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This wonderful part of the country draws visitors back like a magnet year after year. Great days out ...................
South Devon offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Don’t miss 28 Our top things to see and do in this picturesque region.
Shopaholics will love South Devon for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, highstreet staples and quirky independents.
Conker is a small family-run business with a team of friendly shoe fitters and of course, our highly skilled shoe makers. Combining leather uppers and rubber soles of high quality, we use traditional techniques to make our footwear here in Devon. Our workshop is located behind our High Street shop so when you come to visit you can see where your shoes will be made. We make shoes to order so you can be as creative or as classic as you want. We also have a large range of shoes in each size and style available to buy off the shelf.
Conker shoes have been designed and constructed to be repaired and resoled extending their life and reducing your footprint on our planet.
You can find us among the many independent quirky shops of Totnes, a beautiful Elizabethan town situated on the River Dart.
This part of the country is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite.
Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break.
Culture vultures assemble! This county offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals.
The night-time economy in South Devon is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and live music venues.
Although the county has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure.
This wonderful part of the world draws visitors back like a magnet year after year
Welcome, visitor!
Welcome to South Devon. Spend any time at all here in this beautiful part of England –especially in the height of summer – and you’ll appreciate why this wonderful region draws visitors back like a magnet year after year.
Featuring miles of stunning coastline and endless spectacular countryside, South Devon has been a popular holiday destination for centuries. Each town and village lends its own individual character to a visit, meaning there’s something for everyone.
Hit the shops and boutiques of South Devon and it’s easy to see something of the area’s independent streak. There’s always something a little different on offer, from vintage pieces to one-off artworks through to bespoke jewellery.
You can get a taste for sumptuous food at the end of a hard day’s shopping at a number
of South Devon’s award-winning restaurants. Our must-visits include the Michelin-starred Àclèaf, Plymouth; The Elephant, Torquay and Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island.
If you’re a culture vulture, you’re in luck in South Devon. This region is home to top theatres the Exeter Phoenix; Princess Theatre, Torquay and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Museum and gallery buffs are well-catered for too, with the likes of MAKE Southwest, The Box and Torquay Museum taking centre stage.
So whether it’s a lazy tour of the idyllic countryside, a relaxing break enjoying local food and drink, an action-packed adventure on its waves and beaches, or a fun-filled family holiday, you’ll find South Devon truly has something for everyone.
So, enjoy everything that this beautiful area has to offer and come back and visit soon! ■
The beautiful beach at Hallsands
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South Devon offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy
Great days out
Calling all ramblers, surfers, sailors, cyclists, horse riders, swimmers, beachcombers and barefoot adventurers: South Devon is the place for you! Landscape lovers will discover jagged cliffs, scenic golden strands, wild moorland and tranquil estuaries.
Want to take in some history and culture too? There’s plenty to enthral visitors in the region’s settlements, from untouched hamlets to the cheery resorts of the English Riviera, and from the delights of hippy Totnes to the stately city of Exeter.
South Devon has museums, attractions and amusement parks aplenty to keep the little ones enthralled. If you’re an outdoorsy family you’ll find plenty to keep you happy too,
Don’t miss the Blue Flag beach at Blackpool Sands near Dartmoute
whether you’re pedalling down a hedge-lined country lane, white water canoeing on the River Dart or sailing on the open sea.
Got older kids who’re up for a challenge?
The South West Coast Path should be on your radar. It’s the longest footpath in Britain but never fear, you don’t have to tackle it all at once! In the south, the section between Bantham and Salcombe is particularly alluring, taking you to windswept cliffs and dipping down to golden beaches.
If cycling is more your bag head to Haldon Forest on the outskirts of Exeter. The Haldon Forest Cycle Trails comprise all-ability routes through 3,500 acres of woodland, with the chance to refuel at the Ridge Café. For
The beach at Babbacombe, part of the ‘English Riviera’
more adrenaline-raising fun, the River Dart Country Park in Ashburton is home to zip wires and a commando assault course, as well as a pirate ship for younger kids to play on.
If you need to cool off after all that action, take a dip at Plymouth’s restored Art Deco Tinside Lido. It’s set in a beautiful location overlooking the sea at the tip of Plymouth Hoe and has been voted one of the top 10 outdoor pools in Europe.
You can’t bring the family to South Devon and not spend time on the beach. Take a bucket and line to Dittisham and try a spot of crabbing – a great activity for kids. Or head for the rock arch and rock pools of South Milton Sands, which also has safe swimming and the chance to spot dolphins and seals. Then there’s the sheltered Blue Flag beach at Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth. It features calm swimming and kayak and boogie board hire (there are no lifeguards until June).
Looking for a lively resort atmosphere? The unpretentious resort towns of Torquay, Babbacombe, Paignton and Brixham comprise the self-styled English Riviera, where palm trees and sandy beaches make for something approaching a Mediterranean holiday – British weather permitting.
Round the coast, lovely Salcombe sits on a fractured estuary, its pastel-painted houses,
tumbling streets and sandy beaches draws sailors in the hundreds in the summer.
The South Devon Steam Railway will enchant all fans of Thomas the Tank Engine – the gleaming bottle-green trains puff sedately backwards and forwards between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.
Just north of Plymouth, award-winning Morwellham Quay forms part of a World Heritage Site. You can journey deep into an old copper mine on a narrow-gauge railway, dress up in 19th-century garb and try your l
L The South Devon Steam Railway I Blackpool Sands, Dartmouth
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TAKING TIME
IN TOTNES
Set halfway between moor and sea on the beautiful River Dart, the thriving town of Totnes is a South Devon gem. Here’s your insider’s guide to what to do and where to go.
EAT AND DRINK
The rolling Devon hills provide a bountiful harvest and you’ll find a choice of cafes and restaurants in Totnes making the most of the local, seasonal produce. Cool off with a home-made gelato, grab a vegan baked beetroot falafel with hummus, refuel after a walk with a cardamom bun and coffee, or sit by the water’s edge with pizza and Moules Mariniere.
DISCOVER
Meander along the streets to admire the town’s historic buildings in the shadow of the town’s majestic Norman motte and bailey castle. The medieval Dartington Hall and Gardens is a pleasant walk from the town centre.
EXPERIENCE NATURE CLOSE UP
Feeling adventurous?
Hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board or join a guided canoe tour to spot local wildlife along the river. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, enjoy the choice of riverside walks to Dartington and Sharpham that start in the town. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, head to visittotnes.co.uk/nice-walks-in-totnes/ to find a choice of walking routes with maps and more details.
For more inspiration on what to do and what’s on or to book activities and plan your day, check out visittotnes.co.uk or follow @visittotnes on Instagram and Facebook.
SHOP
If you like to shop, you’ll love the treasures on offer in the independent stores lining Totnes’ thriving high street. Named by The Telegraph in November 2022 as one of Britain’s 15 Best High Streets, there’s a strong emphasis on local and handmade goods, with everything from fashion to fudge ready to tempt you. On Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year, the market square buzzes with over 50 stalls selling an eclectic mix of vintage collectibles, food, and crafts.
GETTING HERE
Totnes is a 25-minute drive from Torquay and a 40-minute drive from Plymouth. You’ll find a number of public EV charging points, including one at Morrisons supermarket, Coronation Road. The Gold Bus runs every 30 minutes and takes 50 minutes from The Strand, Torquay and 1 hour from Plymouth. Totnes is a 30-minute train journey from both Plymouth and Torquay.
If you’d like to arrive in style, The Dartmouth Steam and River Company operate boat trips to Totnes departing from Dartmouth or hop aboard a steam train from Buckfastleigh with the South Devon Railway.
hand at rope making. The Victorian Child Labour section may not appeal to your little ones, but it’s certainly educational!
