What ever your pleasure you are sure to find something to do in the South Hams area of Devon. However, we do believe that to enjoy this area to its fullest, you must be prepared to use a smidgen of imagination. Planning a visit to a single National Trust property is fine, but you will find it more fun to plan your entire day around the trip. A walk, some shopping in a nearby market town, a picnic lunch somewhere scenic, an evening meal in one of the many country inns-these are the true joys of getting the most out of the peninsula.

Then of course you may wish to just sit and enjoy one of the many award winning beaches within the area. The choice is yours.

Of the many attractions on offer within the South Hams area we have listed just a few below to wet your appetite:

Burgh Island
Take the sea tractor or walk to the Island where Agatha Christie wrote some of her books.

Salcombe
One of the most beautiful sailing and fishing centres in the country.

Dartmoor National Park
Within half an hours drive with its wide open moorland spaces adding a contrast to a day beside the sea.

Kingsbridge
is the “capital” of the South Hams and is a thriving market town with twice weekly markets on the quayside.

Plus you then have the choice of all other attractions ranging from Children’s animal farms, Adventure play grounds, steam railways, boat trips plus many more. You will find details of some of these and many more if you follow the link to the following web site:

www.lotstodo.co.uk
Devon’s top 44 attractions together with advice and suggestions on how to make your holiday unforgettable.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tim Stanger who supplied us with many of the photos used on this site. If you wish to view more of his work please click on the following link: www.southwestimages.co.uk

South Hams – South Devon:

Somewhere special all year round

With sixty miles of some of the most varied and spectacular coastline and beaches you’ll find anywhere, a rural landscape that has hardly changed in centuries and, overlooking all, the majestic granite slopes of Dartmoor, the South Hams is an utterly unique holiday destination.

Add in good food and wine, friendly country pubs, a wonderful climate, superb walking and countless opportunities for great days out, and it’s easy to see why so many discerning visitors have formed a lasting love affair with this most southerly corner of glorious Devon.

The region’s unusual name comes from the Anglo-Saxon “hamme” meaning a sheltered place. And those early settlers knew what they were talking about. Protected from the prevailing winds by Dartmoor, the South Hams enjoys one of the mildest year - round climate on mainland Britain. As a consequence, summer stretchers out that bit further, hard winters are almost non-existent and spring invariably arrives that little bit early than the rest of the country.

Devon has more estuaries than any other county in England, and no less than five great rivers-the, Avon, Dart, Erme, Plym and Yealm-have made the South Hams especially fertile. So farming and agriculture dominate, weaving a timeless green patchwork over the landscape. The river valleys themselves are a haven for wildlife and provide a haven for wildlife.

Where the rivers run to the sea, the coastline provides a rich and ever-changing spectacle; wild and rugged here, grassy and gentle there. Follow the coastal path and you’ll find three delightful seaside towns-Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth.