Coastal Villages

Why spend hours in the car when you can you can relax at Dittiscombe, and within just a few minutes you will find several coastal villages with lagoons or beaches, the South West Coast Path with wonderful views, dog-friendly pubs and cafes, and even a slice of history thrown in!  Start Bay reveals both its beauty and local history, and is just a few minutes’ drive from Dittiscombe Estate:

A Walk to Slapton Village & Start Bay

Start Bay Information BoardTo explore what’s local why not enjoy a car free day and walk from Dittiscombe to Slapton Village (1½ miles) and a further ½ mile to Slapton Sands beach.

You will find the walking instructions hereand the map here.  When you arrive at the sea you can join the South West Coast Path and view the spectacular coastline of Start Bay which stretches from Blackpool Sands to Start Point Lighthouse. Several small villages invite you to stop off along the way. For instance at Torcross you can pick up a cream tea at the beachside Torcross Boathouse or a plate of the finest fish and chips at the award-winning Start Bay Inn ; take a guided tour of Start Point Lighthouse, or read the Hallsands village storyboard.

Slapton is a typical South Hams village, filled with old cottages, sunken, winding lanes (drivers take note!), ancient walls, and, yes, roses round the doors.  Located just ½ mile from the sea and on the doorstep of one of England’s most important scientific freshwater lagoons, you will find Slapton a special place.

Slapton Village & Torcross

Slapton village, South DevonThere is much to recommend the village.  Its 13th Century Monastic Tower and quaint and peaceful ambience belies its history of army occupation during the D-Day landing practices of the Second World War. If you visit either the Tower Inn or The Queens Arms pubs you can immerse yourself in the history of this period with books, pamphlets and photographs whilst sitting around the log fires. Both pubs also serve excellent, locally produced menus and welcome dogs too, and many of our returning guests go to both pubs at least once during their stay here. Find out more about Slapton’s experiences of evacuation during WW2 on Ruth’s Blog.

But what sets Slapton apart from any other of the area is its proximity to Slapton Ley National Nature ReserveThis vast freshwater lagoon sits behind a shingle bar, protected from the salty water of the sea and is of national scientific importance, managed by Slapton Field Study Centre located in the centre of the village. This is a great wildlife watching area, and the Field Study Centre offer coastal walks, bird, bat and badger days, guided tours and nature safaris in and around the area.

Nearby the small village of Torcross is well worth a visit.  A Sherman Tank , dredged from the seabed a few years ago, provides a fitting memorial to the men who lost their lives in the tragic events.  Here you will also find a seats next to the freshwater Ley where you can feed the ducks and wildfowl, and there are two cafes, a pub and a shop.

Beesands & Hallsands

South Hallsands Storyboard, South Hams

A little further along the coast path Beesands and Hallsands  both sit close to the water’s edge although Hallsands was just a little too close for comfort as in 1917 over thirty homes fell into the sea due to dredging which took place out in the bay and following a teriffic storm.  You’ll find a visitor information plaque on the coast path which tells the story. Beesands is fortunately still a thriving small village with a football pitch, small children’s play area, free car parking, a great stretch of unspoilt beach suitable for swimming and beach fishing, and an adder conservation area! The Cricket Inn pub and Britannia@thebeach cafe both look out to sea and towards the lighthouse at Start Point and serve excellent fish menus, cream teas and ice creams all year round.

Waterside Towns

All our local towns have colourful shops with plenty of independent stores to explore for the curious shopper. Dittiscombe guests comment on how dog-friendly these towns and villages are, welcoming them into both shops, pubs and cafes. There is a unique and friendly feel to each, and with their wide range of cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, avisit to any one of them makes for a relaxing day by the water.

Kingsbridge & Totnes

Paddleboarding in Kingsbridge Kingsbridge is a friendly and busy market town on the banks of the Salcombe-Kingsbridge estuary (or ria). It proudly supports independent retailers selling local produce, and hosts Kingsbridge in Bloom with flowers and sustainable plantings that can be found all around the town.

Totnes is a captivating market town with a reputation for having an alternative vibe. It nestles in rolling hills on the stunning River Dart, with a vibrant and bustling market which is held in the Market Square every Friday and Saturday throughout the year. There are many different boat trips from Totnes to Dartmouth and also to the National Trust property of Greenway, Agatha Christie’s holiday home.

Dartmouth & Salcombe

Dartmouth boats

Dartmouth is situated at the mouth of the River Dart with a nautical charm and strong maritime heritage. There’s a huge variety of food and drink outlets in Dartmouth but the town is renowned for its freshly caught seafood, music festival in May and popular Food & Drink Festival in October.

Salcombe in the summer is full of smiling faces, sandcastles, sailing boats and select restaurants overlooking a sparkling sea. Just outside the town is the stunning National Trust property of Overbeck’s with its exotic coastal garden with panoramic views over the estuary and coast.

  • Historic Slapton village just 2 miles from Dittiscombe

  • Estuary towns with character

  • Sunken lanes and roses round the door

  • Pretty coastal and inland villages

  • Market towns with unique shopping

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