Thurlestone holds a particular place in my coronary heart and it’s positively value a go to if you end up on the south coast of Devon.
When I used to be younger I spent each summer season vacation down in Devon and nearly day by day my mom would make the hour drive from my grandparents’ home to Thurlestone. We would pack a cooler with lunch packing containers, magazines and chilly drinks, then trek throughout Thurlestone golf course to Yarmer Beach. There’s no parking on the seashore and you need to hike down a steep cliff path to get to it, but it surely was at all times completely value it. We would spend our days fishing within the little rock swimming pools when the tide was out, or bodyboarding when the tide was in. Since the seashore faces southwest and is flanked by tall cliffs, it was at all times sheltered and appeared to have its personal microclimate.
After the seashore we might generally cease at The Village Inn for a pleasant chilly drink to reward ourselves after the hike. The village itself is a quintessential English countryside village, with thatched cottages and a historic church. It’s a small place so there’s not a ton of stuff to do there, but it surely’s stunning and stress-free.
In this information I’ll cowl issues to do in Thurlestone, learn how to get there, and the place to eat whilst you’re there.
Getting There
By Car: Thurlestone is definitely accessible by automotive. It’s a few 4-hour drive from London, taking the M4, M5, after which the A381 in direction of Kingsbridge, adopted by native roads resulting in the village.
By Train: The nearest prepare station is Totnes, which has good connections from London and different main cities. From Totnes, you may take a taxi or a bus to achieve Thurlestone.
By Bus: There are native bus companies from Kingsbridge and different close by cities to Thurlestone, although these could also be rare. I’d extremely advocate driving or renting a automotive.
Where to Stay
There’s just one lodge in Thurlestone, and in the summertime it will probably get fairly booked up. If it’s full, I’d recommend resorts in close by areas akin to Hope Cove, Kingsbridge and Salcombe. Or you would contemplate renting a vacation cottage.
In Thurlestone
- Thurlestone Hotel: For these looking for luxurious, the Thurlestone Hotel provides high-end facilities with beautiful views of the ocean.
- Guest Houses & B&Bs: There are a number of charming mattress and breakfasts within the village that provide a comfortable and private expertise.
- Holiday Cottages: Renting a cottage can provide you a house away from dwelling really feel, perfect for households and teams.
Bigbury
- Burgh Island Hotel – An iconic Art Deco lodge by itself non-public island.
- The Old Chapel – A singular lodging expertise in a transformed chapel.
Hope Cove
- The Hope and Anchor – A comfy inn with beautiful views of the bay.
- The Sun Bay Hotel – Offers a cushty keep close to the seashore.
Salcombe
- Salcombe Harbour Hotel & Spa – A luxurious lodge with a spa and picturesque harbour views.
- South Sands Hotel – A classy beachside lodge with a sea-facing restaurant and modern rooms.
Kingsbridge
- The Royal Oak – A conventional lodge with fashionable amenities.
- Kings Arms Hotel – Known for its heat, pleasant service and central location.
What to Do
Thurlestone Beach/South Milton Sands
Thurlestone Beach is famed for its pure magnificence accentuated by the placing Thurlestone Rock arch offshore. This family-friendly, sandy seashore provides protected swimming, rock pooling, and water sports activities, set towards a backdrop of rolling hills. With straightforward accessibility and close by amenities, it’s an ideal spot for each leisure and journey. The scenic shoreline and wealthy marine life additionally make it standard for snorkeling and wildlife watching, offering a serene escape inside South Devon.
Yarmer Beach
Yarmer Beach, a hidden gem in South Devon, provides a tranquil retreat with its stretch of golden sands and rugged magnificence. This secluded spot is ideal for these looking for peace away from the crowds, with alternatives for rock pooling and coastal walks. The seashore is backed by undulating golf greens, including a novel appeal. Ideal for canine walkers and nature lovers, Yarmer Beach offers a serene haven for leisure and exploration alongside the picturesque shoreline.
Bantham Beach
Bantham Beach, acclaimed for its beautiful panorama, provides a sweeping expanse of golden sand towards a backdrop of lush Devon hills. Renowned as one in all South Devon’s premier surf spots, it attracts surfers and paddleboarders alike. Its shallow waters and rock swimming pools make it an excellent playground for households. With the dramatic Burgh Island within the distance, Bantham offers a picturesque setting for beachgoers, making it an important go to for anybody exploring the South Hams coast.
