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These always read to me at first glance like someone's picked a holiday destination but can't be arsed to do any work or research on the place. So apologies for that!
We've booked a cottage between Totnes and Dartmouth, we've got a small but serviceable list of things to do, but it would be good to get the combined knowledge and experience of you lot on board too, to make the most of the trip.
Any suggestions, favourites, little nuggets out there?
It's not the trip for epic rides on Dartmoor. We're taking bikes, and also a 9 month old boy and a trailer. We might head to Haldon with them, in which case I might be able to have a quick bez round the red on my own after a roll round the green (blue?). The weather's looking a bit shit, annoying after this last week, so indoors suggestions very welcome too.
Cheers!
Trago Mills. 😉
Go to Parke and walk along the old railway line its right at the Haytor entrance to Dartmoor. Dawlish Warren for a nice beach walk out to the Exmouth End. Teignmouth sea front if you want Victorian promenade and a nice new cafe right on the sea front at the new theatre complex. If the weather is really bad, Plymouth aquarium is very good. Pub in Widdicombe is always welcoming.
And it’s scone as in stone and cream first. Fighting talk from a Teignmouthian.
Dartmouth and Totnes are both worth a visit, the coast between Brixham to Kingswear and probably past Slapton Sands out to Start Point is also pretty impressive. There is a Steam railway (if you like such things) from Kingswear to Paington and also from Totnes to Buckfastleigh. There are a couple of nice houses to visit: Greenway (Agatha Christies house) on the other side of the river near Galmpton and Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear. Lots of nice pubs all around the area. Paington is a "bit" old school touristy...Im a bit biased as I grew up in Torbay and it always feels a bit twee/meh when I (rarely now) go back.
Mountain Biking is a bit limited in the local area (surprisingly there are few bridleways but there are a few hidden gems of trails if you can find them) but Dartmoor is always well worth a visit (both on bike and on foot) as is Haldon but thats more of a hike to get to from Dartmouth area.
Pennywell farm is great. Not sure if it would be open at this time of year though.
Castle Drogo for a great woodland walk and country house/castle tour.
Bigbury beach is one of my favourites in that area, especially around this time of year when it's not hugely busy. The ancient pub on the island is brilliant as well.
Buckfast Abbey is a good tour of a running monastery, as well as being the homeplace of the tonic wine that caused far too many messy nights in my student days.
Pecorama!!!
Steam train rides, model railway exhibition, gardens and it has a big indoor softplay area if it rains.
Woodlands theme park is a few miles out of Dartmouth and my kids love it, although they are a bit older. Big water slides, a luge, loads of assault courses, a farm/small zoo and a massive indoor play area. It might not be ideal for a 9 month old but then again there's never that much that is designed around them.
www.woodlandspark.com
You can get a river cruise from Dartmouth to Totnes. It's quite pretty.
...and second Pennywell Farm, the sheep race and pig lecture were great (doesn't sound so good written down though).
Trago was great fun when I was little, imagine it's still much the same.
Second Woodlands too. Also, Slapton is nicer than Dawlish Warren IMHO.
Buckfast Abbey bored me rigid on a school trip. You might have more fun but I doubt it.
Visit the Dinosaur Shop in Bovey Tracey (pronounced Buvvy Tracey), head up to Haytor or Hound Tor.
Warren House Inn worth a visit.
Is Crealy Adventure Park near Exeter still going? That was also good when I was little, Woodlands is more of a summer trip.
Newton Abbot has little going for it. Totnes not bad though.
(Also Devonian, scone rhymes with "one"...)
The Dart Valley trail walk is sublime. We do it most months. There are nice pubs in Dittisham (Ditzum), Tuppenhay and a posh one in Asprington.
You can get a boat trip from Dittisham to Greenaway or Dartmouth. Last time we did it there was a brilliantly sarcastic commentary. Dartmouth Castle is with a quick visit. In summer there is a boat trip round the coast to Brixham which is definitely worth it in good weather.
Remember jam first on your scone and you'll be proper.
Head to Tor Cross, see the tank & learn about the largest loss of US lives that took place there in WW2.
Fish & Chips in the Start Bay Inn at Tor Cross.
Walk down to Start Point lighthouse and take the tour.
Go crabbing at high tide beside Bowcombe Bridge where the boats are, just outside of Kingsbridge.
Visit my mother in law.
The Rugglestone Inn for food
If you like walking, Stat Point and back along the coast toward Dartmouth is nice. Shuttle logistics might be difficult though.