Are the kids fascinated by prehistory? Take them along to the astonishing Kents Cavern in Torquay, where hour-long guided tours take you past stalactites and through the oldest known dwelling in Britain. A 35,000-yearold jawbone found here is thought to be the country’s oldest human bone.
You can get yourself acquainted with underwater life at Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium. The big draw is the Atlantic Ocean tank (the deepest in the United Kingdom), which is home to several different species of sharks and rays. Equally captivating are the jellyfish and displays of local marine life.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort in Exeter is home to roller coasters, a log flume, a junior driving school and Animal Land – a small zoo where you encounter creepy crawlies, wallabies, emus and a host of farmyard animals.
South Devon may be famed for its natural beauty but it’s rich in culture too. You’ll find everything from fabulous museums to country houses steeped in history.
Lovely Buckfast Abbey makes for a fascinating visit. It’s an active and self-
supporting Benedictine community which has garnered some infamy for its fortified tonic wine!
Just south of Exeter is Powderham Castle, built in 1391 and remodelled in the 19th century. The home of the Earl and Countess of Devon, its charms include a magnificent medieval-style great hall with linenfold panelling, a restored Victorian kitchen and parkland roamed by 600 fallow deer.
Set in the Mid Devon countryside, Tiverton Castle, originally built in 1106 by order of l
L Buckfast Abbey, South Devon I National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
Explore Devon’s Hidden Gem
The monks welcome you to their home and hope you nd peace and rest here.
Enjoy the Abbey’s beautiful architecture and gardens, Monastic Way exhibition, restaurants and shop, perhaps extend your visit with an overnight stay in Northgate House Hotel. Groups welcome. Call to discuss how to make your group booking special, booking essential. Groups: 01364 645532 or Accommodation: 01364 645630 and quote WELSD24
Concerts and events all year round, check website for latest special o ers and events.
Henry I, was once home of the powerful medieval Earls of Devon and a Plantagenet Princess. There’ve been several additions down the centuries, so you’ll see all periods of architecture from medieval to modern. The public are allowed in for a gander from Easter Sunday to the end of October.
West of Exeter on the wilds of Dartmoor near Chagford is Lutyens masterpiece Castle Drogo, a National Trust property perched above the Teign Gorge where you can wander around the formal gardens, complete with croquet lawn and rose garden.
Nearby, lovely Stone Lane Gardens display sculpture in sylvan woodland, mostly birch and alder. They also sell local wildflower honey and ice cream.
Greenway was once the home of crime writer Agatha Christie. This National Trustowned house is a must for fans of the author. It includes a recreation of Poirot’s elegant study and first editions of the author’s many classics on the shelves. Jazz age Coleton Fishacre is another National Trust gem, with Lalique lamps and acclaimed gardens.
Nearby Overbeck’s Garden is a stunning sub-tropical paradise, with a great collection of palm trees. The house itself displays the quirky inventions of former resident Otto Overbeck: his ‘rejuvenator’ administered
Greenway was once the home of crime writer Agatha Christie
electro-magnetic shocks, with the aim of prolonging life and improving wellbeing.
Just east of Plymouth in Plympton, the splendidly symmetrical mansion of Saltram was a Tudor property given a lavish Georgian makeover by the Parker family. Sir Joshua Reynolds was their regular guest, and he left 14 portraits of the family behind. The Saloon, designed by Robert Adam, is a dizzying confection of pistachio and buttercup-yellow stucco, set off by a swirly Axminster carpet woven especially in 1770.
It’s easy to see why John Betjeman fell in love with the timeless town of Sidmouth, sitting pretty by high red cliffs on a stretch of the fabled Jurassic coastline. The architecture here is outstanding, from creamy Regency hotels with their long verandas to Georgian cottages and thatched Swiss chalet-esque Beacon Cottage. l
The garden at Greenway in Galmpton
Located just a short distance from the World-Heritage Jurassic coastline, and breathtaking countryside and National Parks, Exeter is a beautiful city steeped in over 2,000 years of history.
At its heart stands its magnificent Gothic Cathedral Cathedral Yard itself is dotted with cafes and restaurants in which to sit and watch the world go by.
Find out more about Exeter’s fascinating history on a free Red Coat Guided Tour, running daily throughout the year, or head to the city’s award-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum to take a voyage of discovery from pre-history to the present day.
Descend beneath Exeter’s streets to explore a remarkable network of subterranean passages, constructed in medieval times to bring fresh drinking water into the city –
Exeter’s Underground Passages are the only attraction of their kind open to the public in Britain!
Head to the picturesque Quayside to enjoy some great food and drink at one of the waterside pubs or cafes, or hire a bike or canoe to explore the tranquil waters and pathways of Exeter’s historic Ship Canal. Find out more about Exeter’s rich maritime history at the 17th century Custom House Visitor Centre.
The city’s compact size makes it the perfect shopping destination. Distinct shopping quarters each have their own individual identity and something different to offer, and are within easy walking distance of each other. There is a great choice of shops, from large department stores such as John Lewis, to quirky independents tucked away in interesting arcades in the
West Quarter and cobbled Gandy Street
When it comes to refreshment stops, Exeter is a foodie’s heaven! The choice of eateries here is vast, from weekly farmer’s and street food markets to real ales in historic pubs and fine dining choices.
Exeter offers a year-round calendar of exciting events. Highlights include:
• Jazz on the Quay (July – August)
• Quayside Shanty Festival (September)
• Exeter Craft Festival (July)
• Exeter Heritage Open Days (September)
• Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market (November – December)
For a taste of the big smoke, make the trip west to Exeter, Devon’s capital. Take a wander around the quayside to visit antique shops and cosy pubs, meander the Georgian streets and then head to the honey-hued Norman cathedral. The ceiling is breathtaking, featuring a long stretch of Gothic vaulting, studded with bright bosses. The 15th-century Exeter clock in the north transept still chimes the hour, and the lively carvings of the 14thcentury minstrels’ gallery shouldn’t be missed.
Medieval underground passages
Also essential are the vaulted medieval underground passages which run for 425 metres across the city centre. Originally built to enclose pipes to provide the city with fresh water, they were later used as bomb shelters during World War II.
There’s much more to see in the city – including the grand neo-Gothic Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, which contains everything from artworks to taxidermy to Japanese samurai armour.
You could also go back to Tudor times at St Nicholas Priory, where as well as touring the sumptuous townhouse, you can try on costumes and play with Tudor games and toys. The best way of ticking off the sights in one day is to take a free ‘Red Coat’ guided walking
tour, which will take you from the cathedral close to the quayside.
Totnes is a lovely place for a wander, with a relaxed eco-friendly vibe, fabled cheese shops and an enticing selection of tea rooms. You can also visit the castle ruins and walk the town ramparts. Look out for the Elizabethan Market (Tuesday mornings May-September), with traders wearing historic garb. Or you can don Elizabethan garb yourself at the Totnes Elizabethan House Museum.
Your first stop in Plymouth should be the Royal William Yard, which has been transformed into one of the coolest destinations in the UK. It’s got the requisite cutting-edge bars, shops and restaurants, as well as an art hub called Ocean Studios, set in a former victualling yard.
On Plymouth’s historic Barbican you’ll find the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims finally left England on 16 September 1620, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to settle in North America. A total of 16 million people can trace their roots back to the Mayflower’s famous voyage to the Americas.
