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Blackpool Sands © Nick Shepherd
Blackpool Sands © Nick Shepherd
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Canoe Adventures
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Shoalstone Pool
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Slapton Ley
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Winking Prawn
21 Things To Do In and Around Dartmouth - Summer 2014
This beautiful part of the world really comes alive in the summer, with so many great things to see and do. Here are some ideas to get you going… we hope these suggestions will be useful if you are visiting the area for the first time or perhaps a resident looking for some inspiration, possibly with family and friends soon to visit.
1. A personal favourite, and a great start to a summer’s day, is a buffet breakfast at The Winking Prawn, Salcombe – traditional, quality ingredients and one of the best views from the patio of North Sands and the Salcombe estuary. This place is brightly painted in seaside hues and there’s even a dressing up box for kids and the young at heart. Breakfast is served until 11.15am. If you wish to spend a lazy afternoon there instead there is a wonderful selection of home made cakes, barbeque and seafood snacks. For more information and menus visit www.winkingprawn.co.uk. North Sands beach is a stone’s throw away from the café, to walk off the calories afterwards.
2. Sharpham Vineyard is part of a thousand year old farm on the River Dart just outside Totnes, consisting of five hundred acres owned by the Sharpham Trust. In recent years the wine and cheese produced here has become more and more renowned. There are now wine tours through the vineyards overlooking the river – from a self-guided ‘Trek and Taste’ to the full ‘Sharpham Experience’. They’re all dog friendly too.If you fancy a superb alfresco lunch with stunning views check out the Vineyard Café there – especially the delicious cheese, fish and meat boards. Booking is strongly recommended. For more information and bookings visit www.sharpham.com. The River Rat runs ferry trips to Sharpham Quay from Totnes. To book see www.riverrat.co.uk or the Sandpiper Water Taxi from Dartmouth (07907 528201).
3. Or for the adventurous at heart the new Dynamic Adventures at Dartington provides adrenaline packed outdoor activities for all ages and abilities. Activities include high ropes and zipline, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, and archery, with well-qualified and experienced instructors. There are also mountain bikes for hire at very reasonable rates. Dynamic Adventures is based at the Shops at Dartington, near Totnes. For more information and prices visit www.dynamicadventurescic.co.uk
4. If you fancy a bit of calm and tranquility then a visit to the living monastery that is Buckfast Abbey will certainly relax you. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the abbey was founded nearly 1,000 years ago and stood for 500 years before Henry VIII closed it. The present day monks returned in 1882 and rebuilt the church on its medieval foundations. The present abbey, at Buckfastleigh, is famous for its stained glass, bee keeping and unique Tonic Wine. As well as the tranquil church there is a delightfully peaceful Physic Garden, with a whole host of unusual herbs. A café serves lunches and cream teas. For more information visit www.buckfast.org.uk
5. No family summer in Dartmouth would be complete without a day out at Woodlands. This well established theme park manages to provide exhilarating rides without completely losing its woodland feel. For the adrenaline junkie there are fast water slides and a swing ship, and for the more relaxed, peddle boats and petting zoos. There’s also daily entertainment with clowns and jugglers on the lawn throughout the summer, and falconry displays. Located on the main road into Dartmouth. For more information visit www.woodlandspark.com
6. Canoe Adventures operate steersman guided Longbow Voyager canoe trips for families and large groups. They make round trips of four to five hours, including riverside stops, along the River Dart. You can join the boats at the Malsters Arms, Tuckenhay or Stoke Gabriel Quay, on the banks of the Dart. Options include a riverside ice cream halt, picnics, flint and steel campfire lighting, dining ashore, a winery visit or a riverbank barbeque, by day or by night. Bookings are essential and are by the seat or by the boat. Special family, youth and student rates are given and every age and ability is catered for. Timings follow the tide. For more information visit www.canoeadventures.co.uk.
