Holiday Cottage Brixham

Coastal Path walks

There are many fantastic coastal walks around Brixham, some walking directly from Trade Winds Cottage. The South Devon Coastal path runs past the cottage around the harbour in one direction towards the Breakwater and towards Berry Head and the other towards, Fishcombe cove. https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk

boat trips

A boat trip is the perfect way to see the English Riviera from one of its best vantage points - the sea! Whether you're looking for a sight-seeing trip, wildlife trip, fishing excursion or simply to cross the bay on a ferry, there are plenty of options available.

Western Lady Ferry Service
Operate from New Pier, Brixham. Run regular ferries between Brixham and Torquay. Also run wildlife cruises, evening cruises, special events and fishing trips.

Paignton Pleasure Cruises
Operate from Brixham Harbour. Run a regular Brixham to Torquay ferry service, Paignton ferry, cruises to Dartmouth, evening cruises, wildlife cruises, special events and fishing trips - both mackerel and wreck fishing.

water sports

Kayaking and paddle boarding are popular sports. The closest places to hire equipment are Broadsands Beach and Dittisham (near Dartmouth) Broadsands watersports has a live webcam where you can check out the waves.

https://www.broadsands-watersports.co.uk/
https://dittishamboats.co.uk/paddle-boards/

Berry head nature reserve

There is nothing better than a walk up to Berry Head. The views are stunning and a walk around the ancient forts followed by a visit to the Guardhouse cafe or Berry Head hotel is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

Location and getting there – Brixham (Berry Head), 30 minute walk from the cottage

Walk around the harbour, past the breakwater, along the beach and up the steps. Turn left at the top, then walk up past the Berry Head Hotel, turn left, and walk up through the woods to Berry Head. See the map in the “Walks” section.

kents cavern prehistoric caves

Kent’s Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age cave sites in Europe, making it Britain’s premier prehistoric cave.

For thousands of years the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping stone tools and hunting wild Ice Age predators. You will be taken back to these ancient times as you walk through the extensive labyrinth of caverns surrounded by spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Location and getting there – Between Torquay and Babbacombe, probably easier to drive to.

shoalstone pool

Shoalstone Pool is an outdoor 53-metre seawater swimming Pool situated in a stunning position on Brixham sea front. The Pool is one of only a few left in the country. It is built into a natural rock pool that in Victorian times was popular for bathing.

Entrance is free of charge!

Location and getting there – Brixham, 20 minute walk from the cottage.

paignton zoo

With over 2,000 animals across 80 acres – you are in for a wild time at Paignton Zoo.

Location and getting there – Paignton, take the number 12 bus if you do not want to drive.

splashdown@quaywest

Splashdown Waterpark@Quaywest, is a great day out for family and friends. There is something for everyone to enjoy – from big kids to little ones – with some of the UK’s most exciting flume rides and some of the English Riviera’s most spectacular views, it is located right next to Goodrington Beach.
For thrill seekers there is the heart stopping plummet the Devil’s Drop and terrifically tumbling tyre rides, that will have you hanging onto the edge of your tyre, literally, and the Wild Kamikaze – well the name says it all! If that sounds a bit too much like hard work then a quick dip in the swimming pool and a laze on a sun-bed might be more to your liking then you can do that too, with views over South Devon’s beautiful Tor Bay.

Younger kids can get in the swim too with Submarine Splash and Tiddler’s Fun Pool – a perfect place for little ones to enjoy a good old splash about.

Want more than the waterpark? Goodrington Sands, a stone’s throw from the door and a great place to visit, sand to play on and rock pools to discover at low tide and loads more.

Location and getting there – Paignton, take the number 12 bus if you do not want to drive.

totnes market town

Totnes is an historic market town that combines alternative therapies, breathtakingly beautiful countryside and a fascinating history. Sitting in the heart of South Devon on the banks of the River Dart, this unique and charming town has an international reputation for its lively and diverse community and relaxed atmosphere.

For shopping addicts Totnes offers an excellent range of small independent retailers and unique shops, the town is famed for its promotion of ethical products, wholefoods and fair trade goods. In the Civil Hall Square you will find the weekly market, held on Fridays and Saturdays, an Elizabethan market held each Tuesday morning (May-September), when traders dress in Elizabethan period costumes and the Totnes Sunday Good Food Market.

dartmouth

The beautiful town of Dartmouth situated on the mouth of the River Dart is one of South Devon’s most popular and enchanting towns. With its charming historic streets, Castle, scenic river location and surrounded by South Devon countryside you have to go a long way to find a town as pretty.

