Clovelly Devon – Clovelly is a fishing village on the north coast of Devon in the UK. It was primarily known through the novel Westward Ho by Charles Kingsley. Even Charles Dickens describes in his book A Message From the Sea, the rugged area around Clovelly. With its picturesque location Clovelly attracts many tourists. However, the site itself can be visited only on foot, as cars are not allowed due to the steep slope. For older people, however, there is the possibility to use a Land Rover with a service charge, which carries the people down at the harbour. An 800 metre long road with cobblestones leads down to the harbour, where there is a quay wall from the 14th Century. There are two chapels in the village, restaurants, gift shops and craft shops. Clovelly has a small beach, where many visitors head when the weather is fine. The village has about 400 inhabitants, many of which still survive through traditional fishing, as demonstrated by the white fishermen’s houses. Clovelly is close to the Hartland Peninsular and nearby towns include Holsworthy, Putford, Bude and Bideford.
April 11, 2012
April 10, 2012
Combe Martin and Hele Bay
Combe Martin and Hele Bay – A couple of attractive little villages and good spots to visit if you are in North Devon, Combe Martin and Hele Bay are situated to the east of Ilfracombe, on the coast and both minor holiday resorts which attract a number of tourists to the area, both are also on the western edge of the Exmoor National Park. Combe Martin is a delightful village with a long High Street once thought to be the longest village street in England (it isn’t!), it also has a small sheltered cove with a nice little beach. Hele Bay is even smaller but also has a nice little beach and is sheltered by surrounding hills.
April 6, 2012
Ivybridge Devon
Ivybridge Devon – Situted in the South Hams district of Devon, the small town of Ivybridge sits at the southern edge of the Dartmoor National Park about 14 kilometres to the east of Plymouth. Ivybridge is what is known as a dormitory town on the outskirts of Plymouth, with a population of over 12,000 residents. Mentioned in documents of the thirteenth century , the history of Ivybridge is marked by its status as the location of an important bridge over the River Erme, on the road between Plymouth and Exeter. During the sixteenth century, mills were constructed to make use of the power of the River Erme. Ivybridge today is a popular tourist destination and an ideal base for visiting the Dartmoor National Park, and surrounding towns and villages such as Plymouth, Tavistock, Cornwood and Bickleigh.
March 15, 2012
May 8, 2011
Sticklepath Dartmoor Devon
A tiny village situated in Devon, on the northern edge of the Dartmoor National Park, Sticklepath is in an area of picturesque countryside, challenging walking country and historic monuments. Location of the National Trust’s Finch Foundry, Sticklepath attracts its fair share of visitors, who come to enjoy the peace and quiet, the walking, the fishing, the pony trekking, and to enjoy the Tarka Trail which runs through the village. Another attraction is the Lady Well, a historic well which never dries up and has provided drinking water for people passing Sticklepath for many centuries. Located close to Okehampton and midway between Exeter and Launceston, Sticklepath is well worth a visit if you are in the Dartmoor region.
May 3, 2011
Ilfracombe North Devon
A large and popular seaside resort located on the north coast of Devon, in the United Kingdom, Ilfracombe first developed around an Iron Age hillfort, established on a nearby hill. Its sheltered position, protecting it from the worst of the region’s stormy weather, led to its becoming an important seaport, and it was used for a number of naval sorties over the centuries. Making its income mostly from fishing for many years Ilfracombe has, since Victorian times become popular as a seaside holiday resort. The Victorian used it for sea bathing after tunnels were dug to several of its shingle beaches. These days it attracts holidaymakers, who enjoy its charming and attractive harbour, good climate and weather, superb coastal walks, boat trips and sea fishing trips. Catch up on the local history of Ilfracombe at the Ilfracombe Museum, where you will find interesting facts about the town’s maritime history, and also see a collection of model ships and steamers, which have sailed the Devon coast through the centuries.
November 18, 2010
Riviera Bay Brixham Devon
Riviera Bay Brixham Devon
Overlooking the picturesque St Mary’s Bay in Brixham, Devon, the popular Riviera Bay resort is an ideal spot for a family holiday in this desirable area on Torbay. Offering access to beautiful beaches, charming villages and stunning walks along the Devon coastline, the resort also has plenty of great facilities for those not wanting to venture too far. The Tropicana clubroom is at the heart of Riviera Bay entertainment with shows, discos and cabarets taking place here, other leisure activities include heated indoor swimming pool, so you can swim whatever the weather, 10-pin bowling, crazy golf, amusement arcade, soft play area for under fives, pool, darts, tennis court, big screen television, bingo and an adventure playground. Accommodation is in chalets and prices start at £148 for a 4 person chalet. Nearby Brixham is a charming town with an attractive harbour, here you will find plenty of pubs, restaurants and shops. Why not take a look at the replica of the Golden Hind, Sir Francis Drake’s famous ship. The lovely local coastline is perfect for hiking, so when the weather is fine, why not take a few hours out to get away from it all along this picturesque coastline. You could head along to Berry Head, a nearby coastal headland, which is also a nature reserve with some rare species of flora and fauna. So for your holidays in Devon, why not choose the delightful Riviera Bay. Brixham Map.
