Help me decide where to holiday in Devon

[Rainydaysandmondays2]

Please help me decide where to go. I’m looking to spend 5-7 days later on in the year (hopefully during summer) in Devon. Would really love an old school type Enid Blyton-esque holiday. Will be and a friend and my dog. Looking for somewhere with lots of old world charm, good food and lovely beaches.

Am completely confusing myself between Torquay, Salcombe, Woolacombe, Paignton.

Any hints or tips or advice???

North Devon has better beaches, especially if you like bodyboarding, and some really lovely scenery, but there is way more to do in South Devon.

Define better? I think South Devon beaches are better. There is Bigbury for surfing.

Thank you! I am writing down all these suggestions.

Am seriously considering getting a wetsuit! I do love a lovely warm blue sea but either way I want to get in the water.

I would love to do wild swimming. I’ve never done it before and am a bit nervous. Are there any places you’d recommend?

If you do go somewhere near Dartmouth/Slapton along that way. It’s not sand it’s very fine shingle.

Place called Blackpool Sands which looks amazing isn’t sand. It’s shingle which gets in between your toes! Along that coast it’s the same.

Oo following this! Though I guess everywhere will be absolutely rammed

www.amazon.co.uk/Swimming-Walks-Dartmoor-South-Devon/dp/191063607X/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=wild+swimming+book&sprefix=wild+swimm&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1614111483&sr=8-7

That is why I love Blackpool Sands. It’s lovely to swim and paddle board in, never gets over crowded as big, lovely owners, can sit right by the edge of the sea, clean, beautiful, lovely atmosphere.....

Abbotsham is beautiful. Theres's a lovely pub doing fantastic food. Coast path walks on your doorstep, Abbotsham cliffs is breathtaking and you can walk from there to westward Ho. I would choose North Devon over South Coast any day, so much more peaceful and less built up.

@Fa1rhaven

That is why I love Blackpool Sands. It’s lovely to swim and paddle board in, never gets over crowded as big, lovely owners, can sit right by the edge of the sea, clean, beautiful, lovely atmosphere.....

It’s good we don’t all like the same thing!

South Devon isn’t built up. I’d steer away from Torquay and Paignton though.

Sorry @Fa1rhaven I was really generalising there as I appreciate its a huge area I haven't fully explored

@BeastOfBODMAS

To all the people saying Torquay and Paignton are rough as arseholes, Oi!!!

Dartmouth is beautiful, the boat/steam train trip from Paignton is really nice, you can probably ‘do’ Paignton in a day - walk the coast path towards Brixham and you will alternate big sweeping beaches with facilities and little quiet coves.

I think you would enjoy Shaldon village which is just over the river from Teignmouth, it’s very quaint and pretty, there are several pubs with beer gardens opening straight onto the beach and plenty of things to do.

Topsham near Exeter is lovely, many naice restaurants and shops but not crazy Salcombe posh. It’s on the Exe estuary but you have Exmouth nearby which has a really good beach. Turf Locks pub is a good day’s adventure, either a long river walk or a kayak to get there, there’s no road!

The Paignton-Exmouth train line is your friend to beat the traffic, it’s very scenic and you could enjoy a different seaside town every day for a week.

I've been desperately trying to remember the name of the Turf lock for years and trying to find it again. Thank you! It's such a beautiful walk.

@Creepycaterpillar you’re very welcome- it’s high on my list of places to revisit as soon as we are able! Along with the Cockwood Inn snarfle

Torcross is my go to place has been all my life.
I'm lucky enough to live up the road.

X

@thesunwillout

Torcross is my go to place has been all my life. I'm lucky enough to live up the road.

X

You are lucky. My family all love it.

@Fa1rhaven

That is why I love Blackpool Sands. It’s lovely to swim and paddle board in, never gets over crowded as big, lovely owners, can sit right by the edge of the sea, clean, beautiful, lovely atmosphere.....

I think waking up in one of the guest houses/holiday cottages right on the front at Torcross, breakfast hopefully at one of the outside tables at the pub or little restaurant overlooking the beach and then a short drive or even better getting the bus to Blackpool Sands. Upstairs on the bus going to Blackpool Sands was something my kids loved and so convenient.

Yep seriously missing The Start Bay Inn.
They put tables in the car park last summer.
Be great to actually go in the pub again. I love it in the winter so cosy and reminds me of childhood holidays.
Being in the top deck of the bus to Blackpool sands must be thrilling with the views and winding road!

Salcombe is stunning but no locals like it there in the summer really, there are some seriously snobby entitled people about.

Don't forget Beesands and Hallsands and the coastal path.
Also East Prawle. Legendary pub.

When I last went to Hallsands the beach had disappeared. Nothing there. Only some peat exposed. So sad. The costal erosion is happening so fast on that bit of coast. When I was a child it was a beautiful beach. We used to have a pub lunch at the Hallsands Hotel and park opposite in the car park. It’s all gone now.

@thesunwillout

Yep seriously missing The Start Bay Inn. They put tables in the car park last summer. Be great to actually go in the pub again. I love it in the winter so cosy and reminds me of childhood holidays. Being in the top deck of the bus to Blackpool sands must be thrilling with the views and winding road!

Salcombe is stunning but no locals like it there in the summer really, there are some seriously snobby entitled people about.

Don't forget Beesands and Hallsands and the coastal path.
Also East Prawle. Legendary pub.

But don't order the large cod and chips at the Start Bay, the cod is so big they can't fit it on the plate! The trouble is that it is the best fish and chips and you eat till you're stuffed. Well I do.

Yes the bus to Blackpool Sands is great, in fact get the bus from Torcross to Dartmouth, you couldn't get a better view trip anywhere.