Newton Abbot

The town centre is dominated by St Leonard's Tower, the last remaining part of a medieval chapel dating back to 1220. A plague nearby marks the spot where William III the Prince of Orange landed in 1688 on his way to claim the English Throne.



Newton Abbot is a market town with a history going back to Neolithic times. Each September the town holds an historic Cheese and Onion Fayre. With the advent of the railways the town grew quickly during Victorian times.

Newton Abbot today has a busy high street and a thriving local economy. There are plenty of places to eat and numerous cafe bar establishments. 

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Totnes

Totnes on the River Dart in Devon is an established market town surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is not a coastal town but has a coastal feel to it and it certainly attracts a good number of tourists.

There are many independent shops in Totnes. The steep walk uphill to the main centre is definately worth the journey and the view. With its small cafes, old buildings and alleyways it is an interesting town.

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Exeter

Exeter in Devon is a city that was established on the eastern bank of the River Exe. There has been a settlement here in Exeter since before Roman times. 

Exeter Cathedral was built in the 12th century and is at the heart of the city surrounded by cobbled streets and cafes and restaurants. The city is regarded as one of the best places to live in the UK. With its history and fine architecture it is very much a student city boosted by tourism during the summer months.

Without doubt Exeter is a very pleasant city to walk around with its quality restaurants and variety of independent shops. The River Exe runs through the city and Exeter Quay is a popular destination by the river on hot and sunny days.

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Topsham

Topsham is a beautiful village surburb of Exeter in Devon. It is a popular tourist destination in the summer months. With its small harbour and fishing and shipbuilding traditions it is noted for its Dutch style houses.

Once an important trading post for cotton, Dutch bricks were brought over from Holland as ballast and Dutch settlers provided the expertise and know how for the Dutch style houses with their Dutch gables and facades. 

With its village feel and traditional restaurants, shops and cafes it is a very relaxing place to spend a few hours strolling around the narrow streets.

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Haldon Belvedere ( Lawrence Castle )

Haldon Belvedere or Lawrence Castle is a spectacular tower and landmark in Dunchideock in Devon. The tower dominates the skyline for miles around and dates back to the 1700's when it used to form part of the estate of Sir Robert Palk, a Governor and employee of the famous East India Company.

The estate once formed a grandiose manor house in an estate of 11,600 acres. The Best Western Lord Haldon House Hotel nearby is part of what was once the great house stable block and servants quarters. Sir Robert Palk was one of the richest men in England and no expense was spared in the construction of this significant estate which has seen its fair share of important visitors and royalty over the years.

Now a Grade II listed building, the triangular tower provides some magnificent views across the Devon countryside. The best and most panoramic views are of course from the platform at the top of the tower which is open for a small admission charge at various times during the year. The building was renovated in 1994 by the Devon Historic Buildings Trust and is a very popular and well known Civil Ceremonies Wedding venue.

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Exmouth

Exmouth is a beautiful little port town and resort in East Devon. With its impressive architecture both modern and new, the town attracts a fairly wealthy clientele in terms of its tourism and holiday home ownership. Many houses in the town are second homes.

The small port has a history dating back hundreds of years. Sir Walter Raleigh would have sailed from Exmouth Harbour many times as he set  off on his voyages. One of the oldest holiday resorts in Devon, Exmouth has seen high class tourism and mass tourism in later years.

The seafront is very traditional with ice cream vendors, some good restaurants and cafe tea rooms. The sandy beach is popular in the summer and the town with its  pleasant centre square has a wealth of branded and independent shops.

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Watersmeet House

Watersmeet House is owned by the National Trust. This is a popular place with tourists during the summer months due to its river gorge, old woodlands and stunning river scenes. Watersmeet is near Lynmouth and it has been owned by the National Trust since 1996 and is used as an information centre, tea room and shop. The building which used to be a fishing lodge was completed in 1832.

This really is a great place to go walking along the river or to explore the 2,000 acres of wildlife and waterfalls. At Watersmeet House they are known for their particularly delightful cream teas.

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Woolacombe

Woolacombe Beach is spectacular. A large sandy beach with acres of open space and panoramic scenery. These beaches have attained the Blue Flag and Premier Resort Awards.

This is a well kept village and with a good variety of eating places and shopping facilities. It is evident from a quick walk around that by the number of shops selling wet suits that this is a popular surfers venue.

Great place to spend a day relaxing. Impresssive facilities, clean and welcoming. Recommended.

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Westward Ho!

Westward Ho has a long pebbled beach with a rugged coastline. Long established as a holiday resort, Westward Ho has undoubtedly been spoiled by the amusement centres and tacky holiday camps which have all contributed to a run down and second rate holiday resort. This may sound scathing but when you look around for websites expressing the virtues of Westward Ho they are very hard to find.

The author Charles Kingsley lived in North Devon and wrote his novel Westward Ho!. This certainly placed Westward Ho on the map. In fact, the town was named after the book!

Northam Burrows is nearby and not as well known as Westward Ho but it is an excellent stretch of unspoiled sands. A great place to escape away from it all.

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Waxham Barn

Like many villages along this part of the coast, Waxham has a long sandy beach backed up by sand dunes.  This is a much quieter beach than most and an ideal location for those that do not like the busier beaches of the larger resorts.

