Local Area
Chillington is a charming Devon village with wonky chimney stacks and thatched roofs. Located just off the A379 it is a great location for exploring the whole of the South Hams.
With a strong rural and maritime heritage the South Hams is noted for its quality local food, award winning beaches, culture and scenic landscape. The South Hams is a region of rural and coastal Devon much of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stretching as far as the edges of Dartmoor National Park and featuring one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the UK which spans between Torbay and Plymouth.
Things to do
If you love the outdoors, you’ll love The South Hams. It’s a wonderful outdoor environment, with rivers, moor land, coasts and the sea offering visitors a range of activities including canoeing, walking and sailing.
Heritage fans will love local attractions such as Totnes Castle and The South Devon Railway and a range of arts and food festivals keeps culture-vultures happy throughout the year.
For the nautically inclined the coast has a big tradition of sailing and regattas.
There’s lots of activities for children in the summertime and the South West Coastal path keeps walkers and dog-owners fit and healthy.
Food and drink
The West Country is one of the most important producers of food and drink in the UK, noted for its quality and traditional methods. Here you’ll be treated to some of the best fine dining using locally made produce.
For seafood, towns such as Dartmouth and Salcombe boast award-winning restaurants, while inland gastro pubs serve excellent home cooked fare. Fish caught one day is on your plate the next day. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Lots more to do
Dartington Estate
Famous for its glass & crystal offers workshops & classes, has a range of shops, restaurants and cafes. Suitable for all ages whatever the weather.
Dartmoor Zoo
Set in 33 acres of beautiful woodland with stunning views of the surrounding countryside, Dartmoor Zoo is a unique, family owned zoo with a fantastic collection of animals including the widest variety of big cats in the south west of England. It is the subject of the book and film We Bought a Zoo.
Dartmouth Outdoor Pool
This lovely outdoor pool is open to the public from the end of May until the beginning of September. It is a 25 metre by 8.5 metre heated outdoor pool.Dur ing the summer season it is staffed by fully qualified lifeg uards who are there to ensure that
your experience of the pool is safe and enjoyable at all times. 07779935970 Address: Milton Lane, Dartmouth, TQ6 9HW
Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat trips
Enjoy one of the finest heritage steam railway journeys in Europe and glorious boat trips on the River Dart to Totnes and bus trips to combine the two. They also offer boat trips from Dartmouth to Salcombe or Dittisham. Tickets available online or from the quay in Dartmouth: 01803 555 872
Kings Cinema
Fore St, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PP. Blockbusters and handpicked kino club screenings in a quirky building with a blue clock on the roof. Enjoy a glass of wine or a lager whilst watching the latest film. 01548 856636
Living Coasts
An all-weather coastal zoo and aquarium located in Torquay.
Dartmouth Activities
- Monty Halls Great Escapes
- Wildlife Trips and Courses
- Boat Trips
- Seashore Safaris
- 'Ultimate Taste of Devon' Trips
- Diving Expeditions and much more.
Dartmouth TQ6 9QE - 01803 431858
National Marine Aquarium
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, Devon, is the UK’s biggest Aquarium. You can even spend the night there and sleep with the sharks.
Newhouse Fishery
Offers fly fishing for experienced fishermen as well as beginners. Youngsters are welcomed and they offer tackle hire for them. Newhouse Fishery is tucked away in a beautiful steep valley in the heart of South Devon. Newhouse fishery is one of the best fisheries in the South West. No E.A.ROD LICENCE REQUIRED, lakes are covered by a general licence issued by the Environment Agency. MoreleighTQ9 7JSTotnes,Devon 01548 821 426
Paington Zoo
With more animals than anyone else in the South West, you’re in for a really wild time – A great day out for the kids and all the family.
Pennywell Farm
Something for the children of the group, including animals, activities, shows, displays and rides. You can even cuddle the micro pigs.
Quayside Leisure Centre
For swimming, squash and badminton: 01548 857 100
Tennis courts in Kingsbridge: Pay the court fee at the tourist information centre
River Dart Country Park
Commando Assault course (for big and little children!) •Pirate Ship •Toddlers beach Toddlers Playground (Lilliput) •Spiders web •Wooden play fort •Cows Udders •Snake Slides Zip wires •Jungle Fun •Low ropes course •And much more.
River Dart Country Park
Ashburton
Devon
TQ13 7NP
Telephone: 01364 652511
Sharpham Vineyards
The local vineyard based on the River Dart, producing stunning wines. They also make fabulous cheeses from milk produced from their own Jersey cattle. Organise a full tour, or just a simple self-guided trek 01803 732203
Skirmish
Your gateway to an action-packed paintball day! Skirmish Exeter provides the No1 paintball venue in Devon. Paintball Exeter provides Junior paintball, Corporate paintball & Stag & Hen Parties.
South Devon Chilli Farm
Growing over 10,000 chilli plants every year, you can wander among the fruiting chilli plants, sample all of the sauces, preserves and chocolate made on the farm and take away chilli seedlings, plants and seeds.
Start Point Lighthouse
The striking Start Point Lighthouse is situated on one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast, running sharply almost a mile into the sea on the south side of Start Bay between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. Each tour takes approximately 45 minutes. Tours run continuously from noon to 5pm or dusk. Please call 01803 771803 for further details.
Treasure Trails Kingsbridge
Solve a murder mystery, Follow a treasure hunt or carry out a ‘007’ spy mission! Walking, cycling & driving Trails across Devon. Trails cost £5 and are available from Kingsbridge Tourist Information Centre.
Winding River Canoe
Offers a range of activities from day and evening trips to bushcraft and adventure. Winding River Canoe specialises in guided canoe trips in beautiful locations. The aim of these trips is to give you a break from your busy life, to relax, go slow, and to experience the magic of the river world. You don't need to know how to canoe - most people who go on these trips are novices. The basics are easy to learn and you'll soon be paddling in a straight(ish) line. www.windingrivercanoe.co.uk
Wildlife Paddle Adventure
Singing Paddles & National Trust, Kingsbridge
Join Singing Paddles and the National Trust Rangers for a paddle on the Kingsbridge
Woodlands Family Theme Park
Let the children let off some steam, the local leisure park with indoor play centres, outdoor adventures, Zoo-Farm, and Falconry Centre.
Local Parks:
- Chillington – Tanpits lane, next to the village hall.
- Kingsbridge – embankment road or Church Street.
- Beesands – just in front of the beach.
- Soft play Bumble café top of Kingsbridge Fore Street
This is by no means an exhaustive list of all of the activities on offer in the local area. Lots more information from the Tourist Office, online or in the House book at Tanpits.