ExploriNg South Devon
I currently spent September exploring the beautiful coast line of South Devon. Some places I have never visited, some I don’t quite remember as a child. From exploring Cornwall may times, therefore I thought it was an overdue place I needed to visit!
I spent a week driving and walking to all the hidden scenery that Devon has to offer!
If you love the sea/coast or love the outdoors then make a stop here. But if your looking at where to visit and places to go, then here’s where I give you all the details to plan your own little trip.
For my time there, I stayed in an area close to Ringmore called Challaborough. This was a small village on a beach which was nice to come back to watch the sunset after a long day out exploring.
Lets get straight into - Where to Visit?
Salcombe
This was one of the places I wanted to go during my visit. Salcombe is in the South harms district of Devon, an old village traditionally for its fishing. It is known for its outstanding costal views, boats in the harbour and its turquoise blue water.
Free parking available for 2 hours on the side of the roads. There is also some car parks which are £3.90 for 3 hours.
Whilst here I took the opportunity to hire out a boat to take the chance to see more of the area by water. I used Whitestrand Boat Hire and if your wanting to take a small trip and anchor down at some of the beaches/coves on the estray then the 1 hour boat trip should be perfect, costing £55.
Slapton
Only a small place but somewhere I found to be rather calming. The place that’s known for a road ‘between land and sea’. Driving along the road with the ocean on one side and a lake on the other makes this place something rather special.
You can park in the little village, walk along the pebbled beach front and cross over to the nature reserve on the opposite side.
Start Point
This location is on the edge of the southern limit of start bay. Following google maps this will bring you to a car park which is £4 all day. From here you can then walk all the way down to the lighthouse along the coastal stone wall. Just be aware at times the entrance to the lighthouse closes at times of the year, however you can still walk down to the lighthouse for the amazing views.
Walking back up the path you can then vere left and walk up to the top of the hill which takes you down a path all the way to a secret beach on the opposite side of the lighthouse. (Read below)
If your lucky you might see some seals resting on the rocks like we did. This was definitely a highlight!
Mattiscombe Beach
This was by far the best beach we visited on our stay. Reminding me of my time in Bali or as if you was abroad with white soft sand and crystal blue water.
So, of course we jumped straight in to catch the waves and cool off, then sat by the beach and enjoyed the afternoon.
From here, there is a path straight up to the left, following this will take you straight back to the car park.
- Make sure to bring water, lunch or snacks as there is no shop or café and you can spend at least a few hour here.
South Milton Sands
This is set in the ‘Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ spots and is also a National Trust location making it a star attraction with stunning beaches and natural greenery surrounding you.
There is a National Trust car park for £6 all day parking on top of the beach which is great for getting back to if your planning on staying on the beach.
Here you have the very popular Beach House café known for its amazing seafood and sunset drinks overlooking the beach! You can grab a takeaway coffee and bite to eat or sit and enjoy the taste of seafood overlooking the coast making it that more special!
Here is popular for using paddle boards, kayaks and known as a great place for marine conservation.
From Milton Sands beach car park you can walk left over to Hope Cove taking around 30 mins to walk which looks incredible at night to watch the sun setting on the hill.
Dartmouth
Towards the end of our trip we visited the town Dartmouth. This is west of the estray of south Devon. Lying in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty making it a popular tourist attraction for many who visit.
People who works and visit here can also get a boat over to the other side for £1.50 per person and can also take your car over on the boat at £11.50 return.
Whilst here you should visit Dartmouth Castle which you can walk to from Dartmouth village which is a long walk maybe 30-45 minutes or you can drive further down and park up on the side of the road which we did and walk from there which will be only 15-20 minutes.
To entre the castle is an extra charge, however if not you can sit by the castle at the lovely café and go to see the church too.
Prawle East
This was our last spot before our drive back home. Getting to Prawle isn’t the easiest with really small country roads trying to get to the very edge of the coast. Once you arrive you can park at ‘the green’ at the village where you can park for free or you can park at the car park further down which might be easy with less to walk (however this was closed at the time for work).
Using google maps will make it easier depending on where you want to go. We deciding to find one of the secret coves on the edge of Prawle’s coast lines (there’s many of them here).
If your thinking of visiting South Devon then hopefully some of these places may give you ideas you could visit on your own trip.
As always feel free to ask me any questions and I will love to try and help.
Until next time,
Happy travelling
x
