Take a walk on the spectacular South West Coast Path

You’ll be spoilt for choice for fabulous walks in the South Hams, particularly the coastline between Dartmouth and Plymouth.  To fully enjoy the dramatic headlands, steep coastal valleys and pretty estuaries get your OS Landranger Maps 201 and 202.

Explore South Devon page on the SWCP website for more detailed information.

Get on the water and wild swim, kayak, paddle-board, surf or sail

Get a more intimate and close-up look at our beautiful and unspoilt coastline, estuaries, creeks and harbours from the 5 estuaries in the South Hams: the Avon river at Bantham and Bigbury; the Erme at Mothecombe and Wonwell; the Dart between Totnes and Dartmouth, the Kingsbridge-Salcombe estuary and the Yealm at Noss Mayo and Netwon Ferrers.

Lots of ideas and information can be found on our On the Water page.

Visit Start Point Lighthouse

Located at the tip of the most southerly point of Devon, Start Point Lighthouse has been guiding vessels for more than 150 years.  Take the 45 minute guided tour and climb the circular staircase to enjoy great views of Start Bay. 

More information can be found on the Start Point Lighthouse Visitor page.

Don’t leave Devon without a cream tea

A great way to explore the villages and towns in the South Hams is by sampling the generous and freshly made cream teas which are always on offer in the cafes, restaurants and hotels of the South Hams.  

Our Food & Drink page has some great suggestions.

Take a ride on a heritage steam train

Open all year round, the South Devon Railway runs along the pretty valley of the River Dart between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Complete a great day out pop into the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm or Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies.

To book your seat visit the South Devon Railway to buy a ticket online.

Enjoy a day out at fabulous National Trust Properties

Overlooking the gentle Avon river Agatha Christie’s home Greenway has been recommended by many previous visitors to Dittiscombe. Or visit Overbecks gardens which sit high above Salcombe’s southerly beaches and cliffs with dramatic and spectacular views. Coleton Fishacre is an Arts and Crafts house imbued with the Jazz Age with Art Deco interiors and wonderful sea and garden vistas.

Read our blogs: Coleton Fishacre: A National Trust Gem; and Overbecks: An exotic seaside garden in South Devon,

Make it a car free day out with a walk to Slapton Village and Ley

Leave the car at Dittiscombe and take the leafy green lanes and farmyard trails from Slapton village, the Ley and Slapton Sands beach. It’s a chance to get a close up view of the hedgerows, hamlets, villages, nature reserve and coastline of this unspoilt area.

A map is provided in guest cottages and you can discover more on the Slapton page.

Join a Dittiscombe Nature Walk

Enjoy learning about our local wildlife and how you can encourage it to your green space with a nature walk on site. Free to Dittiscombe guests join Ken Neal, local ecologist, and Ruth Saunders on a Sunday stroll around Dittiscombe valley revealing nature in all its glory. This will help to deepen your understanding about nature, and what you can do to encourage wildlife into your own gardens and green spaces at home. Be prepared to be hands-on and ask questions!

Visit our Nature Experiences page, or contact Ruth on [email protected] for more information.

Take a Leisurely Ferry Ride

There are several ferry rides on the lovely rivers and estuaries of the South Hams. The unique Kingsbridge Salcombe Ferry connects the scenic towns of Salcombe and Kingsbridge.  The paddle steamer Kingswear Castle operates on the River Dart viewing the castles at the estuary, Britannia Royal Naval College and towards Agatha Christie’s Greenway Estate and Dittisham.

Visit the Kingsbridge Salcombe Ferry website.