Further afield
Buckfast Abbey
A living Benedictine Monastery.
Magnificent Abbey Church with tranquil gardens and three unusual shops with produce from Buckfast and other European Abbeys. They are famous for honey and also for Buckfast Tonic Wine. Open daily, free admission. Just off the A38 at Buckfastleigh.
Click Here for the Abbey's website
Tel : (01364) 645500
Castle Drogo
Drewsteignton, Near Exeter.
Built between 1910 and 1930, this was commissioned by tea baron Julius Drewe and is reputedly one of the most remarkable works of Sir Edwin Lutyens. It combines the grandeur of a medieval castle with 20th century comforts. Standing at more than 900 feet overlooking the wooded gorge of the river Teign, it has stunning views over Dartmoor and delightful walks. Adjacent to the chapel is a display relating to the planning and building of this, the last Castle to be built in England. There are preliminary designs and interesting correspondence between owner and architect.
Click Here for Castle Drogo's webpage.
Tel : (01647) 433306
Dartmouth
The ancient town and deepwater port of Dartmouth is set in a picture book location, on the picturesque River Dart, with steep wooded hillsides on either side.
Dartmouth's main Embankment runs along the length of the town, this provides visitors with a pleasant and relaxing promenade to stroll down - admiring the sights of the busy estuary or to select from the many boat trips that depart from the waters edge. A regular winner of the Britain in Bloom competition it boasts many unusual and exotic blooms in its gardens.
Two impressive Castles have maintained a guard at the mouth of the River Dart for centuries, Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle on the opposite bank of the river.
Click Here for more information on Dartmouth
Powderham Castle
Kenton, Exeter
This is the historic family home of the Earl of Devon, and is signposted off the A379 at Kenton. The Castle and grounds are open every day except Saturday from April until end of October but ring to check as times can vary and occasionally they have private events on.
Click Here for Powderham Castle website
Tel : (01626) 890243
The Eden Project
St Austell, Cornwall
The Eden Project is now one of the top ten visitor attractions in the country. It has the largest greenhouses or "geodesic structures" in the world and is set in a 35-acre crater overlooking St Austell Bay. It is a gigantic global garden housing a fascinating array of plants from all over the world. Three of the world’s climatic zones have been chosen – the Humid Tropics Biome contains plants from the rainforest and Oceania whilst the warm Temperate Biome contains plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and California.
Click Here for the Eden Project website
Tel : (01726) 222900
Exeter
Exeter is a lovely old city, certainly worth a visit. It has been a Cathedral town since 1050, and the present Cathedral, built in the 14th century, is one of the greatest Medieval cathedrals in England. It is the only cathedral in England to have twin Norman towers and has the longest unbroken vaulted roof of any in the country. The buildings around this area are beautiful - extremely old.
Exeter is good for shopping with a large range of shops.
Tel : (01392) 265700 or visit the Tourist Information Centre.
Plymouth
The waterfront city that shaped the lives of Drake, the Pilgrim Fathers, Darwin, Cook and many more who set sail from her harbour. You can visit spectacular Plymouth Hoe, where Drake played his famous game of bowls. It is a naval city and you can take boat trips to view the Naval Dockyards complete with frigates and submarines.
There is the Barbican – Plymouth’s medieval heart of the city, with narrow streets that hold an array of individual and unique shops as well as many galleries. The city centre is modern and pedestrianised with a large range of shops.
Approximately 30 miles away straight down the A38 towards Cornwall.
Torquay
Approximately 12 miles
This busy seaside resort is centre point of "The English Riviera " and can provide most of the activities sought in a lively holiday, such as waterskiing, parascending, windsurfing, diving, sailing, fishing trips and excursions. There are many shops, pubs, restaurants & nightclubs.
Beaches
Blackpool Sands. Signposted from Dartmouth. Approx 45-50 minutes.
Bantham – Kingsbridge area. Approx 45-50 minutes.
Bigbury – Kingsbridge area. Approx 45-50 minutes.
Slapton Sands. Approx 45 minutes.
Shaldon – (called The Ness) Approx 30-45 minutes.
Golf clubs
Stover Golf Club.
18 hole course. 01626 - 352460
Ashburton Road, Newton Abbot.
http://www.stovergolfclub.co.uk/
Teign Valley Golf Club.
18 hole course. 01647 - 253026
Christow near Exeter (exit Teign Valley from A38)
http://www.teignvalleygolf.co.uk/
Bovey Tracey Golf Centre
9 hole course, driving range, pitch & putt. 01626 - 836464
Monks Way, Bovey Tracey
http://boveytraceygolfclub.co.uk/
For more links to local attractions and things to do Click Here
