East Prawle and beyond
Walks
This is an AONB which says it all really. Inland - steep, rolling hills dipping down through wooded valleys to the estuary which threads its way lazily through the landscape - time your walk with a visit to the Millbrook Inn at South Pool. Coastal walks start from the bottom of the garden where the South West Coast Path passes by. So, don those walking boots and head off in either direction to make the most of the spectacular scenery.
Local beaches
This is a land of rocky inlets and sandy coves, breathtakingly beautiful and often refreshingly free of crowds. Pack your swimming gear and venture to Lannacombe, Rickham Sands which has the super hotel and restaurant Gara Rock perched above it and other more secret beaches (info on booking!). A forty minute drive will take you via Kingsbridge to Bantham, Thurlestone and Bigbury with the wonderful Burgh Island a thrilling sea tractor ride away at high tide.
East Prawle
There’s a certain raffish charm to the village of East Prawle which draws holiday makers back year after year. There’s not really much to it apart from the thriving and eccentric pub and live music venue, the Pig’s Nose Inn as well as the Piglet Stores and Café all arranged around the village green - but somehow the mix of locals and visitors makes for a vibrant and lively atmosphere all year round.
Wildlife
Prawle Point is a welcome landing point for migratory birds and butterflies after their exhausting journeys. Peregrines take advantage of the craggy cliffs and the once common farmland bird, the cirl bunting, is often spotted here. Venture no further than the garden and you may see passing dolphins, seals and even the odd whale! Cliffs awash with wild flowers make for a nature lover’s idyll. If you’re in the garden stargazing in July and August (and why not?), you may spot the Perseid meteor shower putting on a spectacular show. Eyes peeled too for the arrival of the ‘moth man’ who comes annually at night to study the rare varieties found at Prawle Point…
Salcombe
A mere ten minute drive or a less mere hour’s walk will get you to East Portlemouth where you can catch the passenger ferry to ‘the other side’ and the very pretty seaside town of Salcombe beloved by 4x4 drivers and yachties. Credit cards at the ready. Wander around Fore Street and Island Street, pick up some supplies for a picnic or stop for lunch and soak up the atmosphere. Tradition dictates that all children (and many grown ups) must go armed with bait and a bucket for some crabbing on the quay. Catch the ferry back for a day on the beach at Mill Bay or Sunny Cove both lovely for children.
And beyond
So many places to visit if you really must leave East Prawle. The little fishing village of Beesands is a short drive - try the excellent Britannia @ The Beach which dishes up delicious locally-caught fish and chips. Kingsbridge at the head of the estuary is well worth a wander and has some great independent shops. Much fun is to be had at the unashamedly hippie town of Totnes on a Friday or Saturday when the market’s on while nearby Ashburton is the place to go for antique lovers. Then there’s wild, unspoilt Dartmoor, a day on the Dart taking in Dittisham and Dartmouth and, well, I could go on…