South Devon is a heady combination of stunning landscapes, vibrant towns and stately homes and castles full of fascinating history. Get out there and discover the region’s beauty for yourself! ■
Royal William Yard, Plymouth
DON’T MISS
Our top things to see and do when visiting this picturesque region
1
Catch the waves
Swimming, surfing, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, paddleboarding – the list of ways to get out on the water here is long and varied. You can find tranquility gliding along on the open sea in a yacht or the pounding rush as you carve through a wave – just make sure you get your feet wet somehow while you’re here!
Overbeck’s
2
garden I
Located high on the cliffs above Salcombe, this Edwardian home is surrounded by beautiful exotic plants including towering palms and a banana garden. The house itself displays the quirky inventions of former resident Otto Overbeck: his ‘rejuvenator’ administered electro-magnetic shocks, with the aim of prolonging life and improving wellbeing.
3
Spectacular wildlife k
South Devon is an oasis for wildlife – its warm climate, unusual geology and sheltered aspect mean many species normally found on the Continent flourish here. You should look out for dolphins and basking sharks along the South West Coast Path and kingfishers on South Efford Marsh.
4
Forage at a farmers’ market
The best way to get a feel for the quality and variety of a region’s produce is to hop along to a farmers’ market. Newton Abbot town centre holds one of the biggest every Tuesday and Friday, whilst Bovey Tracey’s, held every other Saturday, is smaller but has a great selection of stalls selling everything from local meat to home-made chutneys.
5
Climb aboard Brixham
This beautiful town manages to combine its picturesque charm with being one of the busiest commercial fishing ports in England. Watch the trawlers and day boats bring in their catch, explore the full-sized replica of Drake’s vessel, The Golden Hind, or simply sit back with a cool drink on the harbourside, take in the sea air and enjoy the views.
6
Hit the beach
There are 68 public beaches within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, many of which have received awards for water quality and beach cleanliness. Take a bucket and line to Dittisham and try a spot of crabbing – a great activity for kids. Or try the sheltered Blue Flag beach at Blackpool Sands near Dartmouth. Whether
you seek peace and quiet, sporting thrills, family fun or a wildlife haven, the perfect seaside spot isn’t far away.
7
Explore Dartmoor I
With its dramatic tors, rolling valleys, ancient woodlands and beautiful wildlife, Dartmoor is a breathtaking destination that shouldn’t be missed. There are plenty of walks
to suit every ability, from adventurous day-long hikes to gentler routes taking in some of the fine pubs along the way.
8
Sup a local pint
The region has become famous for the quality of its local brews, with many breweries now offering tours and samples. Check out Paignton-based Bays, Tuckers Maltings in Newton Abbot or the Dartmoor Brewery, home to the popular Jail Ale.
9
Sample a Devon cream tea
brimming with beautiful tea rooms to help you make your mind up.
10
Visit Burgh Island
Overbeck’s Garden is a sub-tropical paradise with a great collection of palm trees
A much-publicised war of words broke out recently over the ‘right’ way to prepare a scone – with the Devon tradition of cream before jam falling foul of its Cornish neighbour according to one scientist. Luckily, South Devon is
At low tide this iconic landmark, a small tidal island near Bigbury-on-Sea, can be reached by foot. At high tide, visitors climb aboard an endearing sea tractor to make the crossing and see the glamorous Burgh Island Hotel, which has played host to stars including Agatha Christie and Noel Coward in its colourful history. Why not book a room for the night to enjoy the roaring log fires and cosy flagstone interiors. ■
SHOPPING
Shopaholics will love South Devon for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high-street staples and quirky independents
Hit the shops and boutiques of South Devon and it’s easy to see the area’s independent streak. There’s always something a little different on offer from vintage pieces to oneoff artworks to bespoke jewellery. After an edible gift? The region’s food suppliers ensure that there are plenty of tasty treats on offer. MAKE Southwest in Bovey Tracey is one of the best places in the region to buy local crafts, and it’s made even more special by its stylish surroundings. You’ll find functional and decorative ceramics, hand-made jewellery, glass sculptures, clothing and metalwork,
There’s always something different on offer around here
as well as books and art. If you fancy a go at something yourself, sign up for one of their regular workshops. There’s everything from leatherwork to calligraphy to printmaking and weaving.
Also in Bovey Tracey, the House of Marbles sells vintage and traditional toys and games including – you guessed it – marbles! Onsite displays explore the history of glass, board games and potting, and there’s also a glassmaker and a brass-rubbing trail.
Cockington Court near Torquay is a 16th-century mansion-turned-studio space
for more than 20 contemporary artists and makers. It’s a wonderfully interactive experience where you can see a blacksmith at their forge, a mosaic maker at work and chocolates being created. The studios are also home to a ceramicist, a florist, a furniture designer and a small-batch gin distillery, among others.
Looking for eclectic shops with an arty vibe? The Cider Press Centre at Dartington is for you. At the lovely ReStore shop, volunteer artists restore and upcycle old materials into covetable homewares. There’s also the Glass Gallery, featuring beautiful pieces made from recycled glass, and The Lifestyle Store, where you can pick up everything from pottery to textiles, including many pieces inspired by Devon’s wildlife and landscapes.
The centre also houses a swish food shop where 87 per cent of the produce stocked is made, reared or grown in the West Country. So you can stock up on cheese, chocolate and more safe in the knowledge that you’re keeping your food miles low.
Farmers’ markets
You’ll find farmers’ markets and food events across the region, as well as plenty of places to buy interesting gourmet goodies, from traditional scrumpy to English wine to Devon-grown chillies.
At Darts Farm near Topsham, the owners concentrate on locally grown, reared and caught produce. Their fishmonger only sells the freshest of fish from Lyme Bay and their ice cream parlour serves up artisan gelato made with milk from the local dairy, as well as hand-made bean-to-bar chocolate. Other foodie goodness includes a small batch cidery, a deli and take-away fish and chips.
To the west, at the top end of Dartmoor, sits the pretty foodie town of Chagford. Blacks Delicatessen is a long-established, family-run affair, and you’ll also discover organic fruit and veg shops and merchants selling local cider and ales.
For more quality cheese head to Country Cheeses, located in Totnes, Topsham and Tavistock. They sell a hundred different varieties, all British and most sourced from the West Country. Try crumbly Totnes special Ticklemore Goat, Devon sage, made exclusively for Country Cheeses, or the shop’s own Little Stinky, a pungent delight with an orange-washed rind.
In Salcombe you’ll find live lobster and crab on sale alongside wetsuits and fishing tackle. It’s also the home of local favourite Salcombe Dairy Ice Cream, which is made with Devonshire milk and includes flavours such
as butterscotch popcorn, cardamom midnight and Salcombe mud (chocolate and biscuit), named after the mud in the Salcombe estuary.
If a day wearing out that credit card is your idea of a good time, you’re in luck! There’s lots of fantastic shopping to be had in South Devon, whether you want to check out some independent boutiques or get branded gear from a local mall or high street.
In Exeter, make a beeline for the Castle Quarter to get your independent shopping fix. It’s particularly good for small jewellers such as the long-established Silver Lion Jewellers on Gandy Street, which sells handmade and Fairtrade pieces from around the world. Or Erin Cox Jewellery on Castle Street, which offers a fantastic collection of unique, contemporary pieces.
In the hip and historic West Quarter, you can shop for vintage clothing and electric guitars amongst the half-timbered buildings. In McCoy’s Arcade you’ll find Bookbag, a fabulous independent bookstore that puts on regular readings and events, including for children, and The Real McCoy, which is crammed full of one-off, pre-loved garments including ballgowns and retro leather.
For a stylish selection of men’s fashion and sportswear including Folk, Oliver Spencer, Carhartt and New Balance, head to Always in Colour on Fore Street.