7. Meanwhile Sea Kayak Devon will provide guided sea kayak trips and skills courses for all ages and abilities. Their trips trips will take you around our spectacular coastline visiting remote beaches and getting up close to a variety of amazing wildlife. More details at seakayakdevon.co.uk
8. For something serene and educational a trip to Wembury Marine Centre for a Rockpool Ramble is a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The rambles last for around an hour and a half and are guided by the very knowledgeable marine centre staff, who will help you find and identify the crustaceans in the rock pools. There is a nominal fee of £3 for adults and £2 for children. The marine centre is also worth a look in too to complete your visit. Check the website for ramble dates at www.wemburymarinecentre.org
9. Or for a slice of local history explore Agatha Christie’s beautiful Georgian mansion at the National Trust’s Greenway. The world famous author’s extensive collections fill the house and there are wonderful views of the river from the house and gardens.Every day there are free tours of the garden, which last for 30 to 40 minutes. Join them to find out what’s in flower and the history of the gardens. There is limited parking which must be booked in advance but arriving by other means – including a vintage bus or Greenway Ferry – is all part of the magic of the place. For more information on opening times and details of how to get there visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway/
10. If you’re looking for something a little different on a balmy summer’s evening then head to Totnes Tourist Information Centre to meet up for a Totnes Ghost Walk. Wander the streets and byways of this historic town, hear about its ghosts and legends, and maybe even see something strange along the way… No need to book, just turn up on a Tuesday evening at 8pm. The walk finishes at approximately 9.30pm at The Bay Horse Inn at the top of the town. Adults cost £5, children £3 and walks for large parties of ten or more can be arranged at other times. For more details phone Bob on 01803 847930.
11. Start Point Lighthouse is on one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast, running sharply almost a mile into the sea on the south side of Start Bay, near Dartmouth. The Lighthouse, sited at the very end of the headland, has guided vessels in passage along the English Channel for more than 170 years. It is the only lighthouse open to the public in Devon and well worth a look. Tours last 45 minutes and no booking is required. Children must be 1.1m tall and physically capable of ascending/descending the stairs unaided and cannot be carried (this includes babies). Car parking is nearby (not at the Lighthouse itself) and other conditions apply – make sure you visit www.startpointdevon.co.uk for details and opening times.
12. Blackpool Sands, set in a sheltered bay surrounded by evergreens and pines, is one of Devon’s most beautiful beaches. This is a Blue Flag awarded, exceptionally clean, family beach, with fantastic facilities. These include the Venus Café, which sells delicious organic burgers, a beach shop, kayak, board and wetsuit hire and showers. Despite its historical name it is in fact a shingle beach but the owners have installed sand pits for the complete beach experience. It is lifeguard patrolled and dog free during the summer season. For more information visit www.blackpoolsands.co.uk
13. If you fancy bathing in the sea, Brixham’s Shoalstone Pool is one of the few outdoor seawater pools left in the country. It was built on the site of a natural rock pool which people used for bathing back in 1896. In a lovely open setting, with an adjacent small beach, this is an idyllic spot for open-air swimming. And amazingly it’s free, but please make a donation to the organisation, which lovingly restores this place every year after the winter storms ravage it so badly. There is easy access with adequate parking and a café with superb views across the bay. For more information visit www.shoalstoneseawaterpool.co.uk
14. Or how about a trip to Dartmouth Castle and Castle Cove? For more than 600 years Dartmouth Castle has guarded the entrance to the Dart Estuary and the busy, vibrant port of Dartmouth. Climb to the top for breathtaking views across the estuary. There’s a lovely café at the entrance and steps down to the pretty Castle Cove, which was recently lovingly restored by residents intent on reopening it after storm damage. Brave souls can even take a dip in the water down there. There is some parking near the castle but the best way to approach is by ferry – a ten-minute trip from the South Embankment in Dartmouth. For information on opening times visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/dartmouth-castle. Get their by foot, car or maybe the Castle Ferry from the South Embankment.
