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Heritage

South Devon has something for everyone when it comes to heritage! The value we place on our heritage means we have a fine stock of wonderful historic buildings, country houses , churches , castles and much more to enjoy! Many ...

Archaeological Sites, Monuments and Landmarks: Visitors to South Devon can't fail to notice a great sense of the past as they travel through lanes, pretty villages and towns. It's a landscape that's been lived in, farmed and defended for thousands of years. The areas archaeological ...
Castles: Throughout the last 650 years South Devon has regularly had to defend its ports and coastal areas and as a result we've got lots of coastal fortifications. But not all of South Devon's castles lie on the coast, English Heritage ...
Churches: South Devon has lots of churches , whilst not generally grand they are key to the landscape, and a celebration of the spirit of traditional English culture. There is also a rare surviving active monastery at Buckfast Abbey . Whether ...
Country Houses & Gardens: Take a peek into gracious living with a visit to any one of South Devon's elegant Country Houses, and enjoy Devon's mild climate in flourishing gardens. The National Trust owns more properties in Devon than any other County! Much of ...
Famous figures from history: South Devon has always been an attractive and inspirational place to be as these famous figures from history would testify if they could! Here are just a few of the famous people who have connections with South Devon. Sir Walter ...
Folklore & Traditions: Many of the traditional celebrations still enjoyed by South Devon residents have their roots in ancient history, pagan ritual and folklore handed down from generation to generation. With many settlements clustered around the coast and estuaries, South Devon has lots ...
Historic Towns: As well as the pretty villages and hamlets in South Devon there are seven historic market towns surrounded by coast and countryside. With thriving communities and excellent shopping opportunities, each one boasts a rich and ancient heritage. Even in these ...
Museums: South Devon is blessed with a fascinating range of museums that bring history to life! You can learn all sorts of things about the area. From the fossilised 100,000 year old bones of rhino and hippopotamus, not from far flung ...
Natural Heritage: South Devon is a network of distinctive landscapes - glorious countryside , patchwork fields, rugged cliffs, bushy hedgerows and spectacular woodland. Wildlife thrives in this natural landscape and you can't fail to be impressed with its diversity. Wrapped around the ...
Other heritage attractions: South Devon is so packed with heritage that there's still more to tell you about! You can get firsthand experience of a bygone era of steam travel on South Devon Railway running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, and The Dart Valley ...
Useful links: www.ngs.org.uk - National Gardens Scheme for information about the opening times of private gardens that are part of the scheme in the area www.nationaltrust.org.uk - have a look at the National Trusts own website for more information about activities and ...
Vital Villages: South Devon has a real wealth of beautiful villages. Some you will catch glimpses of from the main travelling routes but others you have to be looking for, or lost, to see. Surrounded by the beautiful green rolling countryside they ...
wrecking: Wrecking can be a term used to describe the deliberate luring of ships onto dangerous rocks and headlands by showing lights from the shore. There are folklore stories about this but no real evidence that it actually happened. It's also ...
piracy: Piracy was not something limited to the warm waters of the Caribbean, South West England was also subjected to its terrors for centuries. These raiders from the sea would not only challenge boats and take their cargos, but land near ...
Smuggling: Smuggling You can follow the stealthy footsteps of folk hero smugglers at www.smuggling.co.uk When you think about smuggling it's normal to imagine barrels of brandy and other goods secretly being brought into the country under cover of dark. However things ...

Modern Culture & Events

Like your culture bang up to date? There are all sorts of Festivals and live events throughout the year, use our events search facility to find out what's happening during your stay. There are more carnivals and music festivals than ...

Carnivals & Festivals: South Devon has a festival or carnival to celebrate pretty much everything great about the area! We've got walking festivals to help you get out and explore our glorious countryside, music festivals packed full of local and visiting talent that'll ...
Film, TV & literary locations: Locations in South Devon have appeared on screen many times over the years with Bayard's Cove in Dartmouth and the Dart Valley Railway perhaps more than most. Here's a selection of some of the more memorable appearances, see how many ...
Other Events: South Devon has such an amazing mix of celebrations going on throughout the year. From traditional vi llage and town fetes, celebrations of art and crafts, expertly guided walks and talks to help you get under the skin of South ...
Shopping: If you're fed up of not being able to tell which town you're doing you're shopping in then come to South Devon for a different experience! Take your time to enjoy visiting the great range of shops on offer as ...
Sporting Events: As a participant, or spectator there are enough sporting events to make you break into a sweat just deciding which ones to be here for! Regattas We have a whole host of events that celebrate our maritime traditions including ...
Theatre, Concerts & Gigs: As a rural area you could be forgiven for thinking that we might miss out on the bright lights of stage and screen, but during your visit you'll be pleasantly surprised by just how much quality entertainment there is going ...
Useful links: South Devon is well served by the following Tourist Information Centres: www.kingsbridgeinfo.co.uk - Kingsbridge www.discoverdartmouth.com - Dartmouth www.salcombeinformation.co.uk - Salcombe www.ivybridgewatermark.co.uk - Ivybridge www.modburytic.org.uk - Modbury www.kingsbridgefairweek.co.uk - for everything you need to know about Kingsbridge Fair including a schedule ...
Celebrity connections: This is the culture Celebrity connections page ...

