Links and Guide to the area
We hope that you find this page useful. We have tried to provide useful notes about specific location and recommendations from friends and family and links to the relevant websites where possible:
South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Great for kids
This is a full day out. Has a farm, indoor areas when wet. Water slides (you will get wet) a dry toboggan run, zip wires, slides, falconry displays, boats etc.
Really enjoyable for smaller children. Lots of interaction with the animals and well supervised.
Not to be missed if you want to go into Plymouth. It is on the Kingsbridge side of Plymouth on the edge of the Barbican and Yacht Harbour.
Runs from Totnes to Dartmouth.
Runs along the coast. One of the carriages is a specially built viewing carriage. Starts from the other side of the river from Dartmouth, but you can get a ferry.
Much improved over the last few years.
South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The area
This is the closest village to Stadbury. The village is approached from the bottom of the hill on the Plymouth road and over the bridge over the river avon. The main street is right at the roundabout and you can find the shop and postoffice off the side of the village hall car park on the left at the top of the street.
Our area of Devon is called the South Hams.
The location of the D-Day practices and Slapton Ley nature reserve and lake. The main road between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth runs between the sea and the lake. Torcross village is at the Kingsbridge end of the beach where there are a number of restaurants and shops.
Towns
The biggest town in the area. At the end of the Kingsbridge/Salcombe estuary. There is a market every Thursday. Farmers markets and sometimes French Markets. Many takeway/delivery restaurants, pubs and unique shops. There is also a petrol garage and a Morrisons. There is a cottage hospital and doctors surgery. There is a 2 screen cinema and nightclub, leisure centre with swimming pool, squash courts, gym, bowls and floodlit tennis courts on the other side of the quay in the park. There is a ferry that runs to Salcombe
The most southerly resort in the UK. Sailing club, boat hire, fishing trips, many restaurants, specialist shops (mainly clothing, kitchen, butchers, fishmongers, boats, fishing). Salcombe coffee company, ice cream factory, chocolate factory. Sandy beaches on both sides of the estuary with passenger ferries running regularly between Salcombe and South Sands (via the sea tractor) and East Portlemouth.
Site of the UK Officers Naval College. Many specialist shops. River trips, fishing trips. Upper and lower ferries (both cars and passengers). Many restaurants catering for all budgets and tastes. The lower ferry goes to Kingswear where the Dartmouth to Paignton steam railway runs. Regatta week in the summer usually features the Red Arrows and a couple of firework displays. There is also a fair that runs all week. There is a large Park and Ride at the top of town as parking in the town is very limited.
National Trust
The National Trust is very important to our area. They own most of the coastline and preserve it's unspoilt beauty. However they also own a number of properties in the area that are well worth visiting. The pages for the coastline can be found here.
Overbecks near Salcombe (museum, house and Gardens)
Not to be missed. National Trust gardens and House. Very unusual plants. The locals claim that there is never a frost here. Children spend a lot of time trying to find fred the ghost amongst the exhibits. Good museum of shipwrecks. National trust teas. Walks start here to the headland where there is a viewing point and access to the many coast paths. There is a car park at the top of the road and cars can be parked along the side of the road.
Our local beach:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/discovering/information/bigbury_on_sea_facts.shtml
Golf Courses
A cliff top course. Fantastic views out to sea. Very tough when the wind is blowing. CONGU Handicap certificates are required and strictly enforced unless playing as a guest. Excellent food in the club house. Also a Tennis club. Less busy than other courses during the weekend. Men should avoid Ladies day which is on Wednesday. Very active junior section for lessons during the holidays. Has Junior Golfmark. No buggies available, but electric trolleys can be hired.
You can see over to Stadbury from this course from the other side of the Estuary. Views over to Dartmoor, the Avon, Bantham and to Burgh Island. Has Junior Golfmark. A few buggies are available for hire.
2 Courses. 9 hole and Championship 18 hole. The nine hole can be played as 18 with different tee positions. The 18 hole is very long with some very demanding holes such as the 18th 214 yard par 3 with nothing between the tee and the green except woodland and a lake. Has it's own driving range. Just over the road from Woodlands. Buggies are a must for the 18 hole course.
9 hole par 3 course. Held national par 3 championships in the 80's. A woodland course with very narrow fairways, but very pretty. No handicaps required. Ideal for beginners, but take a good stock of balls, although there are ball vending machines. There is also a leisure centre and spa for non-golfers.
Hotels
A friends hotel 4 star hotel for cream teas, dinners and lunches for non-residents. The only Boulanger bar outside London, World Champion Chocolatier Chef. Nearby beach and access to the coast path.
Good local Restaurants
Not far from the main car park in Kingsbridge. Tapas (lunchtime and Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings) and food with a Mediterranean theme. Very friendly and excellent.
A really good carvery. Only on certain nights. Should be booked.
Lunches, Coffee and Tea. Cream teas and cakes. Good delicatessen in the garden centre
TakeAways/Restaurants
Pizza Planet - Kingsbridge
freshly made pizzas that can also be delivered. Now with their own Restaurant.
Cafe Asia - Kingsbridge
Delivery, collection and their own restaurant. Chinese and Thai food.
Maha-Bharat - Kingsbridge
Award winning restaurant and takeaway/delivery. Often open until very late.
Kings Kebab House - Kingsbridge
Looks a bit rough but good kebabs.
The Cod Father - Kingsbridge
A good traditional fish and chip shop. There is a seating area.
Salcombe Restaurants
Good food and Coffee. Mainly for lunches (eat in and takeaway), but it is open some evenings during the peak season.
The best views for lunches looking out over the water.
Outside the town at North Sands (on the road to OverBecks). Breakfast, lunches, evening meals in season and barbecues during the summer. Really good coffee. Also has a beach shop.
Very popular, but expect to queue in the summer as they don't take bookings. Very good menu for kids and adults.
Really nice, friendly and with good food. Especially good steaks and fish.
Sister restaurant of the one on the other side of the Avon near Aveton Gifford. Not in the centre of town but in the new development on Island Street. Very close to the main car parks in Salcombe.
Upmarket restaurant and good food. However relatively few seats have the views. You will need to book in peak season.
Good for lunches in Kingsbridge
Red Earth Deli
At the bottom of Fore Street opposite the Cod Father and the Video shop. Also has a delicatessen.
Mangetout
On Fore Street just down from the entrance to the car park. Also has a delicatessen.
Cinemas
Has two screens and a cafe. Near the top of Fore street. Parking on Fore Street or in the upper car park.
Just off the Kingsbridge road as you come into Plymouth. Tickets can be pre booked and collected from machines in the Foyer. Huge car park, with several restaurants bearby, including a Pizza Hut. Ten pin bowling next door.
Hairdressers
The Hair Advice Centre
A very professionally run hairdressers run to a high standard with highly trained staff.
Tel: 01548 853073
Emergency Information
Cottage phone number: 01548 853387
Nearest Hospital A&E is Derriford Hospital, Tel: 01752 792087 or ring 999 or 0845 155 8160 Doctor at Norton Brook Medical Centre, Cookworthy Road, Kingsbridge. TQ7 1AE Tel: 0844 477 8953 Kingsbridge Hospital
for minor first aid – go via doctor above.
Dentist – There are several in Kingsbridge including an NHS dentist just opened. Suggest you ask the doctor.
Royal Eye Infirmary, Apsley Road, Plymouth 0845 155 8096