South Devon

201 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Destination

Date of travel

August, 2016

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Family including children under 16

Reasons for trip

In August, we stayed at our favourite cottage in Shaldon with our extended family. South Devon at this time of year has a carnival atmosphere. On the road south, we stopped at the Old Station in the beautiful Wye valley for tea and cakes. This allowed us and the grandchildren to stretch our legs.

Shaldon is an unspoilt village over the bridge from Teignmouth. There are several places to eat in the village, the Shipwright Arms was very good, but we found that the Ness this year was more expensive and the service was poor. For further eating places, we took the ferry from Shaldon beach to Teignmouth back beach.
Being into steam trains we went to Dawlish to see them roaring down the track. Then on another day we took a ride on one from Paignton to Kingswear. This price included the chain ferry to Dartmouth a lovely picturesque town with winding Elizabethan streets.

South Devon is great for public transport and we visited several different places using our bus passes. One such place was Torquay where we walked up the cliff path for magnificent views of the bay. We also went to Totnes, which is a great place for arty crafty shops and people watching. Exeter is a beautiful old city and we love to relax at the historic quayside before travelling on to Topsham a sleepy place with lovely gift shops.

This year we took a trip to Castle Drogo a National Trust property. it is undergoing a massive renovation project, which was interesting, but I advise you to leave it a year or two before visiting. The views and gardens are magnificent though. If you are staying in the area the best NT places are A La Ronde and Greenway – the home of Agatha Christie.

The best way to trvel to Exmouth is via the Starcross Ferry. It was a bit rainy the day we visited, so we popped into the museum, which was a little gem staffed by enthusiastic volunteers.

We also went to Brixham a bustling little fishing town, where the local fishermen really struggle to make a living due to the quotas. (We found out this is nothing to do with the EU, but simply the unfair advantage that the major fishing companies have in selling to supermarkets) Back in Teignmouth the younger members of our family had a great time on a small boat catching fish and bringing them back to the cottage to cook.

Yes, Shaldon does not disappoint. There is nothing better than sitting with a pint watching the sun set over the estuary.

Therese.Irving

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.