15. Slapton Ley, located just behind Slapton beach, is the largest natural lake in the south west. It is surrounded by reed beds, marshes and woodland habitats, which attract an abundance of flowers and wildlife including badgers, otters, dormice and bats. The nearby Field Centre runs trails, courses and events around the lake. During July and August the Slapton Ley Beach Trailer is out and about with information on the trails and bird hides. The trailer is stationed in the memorial car park – near the World War II tank – during weekends in July, and Saturday to Thursday during the school summer holiday period. For more information, and to download a nature trail, visit www.slnnr.org.uk
16. The Hope Cove to Bantham coastal path walk follows the well-marked coast path for four miles, as it circles around Thurlestone golf course, passes the water meadows and sand dunes at South Milton Sands and South Milton Ley – a Site of Special Scientific Interest. These nature reserves are used for roosting by migrating swallows. Little egrets and stonechats may also be seen, as well as an otter if you’re very lucky. The walk also passes the distinctive Thurlestone Rock arch and then offers great views across to Burgh Island. The walk starts at the acorn sign next to the pay and display car park at Outer Hope (SX 676402). Before starting, it is worth a wander around the village with its harbour and picturesque thatched cottages. There are refreshment opportunities en route in pubs at Thurlestone and Bantham and a beach café at South Milton Sands. There are also various benches along the way where you can enjoy a packed lunch whilst taking in the views. This is considered an easy walk overall although there is a short steep climb up a field shortly near Bantham.
17. For keen readers and writers alike Dartington Hall’s Ways With Words this month is an absolute must. More than 100 published writers appear on the programme this year. Some of the big names such as Sandi Toksvig and Roy Hattersley may be sold out already – although there is always a chance of last minute tickets – but that still leaves many gems still available. This annual event, started in 1991, falls from Friday July 4 to Sunday July 13 this summer. As well as readings, debates and workshops it’s also a wonderful place to just hang out and soak up the literary vibe. There are bookshops, food stalls and plenty of deckchairs on the lawn to enjoy this unique atmosphere. For more information, including the full programme, visit www.wayswithwords.co.uk
18. Occombe Farm is a working organic farm on the edge of Paignton and is free to visit seven days a week. There is a great kitchen garden including wartime allotment with air raid shelter; farm animals including cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs and alpacas; a two-kilometer nature trail, and a bird hide Gribbles Farm Shop and Bakehouse Café celebrating local produce. The visitor centre has exhibitions on farming and environmental issues and there is a well-stocked shop and café on site. The farm is run by local charity Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust with all profits going to support its conservation and education work. The Trust run a comprehensive events programme at Occombe and it’s other sites. Check out their website for more details at www.countryside-trust.org.uk/occombe
19. The medieval Torre Abbey is one of the biggest jewels in Torquay’s crown, and well worth a visit. There is an impressive permanent art collection and a lively programme of contemporary arts events. This month the Welsh National Opera is performing The Four Seasons and an afternoon of Chamber Concerts, on July 3 and 5. The abbey’s gardens are also very picturesque, with exotic and exciting plants, and the tearooms are delightful. There are many interactive displays to inform and entertain the children too, including talking portraits and statues. For more information visit www.torre-abbey.org.uk
20. Pennywell Farm is a delightful place for young children to handle farm animals, feed a lamb, meet miniature pigs, take a tractor and trailer ride, and stroke the shire horses. Amazingly this place has been going for 25 years now and is showing no signs of slowing down. The staff are always friendly and lively and add to the unique feel to the place. Highly recommended. For more information visit their website at www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
21. Hope Cove Weekend is three days of traditional seaside family fun on the August bank holiday weekend - from Friday August 22 to Sunday August 24. The whole village and beaches come alive with entertainment and competitions for all ages. Activities include music and dancing every day; street entertainers; family sports and treasure hunt; land and sea races including dinghy, raft and swimming races; a firework display; fishing competition; an adult and children’s tug of war; rock pooling; fishing; sandcastles and fancy-dress competitions too. There will also be an open-air religious service and a children’s magic show. The village’s popular Hope and Anchor Inn will also host various barbeques and bands on an outdoor stage. For more information visit www.hopeandanchor.co.uk
First Published By The Dart July 2014