Around and About
Welcome to the heart of the South Hams, where Parkland is located, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, which enjoys warm summers and mild winters.
The area has plenty to offer all, whether you like to ramble along the South West Coastal path or the network of inland Green lanes, explore the small towns and villages, or perhaps magnificent gardens and historic houses. Family adventure centres and visitor attractions are plentiful, along with sailing, water sports, fishing and golf, or perhaps just a lazy day on one of the many award wining beaches in the vicinity, with a good meal from many fine establishments in the area to round the day off with.
KINGSBRIDGE is a bustling and friendly market town, which lies at the head of the Kingsbridge and Salcombe Estuary. The town is often referred to as the ‘capital’ of the South Hams.
Many activities take place on the Quay area of the town, weekly trade markets and farmers markets selling local produce, and Sunday music concerts, which are popular with the town's folk and visitors alike, along with annual music festival in June and fair week in July. The town has ample parking on the Quayside, which is located below the town's leisure centre, which boasts an indoor swimming pool. The town's recreation also has a putting green, lawn bowls and tennis courts.
Fore Street leads away from the Quay and is lined with a variety of shops for that everyday purchase or for something special. The Town Hall is home to the refurbished Reel Cinema, which also opens it doors to regular craft fairs. To the top of Fore Street is the Cookworthy Museum, located in the old school house and dedicated to William Cookworthy who founded a way to produce the first true English Porcelain from Cornish China Clay. The museum tells the tale of local history and rural life of days gone by.
Kingsbridge boasts a fine selection of welcoming pubs and restaurants, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Pizzas and traditional Fish and Chips are all available. Something for the younger generation is a small night club, which you will find tucked away at the bottom of the town!
The River Maid ferry departs regularly from the Quay, for an estuary or coastal cruise, a very popular way to see the scenery, or to explore Salcombe for the day.
SALCOMBE is Devon's most southerly town, located at the mouth of the estuary. It is a busy marine town, the ideal place for the boating and water sports enthusiast. The town has an active commercial fishing fleet, whose catch is sold all over the country. The town's fishmonger also sells the catch of the day, straight from the fleet.
Salcombe has many businesses offering boat hire, fishing trips, coastal cruises and tuition in all water sports. The narrow, main street is lined with a variety of shops, many of which have a nautical theme; the town also boast Crew Clothing, White Stuff and Fat Face.
You can enjoy a variety of local pubs and fine dining restaurants, many of which serve the local catch of the day, along with other local produce. The Oyster Shack is extremely popular, located at the new Hannafords Landing.
The town is famous for Salcombe Dairy Ice Cream, particularly the world class rum and raisin variety, no essence is used here, and the raisins are soaked overnight in traditional navy rum.
TOTNES is an ancient market town situated in an upper valley of the River Dart. The town is still famous today for its weekly Pannier market and Elizabethan charity mornings. The towns main High Street is dominated by architectural delights, especially the clock tower. A wide range of shops line the narrow, steep hill. Totnes is well known for its craft shops, antiquarian book shops and whole food shops, selling local produce.
There is plenty to do in and around Totnes, with a variety of small museums and the historic castle, which is prominent on the hillside.
Take a trip back in time on the South Devon Railway. The Great Western Steam train runs from the edge of the town, there is also a rare breeds centre near to the station, the train wanders to Buckfastleigh following the banks of the River Dart.
At Buckfastleigh you can visit the Butterfly and Otter Sanctuary, or meander further into the small town, here you will be met by the famous Buckfast Abbey, a living Benedictine monastery. Here you can purchase monastic produce from all over the world, including the local Buckfast Honey and Mead.
Dartington is just a short distance from Totnes, with the World famous Dartington Arts College, and home to Dartington Cider Press, a large craft centre, offering a variety of merchandise, including Dartington Glass from Torrington.
From the quayside in Totnes you can enjoy abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery, on a cruise down the estuary of the River Dart, to the historic port of Dartmouth.
DARTMOUTH is situated at the mouth of the River Dart, with the Britannia Royal Naval College dominant on the hillside. The town's main asset is its deep water harbour, which is popular for visiting naval vessels, small cruise liners, pleasure craft and a commercial fishing fleet. Dartmouth is popular for sailing with many companies offering boat hire and tuition, along with estuary and coastal cruises. You could also enjoy the Round Robin cruise on the River to Totnes, Open air bus to Paignton and then the Steam train back to Kingswear.
The towns streets are filled with an array of shops and art galleries, you will always find that little something which is a little different from the shops in Dartmouth.
