Written by resident experts Hilary Bradt, the late Janice Booth, and
Gill and Alistair Campbell, it remains the essential companion guide to
discovering not just the obvious and well-known sites, but also for
getting off the beaten track and understanding what makes this gorgeous
part of the country tick.
Much of the information in Bradt’s South Devon and Dartmoor has
appeared in no other guidebook (apart from previous editions of this
book) as the authors uncover the lesser-known charms of the region as
well as different aspects of the more popular places (from the English
Riviera and South Hams to Salcombe and Dartmoor), together with
colourful characters from the past, folk history, and literary links
from Agatha Christie to Conan Doyle.
The guide has a special emphasis on car-free travel: walking (this
edition features a revised selection of routes, including ‘miles without
stiles’ – accessible Dartmoor walks), cycling and river boats, as well
as local buses (including the new Dartmoor Explorer service) and trains.
This edition has a stronger emphasis on local food (both in markets
and when eating out), while the authors have updated their hand-picked
suggestions for places to eat and drink, and for accommodation (from
idyllically located campsites to boutique B&Bs via gypsy caravans,
treehouses, hill-top follies and haunted coaching inns).
Colourful and witty writing, along with the authors’ enthusiasm for
their subject, makes the guide a pleasure to read. With this updated
Bradt South Devon & Dartmoor Guidebook, discover the region’s
award-winning gin distillery and new whisky distillery; learn what
really goes on at a wassail gathering; find out what you should do if
you’re harassed by pixies on Dartmoor; and discover unique local events
like the annual Orange Race held in Totnes.
Also included are entertaining and informative stories about
historical characters and folklore, while small and historic little
village churches, with their idiosyncratic saints and intriguing
carvings, are described in loving detail.
1 THE EXE & TEIGN ESTUARIES
Getting there & around, Essential Exeter, The Exe Estuary, Dawlish
Warren & Dawlish, The Teign Valley, South of the Teign
2 THE ENGLISH RIVIERA: TORBAY
Getting there & around, North of Torbay, Torquay & around, Paignton to Brixham, Brixham
3 TOTNES & THE RIVER DART
Getting there & around, Totnes, Dartington & around, The middle
& lower River Dart, Riverside villages, Dartmouth & around,
Kingswear & the coast toward Brixham
4 THE SOUTH HAMS & DEVON’S FAR SOUTH
Getting there & around, The Slapton area, Approaching the South Hams
from Dartmoor, Devon’s far south, The southern beaches, River Avon,
Bigbury-on-Sea & Burgh Island, Ayrmer Cove, Westcombe Beach &
Ringmore, Modbury & area
5 PLYMOUTH, THE TAMAR VALLEY & SOUTHERN DARTMOOR
Getting there & around, Plymouth, South & southeast of Plymouth,
The Yealm Estuary, The Tamar Valley, East of the Tavy, Southern
Dartmoor
6 THE EASTERN FRINGE OF DARTMOOR
Getting there & around, The northern Teign Valley, Newton Abbot & area, Ashburton, Buckfastleigh & area
7 THE NORTHWESTERN FRINGE OF DARTMOOR
Getting there & around, The Beacon Villages, Okehampton & around, Lydford & around
8 DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK
Dartmoor: the hand of man, Dartmoor tin & the stannary towns,
Getting there & around, Chagford, Castle Drogo & the north, The
east, Bovey Tracey, The high moor, Southwest Dartmoor, The western moor,
Off the B3357
Reviews
‘Eye-opening and wonderful’ India Knight, The Sunday Times Magazine
‘Packed full of knowledge of the area.’ Tavistock Times Gazette
‘Bradt Guides really get to the heart of slow travel.’ Devon Life