South Hams Accommodation

Start point lighthouse is an easy and stunning walk from the Start point car park
There are plenty of stunning small isolated beaches in South Hams
Kingsbridge Estuary at low tide
Boating is an essential part of Kingsbridge and Salcombe

Kingsbridge Visitor Attractions

At the tip of the estuary lies Kingsbridge, the considered capital of South Hams with it's convenient central position and interesting rural life museum. It's a good base for access to the Salcombe Estuary, and a host of attractions. Alternatively look to the increasingly popular Salcombe further down the estuary on the coast. Been getting a lot of attention recently and you can see why. Salcombe is a most attractive village, with local Southsands beach offering a range of watersports, particularly sailing, diving and scuba diving, Yacht charters and fishing boat trips. Check out also some exquisite coastal walking around the Bolt Head promontory, and some spectacular cliffs at Bolberry Down onto small cove beaches such as Soar Mill Cove towards Bigbury Bay.

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Beaches at Southsands and Northsands, Salcombe are superbly clean, and offer great territory for watersports and fishing. Take the walk up the high cliffs of Bolt Head for views of the estuary and a visit to the eccentric Overbecks Museum & Garden. Enjoy the outdoors on the water? Head for Salcombe and Salcombe Estuary! Kingsbridge and surrounds is also good for Golf, with Bigbury golf club right on the coast is spectacular, with views of Burgh Island.

Featured Devon Accommodation

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Kingsbridge Tourist Information

Welcome to the considered capital of South Hams, Kingsbridge which now incorporates it's medieval neighbour Dodbrooke. Kingsbridge has a long history as a market town, dating back to 1219 when the monks from Buckfastleigh first set up an open air market here. Kingsbridge's central South Hams location on the tip of the Salcombe estuary has served it well both in the past as a key South Devon trading post, and now in the present as a central South Hams tourist base. Kingsbridge still hosts a large market every Saturday and Tuesday.

Kingsbridge's Quay is the central hub of the town, and where the tourist information point is located and where the Saturday and Tuesday markets are held. Kingsbridge has a selection of interesting buildings, particularly old inns and some remains of the large Kingsbridge Workhouse (nearby Totnes Workhouse remains also survive). Although sadly not open as museums, they're well worth a look if you're interested in Poor Law history, and the devastating effects on the poor through the 1800s. In these rural backwaters many would have ended up here, particularly the elderly or orphaned, and especially in times of industrial slump, when you're only option might be to beg the Board of Guardians for a handout. Totnes Workhouse is situated by Bank Lane in Totnes whilst Kingsbridge Workhouse, built in 1837, what remains of it, as much of it was damaged in a fire, is to the west of the town.

Today Kingsbridge is a well equipped central South Hams base, ideal for Salcombe Estuary walking, with easy access to Dartmouth and north to Dartmoor National Park.

Kingsbridge Tourist Information Centre, The Quay, Kingsbridge. Tel: 01548 853195.

South Hams Devon Golf

For a coastal headland golf course in Devon you'll find one of the best at Bigbury! Bigbury Golf Course is set in the heart of the Avon Valley, offering superb panoramic views of Bigbury Bay and Burgh Island. It's an 18 hole golf course, with a PAR 70/72. Bigbury Golf Club, Bigbury-on-sea, Kingsbridge, South Devon, TQ7 4BB. Tel: 01548 810412.

That's not all on the golf front for the South Hams coast. Check out also Thurlestone Golf Club near Kingsbridge, also on the coast, and also an 18 hole golf course with a PAR 71. There are tennis courts on-site as well. Thurlstone Golf Course, Thurlestone, Nr Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 3NZ. Tel: 01548 560405.

Cookworthy Museum of Rural Life, Kingsbridge

Kingsbridge's central attraction is the interesting Rural Life Museum. It was once a grammar school, and there are various artefacts in the museum from it's grammar school days such as the old Headmaster's chair, which looks more like a throne! Thomas Crispin is everywhere, the founder of the school, and you can take a look at his portrait! The museum gets it's name from one William Cookworthy, a Kingsbridgian by birth who went on to run an apothecary in Plymouth and developed the first hard paste English porcelain by using the china clays of Devon and Cornwall. Pretty important at the time, and Cookworthy Porcelain became rather famous through the Victorian period. You can view various Cookworthy Porcelain figures in one of the exhibition rooms. It's a significant collection, and the detail on the figures is a delight to view.