The Park and Ride is recommended during the main summer season, especially for the annual music festival held in Royal Avenue Gardens in May, and the Royal Regatta at the end of August, a popular event for locals and visitors.
The South Hams coastline is doted with villages, many of which are perfect for a day on the beach, or as a starting point for exploring the South West Coast path and enjoying the wonderful scenery.
Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo are two villages which lie opposite each other on the banks of the River Yealm; both are totally unspoilt and will offer you a tranquil day out.
Bigbury on Sea is famous for its sea tractor; this provides access at high tide to Burgh Island, home to the Art Deco Hotel, which has been used in the filming of Agatha Christie's “Poirot”. The beach is perfect for families with its fine sand and amenities.
Surfing tuition and hire is available, along with The Venus Café offering local produce.
Bantham boasts a beach of very fine sand and is known as the ‘local’ beach. No dogs are allowed during the summer season, making it ideal for families. Bantham has become popular all year round for surfing and kite flying.
Thurlestone and South Milton Sands has full amenities, and is a great location for wind surfing and at low tide for exploring rock pools. The beach is owned by the National Trust and is very well maintained like many of the beaches in the area. Wind surfing hire and tuition is available and a lot of fun for all ages. The area of water inside the Thurlestone rock makes for a safe sheltered spot to learn, with gentle onshore winds for most of the summer.
East Portlemouth lies opposite from Salcombe, from where a passenger ferry can be caught to gain access to the sandy beaches, Mill Bay being the most popular. The Venus Café is a popular stop before heading up to the South West Coastal path.
East Prawle boasts a rugged coastline with secluded coves, the ideal place for rock pooling. Prawle point is a haven for bird watching.
Start Point is home to an automated lighthouse on a rugged cliff top, tours are available by prior arrangement.
Hallsands is an old fishing village, destroyed by storms in 1917 after the shingle was dredged for the building of Plymouth dockyards. Today there is a viewing platform from where you can see the remains of the old village.
Beesands, once again an old fishing village, today has a large sea defence wall to protect the houses on the beach from the mighty winter storms. Small fishing boats still depart daily from here, many of them offering their catch of the day on the village green.
Torcross is at the start of Slapton Sands, two miles of pebbled beach which was used in the 2nd World War as a practice area for the D-Day landings. It is a good hunting ground for collectors of shells. Today you will notice a new stretch of road, which divides the beach and the fresh water lagoon of Slapton Ley, which is a National Nature Reserve; around the Ley you will find an abundance of bird and wild life.
The village of Slapton is situated inland; the fourteenth century village pub is situated next to the church, and opposite the ruins of a monastic college. The walls of the pub are filled with photographs, which tell the tale of the evacuation of the area, when soldiers made it their base for the D-Day landing practises that took place.
Blackpool Sands is located a little further along the coast with picturesque thatched cottages, the beach is of fine shingle, ideal for all the family with purpose built amenities, tuition and hire for most water sports and the famous Venus Café offering an extensive menu of local produce.
The South Hams is also home to varied inland villages, well worth exploring or for a lunch time stop, giving you the chance to meet the characters that help make the South Hams what it is today.
The area has a diverse selection of attractions and activities, something to suit all interests.
GOLF courses are plentiful in the area. Try the links courses of Bigbury and Thurlestone on the cliff tops, or Wrangaton on the edge of Dartmoor. There is also the challenging course at Dartmouth, along with a 9-hole course at Thurlestone Hotel with day tickets available.
FISHING is available, you can enjoy a peaceful day on the banks of the River Avon or Dart, and licences can be obtained locally. Tranquil surroundings at Coombe Water Fishery (within a mile of Parkland), established over twelve years ago and offers a good catch to all. An exhilarating days angling at sea can be arranged through the Devon Angling Centre.
WATERSPORTS and BOATING are readily available in the area, Salcombe, Dartmouth, Bantham, Thurlestone, Bigbury and Blackpool sands all offer tuition and hire.
HORESRIDING is mainly based on the edges of Dartmoor, offering the experienced and inexperience the chance to explore the magnificent scenery.
For more information please feel free to contact us and we will try and provide you with the information you require to make you stay at Parkland, in the South Hams an enjoyable and action packed experience.
Useful Web Links
BBC 5 day weather forecast for out area
Venus Café and SixFootPlus Bantham Surfing Information
Creeks End Inn, located on the quay area in Kingsbridge, great for a traditional family meal or an early evening drink in the summer sunshine.
Virtual Salcombe - Informational website about Salcombe, including various webcams around the town.
BBC Devon Panoramics - 360 degree view of Bigbury on Sea and Burgh Island.