Things to do in the area

Walking:

There are many areas to walk in the South Hams with many National Trust areas and areas of outstanding beauty. The South West Coast Path is particularly popular and is close to all our properties. Other suggestions are Dartmoor, Dart Valley Trail and Town and Country Trails. Lealets available from local Tourist Information Centres and South Hams Coast and Countryside Service.

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Visitor Attractions for all the family:

Steam train rides between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. (check for timetable telephone 01364 642338)) or Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway (Tel: 01803 555872)

Hill House Nursery and Gardens. Landscove, nr Ashburton. (Tel: 01803 762273) The Glasshouses, open to the public, have a collection of rare and unusual plants. The garden is listed in the Good Garden Guide 1000 Best Gardens.

Butterfly & Otter Sanctuary at Buckfastleigh (Tel: 01364 642916)

Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre at Buckfastleigh for Shire Horse and Falconry Displays, Pets Corner and Play Areas (Tel: 01364 642023)

Woodlands Leisure Park, Blackawton - Empire of the Sea Dragon the biggest indoor ventre zone in the UK, plus 3 watercoasters, toboggan run, arctic sledges and 60 acres of action (Tel: 01803 712598)

Salcombe Chocolate Factory, Salcombe - See chocolates being made from the viewing area with audio link to chocolatier (Tel: 01548 842260)

Sorley Tunnel, Nr Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 857711) Craft workshop, gift shop, restaurant & tea room. New indoor futuristic adventure play area for all ages from tots to grandads. Rabbits, guinea pigs, donkeys, ponies to pat and pet. Half hour or hour pony rides available, spooky railway tunnel walk mile, hidden valley.

River Dart Country Park, Buckfastleigh (Tel: 01364 652511) 90 acres of beautiful parkland and a mile of the river Dart to explore and exciting adventure playgrounds for children of all ages.

Dartmoor Wildlife & Conservation Park, Sparkwell (Tel: 01752 837209) Over 1000 creatures in 30 acres of beautiful Devon countryside including big cats, seals and flying displays.

Sharpham Vineyard, Ashprington, Nr Totnes Tel: 01803 732203 - Vineyard and riverside trail, guided tour and tasting in the winery.

Stancombe Cyder Press and Restaurant, Sherford, Nr Kingsbridge Tel: 01548 531151. Four hundred year old Cyder Press, free entry, display, tastings and shop in thatched cyder barn.

Paignton Zoo, Paignton (Tel: 01803 697500). See hundreds of animals and plants from around the world and find out about conservation and the world's endangered species.

National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth (Tel: 01752 600301). Britain's biggest and Europe's deepest aquarium.

Hedgehog Hospital at Prickly Ball Farm, Newton Abbot (Tel: 01626 362319).

Miniature Pony Centre, Bovey Tracy (Tel: 01647 432400).

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Unusual Shopping:

Dartington Cider Press Centre, Near Totnes (Tel: 01803 864171) Unique visitor and craft centre, including famous Dartington Glass seconds shop, superb kitchen shop and intriguing arts and crafts for sale.

"Famous Lee Mill" Factory Outlet shop in Ivybridge (Tel: 01752 698405) Clothing, gift ideas and coffee shop.

Dartmouth Pottery, Dartmouth. (Tel 01803 832258) famous fish jugs, local pottery, coffee shop and restaurant.

China blue at Devon Ceramics in Totnes (Tel: 01803 860900) Design & Create your own unique design on a ceramic mug, bowl, pot etc Ceramic café, home accessories, shop, free parking.