Dartmouth is full of history and heritage, no trip to Dartmouth would be complete without visiting Dartmouth Castle. For over 600 years, Dartmouth Castle has guarded the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary and the busy, vibrant port of Dartmouth. It offers stunning views of the estuary, out to sea, and offers a great family day out, whatever the weather.

berry pomeroy castle

Tucked away in a deep wooded valley, Berry Pomeroy Castle is the perfect romantic ruin with a colourful history of intrigue.

Within the 15th-century defences of the Pomeroy family castle, looms the dramatic ruined shell of its successor, the great Elizabethan mansion of the Seymour’s. Begun in around 1560 and ambitiously enlarged from around 1600, their mansion was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon. Never completed, and abandoned by 1700, it became the focus of blood-curdling ghost stories, recounted in the audio tour.

The location of the castle makes it ideal for walkers who can explore the nearby beautiful woodland or you can enjoy a light lunch, homemade cake or restorative cup of tea in the cafe.

Coleton Fishacre

Travel back in time to the Jazz Age at the holiday home of the D'Oyly Carte family. You can lose yourself in the magical 12-hectare (30-acre) garden: viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, and tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley. This most evocative of holiday homes, built in the Arts and Crafts style, is imbued with 1920s' elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections.
Dogs: Welcome in the gardens, dog walking maps available via website or at reception.

Coleton Fishacre is open daily, 10.30am-5pm, from 13 Feb until 30 October, and then 11am-4pm November and December

Greenway - Agatha Cristies house

Agatha Christie described Greenway as “the loveliest place in the world”. It was here that she had her holiday home, on the banks of the River Dart. With a long history dating back to the 1490s, the house still retains features added by all generations of occupying families. Now managed by the National Trust, the property offers visitors an extraordinary glimpse into the private life of the Queen of Crime and her family.
Parking MUST be pre-booked, but this can be done easily by visiting: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway, or calling 01803 842382.
Dogs: Welcome in the gardens and grounds but are not allowed into the house.

Round robin

A steam train, river boat cruise and a ride on a bus all in one day!! The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company’s Round Robin trip offers the opportunity to experience all three of these. All set in the beautiful Devon countryside, next to the River Dart making it a great day out in Devon.

Steam Train Ride; Starts as Paignton Station and follows the coast to Kingswear where you will see the amazing coastal scenery including the golden beach of Goodrington Sands and Brixhm Harbour. The train then turned in land travelling through Greenway Tunnel, and on the other side there are extensive views of the River Dart. Just after the tunnel there was the opportunity to step off the train at Greenway Halt to visit Agatha Christie’s famous home of Greenway.

Visit to Dartmouth; You arrive at Kingswear station where there was an easy change at the end of the platform onto the quick passenger ferry to take you to Dartmouth where there are many independent shops and small cafes.

River Dart Cruise; The next part of our Round Robin trip is a cruise up the river Dart to Totnes on the Cardiff Castle. During the trip wildlife such as seals and sea bird are often seen.

Visit to Totnes; The cruise ends with going past Sharphams Estates, with the opportunity to visit for tours around the vineyards. Totnes is a great place to explore with it quirky cafés and shops, an excellent place to lose a few hours! Totnes is a medieval town with a castle and walls including the East Gate Arch. This town is definitely one of the best days out in Devon for any history lover!

Bus back to Paignton; Lastly and by no means least you travel on a double decker bus through the Devon countryside.

moors, Villages and ponies

When you visit Devon, and travel into the very heart of it, you will discover a magical, ancient landscape of stunning views, awe-inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers, and rugged, wide-open spaces. This is Dartmoor, where you can truly escape to find peace, quiet and extreme beauty.

Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Very well known for its annual extravaganza, the Fair, Widecombe is a superb place to add onto your holiday itinerary! With tearooms, hotels, shops, pubs and the most gorgeous of settings, this village is one to savour, as very often the wild ponies, sheep and cattle meander on the village green! The scenery surrounding the village is stunning as you come down the very steep hill it is just enchanting.

Spitchwick Common

A large, grassy area running along a bend in the River Dart where families have picnics and wild swimming in the holiday season. It is known for its natural beauty and is easily accessible from Ashburton and South Devon beyond. In places, rough-cut giant granite steps lead down to beautifully clean moorland water. Cliffs rise on the far side of the river at the top of its bend and you will see people fling themselves off the side into the far, deep channel of water.

To visit, follow the road that runs from Ashburton past the River Dart Country Park towards New Bridge (Newbridge). You cross the skinny New Bridge as it spans the River Dart. The main car park and toilets are in front of you. From there, you follow the north bank of the river under New Bridge to the Spitchwick area. You will see the grassy area open out in front of you with the bend in the river and cliff face behind.

Trade Winds Brixham