Explore: between Dartmoor and the sea

Our nearest beach is nine miles away and is one of the best and most unspoilt beaches in the West Country. But there are many wonderful unspoilt beaches all along the South Devon coast and within easy driving distance of the cottage. These include Bantham/Bigbury, the best surfing beach in South Devon, and you are welcome to borrow our surfing bodyboards free of charge.

The wilds of Dartmoor, five miles away, provide unrivalled walking country, with stunning views, awe inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys and rushing rivers. Dartmoor is also famous for its many prehistoric remains, some dating back to the Neolithic, 4000 years ago. The moor has the largest concentration of Bronze Age remains in the UK, with numerous mysterious stone circles, standing stones and stone rows.

The cottage is seven miles from the ancient market town of Totnes and the same from Dartington, with its international music and literature festivals. We are also near the attractive and historic small towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe, Modbury and Ashburton. There are numerous characterful pubs and excellent restaurants in the area, including Michelin starred restaurants.

The National Trust has several fascinating properties in the area, including Agatha Christie’s Greenway and Saltram House, where Sense and Sensibility was filmed, and there are a number of very beautiful gardens and nature reserves to explore in the area. Within easy reach are several golf courses, canoeing on the rivers, boat trips around the coast and up the rivers, safe beaches for swimming and pony trekking and cycling on the moor. Burgh Island, reached over a sand causeway or by the 'sea tractor', is a fascinating place to visit with its Agatha Christie and Noel Coward connections and famous Art Deco hotel.