Mill Art Gallery, Ermington, Ivybridge (Tel: 01548 830172)

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Heritage and Tradition:

Dartmouth Museum, The Butterwalk (Tel: 01364 832925)

Cookworthy Museum, Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 853235)

Totnes Guildhall, Totnes (Tel: 01803 862147)

Totnes Elizabethan Museum (Tel: 01803 863821)

Totnes Costume Museum, High Street, Totnes

Newcomen Engine House, Dartmouth (Tel: 01803 834224)

High Cross House, Dartington (Tel: 01803 864114)

Salcombe Maritime & Local History Museum, Old Town Hall, Market Street, Salcombe

Valiant Soldier, 79 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh (Tel: 01364 644522)

Totnes Castle - Norman Motte & Bailey Castle (Tel: 01803 864406)

Dartmouth Castle - Guardian of the Dart Estuary, one of the most advanced fortresses of its day (Tel: 01803 833588)

Berry Pomeroy Castle - Tales of apparitions, kidnapping make Berry Pomeroy a haunting experience (Tel: 01803 866618)

Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh - the monks welcome visitors to their medieval and modern Abbey, set in a quiet wooded valley. Visit the Abbey Church, tranquil precinct with fascinating herb gardens, video, exhibition, restaurant and unusual shops selling monastery produce. (Tel: 01364 642509)

Visit Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth for a guided tour (tickets available from Dartmouth TIC (Tel: 01803 834224)

Dartington Hall and Courtyard, Dartington (Tel: 01803 866688)

St Mary's Church, Totnes - Fine 15th century building with original carved stone screen, 15th century pulpit and font and many other interesting architectural features.

Buckland Abbey, Yelverton (Tel: 01822 853607)

Yarde Medieval Farmhouse, Malborough (Tel: 01548 842367)

British Photographic Museum, Bowden House, Totnes (Tel: 01803 863664)

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National Trust:

Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear, Dartmouth. TQ6 0EQ (Tel: 01803 752466) House and garden.

Greenway, Greenway Road, Galmpton, Nr Churston Ferrers. TQ5 0ES (Tel: 01803 842382) Pre-booked visitors only, booking essential.

Overbecks Museum And Garden, Sharpitor, Salcombe. TQ8 8LW (Tel: 01548 842893).

Saltram House & Gardens, Plympton (Tel: 01752 336546).

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Boat trips and Ferries:

Bantham Ferry to Cockleridge (Tel: 01548 561196)

Dartmouth to Totnes – River Link service (Tel: 01803 834488)

East Portlemouth Ferry to Salcombe (Tel: 01548 842061)

Kingsbridge to Salcombe – Rivermaid Service (Tel: 01548 853607)

South Sands Ferry to Salcombe (Tel: 01548 561035)

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Fishing and Boat Hire:

Sea:-

John Jarvis Hope Cove (Tel: 01548 561997)

Salcombe Boat Hire Salcombe (Tel: 01548 844475)

Tuckers Boat Co. Salcombe. Wreck and mackeral fishing or boat hire (Tel: 01548 842840)

Whitestrand Boat Hire Salcombe. Self drive boats, cruises, angling and mackeral fishing (Tel: 01548 843818)

Fish & Trips, 11 Clifton Place, Salcombe, fresh fish, fishing tackle, boat hire and angling advice (Tel: 01548 844475)

Dartmouth Boat Hire Dartmouth (Tel: 01803 722367)

African Queen, Dartmouth (Tel: 07885 246061) www.theafricanqueen.co.uk. fishing trips, river and coastal cruises.

Fresh Water:-

Bickerton Farm Fishery, Hallsands nr. Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 511220)

Valley Springs Trout Fishery Sherford (Tel: 01548 531574)

Coombe Water Fishery, Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 852038)

Mill Leat Trout Farm, Ermington (Tel: 01548 830172)

Newhouse Fishery Trout Farm, nr Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 821426)

Fishing Licences – rod fishing licences from Kingsbridge Post Office. River Avon permits from Loddiswell sub Post Office.

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Sailing and water activities:

Canoe Adventures - paddle "Cheemaun" the 12 seat canoe - an ancient design - tour the Dart, Yealm, Salcombe/Kingsbridge estuary, Plym and Tamar (Tel: 01803 865301)

Dittisham Sailing School - Sailing Tuition in Wayfarers. Beginners to Advanced, Daily or Weekly Hire of Boats & Dinghies. (Tel: 01803 883716)

Dart Sailing School Tel: 01803 833973 - charter boats, rya sailing courses, family sailing holidays, seaschool@dartsailing.co.uk or charters@dartsailing.co.uk

Island Cruising Club, Island Street, Salcombe TQ8 8DR, 0800 917 9025, Fax 01548 843929, RYA Courses, Sailing for Pleasure, Residential or Non Residential

RYA Powerboat School & Rib Charter from Dartmouth & Brixham. Contact David Hickman www.powerboat-instruction.co.uk.