I lived locally for ages growing up, but only been to Haldon once or twice. I thought it was good fun. Dartmoor has lots of riding.
Blackpool Sands is nice - great cafe overlooking the sea.
Make the steam train ride and river cruise a circular trip if you wish.
If you get the river cruise, wave as you past my office
The Exe Estuary Trail should be rideable with a little one in tow.
Blackpool Sands is the nicest beach in the area. If you like coastal walks, the section between Mansands and Kingswear is beautiful (where I did most of my riding as a teenager).
Totnes is a nice town. Curator Cafe at the bottom is good. Dartington Hall has attractive grounds and is nearby - you can ride there along a cycle path by the river. The Almond Thief is a bakery on the edge of the Dartington Estate and serves the best coffee in the area by far.
There's a little bike park near Cockington that's got some decent jumps and drops if you like that sort of thing.
Brixham (my home town) is good on a nice day - have some fish and chips at Rockfish by the harbour. The Curious Kitchen and Port Espresso serve the best coffee and brunch/lunch.
Steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear, then boat up the Dart is a good combo.
Loads of other stuff - let me know what you're interested in an I can make some more pertinent suggestions.
JP
Work in Totnes and live in Brixham. Spent many, many hours in Paignton Zoo when mine were small, its surprisingly big and varied and has a good soft-play. Great if weathers really bad, as is the aquarium in Plymouth. A 9 month old might enjoy the Butterfly farm at Buckfastleigh or Living Coasts in Torquay. Loads of classy sandy beaches with Banham and Blackpool Sands the best in the South Hams and a bit more British bucket and spade seaside with those at Goodrington and Paignton in Torbay. Mansands just outside Brixham is beautiful but only go when the tides out to get to loads of rock pools, the caves and waterfalls. There’s also the model village at Babbacombe which is really old school but fun but may be a bit old for a 9 month old. Loads of walking on Dartmoor with great views from Haytor and you can walk Lustleigh Cleave and see one of the best natural MTB descents in Devon.
Haldon def worth a visit for a gentle ride, views and the cafe, there’s also a Gruffalo trail. The official MTB trails there aren’t that great. There is actually a fantastic big day out 50km MTB loop taking in Brixham and Dartmouth and 1600m of climbing and descending but takes a bit of local knowledge to navigate.
Have a great stay!
Amazing, wasn't expecting such a nice lot of replies! Cheers all!
Weather does look iffy, so zoo and aquarium are on the list. Dart trail/ river cruise/train all on definitely on the list too. We've had a couple of trips that way in the past - one staying in Drewsteignton and one in Bantham, but littl'un means the focus has shifted and we're looking at a different balance than we have before. Walked Start Point and around, done the lighthouse tour (very good - is it still incandescent bulb and fresnel lens, or has it moved to LED?), kayaked up/round the Dart, ridden slices of Dartmoor including Lustleigh Cleave.
Keen on the ride to Dartington, there's a couple of things on there that look interesting.
jambo. I will wave at all the offices I can see from the boat. Sunday looks like it might be decent at Bantham. Fancy a paddle out?
jjp - "little bike park near Cockington" - Scadson? I might be able to squeeze in a little play there!
Also Devonian, scone rhymes with “one”…)
“Skwun”? 🤔
When I lived near Bovey we had a standing joke that nothing opened in S Devon until Easter. Has that changed?
And has anyone mentioned Dartmoor Zoo?
jambo. I will wave at all the offices I can see from the boat. Sunday looks like it might be decent at Bantham. Fancy a paddle out?
Cedar clad one river right just after Baltic wharf.
MSW are showing the briefest window in the wind, everyone else isn’t. And a lot of rain....
Ha! Yes. Not much else on the horizon though... If I don't pack the board in the car, then there'll definitely be some decent waves.
jjp – “little bike park near Cockington” – Scadson? I might be able to squeeze in a little play there!
Yep - that's the one.
JP
Just place-marking, as we'll be holidaying in this area next year.
If you want a thoroughly middle class outing try the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey. Some nice gallery stuff and very good lunches.
devbrix when are you taking me on that loop?
Dave in Higher Street
Book marked for our trip
I have a mate who runs a "Gin School" in Dartington. I think it's best value via Groupon
https://devondistillery.com/devon-gin-school/
The Bridge Inn in Topsham is a cracking pub, and the food at The Pig and Pallet is spot on.
They might be a bit out of the way for the OP, but for others, they might be worth considering.
Have PM’d DavidB