Just south of Exeter on the River Exe, Topsham is an exercise in historic charm, thanks to streets lined with 17th-century Dutch-style merchant houses. There’s a branch of Country Cheeses here as well as art and gift shops and interiors stores.
The Topsham Bookshop is well worth a look, both for the second-hand and antiquarian stock and for the whitewashed and gabled building. When you’re done shopping, have a wander down the narrow l
L Darts Farm, Topsham j House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey
Exeter’s legendary vintage store since 1985
Conker is a small family-run business with a team of friendly shoe fitters and of course, our highly skilled shoe makers. Combining leather uppers and rubber soles of high quality, we use traditional techniques to make our footwear here in Devon. Our workshop is located behind our High Street shop so when you come to visit you can see where your shoes will be made. We make shoes to order so you can be as creative or as classic as you want. We also have a large range of shoes in each size and style available to buy off the shelf.
Conker shoes have been designed and constructed to be repaired and resoled extending their life and reducing your footprint on our planet.
You can find us among the many independent quirky shops of Totnes, a beautiful Elizabethan town situated on the River Dart.
Goat Walk along the estuary to take in the town’s fabled sunsets.
Exmouth has a fashion gem in the form of Caramel Clothing, as well as a good selection of galleries and gift shops. At Chagford on Dartmoor, Proper Job is a wonderful community reuse centre: an Aladdin’s cave of second-hand treasures from clothes to furniture to books.
Head to the coast and the seaside resorts of Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth for more independent gems. These quirky towns pride themselves on their excellent selection of unique shops and boutiques.
On the English Riviera, Paignton features beach shops, family-run businesses and offbeat stores along colourful Winner Street, including Patchwork The Store, an offbeat gift and lifestyle shop whose profits go to the Patchwork House Women’s Centre. Fore Street in Brixham is an excellent place for gift shops and local arts and crafts. The fantastical Brixham Steam Packet Company sells wonderful marine memorabilia, and you can pause for a cream tea in their café.
If you’re mad for mainstream, steer clear of Totnes – this hippy town is all about wholefoods, organic and eco-friendly stores. Conker Shoes have been hand-crafting soft leather footwear since 1977.
At China Blue you can purchase pottery, throw your own pot and eat at their Wild Thyme Deli & Kitchen. Arcturus Books houses mind, body and spirit titles plus crystal and incense, while the Devon Harp Centre sells everything from healing harps to harp sheet music.
Drift Records stock new music, with a policy that ranges all the way from leftfield minimal tech house (no, us neither) to home-recorded roots music from the exotic Appalachian Mountains!
The sailing town of Salcombe is one of the prettiest in the region, with steep streets heading down to a sandy beach and a bay bobbing with colourful boats. Enticing Fore Street is lined with shops catering to the yachting brigade, such as Jack Wills, Crew Clothing and Quba & Co. if you’re looking for blue and white striped t-shirts, deck shoes and other nautical-styled clobber this is the place to be!
At the market town of Kingsbridge north of Salcombe, head to Fore Street where the appealing array of old-fashioned stores seems to belong to another era. You’ll see bespoke Herring Shoes, fishmonger Catch of the Day, Salcombe Meat Company and many more.
Ashburton, which can be found on the edge of Dartmoor, has long been a hot spot for l
China Blue, Totnes
antique lovers, while the South Hams town of Modbury has retained a lovely streetscape of traditional stores, ranging from Devonshire Fine Art and Mackgills Delicatessen.
In Dartmouth, Starburst Boutique sources cutting-edge women’s fashion from international designers, while there’s some fascinating local history on view at the stalls of Dartmouth Old Market.
For cool, offbeat buys make for the Barbican area in Plymouth. It’s home to the colourful Old Quay House Tuck Shop and 45 Southside Gallery, which focuses on vibrant contemporary craft. For maximum quirkiness try The House That Jack Built arcade, which houses a plethora of vintage and esoteric outlets and is fronted by a psychedelic mural of the Last Judgement.
Head north to the ancient town of Tavistock for what must be one of the oldest markets in existence. Tavistock Pannier Market was granted a Royal Charter in 1105 and has been operating here ever since. It sells antiques and crafts and offers themed markets on Saturdays, all in a wonderful castellated Victorian building. The Tavistock Goose Fair, which was established in 1116, also survives to this very day.
Exeter is the place for high-street shopping – there’s a branch of John Lewis and the
Princesshay shopping centre has more than 60 shops, including the very best high-street brands
Princesshay shopping centre has more than 60 shops, including the very best high-street brands as well as some more specialised and independent stores.
Trago Mills near Newton Abbot is a huge bargain retailer which offers massive discounts on carpets, furniture, sports gear, fuel, books, DIY and major electronics brands.
Drake Circus in Plymouth is the largest shopping centre in the area, where you’ll find a range of top brands and high-street stores alongside a huge choice of places to eat and drink and relax.
If you love a good bit of browsing, there’s plenty to keep you occupied in South Devon. Especially if independent shops are your thing. Stock up on local meats, chocolates and cheese, buy a one-off piece of art or check out the many craft stores for that perfect souvenir. ■
Princesshay shopping centre, Exeter
EATING OUT
This part of the country is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite
Wherever you are in South Devon, you’re unlikely to go hungry. This fertile region is rich in farmland and the proximity of the sea means fabulously fresh fish. Look out for the region’s pasture-reared lamb, cider, real ales and fish and chips, as well as delicate crab and lobster. Then dig in and enjoy!
Devon excels in traditional fodder, but the modern food revolution has also arrived! Local
upscale producers range from winemakers and chilli farmers to coffee roasters, microbrewers and soft-fruit farmers.
You won’t be short of food markets to browse in South Devon, especially during the summer season. You’ll find quality eats across the region at weekends, while in Exeter the Street Food Market kicks off a couple of times a month from May to September.
In early May, Plymouth Street Food Festival brings three days of culinary fun to the city, as food trucks selling everything from Tibetan to Moroccan eats set up in Central Park. Late May sees the brand-new English Riviera Food & Music Festival kick off in Torbay, featuring cooking demonstrations, celebrity chefs, plenty of delicious local produce and top music acts such as DJ Yoda and The Feeling.
Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wines, Totnes
Late May/early June is Flavour Fest in Plymouth, the region’s biggest food fair where attractions include temporary allotments.
Bovey Tracey hosts the one-day Nourish Festival in September, which combines music, food and crafts, while in October there’s the Dartmouth Food Festival, a lively three-day celebration of local seasonal produce from sea salt to wine to fabulous seafood. Head here to enjoy street food stalls, produce tastings and demonstrations by celebrity chefs.
Many of the region’s farmers are upping their eco-friendly game and turning to organic and environmentally responsible techniques. Red Devon Cattle graze the lush grassland, providing milk for clotted cream, ice cream and hand-made cheeses.
If you’re after something more unusual, deer and ostrich are also farmed here. Even better? The relatively balmy climate has allowed wine production to flourish, so you can enjoy a glass of cool white wine alongside local meats and cheeses. As well as more traditional cider, scrumpy and ales, of course!
Meander up the River Dart towards Totnes and you’ll discover Sandridge Barton – The home of Sharpham Wines, based on a thousand-year-old farm. You can avoid drink-driving difficulties by arriving in leisurely fashion on the riverboat! The café (closed in winter) provides the perfect setting to sample Sharpham’s vintages whilst looking out over the water and the beautiful Capability Browndesigned landscape.
The wine itself is created through a fusion of New World and traditional techniques, and the dairy turns out cheeses using rich milk from a Jersey herd. Book yourself onto a tour to experience the grounds and delve deeper into wine and cheese making.