Situated near Sea Palling, Waxham is better known for its huge barn which has been restored by the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage at a cost of £460,000. The size of the barn is impressive and it is open to the public and a Grade I listed building.

This area is also popular with bird watchers as many migrant birds are found here.

Watermouth Cove

You could easily miss it and drive right past it. Thankfully the imposing building of Waterworth Castle stops this from happening. The turning into Watermouth Cove is just before the castle ( going southwards ) and looks more like the entrance to a caravan park.

Watermouth Cove is a pretty and picturesque cove well sheltered from the elements and opposite Waterworth Castle. There isnt really much else we can tell you about it. Its nice. Take some photographs.

Watermouth Castle is a family attraction with a wide range of activities. Not just a castle but an entertainment centre in its own right. We will let them tell you more about it. click here.

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Torquay

Torquay is the largest of the three towns that make up Torbay, namely Paignton, Brixham and Torquay. This area of coastline is referred to as the "English Riviera". In the height of summer it is easy to see why. The outside cafe atmosphere of people sitting outdoors, the palm trees and warm weather and the beautiful blue sea and sandy beaches could create the illusion of being somewhere on the Mediterranean.

Many of the beaches in Torbay have won awards. In total there are 20 beaches along 22 miles of coast. The photographs shown here are from Torquay, a bustling and vibrant resort that in the full summer season resembles something more of the South of France than a coastal resort in England. The outdoor seating of the cafes and restaurants and the well tended gardens and palm trees definitely have something to do with the overall effect.

The marina at Torquay is a beautiful sight and a hive of activity. The main beaches around Torquay are Ansteys Cove, Babbacombe Beach, Corbyn Head, Livermead Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Oddicombe Beach and Torre Abbey Sands which is Torquays largest and busiest beach.

The big upside of Torbay, and having three towns all within a short distance of each other, is the beautiful countryside, the fantastic beaches and the knowledge that even if it rains you can always find something to do. Highly recommended. A wide range of top quality theatres exist in Torbay, perhaps the most well known being the Princess Theatre

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Seaton

Seaton is on the River Axe and in beautiful Lyme Bay. The beach is a pebble beach with a long and impressive promenade. The town has a good range of shops and places to eat and there is a pretty harbour.

The Seaton Electric Tramway is definitely worth experiencing. The trip takes you along the Axe Estuary and also alongside the Nature Reserve where a wide variety of seabirds and waders can be seen.

There is a coastal path to Lyme Regis via the Undercliff Nature Reserve. It is quite a long walk but the scenery is breathtaking and the unique landscape and plant life found here is caused as a result of a landslide that allowed vegetation to grow protected and sheltered and safe from human interference.

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Plymouth

Plymouth sits on the border of Devon and Cornwall. The countryside around Plymouth is beautiful and Dartmoor and the English Riviera are nearby. Plymouth is a great place to stay and excellent for sightseeing. Many tourists make Plymouth their holiday destination and then travel around on day trips to other locations. Eddyston Lighthouse/Smeaton's Tower is Plymouth's most well known landmark and stands proudly on Plymouth Hoe.

The Mayflower Steps in Plymouth are where the Pilgrim Fathers left on the Mayflower. Plymouth in Massachusetts is named after the city. This is the home of Francis Drake and his famous escapades with the Spanish are well documented.

The Barbican area of Plymouth is at the heart of the old city and is a wonderful example of how modern restaurants, shops and pubs can blend in with an old and preserved environment. The Barbican is a hive of activitiy with bustling crowds, colourful displays and street side artists, an Elizabethan House built in 1548, a glass works and a busy fish market. What a wonderful atmosphere the Barbican has.

Plymouth and the surrounding area simply has it all. We went to Plymouth expecting something different. We were pleasantly surprised. This is an impressive place and one we would recommend strongly. The open top tour bus is also a must. Also try the Nationnal Aquarium and the Plymouth Dome. There is just so much to see and do. Don't miss out on Plymouth.

Here is the link to the photo album photo album or view the photos on You Tube

Paignton

Paignton is an important part of the three towns that make up Torbay, namely Paignton, Brixham and Torquay. This area of coastline is referred to as the "English Riviera". In the height of summer it is easy to see why. The outside cafe atmosphere of people sitting outdoors, the palm trees and warm weather and the beautiful blue sea and sandy beaches could create the illusion of being somewhere on the Mediterranean.

The beach in Paignton is sandy and safe and an ideal environment for family holidays. Paignton is traditionally a family resort. It has a pier, a lively town centre and the usual array of attractions that you would expect from a seaside resort. Help yourself to some of the fresh seafood that is available from the stalls.

The harbour is at the Southern end of Paignton Sands. From here you can watch the sea craft come in and out or book a trip on a fishing boat. Torbay has 20 beaches along 22 miles of coast and Paignton has several nearby such as Preston Sands, Goodrington Sands, Hollicombe Beach, Broadsands, Shoalstone Beach, Elberry Cove and also the Quaywest Beach Resort which is situated behind Goodrington Sands beach. This is Britain's only outdoor waterpark. The complex provides for excellent family entertainment, has its own railway station and a host of entertainment rides and leisure activities.

The big upside of Torbay, and having three towns all within a short distance of each other, is the beautiful countryside, the fantastic beaches and the knowledge that even if it rains you can always find something to do. Highly recommended.

For more photos of Paignton Click here or you can view the photos on You Tube