Plymouth Powerboat School - Quality RYA power boat training and RIB charter across the South West. Contact Michael Whelan, Tel: 01752 255700, email: mike@powerboatschool.com or www.powerboatschool.com

Mountain Water Experience, Courtlands, Kingsbridge, TQ7 4BN (Tel 01548 550675)

Group Activities (min 4 people), Water Activities, Assault Course, Archery, Caving, Residential and Day Courses, MWE@mountainwaterexp.demon.co.uk

Powerboat Tuition, Salcombe - powerboat training, courses in canoeing, dinghy and yacht sailing (Tel: 01548 842727)

Warfleet Charter Vessels, Dartmouth (Tel: 01803 832047) fishing trips and boat charters.

R.I.B Charter Dartmouth (Tel: 01803 834571) wave blasting, water skiing and cruises.

Salcombe Dinghy Sailing, Salcombe (Tel: 01548 842786) Adult and childrens' sailing sessions Sailing boat hires.

Watkins Watersports, Salcombe (Tel: 01548 843383) Water ski school and sailing tuition.

Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre, Bovisand, Tel: 01752 408021 - residential and non residential scuba diving instruction.

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Golf:

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, Blackawton - Swimming pool, health suite , beauty therapy, sunbeds and gymnasium available in Leisure Suite plus Two golf courses and driving range. Day visitor rates available (Tel: 01803 712628)

Bigbury Golf Course (Tel: 01548 810201)

Thurlestone Golf Course (Tel: 01548 560405)

Thurlestone Hotel - 9 hole par 3 (Tel:01548 560382)

Sparkwell Public Course 9 hole Plymouth (Tel: 01752 837219)

Wrangaton Golf Club, Wrangaton

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Horse riding:

Cheston Equestrian Centre (Tel: 01364 73266)

Fitzworthy Riding Centre (Tel: 01752 837836)

Wembury Bay Riding School (Tel: 01752 862676)

Dittiscombe Equestrian Centre, Nr Slapton (Tel: 01548 581049)

Park & Ride, Loddiswell (Mobile: 0780 3703719 Tel: 01548 550178)

Sorley Tunnel Riding School, Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 856662)

East Leigh Equitation, Harberton

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Cinema:

The Reel Cinema, Kingsbridge (Booking Office 01548 856636)

Fusion Nightclub Cinema, Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 854444)

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Cycle Hire:

Diventure Salcombe (Tel: 01548 843663)

The Port Light Hotel (Tel: 01548 561384)

Watkins Watersports, Mountain Bikes (Tel: 01548 843383)

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Other:

Slapton Ley Field Centre & Nature Reserve, Slapton, Tel: 01548 580466 - wildlife and birdwatching courses - vacancies for "South Devon's Birds - Sights & Sounds of Spring".

Quayside Leisure Centre, Kingsbridge - coffee shop and bar, 4 rink bowls hall, 25m deck level pool, 10m learner pool, dance studio, resource room, 6 court sports hall, 2 squash courts, fitness studio, disabled facilities. (Tel: 01548 857100)

Recreation Ground Kingsbridge, tennis, bowling, putting (Tel: 01548 852971)

The Ivybridge Indoor Tennis Centre, Ivybridge

Fusion Nightclub, Kingsbridge (Tel: 01548 857021)

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Links to other sites:

http://www.devon-holiday.com, the Devon Holiday Directory , contains over 1400 links to web sites full of information for visitors to Devon - attractions, towns and villages, museums and gardens, pubs, restaurants and accommodation.

http://www.theafricanqueen.co.uk African Queen, Dartmouth (Tel: 07885 246061) Fishing trips, river and coastal cruises.

http://www.powerboatschool.com Plymouth Powerboat School - Quality RYA power boat training and RIB charter across the South West. Contact Michael Whelan Director & Principal Tel: 01752 255700 email:mike@powerboatschool.com