You can’t leave the area without sampling a legendary Devon cream tea, which comes complete with fresh scones, home-made jam and a generous side order of clotted cream. You can also join in the essential debate about whether to
Sandridge Barton, home of Sharpham Wines, is based on a thousand-yearold farm
smother your scone with jam or cream first. The consensus in these parts, by the way, is for cream first, then jam...
If you’re after a sit-down meal you’ll have plenty of options to choose from, whether you want to sample award-winning cuisine in swish surroundings or relax at a simple seafood shack on the beach.
On the coast at Teignmouth, the hugely popular Blue Hut at Point River Beach is – yes! – a blue hut, dishing up excellent coffees and wonderfully-fresh seafood including Devon crab sandwiches and mussels. Carnivores can get their chops around meaty treats such as venison burgers and Cajun chicken wraps.
Nearby Torquay is more famous for bucket-and-spade summer fun than fine food. But it’s the home of Michelin-starred restaurant The Elephant. Overlooking the harbour, this gorgeous terraced Georgian house has a casual brasserie downstairs, while upstairs is the award-winning dining room.
This is some of the prettiest food you’re likely to see anywhere, with dainty floral garnishes and unexpected flavours – try the smoked Devon eel with ricotta or the plum, white chocolate and camomile millefeuille. All this, plus one of the best sea views in town.
Elsewhere in Torquay you’ll find plenty of affordable eats, including Number 7 Fish Bistro, which also sits right on the harbour and serves simple and delicious seafood, from oysters in the half shell to fresh lobster and crab.
Nearby Ephesus Torquay specialises in Greek and Turkish food such as Greek beef stifado, slow cooked in red wine, and klefticos –knuckle of lamb on the bone, baked with herbs and vegetables.
The Old Vienna Restaurant on Lisburne Square in the centre of town delivers Austrian classics, including wiener and kohlrabi schnitzels.
While you’re on the English Riviera you’re in a prime position for hunting down a traditional tea. The Guardhouse Café in the idyllic pastel-painted fishing town l
Il Grano, Italian Restaurant based in a heart of Pinhoe, Exeter invites you for an unforgettable experience of exceptional modern fine cuisine.
Let the inner décor and atmosphere take you for a sophisticated Italian gateway. Our passionate talented team of chefs deliver extraordinary dishes full of flavours using fresh local ingredients, complemented with an impressive wine list and selection of inventive cocktails.
We are a welcoming family friendly place to come and enjoy each other company with a soft relaxing music in the background.
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Friday: Lunch: 12:00 - 15:00 • Dinner: 17:00 - 22:00 Saturday: 12:00 - 22:00 • Sunday: 12:00 - 21:00
of Brixham has been awarded the title of Devon’s Best Tea Room. The location couldn’t be more dramatic – it’s housed in an 1802 Napoleonic fortress on the cliffs at Berry Head National Nature Reserve.
Enjoy a classic cream tea or one of their sumptuous cakes, brownies or flapjacks – they also serve big breakfasts, sandwiches, toasties and salads. You’re then ideally placed for a sea stroll to walk off the calories; the headland has a huge guillemot colony, and you should keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and porpoises.
For more fabulous Brixham eats get down to hip beach shack Rockfish. It’s set in the town’s fish market, ensuring the freshest possible catch, and the terrace looks right down onto the fishing fleet. Their menu features locallylanded scallops and oysters, along with classics such as jellied eels, cockles, cracked crab and potted shrimp, which you can wash down with local ale. Get your takeaway
For fabulous eats in Brixham, get down to hip beach shack Rockfish
fish and chips here too, at the downstairs café where fishermen and buyers mingle with the customers.
If you find yourself in Totnes, Seeds 2 Totnes dishes up wonderful salads, veggie dishes and homemade ginger beer, while Zappa’s offers a fully plant-based menu including salads, all-day breakfasts and delicious cakes.
Dartmouth is home to the pleasingly named Café Alf Resco, where you can sip fresh orange juice and coffee and eat locally smoked fish. Alternatively, head to The Crab Shell for an utterly delicious locallysourced crab sandwich on the go.
For something more glamourous, make sure to book a table at Seahorse, where you can eat Jospergrilled whole fish or scallops roasted with white port while looking out over the estuary.
Continue your culinary explorations around the coast at Salcombe, which is renowned for brown crab and blue lobster. But l
Fan of fish & chips? Try Rockfish in Brixham
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Sidmouth’s premier café and cakery
Located in the award-winning Connaught Gardens overlooking the stunning Jacob’s Ladder Beach, the Clock Tower Café is focused on providing all guests with amazing coffee, freshly cooked dishes and a cake cabinet the Bake Off tent would be jealous of!
Whether you are into paddle boarding or swimming, walking the South Coast path or simply taking the dog for a walk, Lewis and the Clock Tower team look forward to welcoming you to our cosy corner of Sidmouth with what we believe is simply the best view in Devon
01395 515319clocktowercafesidmouth@gmail.com
Connaught Gardens, Peak Hill Road, Sidmouth EX10 8RZ “ FASCINATING BREATH OF FRESH AIR ” - tripadvisor
www.clocktowersidmouth.com
South Devon
there’s more to this lovely hillside resort than seafood: the Salcombe Distilling Co., a modern distillery, bar and gin school brings wonderful gin to eager visitors. It’s set on the first floor of a boathouse with impressive harbour views. You’ll be able to mix your own gin, sample it and enjoy a tutored gin tasting.
Hungry walkers can hike west of town to the adorable East Soar Walker’s Hut, a little barn which stocks exceptional cakes and scones. You’ll have to make your own tea and coffee and deposit your cash in an honesty box.
Moving west to South Milton Sands, Beachhouse is a seafront café with a fabulous view of the Thurlestone sea arch. An ideal stop on a coastal walk, this unpretentious little place serves cracked crab, moules marinière, grilled lobster, burgers and warming soup in winter. You can also take away a crab sandwich or Salcombe Dairy ice cream to enjoy on the beach.
For an injection of seaside
character, the weather-beaten Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island off Bigbury-on-Sea is hard to beat. It dates to 1336 and is said to conceal a pirate escape tunnel. The island is cut off by the tide twice a day, when access is by hydraulic sea tractor with an elevated platform for travellers – you can’t get more eccentric than that! The inn is part of the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel. Book in for the night to enjoy the roaring log fires and flagstone interior to the max.
Heading west to Plymouth, Jacka Bakery has won plaudits for its high-quality artisan baking including sourdough bread and cinnamon swirls, but it’s been famous for a lot longer than you’d think. This historic place claims to have made the ship’s biscuits for the Mayflower!
For a fancy night out, The Artillery Tower, a Grade 1-listed building set into the seawall, is a gloriously atmospheric spot where you can dine on pigeon, venison or
scallops and take in the sweeping sea views.
For something more casual, head to The Boathouse for freshly-caught crab sandwiches, lobster mac and cheese or hot or cold seafood platters. You should grab a seat on their harbourside terrace if you can.
Run by Holly and Ali, Knead Pizza is set in Plymouth’s oldest building, the Grade-1 listed Prysten House, which dates to 1487. Based in the ancient well room and wraparound courtyard, the restaurant serves up tasty Neapolitan-style pizzas, with vegan options.
If you’re visiting Plymouth Gin Distillery and need to soak up all that booze, bag a table at the hugely popular Barbican Kitchen, run by well-known chef brothers Chris and James Tanner who specialise in working with local ingredients.
