Sarah's Guidebook
Sightseeing
A place to get all types of food. Lots to see on the quayside and estuary sailing. Boat trips, crabbing, ice creams, fish and chips. Dartmouth Castle cafe and surrounding walks along the coast path
378 locals recommend
Dartmouth
A place to get all types of food. Lots to see on the quayside and estuary sailing. Boat trips, crabbing, ice creams, fish and chips. Dartmouth Castle cafe and surrounding walks along the coast path
Great circular and coast path walks from here. Plus the castle itself is worth a visit. The cafe is one of my favourite habits to just sit, have a coffee and watch the boats sailing into and out of the harbour. Lots of lovely snack meals, cakes and pastries there. This really is a big favourite of mine. Watch out for the hungry seagulls, their table manners are not great!!!
9 locals recommend
Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms
Castle RoadGreat circular and coast path walks from here. Plus the castle itself is worth a visit. The cafe is one of my favourite habits to just sit, have a coffee and watch the boats sailing into and out of the harbour. Lots of lovely snack meals, cakes and pastries there. This really is a big favourite of mine. Watch out for the hungry seagulls, their table manners are not great!!!
Totnes is a town full of character. It has many quirky and interesting shops and lots of lovely places to eat. There are a several vegan, vegetarian and whole food outlets. The cinema is worth a visit for a completely different experience from your normal cinema popcorn and plush seating.
351 locals recommend
Totnes
Totnes is a town full of character. It has many quirky and interesting shops and lots of lovely places to eat. There are a several vegan, vegetarian and whole food outlets. The cinema is worth a visit for a completely different experience from your normal cinema popcorn and plush seating.
Sightseeing
A place to get all types of food. Lots to see on the quayside and estuary sailing. Boat trips, crabbing, ice creams, fish and chips. Dartmouth Castle cafe and surrounding walks along the coast path. Paddleboarding or kayaking works well from here.
378 locals recommend
Dartmouth
A place to get all types of food. Lots to see on the quayside and estuary sailing. Boat trips, crabbing, ice creams, fish and chips. Dartmouth Castle cafe and surrounding walks along the coast path. Paddleboarding or kayaking works well from here.
This is another great place for Paddleboarding, but also just a bit of sightseeing. The village is small. But quite quaint and fun.
36 locals recommend
Dittisham
This is another great place for Paddleboarding, but also just a bit of sightseeing. The village is small. But quite quaint and fun.
Agatha Christie’s home. An interesting visit. Fun to visit by ferry from Dittisham or Dartmouth.
132 locals recommend
Greenway House
Agatha Christie’s home. An interesting visit. Fun to visit by ferry from Dittisham or Dartmouth.
A beautiful garden with an interesting history. A restful place for a National Trust cup of tea.
114 locals recommend
National Trust - Coleton Fishacre House & Gardens
Brownstone RoadA beautiful garden with an interesting history. A restful place for a National Trust cup of tea.
Dartmouth Steam Railway
Dartmouth Boat Hire
North EmbankmentBeaches
Best beaches nearby
This is a great beach for everyone. Lots of parking, a cafe and lots of space for barbecues/picnics a shallow river where kids can play safely. Note: no dogs allowed in summer.
183 locals recommend
Blackpool Sands
This is a great beach for everyone. Lots of parking, a cafe and lots of space for barbecues/picnics a shallow river where kids can play safely. Note: no dogs allowed in summer.
Great fish and chips at the Boat House. A lovely start to a coast path walk to Start Point
42 locals recommend
Torcross
Great fish and chips at the Boat House. A lovely start to a coast path walk to Start Point
A huge beach where you can always find space. It’s sloping and has small stones and sand. Still a favourite. Naturists area at the Strete Gate far end.
77 locals recommend
Slapton Sands
A huge beach where you can always find space. It’s sloping and has small stones and sand. Still a favourite. Naturists area at the Strete Gate far end.
A great place for coffee and cake on the beach from the hut on the sands.
8 locals recommend
Strete Gate Beach
A great place for coffee and cake on the beach from the hut on the sands.