Arts & Crafts

The West Country has been famed for its arts and crafts traditions for hundreds of years. With such inspirational landscapes it's no surprise that today South Devon has a great wealth of artists and crafts people working to produce a ...

Art Galleries: South Devon towns are bristling with galleries packed with quality work, so if you like arts and crafts, be prepared to go home with more than you brought! There's a great variety of work on show in much of it ...
Famous local artists: Anyone with an artistic bone in their body can't fail to be inspired by the beauty of south Devon. Many artists live in the area, you can see their work in local galleries and even visit them in their studios ...
Local crafts & traditions: When you look at a beautiful south Devon village or a stretch of glorious countryside the view is there because of generations of people have looked after the area using traditional craft skills to maintain old drystone walls or Devon ...
Open Studios: An open studios festival takes place every year in the autumn during which artists across Devon open their doors to visitors in a celebration of the wealth of creative talent that exists in the county. This year in south Devon ...
Useful Links: www.devonartistnetwork.co.uk - currently under construction but with details of 2008 Open Studio trails and other current projects, and coming soon gallery pages for all artists who are members of the network and artist events. www.crafts.org.uk - The Devon Guild of ...

Food & Drink

South Devon produces, sells, and serves some of the world's best food and drink - and we want to share it with you! Great eating out options mean you can feast your eyes, and your taste buds on everything from ...

Famous Foodies: Tom Jaine - is an author and publisher of food and cookery books based in Blackawton. He is a former editor of the Good Food Guide , between 1989 and 1994. He is related by marriage to the great restaurateur ...
Farmers Markets: Farmers markets are a great place to find evidence of the bountiful local harvest, both from the land and sea. They give you a peek at some of the wonderfully fresh quality products that feature strongly our hotels, restaurants and ...
Local producers & outlets: South Devon has a strong tradition of producing fantastic local food and drink from its rich and varied landscape and spectacular coast. And what's really great is that it's easy to get your hands on some through the wide range ...
Restaurants & cafes: Finding somewhere great to eat will not be an issue but narrowing down the choice might! From tasty home cooked food in a cosy pub to the finest cuisine in one of our many excellent restaurants, you're sure to ...
Useful Links: Food & Drink Devon , a group of Devon food and drink producers, retailers and restaurateurs of high quality local food. South Hams District Council application form to join your local Farmers Market. Dartmouth Food Festival an annual celebration of ...
Pubs: This is the culture Pubs page. Content coming soon ...

Explore

You can explore South Devon any way you want to, by foot, by bike, by boat, even under your own steam in a canoe! There's something to see around every corner, whether it's a riot of wildflowers, a castle, or ...

Down on the farm: South Devon is a very beautiful living working landscape. Farmers are the guardians of our countryside. Many of them have created extra ways to support the family farm and help you and your family have fun and learn about the ...
Glorious Countryside: South Devon is such a special place that great sweeps have been designated as protected landscapes to help keep them not only beautiful, but thriving places supporting vibrant local communities, and full of wonderful wildlife. Here in these living tapestry's ...
Trails & Activities: You could be forgiven for not knowing where to start exploring with all that's on offer in South Devon. Fear not help is at hand, there are a whole host of downloadable self-guided trails available, to help you get under ...
Cultural Trails: Below are eight of South Devon's new Cultural Trails. They each offer spectalular experiences of South Devon and are suitable for everyone. Click on a Trail below for more detailed information, as well as a PDF leaflet for you to ...

Get Creative

See a different side to South Devon, explore your creative or adventurous side, and learn new skills during your stay! Whether you have a day or a week to fill there's something for you. Why not make time just for ...

Arts & Crafts Courses: With such a beautiful landscape where better to come for inspiration! Here's just a taste of what you could be enjoying. The Devon Guide is a listing website containing a page for arts and craft courses in Devon. There's some ...
Food & Drink Courses: If you want to add an extra flair or air of confidence to your cooking a course at one of the two main cookery schools in the area should have you brimming with enthusiasm! Manna from Devon cookery school is ...
Heritage Courses: There are lots of opportunities to pick up some traditional skills with events, and courses both short and long. Enjoy the fresh air while you help us look after our natural environment, its buildings and more! Some of the things ...
Other Courses: This is the culture Other Courses page. Page coming soon ...