Set in the Elizabethan Boringdon Hall Hotel in Plympton, Àclèaf celebrates traditional British cuisine, created from the best of l
Beachhouse Café, South Milton Sands
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local ingredients. Their seasonal, four-course menu is served in an atmospheric space overlooking the Great Hall and is impeccable from start to finish. The critics agree – the restaurant has been awarded four AA Rosettes and – most recently – a Michelin star.
Start your culinary tour of the region in Exeter, where you’ll restaurants serving food from around the globe. Vegans are well catered for here, and light-filled Sacred Grounds is a popular plant-based brunch café. The menu is organic and changes with the seasons, offering excellent smoothies, coffee and waffles.
In the nearby village of Rockbeare you’ll find top-notch cuisine at The Jack in the Green. A country pub with a boutique vibe, it serves traditional pub grub with a twist. Try pan-fried cod loin with brown butter and shrimps or thick-cut West Country rump steak. Or, for a proper celebration of local produce, get stuck into the fivecourse tasting menu, which costs
a bargainous £65. There’s also an appealing menu for kids.
Gidleigh Park, a luxurious halftimbered country pile in Chagford on Dartmoor, is the region’s big foodie star. The renowned Michelinstarred restaurant delivers decadent menus using as much local produce as possible. Think partridge with pickled blackberry and girolles or lamb loin with grilled cucumber and feta. Vegetables and herbs come from Gidleigh’s own kitchen garden, and the wine list is one of the most impressive in the UK.
The restaurant also serves up a Champagne afternoon tea that’s the ultimate in Devonshire decadence. You can even have it packed up in a hamper to enjoy as a picnic in the bucolic grounds.
From fish fresh off the boat to moreish ice cream made from homegrown produce, South Devon makes the most of its fabulous local ingredients. Best of all, you can sample the region’s incredible offerings at restaurants, pubs and cafés to suit all tastes. ■
Enjoy vegetarian and vegan brunches at Sacred Grounds in Exeter
Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break
WEEKENDER
DAY ONE
Start in Totnes with a cup of woodroasted artisan coffee and a pastry from The Curator on the Plains to fuel the day ahead.
After a wander around the eclectic mix of shops – 8 out of 10 of which are independent – board the UK’s only coal-fired paddle steamer, named the Kingswear Castle, from Steamer Quay. A relaxing one and a half hour scenic cruise winds its way along the River Dart to reach Dartmouth, where you can disembark to explore the picturesque centre and waterfront.
Historic paddlesteamer
If you’re hungry, celebrity chef Mitch Tonks’ Rockfish is on hand with award-winning fish and chips to eat in or enjoy dangling your feet over the water. You can either return via the historic paddlesteamer, or there are other regular riverboats or bus options.
Back in Totnes, pay a visit to Sandridge Barton – The home of Sharpham Wine. Book yourself onto a tour to experience the grounds and delve deeper into wine and cheese making. The wine itself is created through a fusion of New World and traditional techniques, and the dairy turns out cheeses using rich milk from a Jersey herd. The restaurant, Circa, provides the perfect setting to sample Sharpham’s vintages.
Round off your day with a sunset visit to spooky Berry Pomeroy Castle or a pint and bite to eat at the Royal Seven Stars Hotel.
DAY TWO
It wouldn’t be right to come to South Devon without exploring some of its 60 miles of glorious coastline. This day would be easiest with a car but is also possible using public transport. Beginning in Teignmouth, grab a hearty breakfast at Oystercatchers Café before strolling out to the magnificent Victorian Grand Pier to enjoy views across the bay.
Over the bridge is the unspoilt village and foodie hotspot of Shaldon, where you can see some endangered species of monkey and many other kinds of creatures besides at Shaldon Zoo, including owls, tortoises, margays and the ever popular meerkats.
The A379 stretch of coastal road affords truly stunning ocean views which can be admired from the Labrador Bay Nature Reserve –whose carpark doubles as a perfect picnic spot. From here there is the option of a shopping trip to the
You can take a one and a half hour scenic cruise along the River Dart to Dartmouth
pretty St Marychurch in Torquay, or even a ride on the charming and venerable funicular Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
Dipping down into Torquay and Paignton you could indulge in some retail therapy or go for the proper bucket-and-spade seaside resort experience. Four miles down the road, wind down in the bustling fishing port of Brixham with a pint of local ale and fresh seafood at The Sprat & Mackerel or the dogfriendly Breakwater Bistro, famed for its chocolate fondue. ■
The idylliic waters of the River Dart
Culture vultures assemble! This county offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals
Culture Club
From modern arts centres to literary trails to historic seaside theatres, South Devon lays on something for every culture lover. Whether you’re exploring the cities of Exeter and Plymouth or sunning yourself on the English Riviera we can guarantee you’ll find plenty to get your creative juices flowing.
If you’re after the buzz of live performance, you won’t be disappointed. In South Devon you can check out theatre, comedy, dance and more.
Your first stop should be the Exeter Phoenix. It has a rich
offering including exhibition spaces, a media centre, a radio station, artists’ studios and a café/bar where you can sit down for some tasty locally sourced food. And then there’s music: the auditorium at the Phoenix has hosted acts as diverse as Jah Wobble, Lee Scratch Perry and Sam Lee, while Soundlaunch sessions help develop new young talent in the area.
Elsewhere in the city, head to the University of Exeter, where Exeter Northcott Theatre and the Great Hall thrill the crowds with a programme of contemporary dance,
drama, comedy, classical music recitals and opera.
Visitors to Torquay can take in a show at the modern Princess Theatre, or head to the Babbacombe Theatre, where showbiz legend Sir Bruce Forsyth launched his career in 1955. Just down the coast in Paignton, the lovely old Palace Theatre has been restored to feature plays by the local Bijou Theatre Productions as well as hosting visiting shows.
The naval town of Dartmouth is home to another haven for creativity: the Flavel Arts Centre.
The Princess Theatre in Torquay puts on a variety of different shows throuighout the year
They host an array of live events including classical recitals, and there’s an art gallery, library and an arts café.
In Plymouth, the modern Theatre Royal has lively programme ranging from West End musicals to opera and ballet, while The Barbican Theatre puts on plays, comedy and music by young and up-and-coming performers.
People love a festival in South Devon. Come summertime there’s a wealth of fun to be had, whether you want to get on down to some local bands or stuff your face full of Devon produce.
The Dart Music Festival in May is a three-day affair, where 100 acts perform in venues ranging from a Victorian bandstand to the castle ramparts, the famous naval college and an 11th-century church. All performances and workshops are free, making this a uniquely generous and eclectic event.
Foodies should make a beeline for the Tavistock Street Food Festival, which also takes place in
Your first stop in Exeter should be the Phoenix. It has a rich offering, including exhibition spaces
May, featuring food from around the world, a Pimm’s and gin bar and live music.
In the Georgian gem of Teignmouth, combine relaxing on the long sandy beach with listening to some tunes at the three-day Teignmouth Folk Festival, held in June. Alongside established acts on the folk circuit you can take in Morris, Border and Appalachian acts to name but a few.
The market town of Newton Abbot lays on a zany carnival week in June/July which involves a duck race, tractor pull and fun run.
Heading north towards the wild expanses of Dartmoor, the historic town of Bovey Tracey is the setting for an outstanding craft festival normally held in June, which features the work of 200 makers, including furniture designers, textile artists, silversmiths, potters, glass makers, jewellers and even 3D printers. There’s also live music and local food and ale on offer, and the festival puts a strong emphasis on joining in, with workshops, l
Exeter Phoenix
a pottery competition, knitting tent and a children’s craft area.
