Local Area Information - Places to visit, Places to eat, Shops, Beaches, Travel
PLACES TO VISIT
Torcross is situated in a beautiful area of South Devon, and is in easy reach of many tourist attractions.
Under the TV in the cottage, you will find a box of brochures on local attractions, tourist guides, and maps of local walks. Also see the South Devon website if you have a smart phone or tablet with you. (The cottage has WiFi).
https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/
Recommended places to visit include:
Dartmouth
- walk around the quaint old town with hundreds of years of history, and soak up the beauty of the River Dart estuary with all the boats.
- take a pleasure boat trip up the river to Totnes and observe the unspoilt beauty of the river. Perhaps take the ferry to Agatha Christie's home on the banks of the river (or go by car using the upper car ferry, but you must book a carpark space at Greenways first)
- take the ferry across to Kingswear, and board the steam train for a nostalgic ride to Paignton. Alternatively board a tour boat at Dartmouth to take in the Round Robin trip. This is a river trip to Totnes, then a bus ride to Paignton to catch the steam train back to Kingswear.
- It is worth checking with the Dartmouth Tourist Board to see if the Britannia Naval College will be open during your stay. They do tours in between intake of new cadets.
- Visit the Old Market where much of the Onedin Line was filmed. Market days are Tuesday and Friday
Salcombe
Along with Dartmouth, Salcombe is one of the most beautiful estuaries in the country. Advisable to use the Park and Ride in peak seasons. An interesting town to wander through.
Kingsbridge
Another interesting harbour. Plenty of cafes and boutique shops
If you want to go further afield there is Plymouth - a large naval town steeped in history.
- Or perhaps a trip onto Dartmoor passing through Buckfastleigh - take in a view of the Abbey. Dartmoor itself could be a full days trip exploring the interesting places such as Princetown (Prison Museum), Chagford, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Dartmeet, Becky Falls . Keep a look out for the famous Dartmoor ponies, and perhaps visit the Miniature Pony Centre.
Burgh Island accessible from Bigbury. Either take the tractor across or walk (at low tide). Visit the Pilchard Inn (old smugglers' haunt), and see the hotel used for many of Agatha Christie's films.
South West Coastal Path
This is a beautiful coastal walk with stunning views. Try any section between Dartmouth and Salcombe, and you will want to do it all! Visit the Start Point Lighthouse, either by walking the coastal path from Torcross, or taking your car to the car park above the lighthouse.
PLACES TO EAT
Sea Breeze Café (On the front) Tel: 01548 580697 www.seabreezebreaks.com
Good tea and coffee, homemade cakes, scones and light meals. Very picturesque.
Start Bay Inn (on the front) Tel: 01548 580553 www.startbayinn.co.uk
Good pub food, especially known for its fish and chips. Always busy and very popular.
Boat House café/restaurant (on the front) www.torcrossboathouse.com
It is located on the sea front near the Start Bay Inn. Classic range of seaside meals such as fish and chips, stone baked pizzas etc . (Opening times may vary with the season)
Queens Arms, Slapton Village Tel: 01548 580800 www.queensarmsslapton.co.uk
Good home made food. Limited parking spaces in peak season.
Tower Inn Slapton Village Tel: 01548 580216 www.thetowerinn.com
Lovely old inn. Parking difficult as access to pub very narrow, and car park small. Some roadside parking in village, but may be necessary to park in the small ‘park and walk’ car park on the sea side of the village, and take a 10min stroll up through the village.
Brittania @ the Beach, Beesands – often referred to as “The Shack”
Tel: 01548 581168 www.britanniaatthebeach.co.uk
Beach-shack-style restaurant. Excellent chef, locally caught fish, beautifully cooked. If you wish to drink alcohol it’s a BYO. Usually necessary to book in advance during the summer season.
Cricket Inn, Beesands Tel: 01548 580215 www.thecricketinn.com
Gastro pub, interesting menu. Need to book a table at peak times
Tradesman’s Arms, Stokenham Tel: 01548 580996 www.thetradesmansarms.co.uk
Good pub food, traditional Sunday roast, booking advisable.
Church House Inn, Stokenham Tel: 01548 580253
Good food, popular with locals and visitors. Good range of menu. Booking advisable.
The Laughing Monk, Strete. Tel: 01803 770639 www.thelaughingmonkdevon.co.uk
Award winning local restaurant
There are Chinese and Indian restaurants in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge
SHOPS
Village shop and Post Office in the square at Torcross. Sells most basic groceries, including bread and milk, tea, coffee, wine etc. and newspapers.
Farm Shop
About a half mile towards Kingsbridge on the right hand side. Fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, bread and a selection of delicatessen items. Also has a small café.
There is a wide variety of shops in Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and Totnes. Ideal for browsing through.
Torcross is about 9 miles from Dartmouth and 7 miles from Kingsbridge.
Supermarkets at Kingsbridge: Morrison’s and Tesco’s
Supermarkets in Dartmouth: Sainsbury’s and Lidl both near the Park and Ride.
There is a Marks and Spencer Food store in Dartmouth town.
BEACHES
Beach at Torcross:
Hazelcot is 30 metres from the beach. Torcross beach varies from pebbles to very fine shingle. It faces East, and the water is often completely calm - ideal for swimming, canoeing, boating, windsurfing.
Sandy beaches nearby:
Blackpool Sands (about 3 miles) - very fine shingle/coarse sand. This is a real beauty spot, and well worth a visit.
Bantham Beach: (about 12 miles) soft sand - a centre for enthusiasts for surfing, kite surfing. (No dogs between May - Sept)
Also sandy: Bigbury, Thurlestone, Hope Cove, Lannacombe
Travel:
The use of a car is recommended to fully enjoy the area.
Nearest Airport : Exeter - 45 miles
Nearest main line railway : Totnes - 15 miles
If travelling to Torcross by public transport, take the train to Totnes, and then use the local bus services from Totnes to Torcross via Dartmouth or via Kingsbridge. The number 3 bus service from Dartmouth to Kingsbridge is very scenic, and worth a trip during your holiday - especially from upstairs on one of the double decker buses which are normally used on this route.
Distances:
Torcross is a village in Start Bay the nearest towns being Kingsbridge (7miles) and Dartmouth (9 miles). Totnes is 15 miles away.
Other places worth visiting:
Salcombe 13 miles
Plymouth 31 miles
Bantham Sands 12 miles
Torquay 24 miles
Buckfast Abbey (Edge of Dartmoor) 21 miles
Further Details:
Torcross has a village store and post office (unfortunately currently closed and up for sale). It sells day to day groceries etc. and food at reasonable prices. Stokeley Garden Centre half a mile away has a top class deli and fish/meat counter. A restaurant has recently opened there. Kingsbridge and Dartmouth have plenty of bakeries and supermarkets. A good choice of local pubs and restaurants. Never will you be hungry. Banks in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge. Indoor swimming pool and leisure centre in both towns. Dartmouth and Kingsbridge both have the usual supermarket chains
