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.
Wherever you are in the Kingsbridge area you are never far from the sea - from Bigbury-on-Sea, Burgh Island and Bantham to the west; Hope Cove, Soar Mill Cove and the beaches at Salcombe to the south, and Slapton Sands and Blackpool Sands to the east (with many other secluded coves in-between). Boat trips are available in the summer from Kingsbridge to Salcombe (and back again), across the estuary at Salcombe (all year), across the River Avon at Bantham and up and down the River Dart between Totnes and Dartmouth. Boats of all shapes and sizes can also be hired in Salcombe and Dartmouth (depending on experience and abilities).
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.
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.
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 or bus.
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 and Newton Abbot. 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.