Family Favourites - October 2014
The summer has come to an end but for now the sun is still out and there are plenty of local opportunities for walks and outdoor activities with children.
Recently we walked up to Gallant’s Bower with some drinks and snacks and, although it is a fairly steep walk up to the top, it is well worth the short, 15 minute climb with the kiddies. Gallant’s Bower is on National Trust land and is an old Civil War fort, apparently the best preserved of its type in the country.
Once you are at the top, the fairly open old fort is a fantastic place to play and explore with trees to climb and bushes to hide behind for the children as well as far reaching views up the river and out to sea for the adults. It is idyllic, quiet and right on our doorstep.
Drive up towards the castle, taking the right fork, rather than going straight on to the paid car park, then park on the roadside and look for the signs into the woods up to the right. There is an information board on the way down to Sugary Green that tells you all about the area and more information on the National Trust website, including a four mile circular walk to download and follow.
Whilst this circular walk is far too long for my family, there is another section of the National Trust loop (at Little Dartmouth) that is very accessible for young children. Drive to the National Trust car park at Little Dartmouth and head down the road towards the farm and cottages. When you get to the farm (after about five minutes walk from the car park), go through the gate and walk straight on to the track. Keep walking down there for about 15 minutes until you get to a gate and the amazing view opens out in front of you. For us that is far enough.
Have a snack and a drink there looking at the view and then turn round and head back. This is a favourite walk for us because it is quite flat and the kids can manage with their bikes along this stretch. I used to do this walk a lot with a pushchair but be warned, it gets very muddy in the winter.
It is a good walk to remember for autumn days, when it is still fairly dry from the summer.
Another amazing opportunity on our doorstep are the two National Trust Properties nearby: Greenway (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway) and Coleton Fishacre (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre). As a family we had never been members of the National Trust before but since we started parking a lot at South Milton beach (National Trust) and with wanting to visit the two closest properties, as well as Overbeck’s (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/overbecks) in Salcombe, we decided to join up – such a good decision. We have now been to Coleton Fishacre three times, once for a dog walk, once for a special pond-dipping day and once to go round the house. Fantastic.
The house is smaller than I was expecting, which means it is great for small children to walk around. Upstairs there is a dressing-up room, full of cool hats, scarves and jackets etc from the 1920s, which we all loved! When you walk into the house the guides give the children a clipboard and a pencil and they have to do a treasure hunt. Tom really loved this and was completely engrossed.
Greenway was another wonderful afternoon out.
With no parking available at Greenway, we had to take the boat from the town pontoon (other ways to get there are detailed on the National Trust website). From Greenway Quay it was about a 15 minute uphill walk to the house. The children loved the house because they were given a treasure hunt again and were allowed to ring the gong when it was time for the guides to swap rooms. Again, the house is quite small, which meant everyone remained interested. The gardens are beautiful and we had a good walk around and down to the boathouse on the water’s edge.
We also sat on the deck chairs in front of the house watching the boats on the river. The café was lovely and the staff were so friendly with crayons on the table for colouring.
A bit further away is the most stunning National Trust property of Overbeck’s in Salcombe. I really was amazed by the position of this house, high up on the top of the hill with views out to sea and up the estuary.
The kiddies loved running around in these gardens with the different levels, huge tropical plants and magical winding paths. There is also a really cool finger maze that is so complicated it kept the children busy for ages. It is a spectacular place, and although it was a bit of a drive from Dartmouth, it was well worth a visit.
Since we visited these three National Trust properties we have become aware of the National Trust book that has recently been published called 50 Things to Do Before You’re 11¾. This book has a huge mix of activities listed in it and there is a space on each page to detail when you did the activity and draw a picture.
The National Trust are running free events all year round to help the kiddies achieve their 50 Things – the next event we will go to is called Wonderful Woodlands at Wembury Woods, and it is completely free. Again, look on the National Trust website.
This weekend we plan to roll down a really big hill as one of our 50 Things, which is quite an easy one for us, given the terrain around here.In the summer holidays, we also spent lots of time in Dittisham, crabbing off the pontoon and playing at the park and in the trees at The Ham.
It is such a beautiful place, even on a dull autumn day, so if you are looking for a quick activity, to get some fresh air for the kids and the dog, it is worth going there.
We recently took some visiting friends up the river on a boat to Dittisham. We went to the park and the pub, ate chips on the quay and they thought they had never had such a lovely day out.
And finally, I usually mention a Family Favourite café! Having lived in Dartmouth for three years now, another family favourite has emerged – Cafe Alf Resco (www.cafealfresco.co.uk). We don’t go there all the time but if it is someone’s birthday or if my husband is about to go to sea, or has just come home from sea, then we will go there for breakfast. The staff are so helpful and friendly and usually bring us colouring books and stories to read and have a lovely chat with the children. In fact they really look after you. Everyone knows about Alf’s, but this is just a little reminder that it is one of the best cafés in town and super family friendly.
First published By the Dart October 2014