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South Devon Holiday Cottages
A holiday cottage in South Devon is an ideal place for any range of holidaymakers. Whether you want to relax with the nature or take on adventure activities, you will find something for everyone with a holiday cottage in South Devon. The cottages vary immensely, from converted farmhouses to medieval castles, so there is again, something for everyone. Whether you want a long holiday or a short break, there is nothing better than a country cottage to enjoy the countryside in South Devon.
South Devon
South Devon includes the towns of Dartmouth, Torquay, Teignmouth, Exeter, Brixham and Paignton. Torquay and Dartmouth are the most famous towns associated with South Devon.
Dartmouth has narrow streets , half timbered houses and a deepwater natural harbour, making it a haven for yachtsmen and visiting tourists alike. In the 14th century the town was a busy trading port, supplying Edward III with 31 vessels for the Siege of Calais during the Hundred Years War. Now Dartmouth offers fine restaurants, galleries, marinas antique shops and fine places to stay.
Torquay is built on 7 hills, has a mild climate, lush cliffside gardens, elegant Victorian villas and terraces, delightful long sandy beaches, a bustling harbour and marina, with beautiful views across the wide sweeping bay. Also in Torquay is Paignton Zoo, Living Coasts Marine Aviary, Kents Cavern (Palaeolithic caves) and Babbacombe Model Village.
Near Tavistock, you can climb to the top of Brentor for, on a clear day, fine views for miles around, with the tiny church of St Michael de Rupe, dating from the 12th.Century, sitting on top of a plug of granite rock. Though difficult to see from the ground, the hill is in fact guarded by the remains of an iron age rampart on its south west flank.
Take a day trip to the historic city of Plymouth, visiting the historic Barbican, admiring the views over the Sound from the Hoe, seeing a show at the Theatre Royal or the Pavilions, or visiting the National Marine Aquarium to be mesmerized by the Shark Wall.
Tavistock is on the western slopes of Dartmoor and is a delightful and friendly market town in West Devon.
With early springs, long summers, warm autumns and mild winters, you can choose to visit at any time of year and still have a great time.
There are many places where you can buy local food produce, which you can take back to prepare and eat in your holiday cottage in South Devon. There are also many highly recommended restaurants in South Devon.
The South Hams
The South Hams of South Devon is the perfect place for your holiday. The name "Hamme" is an old English word meaning 'enclosed' or 'sheltered place'. South Hams is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its exceptional beauty with river estuaries, rolling hills and thatched cottages surrounding the picturesque old towns of Dartmouth, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge.
The South Hams of South Devon covers an area of 342 square miles, and has one of the mildest climates in the whole of Britain. With sixty miles of spectacular coastline and beaches, a rural landscape that has hardly changed in centuries and the majestic granite slopes of Dartmoor, the South Hams is a unique holiday destination.
The South Hams has over fifty businesses in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, where companies do things such as recycling, reducing energy consumption, encouraging wildlife, and choosing products that are either local or fair trade.
Places to go
Due to Devon's mild climate, especially in the South, there is an immense show of nature to be seen. There are many gardens and nature trails to be enjoyed.
Greenway Gardens at Churston Ferrers, near Brixham, is a garden of exceptional beauty, renowned for having rare hardy plants growing.
Blackpool Gardens are beautifully restored 19th Century plantsman's gardens. You can catch glimpses of amazing views out over the coast through rare and exotic trees, shrubs and ferns collections, many of which are from the Southern Hemisphere.
Paignton Zoo is one of Britain's largest zoos. The 80 acres of grounds lie in a wooded valley, The zoo is divided into 6 areas representing different habitats around the world, including the deserts, the African Savannah, wetlands and the rainforest of South America. The 'traditional' animals, such as elephants, lions, tigers and gorillas, but there is also a selection of more unusual animals too. There is also a miniature train ride, indoor and outdoor play areas, food kiosks, restaurant and shops, so is a good day out for all the family. There is the wobbly jungle bridge in Lemur Wood, and Monkey Heights, where a wooden causeway and excellent indoor and outdoor areas, from where you can catch great views of colobus monkeys, macaques & Dianna monkeys. There are excellent bird shows (seasonal), keeper talks and feeding times.
In China Blue, the biggest studio of its kind in the South West, you can paint your own pottery, choosing from a vast array of pieces, including animals, castles, kitchen ware and much more. The Studio team are talented artists who are always happy to share ideas and inspiration. When decorating your piece of pottery, as well as painting with a brush, there are also many other methods, including stamps, sponges, stencils, design books and much more, so you can create your own piece of unique pottery.
There is also a homewares shop and espresso bar. In the shop, you can buy numerous items, such as tableware, decoration, lamps, glassware, toiletries, children's items, food and drink and much much more.
There are some fairs and festivals in South Devon to enjoy too, including a regatta at Dartmouth in August, a funfair and a walking festival at Ivybridge, where you can explore Dartmoor or walk the banks of the River Erme, altogether 21 different events. There are a few events at Christmas time too, especially in Kingsbridge, where there is a Christmas fair at the Cookworthy Museum, and then a Christmas extravaganza, which fills the town with colour, music, clowns, jugglers and street entertainment.
So, whatever you are looking for from a UK holiday, you will be able to find it with a holiday cottage in South Devon.