Thurlestone Rock
Thurlestone Rock, an iconic pure archway, stands majestically off the coast of South Devon, close to Thurlestone Beach. Fashioned by the relentless pressure of the ocean, this placing geological characteristic consists of eroded limestone, making a picturesque silhouette towards the horizon. Popular amongst photographers, birdwatchers, and nature fanatics, Thurlestone Rock is a beloved landmark, embodying the rugged fantastic thing about the English shoreline. Its presence enhances the scenic appeal of the encompassing seashores and provides a novel backdrop for beachgoers and water sports activities aficionados.
Thurlestone Golf Club
Thurlestone Golf Course, set towards the beautiful backdrop of the South Devon coast, provides golfers an 18-hole, par-71 hyperlinks problem. Its fairways roll by way of pure coastal terrain, offering breath-taking sea views and a different play that caters to all ability ranges. The course is well known for its meticulous upkeep and the picturesque landscapes that encapsulate the fantastic thing about Thurlestone, together with views of the famed Thurlestone Rock. A welcoming clubhouse provides to the enchantment, making Thurlestone a must-visit for golf fanatics.
Hiking the Southwest Coastal Path
Hiking the Southwest Coastal Path by way of Thurlestone provides an exhilarating expertise, the place rugged cliffs meet the azure expanse of the ocean. This section of the trail winds previous the long-lasting Thurlestone Rock, by way of verdant countryside and scenic seashores, offering a various panorama. Ideal for nature lovers and avid walkers, the path presents alternatives for chicken watching, pictures, and immersing oneself within the tranquil fantastic thing about the South Devon coast. Each step reveals breathtaking views, making it a quintessential out of doors journey.
Water Sports
Thurlestone, with its beautiful South Devon shoreline, is a haven for water sports activities fanatics. The space’s clear waters and scenic seashores supply excellent circumstances for a wide range of actions, from serene paddle boarding and kayaking across the iconic Thurlestone Rock to exhilarating windsurfing and kitesurfing when the wind picks up. The sheltered bays present protected spots for swimming and snorkeling, permitting guests to discover the wealthy marine life. Thurlestone caters to all ranges of expertise, promising journey and pleasure on the water.
All Saints Church
All Saints Church in Thurlestone, a quintessential characteristic of the English countryside, holds centuries of historical past inside its partitions. With origins tracing again to the thirteenth century, this stunning parish church, constructed of native slate and shale, stands testomony to the world’s wealthy heritage. Its serene churchyard, providing panoramic views of the encompassing panorama, offers a tranquil house for reflection. The church’s structure, with its distinctive tower and stylish inside, captivates guests, making it a focus of neighborhood life and spirituality.
Where to Eat & Drink
There are only a handful of locations to eat at in Thurlestone. If you need extra choices, I’d recommend paying a go to to Hope Cove or Salcombe.
- The Village Inn – A conventional pub presenting traditional English meals and an array of native beers.
- Thurlestone Hotel – A wonderful eating venue throughout the lodge, highlighting native, seasonal produce.
- Beachhouse Cafe – Ideal for informal eating, it provides gentle meals and drinks with breathtaking seaside views.
- The Sloop Inn – Located in close by Bantham, this inn is famend for its recent seafood and welcoming environment.
- The Trevilder – Offering a various menu with culinary delights making certain a tasty eating expertise for its patrons.
Local Events
Thurlestone Village Fete: An annual occasion, usually in August, that includes video games, stalls, and conventional English leisure.
Travel Tips
Weather
Thurlestone experiences a gentle maritime local weather, with the very best climate normally from late spring to early autumn (May to September). Summers are heat however not overly scorching, perfect for seashore actions and mountain climbing. Winters are cooler and wetter, appropriate for many who get pleasure from quieter, scenic walks. For optimum circumstances for out of doors actions and to benefit from the coastal surroundings at its best, visiting between June and August is extremely advisable.
Mobile Signal
Some areas, particularly on the seashores or alongside the coast path, could have restricted cell reception. Keep this in thoughts!
A Final Word…
Thurlestone is really a jewel in Devon’s crown, providing a peaceable retreat the place you may lay on the seashore, play a spherical of golf or calm down with a chilly pint in hand. If you’r visiting with a automotive, make certain to discover extra locations alongside the south coast of Devon, together with Salcombe, Hope Cove and Kingsbridge.