The railway resort of Dawlish hosts a carnival week in August culminating in a procession of floats, with plenty of sporting events and family-friendly fun around the edges, while in October, Dartmouth hosts a three-day food festival, focusing on chef demonstrations, workshops, food debates, and lots and lots of eating.
South Devon wears its creativity on its sleeve. Wherever you look there are galleries and arts centres showcasing the work of artists and
makers from near and far.
The University of Exeter’s art gallery features changing displays from its large fine art collection including work by Lucian Freud and Bridget Riley, while a sculpture walk on the campus takes in pieces by Barbara Hepworth and Cornish artist Kurt Jackson.
There’s more fine art at Studio 36, a house/gallery in the St Leonard’s area of the city, where artistic collaboration is key. You can view and purchase paintings and pottery, as well as wander through the wild sculpture garden hung with bikes
and surreal objects.
To see antiquities, textiles, decorative art and fine art from across the world, including exhibitions of contemporary works, pay a visit to the city’s world-class cultural gem, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum.
Whatever time of year you’re in Bovey Tracey, don’t miss MAKE Southwest, which showcases work from the West Country’s best contemporary artists in airy, riverside stone barns. Their on-site café dishes up home-made seasonal food and artisan bread.
Dartmoor National Park is home to one of the most diverse and talented communities in the UK. The Dartmoor Artisan Trail is a self-guided art, craft and food trail that links the moor’s finest artists and craftspeople, giving the public the chance to glimpse behind the workshop walls and try their hand at traditional skills.
Right in the heart of Torquay you’ll find the Riviera’s oldest building, Torre Abbey. Founded back in 1196 as a monastery, it now displays a collection of 19th-century paintings by luminaries such as
William Blake, Edward BurneJones and William Holman Hunt. Contemporary art is on show at Artizan Gallery, which showcases a variety of work by local artists, as well as hosting music evenings and poetry recitals.
Inland from Torquay, ancient Totnes has an alternative reputation and a lively arts scene to match. The town showcases local art in October each year with the Totnes & Dartington Open Studios. Visit and you can check out works by painters, ceramicists, sculptors, printmakers, jewellers and weavers in artists’ homes and studios across town.
Dartington Hall sits just to the north of town and houses a trust focusing on the arts, ecology, enterprise and social justice. You can take part in craft workshops from leatherworking to furniture restoration and shop for locally made products.
Little Kingsbridge is home to the Harbour House Centre for Arts and Yoga, which has a gallery displaying local work, a healthy veggie café and a secluded garden. If you want to make things practical there are three yoga studios, and the centre puts on regular art classes.
If you’re craving big city art attractions head west to Plymouth. The newest draw is The Box, an exciting reinvention of the former city museum which has added a glittering cube extension to the existing galleries.
This new museum and galleries take you on a trip from prehistory to the present day. Check out prehistoric artefacts from Dartmoor as well as local Bronze and Iron Age finds. Or learn more about the country’s great migration at an exhibit on the Mayflower Pilgrims.
The impressive art collection includes oil paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds as well as pieces from artists belonging to the Newlyn School and the St Ives group. There are also works by Turner, Degas, Burne-Jones, Millais, Stanley Spencer and Paul Nash.
Plymouth Arts Cinema describes itself as the city’s cultural HQ, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s a lively space dedicated to supporting
contemporary visual art, creative learning and arthouse cinema. The centre has been around for 50 years, and has an impressive list of past exhibitors including Patrick Heron, Allen Ginsberg, Peter Greenaway, Ralph Steadman, Andy Goldsworthy, Tracey Emin and Terry Frost.
Crime fiction fans rejoice! Torquay’s town museum has a whole gallery dedicated to the legendary author Agatha Christie. You can wander round Poirot’s Art Deco study and lounge and see letters and memorabilia associated with the world’s best-selling author. The museum also has an Explorer’s Gallery, with treasures including an ancient Egyptian mummy, as well as a cosy recreation of a typical 1860s Devon farmhouse.
Murder mystery
Throughout the English Riviera you’ll find a plethora of Agatha Christie-related activities, with murder mystery parties, a literary trail and an annual September festival in Torquay. But the one sight that fans shouldn’t miss is Greenway House, a Georgian mansion which sits on the River Dart near Galmpton, south of Paignton.
Now owned by the National Trust, this was Christie’s home from 1938 to her death, a place she touchingly described as ‘the loveliest in the world’. It was the setting for three of her novels: Five Little Pigs, Dead Man’s Folly and Ordeal by Innocence. The spacious riverside gardens are lushly laid out with southern hemisphere plants, and the café serves Devon cream teas. You can also pick up secondhand books here.
Over in Plymouth, the Mayflower Museum which explores the turbulent 1620 journey of the Pilgrim Fathers, all the way from Rotherhithe via Plymouth across the Atlantic to the New World.
From its lively calendar of festivals and events to its diverse community of artists and makers to its fascinating museums, South Devon has a wealth of culture to experience – so get out there and explore! ■
The night-time economy in South Devon is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and live music venues
After dark
After a day on the beach or a blustery walk along a clifftop path, you might fancy some downtime in a snug country inn. Luckily there are plenty of fireside retreats in South Devon where you can nurse a pint. If it’s a party you’re after there are options to suit you too, from sophisticated cocktail bars to raging nightclubs.
OK, so South Devon isn’t a clubbing hotspot but there are plenty of fun nights out to be had. For the most energetic scene make your way to Exeter, a lively university city, or Torquay, which
has drinking dens aplenty.
If you’re in search of a big night out and a dance, head to the English Riviera town of Torquay, where the harbour is the focus of the action. The Foundry is the biggest club on the coast, with full-on party nights every Saturday, big name DJs on the decks and live acts too.
If you’d rather get retro, Decades nightclub has a light-up dance floor and plays a soundtrack of pop hits from the 1970s onwards.
To the south of Torquay in Paignton you’ll find a distinctly family-friendly feel, but The
Spinning Wheel Inn on the seafront keeps things lively with DJ nights, bands, quizzes and weekly karaoke.
Exeter’s large university ensures a boisterous nightlife scene, but the bars aren’t just for drunken students. There are plenty of places to sink a few beers and listen to live bands. Start your night at The Bootlegger, a stylish spot inspired by the bars of the 1920s Prohibition. Fill your belly with one of their sharing platters, sink a couple of cocktails or craft beers, then head out and explore!
The Imperial Pub – known as
You’ll find something for everyone on the Plymouth Barbican waterfront
the Impy – is a gorgeously grand Wetherspoon’s with an arched Victorian ironwork ceiling, while Board’s USP is its extensive selection of board games. Choose from 350 titles and settle down for some friendly competition –bolstered by a selection of burgers, craft beers and milkshakes.
Exeter Cavern, a former haunt of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, has been bringing live music to Exeter since 1991 and puts on indie, rock and funk nights as well as bringing in some guest DJs.
The Apple and Parrot pub on the Strand in Torquay is the place to go for live music, including a popular acoustic night on Thursdays. While you listen, try one of their speciality ciders. From cloudy scrumpy to light pear cider there’s an intriguing range to sample.
If you fancy getting glammed up, take a trip to Soho Cocktail Bar on Palk Street, which serves up long cocktails and premium spirits at DJ and party nights, or for something quieter, Bamboo Bar on
There are plenty of fireside retreats in South Devon where you can nurse a pint
Torwood Street has all your cocktail favourites and a menu of burgers and pizzas to boot.
More cocktails are shaken and stirred at Appleby’s Torquay in the sea-facing Heritage Hotel. The American-themed bar enjoys a stunning vantage point over the water from a spacious patio.
