24 Hours in Kingsbridge
PUBLISHED: 10:49 01 May 2015 | UPDATED: 10:49 01 May 2015
Kingsbridge Festival
Scot Baston
Here are our top tips for places to go and things to do in and around Kingsbridge.
Burgh IslandDaytime
Beach Scene
Bag a spot on Bigbury beach for picnics. Catch a wave at the Discovery Surf School with impressive sea views. At low tide, sneak off to Burgh Island - Agatha Christie’s inspiration for novels, then catch the sea tractor back.
Hare Off
Fast Rabbit Farm and gardens, set in 30 acres of Strawberry Valley. The farm was named after an ageing Collie dog did not pick up the word “hare,” but cottoned on to “fast rabbit.” The name stuck. fastrabbitfarm.co.uk
Butcher’s Brunch
Visit nearby Aune Valley Meat, South Hams’ premier butcher, established for over 20 years. Breakfast on the café terrace for valley views and visit the deli. If crabbing, crabs love bacon - hook, line and sinker! aunevalleymeat.co.uk
Kingsbridge FestivalNight Time
Sing About
Book ahead for the atmospheric venue that is nearby Buckfast Abbey, which, on 6 June echoes with an eve of enchanting chamber musical by the Alvington Singers. welcomesouthdevon.co.uk
Festival Fireworks
Save the dates: 29 -31 May Kingsbridge Food & Music Festival at Kingsbridge Square, with local producers. July 18-25 sees Kingsbridge Fair Week crab catching competitions, fireworks, and lantern parade. KIC at quay
The waterside dining scene at the Crabshell InnEating
Crab Happy
Side step other suggestions and book a table at the Crabshell Inn at The Quay for platters of local fresh seafood and locally prized sour dough pizzas. Known locally as The Crabbie, we love its sunny disposition on the waterside.
Chilli Hotspot
Ten minutes away, the South Devon Chilli Farm grows over 10,000 chilli plants a year to make tongue-tingling good sauces and famous jam. Try a taste, or lunch on the milder side. Children can also chill out. sdcf.co.uk
Smokehouse
Locals walk up the high street to buy the Catch of the Day’s “Salcombe Smokies” at 54 Fore Street. These favourite smoked mackerel fillets are freshly home-smoked, and smell divine, or try the crab bisque.
Salcombe HamperShopping
Crowd Teasers
As well as sending Devon’s clotted cream by post, get your picnic underway with an armful of local baked treats: pasties, biscuits, carrot cake, plus Heron Valley juices at The Cottage Kitchen. See cottage-kitchen-devon.co.uk
Sunday Special
The Lazy Sundays shop offers a lovely selection of handmade cards, pastel perfect accessories,and the company of Cooper the Cockapoo canine and friend Dixon dog who have a local fan club. southhams.com
Pack a Picnic
Singing PaddlesPicnic planners can pack up a dream alfresco outing. See Salcombe picnic hampers’ baskets at Kingsbridge’s Nicholsons wholefood shop. I spy the Dartmouth Executive, Chilled Chancellor, and The Sharpitor (right) models.
Reader Suggestions
Scott Tibbles
Visit the beautiful beach hut - stunning views over the Kingsbridge estuary.
Janine Carter
Definitely a trip down the estuary to Salcombe - either by ferry, row boat or even kayak
Sam Brooks
We live just outside Kingsbridge, please come and visit our studio by the river. We’d love to meet you :) cc @ Martin Books Art
@studio56fg
Had a fab lunch by the sea last weekend @Beachhousedevon
Akiko Umechi
To visit places relating to Agatha Christie’s novels and films - especially Burgh Island and the hotel.
Lindsay Russell
Include dinner at The Old Bakery! Always a wonderful welcome and wonderful tapas!
Next month we’ll be looking at... South Molton.
Send your suggestions of places we should mention to Emma Parfitt or emma.parfitt@archant.co.uk
