The South Hams are in
the most southerly part of Devon; between the River Dart and River Tamar
and south of Dartmoor, lush farmland and wooded river valleys turning
to beautiful estuaries, its coast very beautiful and remarkably well
preserved – sandy beaches and mighty cliffs between those estuaries,
amazingly little sprawling modern ugliness. Inland too, away from main
roads, it remains surprisingly peaceful.
Among special coastal places are Dartmouth;
Slapton’s long curve of pebble beach and nature reserve lagoon; the
cliffs about Start Point and Prawle Point, Bolt Head and Bolt Tail.
East Portlemouth’s beach and Salcombe’s location and views; Thurlestone
proving that family seaside places don’t need to be brash; Bigbury’s
huge sands and the fun of getting to Burgh Island; waterside, oak-wood-sheltered
Noss Mayo/Newton Ferrers; many others, less easy of access, are for
you to discover. Kingsbridge and Totnes, both old, attractive and small,
are the towns at the area’s heart; Plymouth – the West Country’s biggest
town, with Naval base, ferry port, theatre, cinemas, history, Hoe (great
views) and Barbican (where the life is) – is on the area’s edge. Dartington
Hall is an arts centre (films, plays, music, dance) with lovely gardens.
Pleasure cruisers ply the Kingsbridge estuary and Dart and Tamar rivers.
