About Kingsbridge

Dartmouth

Kingsbridge is a vibrant local market town nestled into the rolling hills of the South Hams - a sheltered rural area lying between the River Tamar in the west and the River Dart to the east. There is nothing sleepy about Kingsbridge - it is the centre of attention and focus for locals and visitors alike. There is a wide range of individual shops and businesses, a sports centre with indoor heated swimming pool and bowls rink, a cinema, nightclub and all the usual facilities required by a thriving community.

Kingsbridge established itself as a centre for trade and commerce in the 13th century when the Abbot of nearby Buckfast Abbey granted permission for his monks to set up an open-air market on the quay to sell their fruit, vegetables, honey and thick cream. The quay today offers a farmers' market on the first Saturday of each month and 2 or 3 general markets each week along with regular craft and flea markets in the town hall.

The history of Kingsbridge is all around you in the architecture, place names and family names. The Cookworthy Museum at the top of the main street offers a wealth of information on the development and rural culture of the town, including a reconstructed Edwardian chemist shop, a traditional farm and an outdoor gallery of farm equipment.

The Kingsbridge Information Centre holds a vast array of books and leaflets describing the history of Kingsbridge and the surrounding area. During the Second World War nearby Slapton Sands were used by the Americans to practice for the D Day landings - a Sherman Tank salvaged from the sea commemorates all those who lost their lives.

Slapton Sands

Salcombe

Bigury-on Sea

Visiting and staying in Kingsbridge is a year round delight. The area around the town, indeed the whole of the South Hams, boasts extraordinarily beautiful countryside dotted with pretty little villages and hamlets. An extensive network of footpaths, bridle-ways and country lanes allows the outdoor enthusiast, nature-lover, walker and cyclist access to the countryside. The South West Coast Path runs along the Heritage Coast of the South Hams through mainly National Trust owned land and provides many miles of excellent walking with stunning scenery. Conveniently placed pubs and inns along the route provide lunch stops - the Kingsbridge Information Centre has a selection of walking leaflets to guide you.

Pubs, inns, restaurants, cafes and hotels in and around Kingsbridge offer the widest choice of eating opportunities - from cream teas on the lawn to a la carte dinners overlooking the sea.

Totnes

Attractions for all the family can be found locally - including outdoor adventure parks with fair and wet weather facilities, farm attractions, riding, swimming, sailing, sail-boarding, golf, tennis, cycling, National Trust properties, fishing, boat hire, power-boating, etc., etc. If the call of city life beckons then the maritime city of Plymouth with the National Marine Aquarium, shopping, theatre, cinemas and history, and the ancient cathedral city of Exeter are both approximately 1 hour away by car. Kingsbridge is located in the heart of South Devon and yet is only 30 minutes drive from the A38 Expressway which links directly to the M5. Railway stations are situated in Totnes, Plymouth, Newton Abbot and Torquay. National Express coaches depart from Plymouth and Exeter and there are also airports in these two cities. Brittany Ferries operates a ferry link between Plymouth and Roscoff in northern Brittany and Santander in northern Spain.

How to get here:

By Road: M4/M5 or M25/M3/A303 to Exeter then A38. To use the AA route planner click here .

By Bus: Direct to Plymouth, Totnes, Exeter.

By Coach: To Totnes and Plymouth (National Express). Tel: 08705 808080 or contact your local travel agent. www.nationalexpress.com .

By Rail: Direct to Totnes, Newton Abbot and Plymouth (with some connecting services to Ivybridge) from London, the Midlands and the North. Tel: 08457 484950 or contact your rail appointed travel agent. www.thetrainline.com .

By Air: Plymouth and Exeter Airports are both within an hour of the South Hams. Bristol & Newquay airports are within two hours travelling time. Scheduled flights are available from a number of domestic, European and international destinations. Contact your local airport or travel agent or for Plymouth ring British Airways on 08457 799977 www.plymouthairport.com and for Exeter ring the airport on 01392 367433. www.exeter-airport.co.uk .

By Ferry: The South Hams is easily accessible from Plymouth Ferry Port. For details of sailings from France & Spain visit the Brittany Ferries website.

By Boat: The South Hams has many beautiful harbours and inlets which play host to visiting yachts. The two principal harbours are Dartmouth & Salcombe .

Tel 01548 853859
mike@kingsbridgesouthdevon.co.uk