016, when the festival’s running, is a great time to visit South Devon – but you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to eateries all year round.
Live music accompanies most of our biggest annual events, and it takes centre-stage every May when the Dart Music Festival takes place, featuring over 100 live bands and performers from a wide range of genres.
If you’d like to take a stroll somewhere more sheltered than the bracing trails of the South West Coast Path, beautiful walks through the woods are open to you at places like Loddiswell along the old railway line, and St Andrew’s Woods near Kingsbridge.
What could be better for lowering the blood pressure and filling you with positivity than fresh air and exercise amongst the beautiful natural scenery? There are also lots of alternative health options too, from yoga to reiki, which you can enjoy in many places in the region, and especially in Totnes which is one of the best-known centres of alternative lifestyles in the country.
Love the water but not so keen on salt or chlorine? Take a look at our article on wild swimming in South Devon here.
With welcoming crafts spaces like Paper Bird Island in Salcombe, the Art Café in Kingsbridge and China Blue in Totnes, you can enjoy some relaxing time with the kids, and get reacquainted with your own artistic side. Here’s more information about things to do with kids in South Devon.
If you’re looking for inspiration for your own garden or just love discovering new parks and gardens bursting with colour and interest, you’ll find plenty of excellent gardens in South Devon to explore.
There are plenty more reasons to visit South Devon on our blog.
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