A lovely beach, a bit more of a drive from Higher Barn, but a great surfing beach.
183 locals recommend
Bantham Beach
A lovely beach, a bit more of a drive from Higher Barn, but a great surfing beach.
Walks
Great places for humans and dogs to walk
Good parking at the Lighthouse. A great swimming beach at Mattiscombe Cove, just a quick walk down from the car park
17 locals recommend
Start Point
Good parking at the Lighthouse. A great swimming beach at Mattiscombe Cove, just a quick walk down from the car park
Walk either to Strete Gate by turning right as you face the sea. Or to Forest cove if you turn left.
Strete
Walk either to Strete Gate by turning right as you face the sea. Or to Forest cove if you turn left.
There is a lovely 4 or 5 mile circuit along the coast path that has a great coffee, cake and all sorts of snacky meals at Dartmouth Castle. The best pasties too.
9 locals recommend
Little Dartmouth - Car Park
South West Coast PathThere is a lovely 4 or 5 mile circuit along the coast path that has a great coffee, cake and all sorts of snacky meals at Dartmouth Castle. The best pasties too.
I love a walk from here to Beesands for fish and chips. An up and over walk. Highly recommend.
Torcross Car Park
A379I love a walk from here to Beesands for fish and chips. An up and over walk. Highly recommend.
Park on the road from the coast road going towards Slapton village and turn left into the nature reserve. A delightful quiet, wooded walk along the side of the Ley. Lots of birdwatching and wildlife.
12 locals recommend
Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve
6 A379Park on the road from the coast road going towards Slapton village and turn left into the nature reserve. A delightful quiet, wooded walk along the side of the Ley. Lots of birdwatching and wildlife.
Wistman's Wood
Pubs nearby
The King's Arms, Oreston
The QuaySportsmans Arms
George Inn
48 Babbacombe RdRoyal Castle Hotel
11 The QuayFavourite eating places
Lovely tapas style meals, small plates of food for sharing. More expensive, but a wonderful spoiling experience. You need to book a table in advance.
Andria
5 Lower StRosa
3 Victoria RoadItalian type food. Another slightly expensive but lovely eating place.
The best fish and chips to be had here.
6 locals recommend
Torcross Boat House Restaurant and Takeaway
The best fish and chips to be had here.
You can see the fish come ashore in the fishing boat, ready for the day’s servings. Great fish and chips to eat on the beach. Or beautifully cooked fish dishes to eat in.
36 locals recommend
Britannia at The Beach
You can see the fish come ashore in the fishing boat, ready for the day’s servings. Great fish and chips to eat on the beach. Or beautifully cooked fish dishes to eat in.
Cafe Alf Resco
Lower StreetGreat food. Often busy but worth the wait.
South Sands Hotel & Restaurant
A beautiful setting with views over the estuary.
Outdoor Activities
Supported Paddleboard tours, wild swimming, walks, ebike hire.
Excellent tour organisation for half day adventures. Paddleboarding or walking. Friendly and fun. Choose your activity.
South Hams SUP WALK Adventures
Excellent tour organisation for half day adventures. Paddleboarding or walking. Friendly and fun. Choose your activity.
Hire ebikes from here and cycle the quiet lanes around the area. Carl and the team here provide a great service and easy ride good bikes
e-XploreDevon
Hire ebikes from here and cycle the quiet lanes around the area. Carl and the team here provide a great service and easy ride good bikes
Ribeye Boats
Collingwood RoadBoats for hire.
Learn to sail or if you already sail go out in a Wayfarer dinghy in Salcombe estuary. Top class instruction from Ross and his team.
7 locals recommend
Salcombe Dinghy Sailing
Fore StreetLearn to sail or if you already sail go out in a Wayfarer dinghy in Salcombe estuary. Top class instruction from Ross and his team.
Hire kayaks, paddleboards, or wild swim from here.
8 locals recommend
Sea kayak Salcombe, kayak Tour Operator
Cliff RoadHire kayaks, paddleboards, or wild swim from here.