ENJOY TOUCHES OF LUXURY ON STUNNING ENGLISH RIVIERA The cream of Devon
FORGET the French Riviera. Who needs Saint-Tropez when we have stunning Salcombe?
This elegant estuary town is the jewel of the south Devon coastline that sparkles even when the sun isn’t shining.
In the picturesque harbour, boats of all shapes and sizes bob on the water while the narrow streets bustle with locals and holidaymakers, soaking up the independent shops, boutiques, bars, pasty parlours and restaurants.
Sit on the wall to watch the world go by, or catch the little motorboat from the jetty next to the waterside Ferry Inn to the gorgeous beaches of East Portlemouth and Mill Bay.
A quick hop around the headland on the Salcombe side takes you to North Sands and
South Sands beaches. While it is hard to drag yourself away from the glamour of Salcombe, the coastal drive north towards Torquay, part of the English Riviera, leaves your senses alive with more natural beauties nestled along the shoreline. Blackpool Sands is a sheltered arch of shingle beach set among evergreens and pines. Further along is the quaint sailing village of Dittisham on the River Dart. Ring the public bell outside the Ferry Boat Inn and the water taxi arrives to transport you across the placid stretch of water to Greenway House, the magnificent Georgian building that was once the home of Agatha Christie and is now owned by the National Trust. The author bought it as a summer retreat in 1938 and wrote some of her most famous work there.
It is little wonder Christie found inspiration from such an irresistible piece of woodland.
Further down the Dart, Dartmouth is a pretty tourist town made up of a busy harbour and pastel-painted hillside homes.
A small car ferry transports motorists across the water to continue a journey that takes in Brixham, Paignton and then Torquay.
Torquay remains Torbay’s most popular tourist town, one now boasting an impeccable B&B in the shape of The 25 Boutique run by Andy and Julian Banner-Price.
The imposing guesthouse, named “the world’s best”, is close to the town centre and is within walking distance of the beach.
But the problem is once you’ve checked in you won’t really want to go anywhere else. The B&B, inset left, boasts six individually styled rooms offering cutting-edge design, gadgetry and personal touches of luxury, right down to the bed linen and pillows.
The adult-only property has nightly rates starting from £128, with homemade biscuits and cakes included in the price along with Elemis toiletries.
For something more traditional, try Georgian gem Orestone Manor in the peaceful village of Maidencombe.
Family-run and with sensational views across Lyme Bay, the Georgian manor house has 14 unique and lovingly refurbished bedrooms.
The Garden Room (pictured bottom left) oozes charm, with its four-poster bed.
Breakfast can be enjoyed in the airy conservatory, while sensational food, including seafood platters, steaks and sumptuous salads, is served in the 2AA Rosette restaurant by attentive staff who believe bespoke is best.
The perfect hosts in the most picturesque setting, this place is truly Devon sent.