South Devon Coast (sailing seaside resorts)
South Devon is one of England’s mildest climates, and home to a few seaside resorts, often known for being popular with sustainable sailors.
If visiting the coast with your pooch, read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside.
Salcombe is one of England’s most expensive areas to live, alas it does suffer (like St Ives) from empty house syndrome, where holiday homes are left vacant for most of the year, leaving local people unable to buy affordable properties.
The seaside village of Hope Cove is known for its beautiful beaches, less touristy as it’s not so easy to reach, due to the winding roads (common in Devon).
Another popular sailing resort is Dartmouth, facing the water to Kingswear, home to pretty pastel houses and a steam train to Paignton, more of a ‘bucket and spade’ resort that’s not so expensive.
Other holiday resorts on this ‘English Riviera’ are Brixham and Torquay (the setting for TV comedy series Fawlty Towers).
There was controversy recently, when local people became furious, after miscommunication between the council and parks/gardens departments (along with ‘cost-cutting’) led to the felling (locals called it a massacre) of Torquay’s 40 palm trees.
Totnes – The World’s First Transition Town
Inland is the quirky town of Totnes, the world’s first transition town (where people shop locally, and install community solar panels). The idea to eventually be free from oil, so not affected by oil prices.
Totnes is home to England’s first zero waste shop, set up by a former Manchester United footballer and his wife (he also co-founded local company ReRooted Organic, which delivers organic oat drink in reusable glass bottles).
Buckfast Abbey (and its strong wine!)
Nor far away is the the old mill town of Buckfastleigh. Nearby is Buckfast Abbey, built by Catholic Benedictine monks over 800 years ago.
It’s known today for its high-caffeine wine that apparently sells well on Glasgow housing estates. It’s known locally as ‘rock the hoose juice’ or a bottle of ‘what are ye looking at?!’