Of particular interest is the museum's social history angle, pertaining to rural life in the local South Hams region. Check out the Edwardian Pharmacy or the Victorian Kitchen. If you've a little more time you might want to explore the excellent photographic archive at the Cookworthy Museum. There's a local database on-site, and a library. The museum is closed from November to mid March. Check the Cookworthy Museum of Rural Life website to the right for more details. Wheelchair assistance can be provided by the museum, but you need to telephone first.

Cookworthy Museum of Rural Life, The Old Grammar School, 108, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 1AW. Tel: 01548-853235.

Salcombe & Salcombe Estuary Tourist Information

Salcombe, sitting as it does on the glorious South Hams Coast west of Start point, and encased at the mouth of the Kingsbridge and Salcombe estuary, has become rather popular. Once a quiet fishing village and a centre for ship builders, today Salcombe is the home of a massive tourist industry, some renowned Yacht Clubs and popular Regattas. It's an area of outstanding natural beauty indeed.

Salcombe Estuary is actually a flooded valley reaching all the way to the sea, and a popular haunt for seals, dolphins and porpoises, as well as some rare birds. Salcombe Estuary is a haven for bird watchers! The town of Salcombe has some very narrow streets, so is best explored on foot. Marvel at the pastel coloured buildings, you'll see why this attractive town is so popular. There's a good choice of arts and crafts outlets and galleries, such as Cove's Quay Gallery (check their website link to the right).

Salcombe Tourist Information Centre, Market Street, Salcombe, Devon TQ8 8DE. TEL 01548 843927.

Modbury Tourist Information Centre, 5 Modbury Court, Modbury (see also their website to the right). Tel: 01548 830159.

Salcombe Maritime Museum & Overbecks!

Once a haven for smugglers, Salcombe pays due homage to this past in it's excellent Maritime Museum. Salcombe's trading past though stretches into all sorts of industries including shipbuilding, the fruit trade and sail making. There's been many a shipwreck off Salcombe's coast and the museum has archaeological displays of such wrecks.

There's also a selection of both British and American Second World War artefacts, as this coastline saw much activity particularly around preparations for D Day, with some pertinent tragedies occurring during training. There's plenty of interactive stuff going on for kids as well.

Take time also to climb the cliffs at Sharpitor to reach the Overbecks Museum & Gardens. Certainly, this is a museum with a difference! There's a youth hostel on the upper floors, but on the ground floor discover for yourself stuffed animals and wot not galore, a veritable taxidermist's haven. The house itself is quirky Edwardian, and was owned until 1937 by equally eccentric scientist Otto Overbeck. On display are a number of Mr Overbeck's inventions - superb fun and well worth the climb! Overbecks Museum & Garden, Sharpitor, Salcombe. Tel: 01548 842893. (check the National Trust weblink to the right!)

Salcombe Maritime Museum, Market Street, Salcombe.

Salcombe Sailing and Watersports

Salcombe Dingy Sailing, Sailing Boat Hire, Adult & Children's Sailing Tuition, Sailing from Whitestrand pontoon in the middle of Salcombe. Pick-ups available from East Portlemouth beaches, RYA Qualified Instructors. AALA Licensed, Tel: 01548 842786. Ribs 4 Kids, Bartons, Island Street, Salcombe TQ8 8DP. A unique junior training programme designed to teach children, from 8 years, boat handling skills and safety on the water. For Yacht charters and Yacht clubs contact: Salcombe Yacht Charters - Day, weekend or week charters - Tel: 01548 844153 or 07974 802986, and Salcombe Yacht Club, Cliff House, Salcombe Tel: 01548 842872 (Members) 01548 842593 (Admin).

Fancy a spot of Diving off the Salcombe Coast? Contact Diventure - Salcombe, Tuckers Marine, Brewery Quay, Island Street, Salcombe TQ8 8DP. Diventure Salcombe is the premier PADI dive centre of South Devon. A full diving service is offered as well as PADI courses and specialities, dive trips, RIB charter, air and Nitrox to 232 bar full equipment rental, dive shop, mountain bike hire. Caters for all levels, from beginner to experienced. Tel/Fax: 01548 843663. Or check out Salcombe Scuba, Onslow Road, Salcombe TQ8 8AH. Complete beginner or seasoned diver welcombe. Tel: Tel: 01548 843243.

Icc Salcombe, 28 Island Street, Salcombe TQ8 8DP. RYA recognised sail training centre offering a wide choice of courses for the complete beginner to experienced sailors. Dinghy and keelboat hire. All activities based on Egremont, our converted Mersey ferry moored in the estuary just ten minutes from Whitestrands. Tel: 01548 531176. Salcombe Powerboat School,