The Hole in the Wall is the town’s oldest pub, dating back to 1540. The former smugglers’ retreat features low-beamed ceilings, cobbled floors and a vibrant live music scene. Local bands and visitors pull in the punters every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
The Offshore Bar & Restaurant operates as a café by day and in the evening lays on live music nights offering everything from acoustic to funk. If you get peckish, the restaurant serves filling meals such as seafood grills and pork medallions, plus burgers, pizza and steaks. There’s a tempting vegetarian and vegan menu too. In the pretty port of Dartmouth, Bar 1620 is a glamorous spot for a l
Lazy summer evenings on the Quayside. The Barbican, Plymouth
cocktail: both classics and their own unique creations.
Inland at Totnes you can hear foot-stomping folk, swing and rock at the Barrel House Ballroom overlooking the High Street. There are also regular club nights when guest DJs take to the decks to play everything from classic house through to 80s cheese.
Head west to Plymouth to sample the famous local gin at the venerable Refectory Bar, near the historic Barbican district. An even more interesting stop is social enterprise Bread & Roses, set in an artfully painted Victorian building. It’s a genuine community hub proffering visual arts, movies, comedy nights and a book club, plus Friday DJ nights and live jazz, blues and funk.
When it comes to pubs, South Devon has everything from slick gastropubs to oldfashioned boozers. You just need to decide whether to hole up in the countryside or bag a table overlooking the ocean.
Sitting pretty on the coast at Babbacombe, the Cary Arms is somewhere between a traditional inn and a boutique hotel; on a clear day, there are views from here to as far as Portland Bill lighthouse, some 50 miles away.
Head north up the coast to Teignmouth where the Blue Anchor pub dishes up real ales and live
music, with a regular Sunday afternoon slot. In nearby Paignton, Shoreline has a beach-bar feel and stunning sea views.
Yachties mooring at lovely Salcombe make a beeline for the rugged and flower-bedecked Victoria Inn. Join them here or at the modern Salcombe Distilling Co. which offers a stylish take on the local pastime of gin swigging.
The Sloop Inn, in Bantham, is a fabulous, whitewashed 14thcentury pub that’s perfect for a pint after a day on the water or walking the South West Coast Path. Head further west to Noss Mayo and the Ship Inn on the waterside is another pitstop for local yachties – you can even tie up outside.
If you find yourself in Plymouth hankering after ale and cider, head for the Admiral MacBridge, a traditional pub on Historic Plymouth Barbican; or try the Roam Brewing Company on Weston Park Road, where all the beers are brewed in house and they serve excellent sourdough pizza.
Head away from the coast to Victorian Newton Abbot and the surrounding villages to sample some of the region’s distinctive traditional pubs. Teign Cellars, in the town itself, is a hugely popular single-room bar, where you can sample local craft ales, ciders and perries as well as some excellent
home cooked food.
North of here, the impossibly picturesque Cridford Inn is housed in a thatched longhouse dating back to 825AD that was once a nunnery and a farm. As well as solid pub grub and monthly Asian banquets, there’s an excellent selection of ales and an impressive 95 gins on offer.
On wild Dartmoor, to the west, the Rugglestone Inn in Widecombein-the-Moor is a wisteria-hung pub serving local ales and potent farm ciders from the barrel, as well as hearty rustic food.
In Luton, to the north of Newton Abbot, the Elizabethan Inn is a prize-winning free house serving excellent home cooking, including their own ice creams and sorbets. The 18th-century Rock Inn at Haytor Vale, near Bovey Tracey, has an oak-furnished bar and selection of beers from the Dartmoor Brewery, as well as upmarket grub. In ancient Combeinteignhead make a beeling for the Wild Goose Inn, a fine old 17th-century place with gleaming brass, log fires and a whitewashed exterior.
South of Newton Abbot, the Two Mile Oak Inn prizes itself on wellkept ales. Built in 1702, it’s said to be haunted by the ghost of an old man, with Dick Turpin also making the odd appearance! The Linny at Coffinswell, set in the hamlet of the same name, is a thatched-roof beauty with a wonderful woodbeamed interior.
Nearby at chilled Totnes, things are fittingly laid back. The Royal Seven Stars has a snug 17th-century bar complete with log fires, while The Bay Horse has a huge sun-trap beer garden, as well as regular live folk, acoustic and jazz sessions.
To the west in Yealmpton you’ll find the salmon-pink Rose & Crown, a welcoming place with a log fire that serves delectable local Sharpham wines.
South Devon may not offer big city nightlife, but there’s still plenty to keep you going after the sun goes down. Think cosy country pubs, slick waterside cocktail bars and a healthy selection of live music venues. Night owls won’t go home disappointed. ■
The Blue Anchor, Teignmouth
Although the county has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure
Time to explore
Although South Devon is teeming with brilliant attractions, exciting activities and breathtaking coast and countryside, there are also some fantastic opportunities for you to explore a little beyond its borders.
It is a surprisingly short journey from South Devon into the neighbouring county of Cornwall. To reach the famous Eden Project from Newton Abbot, for example, takes just an hour and a half by car, plunging you into the largest indoor rainforest in the world.
There are a huge variety of activities and sights to see ‘in the Duchy’, from world-famous beaches to posh foodie spots like seafront Padstow and the artistic community of pretty St Ives, where Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden are star attractions, as well as the wild walk along the cliffs to the ancient village of Zennor. Taking the train from Totnes, Newton Abbot or Exeter to Truro, Falmouth or Penzance is an excellent and inexpensive way to travel between the two regions.
Heading upcountry, Dartmoor’s volcanic sibling and the gateway to North Devon, Exmoor, is well worth a visit. It is a landscape of contrasts with wild coastline, the rugged moor itself and lush valleys. The picturesque coastal towns of Lynton and Lynmouth, often referred to as ‘Little Switzerland,’ are particularly charming – and you can travel between the two on a unique waterpowered Victorian cliff railway.
Up in North Devon, surfers flock to Croyde and Woolacombe, where the sport’s history stretches back at least 40 years and you can even visit the Museum of British Surfing in nearby Braunton.
Fans of the artist Damien Hirst should visit the seaside resort
There are a huge variety of activities and sights to see in the Duchy
of Ilfracombe where his 66-foot bronze-clad sculpture named Verity, depicting a pregnant woman holding a sword, towers over the pier. There’s another unique attraction in the form of Tunnels Beaches, hand carved in the 1820s and leading down to a tidal swimming pool.
At the mouth of the River Torridge, the pretty fishing village of Appledore makes a nice stop for a wander around the quay or browse through galleries tucked away down narrow cobbled streets. There’s a shipyard, as well as the North Devon Maritime Museum, and a seasonal ferry can deposit you in the pretty sand-fringed village of Instow, with good wind- and kitesurfing and three pubs to choose from.
Immediately east of the region in Dorset sits Lyme Regis, with its historic Cobb and harbour, pitted with fossils for which the region is famous. The Malthouse Gallery is a focus for the area’s artistic crowd.
A little further east into Dorset, the market town of Bridport is another artistic hotspot: the Bridport Arts Centre, based in a Wesleyan Chapel, runs an international literary award, and there’s also a theatre, an Art Deco cinema and a town museum. Go west again to Weymouth, where the magnificent sandy town beach is overlooked by a magisterial curve of beautiful Georgian buildings. ■
Falmouth
Cornwall
On a bright Summer’s day in beautiful South Devon, with its especially mild climate and the palm trees that line its promenades, you could be in a seaside picture postcard brought to life.
Come and join us for an experience day
We’d love to welcome you to Hoburne Devon Bay. Take your time. Look around.
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