Holidaying in the South Hams - By: SallyN

South Hams is a district on the south coast of Devon is a large area which covers 350 square miles and has 60 miles of coastline. The South Hams consists of six towns which include Totnes, Modbury, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Ivybridge and Salcombe.

The South Hams is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a popular holiday destination all year round. The south coast is home to hidden coves and beautiful beaches with coastal walks stretching for miles on end. The Dartmoor National Park is located just to the north of Ivybridge and offers the perfect place for walkers, cyclists with all sorts of activities including letterboxing, clay pigeon shooting, kayaking and fishing.

History
During the Anglo-Saxon era the South Hams was a feudal estate consisting of all of the land between the River Plym and the River Dart and south of Dartmoor with the English Channel form the southern boundary.

Accommodation
Accommodation is easy to find throughout the South Hams, especially within the popular coastal towns of Dartmouth and Salcombe which offer a wide choice of campsites, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, Devon hotels and self-catering cottages.

Below is some brief information on four of the six South Hams towns:

Dartmouth
Dartmouth is a beautiful coastal town situated on the edge of the River Dart. It is not hard to see why this town is called the ‘jewel of the South Hams’ with its narrow, cobbled streets, specialist shops, award-winning restaurants and abundance of accommodation, from smaller guest houses to larger Devon hotels. The Dartmouth Castle, built in 1488 is a must see as it is one of the most picturesquely sited fortress in England.

Totnes
Totnes is considered the administration centre of the South Hams. It is a bustling market town situated at the head of the River Dart and lies approximately 22 miles from Exeter City Centre. The main shopping area is Fore Street which runs from The Plains up past 16th and 17th Century merchants’ houses to the East Gate Arch and the High Street which continues up the hill.

Modbury
Modbury is a small Devonshire market town which was once an actively involved in the wool trade. Modbury saw plenty of civil war action and like many Devon towns it had a barracks built in response to the Napoleonic threat, bits which are still visible. Today, there are a number of shops, restaurants, galleries and pubs in the town and an annual May Fair involving the whole community is a reminder of the town’s ancient lineage.

Salcombe
Salcombe is sheltered inside the Kingsbridge estuary and by making the streets free from cars it has retained peace and quiet. It was and still is a nautical town and has its own maritime museum. Similar to Dartmouth the town has a number of specialist shops, restaurants and galleries and there are many surrounding beaches and coves nearby.

Family Attractions
The South Hams is ideal for family outings. The many surrounding beaches provide the perfect place to unwind and relax with the kids and a picnic. As mentioned above, Blackpool Sands is a brilliant family sandy sheltered beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are lots of rock pools which are great to explore with the little ones. Other family attractions include Pennywell Farm, located at Buckfastleigh and Woodlands Adventure Park in Dartmouth. Travel further afield and head to Plymouth to visit the interactive National Maritime Museum, which is great for older children.

About the Author

There are many places to stay to explore the wonderful South Hams. Unwind at waterside Devon hotels, camp in some of the most picturesque country settings and enjoy a break away with your friends and family.

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