south devon

[mandimoo]

i will be around totnes for a week, next week.... any 'must do' recommendations while im there please? i like eating, drinking, charity shops, walking, fairground rides, wildlife, curiosities, boat trips.... open to any suggestions basically.

[spudqueen]

Totnes itself is great for shopping and eating. There is a market on a Friday which is usually really good. Totnes is one of the six towns of the South Hams, so a look on the internet for South Hams may bring be worth while.

There is a lovely beach at Bigbury on Sea which has Burgh Island just off the coast. It is only an island at high tide, at low tide you can walk across but when it is high tide there is a sea tractor to take you to and from the island. On the island there is a 14th century pub and an art deco hotel.

In Ivybridge there is a lovely walk by the river Erme which goes underneath a viaduct, which I think was built by Brunel. You'll be able to get details at the Ivybridge Tourist Information.

In Plymouth, down in the Barbican area (which was about the only bit of Plymouth not hit by bombs in the second world war) there is an Elizabethan garden which is worth a visit if you're in the area. You can also visit the Plymouth gin distillery, look round the little shops in the area, and there are plenty of places to eat. You can also take boat trips from here. http://www.gosomewhere.com/plymouth/placesofin terest.html

Just outside Totnes is Dartington Cider Press with shops and the only Cranks restaurant left in the country.

There are plenty of other things to do and places to see, just have a 'google' or visit the tourist information centre when you arrive.

Have fun.

[Jenga]

Close by is Brixham, Dartmouth, Torquay, Paignton and Teignmouth. All are worth spending a couple of hours at each. You can drive within a short distance of each town or get the bus. There is lots to do around South Devon, lots to see. It is an attractive place.

Enjoy it!

[mandimoo]

thanks everyone for your input... im really looking forward to it, whatever the weather. already looking forward to a trip to the cider press and the gin distillery.... and im refusing to drive on those days!!

[daniela31]

I like Paignton, there is a lovely zoo there. Brixham is a pretty fishing village.
Dawlish is also great for a day out too with a stream running down to the sea. and the main Penzance- London railway runs alongside the sea wall.

[Paul22118]

For me there are two musts..........

Brixham

Dartmouth.

[loonytunes]

James Tanner, the chef off Ready Steady Cook, has a great restaurant in the Gin Distillery called the Barbican Kitchen. John Burton Race has the New Angel in Dartmouth. He cooked my dinner there last month. Also, go to Greenway to see Agatha Christie's garden.