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South Devon

South Devon is holiday heaven. At its core sits Torquay, a breezy, family-friendly resort with bundles of beaches, unique attractions, stylish sleep spots and top-notch eateries. It's the place for boat trips and zoos, saucy postcards and fishing ports, palm trees and proms.

Outside the resort, the character changes. Paved esplanades give way to soaring cliffs, and amusement-backed beaches become untamed stretches of sand. In the neighbouring scenic South Hams, you’ll discover chic yachting havens, prime surf breaks, hip eco-hang-outs, and villages and historic homes straight out of an Agatha Christie murder mystery. There are also some absolutely superb places to eat and stay, and plenty of activities: kayak up a tranquil creek; catch crabs on a harbour wall; or go barefoot beachcombing on a huge sweep of sand. No matter if you go resort or rural, you’ll experience a cracking bit of coast either way.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout South Devon.

  • See

    Greenway

    High on Devon’s must-see list, the captivating summer home of crime writer Agatha Christie sits beside the placid River Dart. Part-guided tours allow you to wander between rooms where the furnishings and knick-knacks are much as the author left them. The bewitching waterside gardens include features that pop up in Christie's mysteries, so you get to spot locations made notorious by fictional murders. Car parking must be prebooked; the better options are to arrive by Greenway Ferry or on foot.

  • See

    Sharpham Wine & Cheese

    Three miles south of Totnes off the A381, this renowned vineyard is chiefly known for its crisp, sparkling white wines, as well as its delicious cheeses. Perched above the meandering River Dart, it's become one of the UK's best-known winemakers. You can explore the vine-covered slopes solo (£2.50), followed by a wine and/or cheese tasting in the shop (£7 and £3 respectively), or plump for the full guided tour (£20, 3pm Saturday and Sunday, April to September).

  • See

    Berry Pomeroy Castle

    Two miles east of Totnes, this ruined castle was originally built by the feudal Pomeroys in the 15th century. Within the walls is a second stronghold, a Tudor mansion constructed by Edward Seymour, the 1st Duke of Somerset. Unfortunately, the Seymour clan's fortunes turned for the worse after the English Civil war, and by 1700 it was nothing more than a ruin – and has remained so ever since. It's notorious for ghostly goings-on.

  • See

    Start Point Lighthouse

    Sitting on one of England's most exposed peninsulas, the 815,000 candela beam of this bright-white lighthouse can be seen for 25 nautical miles. Tours (on the hour, from 11am to 4pm) last 45 minutes and wind up hundreds of steps, through tiny circular rooms. The highlight is the final climb, by ladder, to the top platform, where you stand alongside the massive optics and look out with 360-degree views and down on to a boiling sea.

  • See

    Paignton Zoo

    This innovative, 32-hectare zoo is by far and away Paignton's top draw. Spacious enclosures recreate habitats from savannah and wetland to tropical forest and desert. Highlights include the orangutan island, a glass-walled big-cat enclosure and a lemur wood, where you walk over a plank suspension bridge as the primates leap around the trees. Then there's the crocodile swamp with pathways winding over and beside Nile, Cuban and saltwater crocs. Joint tickets also cover the Living Coasts seabird centre.

  • See

    Bantham Beach

    Bantham is, arguably, South Devon's finest low-tide beach. Set at the mouth of the River Avon, this dune-backed sweep of sand offers a cool cafe, surf hire and lessons, and views on to picturesque Burgh Island on the estuary's other side. Be aware: the rip currents here can be dangerous. Note the warning signs and follow the advice of the (seasonal) lifeguards.

  • See

    Coleton Fishacre

    For an evocative glimpse of jazz-age glamour, drop by the former home of the D'Oyly Carte family of theatre impresarios. Built in the 1920s, its faultless art deco embellishments include original Lalique tulip uplighters, comic bathroom tiles and a stunning saloon – complete with tinkling piano. The croquet terrace leads to deeply shelved subtropical gardens and suddenly revealed vistas of the sea. Hike the 4 miles along the cliffs from Kingswear, or drive.

  • See

    Dartington Estate

    Henry VIII gave this pastoral 324-hectare estate to two of his wives (Catherines Howard and Parr). For many years it was home to the town's art college; now the 14th-century manor house hosts events, including renowned classical-music and literature festivals. There's also an art-house cinema, shops, a decent pub and B&B accommodation. The grounds are also worth exploring. It's about 2 miles northwest of Totnes.

  • See

    Burgh Island

    A slanting 10-hectare chunk of grass-topped rock, tidal Burgh Island is connected to Bigbury-on-Sea by a stretch of sand at low tide. At high water the journey is made by a sea-tractor (one-way £2), an eccentric device where the passenger platform is perched on stilts 6ft above the tractor's wheels and the waves. Once ashore, it takes around 30 minutes to walk around the island.