If your interested in exploring South Devon then the Cricket Inn is an ideal base camp whether your walking or driving.
For the walker, there are many beautiful local coastal and countryside walks to enjoy, and for the more adventurous Dartmoor is a mere 40 minute drive away.
Start Bay reaches from Dartmouth to Start Point near Salcombe. This includes the villages of Strete Gate, Stoke Flemming, Slapton, Torcross and Beesands. The coastlineis spectacular and alternates between high cliffs and a unique strip of land almost 2 miles long seperating the Sea at Slapton sands from the freshwater Ley behind.
Along the coast from Beesands lies the tragic village of Hallsands. Here a thriving fishing village once stood, perched on the edge of a narrow rock ledge open to the sea and its strong tides. In 1897 dredging of the bay began to supply gravel for an extension to Devonport Docks in Plymouth. It is believed that this was the cause of the villages destruction, as the shingle which washed upon the beach helped soften the winter storm tides.
In 1902 the dredging was stopped but the damage was already done as buildings were washed away during the winter storms until finally in January 1917 storms destroyed the entire village with the exception of 1 house.
A brisk 20 min walk down the coast from Beesands is Slapton. During World War II, Slapton Sands were used as a practice beach for the invasion of Europe. To allow this to happen, Torcross with a number of neighbouring villages were completely evacuated and American Forces moved in.
Many lost their lives during a practice exercise and a Tank recovered from the sea now sited in the car park serves as a reminder of their sacrifice. A further memorial of those times can also be found nearby.
For the golfer there is the championship course at Dartmouth as well as the friendly courses at Bigbury and Thurlestone.
For the angler, there is sea and coarse fishing with a freshwater lake within easy walking distance of the Inn. Angling trips to the local Skerries Bank or deep water wrecks are available from Dartmouth and Salcombe, as is self drive boat hire. Advance booking is recommended.
Start Point is one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast, running sharply almost a mile into the sea on the South side of Start Bay near Beesands. The Lighthouse, sited at the very end of the headland, has guided vessels in passage along the English Channel for since 1836.
The 1kw lamp with an intensity of 2000,000 candels waits inside an impressive lens for the automatic signal to cut in. Revolving three times every ten seconds, the light covers a range of 25 sea miles. A fixed red signal warns mariners of the treacherous Skerries Bank below and in poor visibility a fog warning kicks in automatically with a three second blast per minute.
Responsible for keeping everything in perfect working order until he retired just days into the new millennium, was Peter Kingston who was Assistant Keeper back in 1975. A team of four ran the lighthouse until automation took over in l992 at a cost of £82,754. Peter, as Keeper in Charge, was on call 24 hours a day with sole responsibility for maintenance of the tower and to keep the light shining.
The lighthouse is open to the public for just a few pounds per head for a guided tour.
If your lucky you may spot even spot the dolphins from the top which often congregate a few hundred yards off-shore to feed.
About an hours drive away is Paignton Zoo is home to thousands of amazing animals and plants. Visit the desert, cross the savannah, explore the forest and trek through the tropics. Use your senses to discover the wild world: look around, listen out - you’ll even need your sense of smell! It’s a great day out for everyone especially the kids with everything from Tigers, Elephants, Giraffe, Gorilla's and the entertaining Chimps off course.
In May 2006 Paignton Zoo’s rare Sumatran tigers had two cubs, further details can be found on the Zoo's website http://www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/
Approxiamately 20 mins drive away is Dartmouth a small town built around the slopes of the estuary and harbour. Guarding the entrance is Dartmouth Castle built on a rocky promontory at the narrowest part of the entrance to the Dart estuary, designed to protect the harbour at Dartmouth from attack by foreign vessels.
By the 19th century, Dartmouth's importance as a harbour had declined and the defences at the castle were reduced, although not entirely abandoned. The last gun emplacements to be built and manned were added during the Second World War. The castle is open to the public but be prepared for the walk from the town as its uphill most of the way. Small passenger boats run from the harbour and back every 15mins for a pound or so per person to the Castle grounds.
Torquay has been a favourite holiday resort for generations, superbly situated in beautiful Torbay, at the heart of the English Riviera in the county of Devon. The gentle climate, stunning views, delightful parks and gardens make Torquay a place where all the family can relax and be entertained. Explore the 22 miles of coastline with its many beaches and coves, switch off the stress and enjoy soaking up Torquay’s unique atmosphere.
The transformation of Torquay from a fishing village to the most glamorous of the west country’s resorts began in the early 18th century. The Royal Navy used Torquay for an anchorage during the Napoleonic wars; it was home to the wives of officers from the warships anchored in the bay. In the early 1800s Sir Laurence Palk had town plans drawn up, incorporating ideas inspired by Italian architecture. Some of the original Regency buildings can still be seen, at Hesketh Crescent and Lisburne Crescent. During 2005 the Royal Navy celebrations attracted tall ships from around the world to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar.