September 6, 2010
Dawlish and Dawlish Warren Devon
A charming Regency seaside resort located on the south coast of Devon, Dawlish is attractively nestled between steep hills, with a sandy beach backed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway line which opened in 1846. Narrow streets lined with character cottages add to Dawlish still feeling like a Victorian resort, going back to the days when it was first popular. The delightful Lawn area of gardens, with pretty waterfalls and black swans, still give enjoyment to visitors as they have for almost 200 years. Dawlish reached its zenith of popularity in the 1960’s, when hardly a room could be had in the town during the summer months, it is a little quieter these day but still very popular with tourists, who come to enjoy the pleasant weather conditions, the sandy beach and the general feel of the place. To the north east of the town is the even smaller resort of Dawlish Warren, home of many holiday camps and caravan parks, and also home to a golf course and Nature Reserve. Dawlish Warren is connected to Dawlish itself by the aforementioned railway, and is also worth a visit if you in the area. Dawlish Warren has miles of sandy beaches and sand dunes, a great place to take the kids when the weather is sunny.
September 2, 2010
Budleigh Salterton Devon
Located between the towns of Exmouth and Sidmouth in the north of Devon, the small town of Budleigh Salterton has a population of just under 5,000 and sits at the mouth of the Otter river, in an area of great natural beauty. The estuary around Budleigh Salterton is a significant area for migratory birds and attracts many “twitchers” to this tranquil residential town. The town does attract some holidaymakers, as it has a decent beach, and the surrounding coastline is popular with walkers and hikers as well as fossil hunters who are attracted to the Jurassic World Heritage Site. When the weather is fine, it welcomes many day trippers from nearby Exeter and other surrounding towns, though for most of the year it is a peaceful place. Nearby towns include Seaton, Sidmouth, Ottery St Mary and Exeter
Teignmouth Devon
A popular town and seaside resort located in the county of Devon, England, Teignmouth stands on the River Teign estuary to the north of Torquay. With a population of around 14,000, Teignmouth is just a small town, though its numbers of course grow during the summer season as thousands of holidaymakers descend on the resort for their summer vacation. For many centuries just a small fishing village, Teignmouth became popular as a holiday destination during Victorian times, after the arrival of the railway line connecting it with neighbouring towns as well as London and Penzance. The fine weather experienced by the town was of course the major draw, but bathing in the healthy sea waters was much the rage during the Victorian era. Historically Teignmouth is famous as being the last place in England to be invaded by a foreign power (1690). The port of Teignmouth has had significance since the 13th century, and handled grain, timber and clay, the first quay was built during the 18th century. These days tourism is the major industry for the town and it has plenty of hotels and guest houses for those wishing to visit the town.
Paignton Devon a Brief History
A lovely seaside town located in the town of Devon in south-west England, Paignton has a population of around 48,000 and lies on Torbay between the equally popular resorts of Torquay and Brixham. For many centuries just a small fishing village Paignton traces its history back to the times of the ancient Celts, though it is first recorded as a settlement in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was called Peynton, a name derived from the Celtic language meaning “town of Paega”. Paignton mostly grew as a town during the 19th century when a new harbour was constructed (1847) to improve the towns seabound communications, and the railway arrived, linking the town with London via Torquay. The town grew considerably after this taking in several surrounding villages such as Preston and Goodrington. Becoming popular as a seaside resort during the Victorian period due to its fine weather and healthy atmosphere, Paignton has its pier erected in 1879, in the height of the British seaside resort era in the 1960’s the Festival Theatre opened to provide entertainment for its many visitors. Paignton has plenty of guest houses and hotels, should you wish to stay overnight or for a holiday and such establishments as the Preston Sands Hotel should prove adequate for your needs, larger hotels are of course available as are holiday cottages in the surrounding villages, which may be your preferred accommodation. When staying in Paignton you should take a day out to visit the nearby Dartmoor National Park, a large area of great natural beauty with many charming little villages and some interesting archaeological sites. Paignton can be reached by road by way of the A380, can be reached by rail, and is also within easy driving distance of Exeter airport, it is about 20 miles from Exeter, only 8 miles from Newton Abbot and its racecourse, and just 2 miles from Torquay.
September 1, 2010
The Devoncourt Hotel Exmouth
If you are visiting Exmouth in Devon this year, and planning more than just a day trip, you will probably be looking for a hotel of guest house for your accommodation in the town. A good candidate that you might want to consider is the Devoncourt Hotel in Douglas Avenue. Standing in extensive grounds (it even has its own golf course) the hotel offers excellent leisure facilities and comfortable rooms. A good base for touring this part of Devon, Exmouth is just nine miles south of the city of Exeter and its International airport. A port and popular holiday resort enjoying some fine weather conditions, Exmouth is at the mouth of the Exe river and has some decent beaches and a good range of amenities. Rooms in the Devoncourt Hotel are available from around 92 euros per night (£76). Exmouth can be accessed by road, rail or air (via Exeter airport), and stands on the A376.