Devon

[LVSaint]

Staying a week in early August on the western outskirts of Dartmoor. Any advice on good pubs in and around Dartmoor? Beaches on the south coast? Places off the beaten path away from the tourists etc? Thanks.

[hamster]

Stay in Cornwall. It's brilliant, St Ives in particular.

[LVSaint]

Stay in Cornwall. It's brilliant, St Ives in particular.

 

Can't. Staying with friends in Lydford. If I had an extra week down there, I'd explore Cornwall. Is it worth driving down to St Ives - anything in Cornwall you can't have in Devon?

[saintwarwick]

Staying a week in early August on the western outskirts of Dartmoor. Any advice on good pubs in and around Dartmoor? Beaches on the south coast? Places off the beaten path away from the tourists etc? Thanks.

 

Haven't been for some time so could not recommended any pubs but I certainly remember beaches in Dawlish, south Devon and Westward Ho, North Devon as being excellent. You should venture out to Cornwall as well, both counties have so much to offer. Try these websites for things to do:

 

http://www.visitdevon.co.uk/site/areas-to-visit

 

http://www.thingstodoincornwall.co.uk/

[pilsburydoughboy]

Can't. Staying with friends in Lydford. If I had an extra week down there, I'd explore Cornwall. Is it worth driving down to St Ives - anything in Cornwall you can't have in Devon?

 

 

Lydford gorge is a lovely place to walk

Drink in the Highwayman pub and make sure you drink the cider

Walk around the lake there

[Saint_clark]

Haven't been for years, but it is awesome up there.

My favourite Dartmoor "legend" is about the escaped convict who got trapped in one of the caves and was never seen again. Scares the sh*t out of me whenever I go caving up there.

[BadgerBadger]

Head down to Two Bridges bang slap in the middle of Dartmoor and take a walk to the ancient woodland, gnarly ancient oaks in a really atmospheric place especially if no other people are around

[OldNick]

.......

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

Take a train down to Newton Abbott and visit one of the very few remaining cider houses in England, if not the world.

 

[brightspark]

Check out Soar Mill Cove as a hidden South Devon beach.

 

The SW Coast Path between Salcombe and Hope Cove goes past Soar Mill, its probably one of the most scenic areas of the entire Coast Path.

 

Cycling is a good activity in North Devon, with Bideford having a few nice pub stops if I recall. For surf beaches, North Devon is better than South.

 

It was mentioned above, about Dawlish, however, unless you have kids (dawlish warren would be popular with them), I recommend that the area between South Dawlish and Brixham is avoided. Not too nice and full of cheap paying tourists!

[LVSaint]

Thanks for the responses. I'll cut n paste it all for the trip.

 

I know it's not the best time with the congestion and I was especially looking for more secluded beaches away from the droves, so I will check those out. I like the idea of that cider house in Newton Abbot, I'll bring my own containers for the takeaway service they offer!

 

Is the steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear worth doing?

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

Thanks for the responses. I'll cut n paste it all for the trip.

 

I know it's not the best time with the congestion and I was especially looking for more secluded beaches away from the droves, so I will check those out. I like the idea of that cider house in Newton Abbot, I'll bring my own containers for the takeaway service they offer!

 

Is the steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear worth doing?

 

There are plenty of cider farms around the area which offer disgustingly cheap deals and the chance to try them out before you buy.