South Devon
South Devon is a vivid contrast to the rest of the county: almost a world within a world with an atmosphere and scenery all of its own. After the dramatic, rugged coastlines of North Devon, the high wilderness of Dartmoor and the settled rural charm of East Devon, here you have an extraordinarily vibrant land ablaze with the colours of the red sandstone cliffs, the exotic semi-tropical plants growing in the warm atmosphere, and the myriad greens and blues of the river estuaries burrowing their way deep into the pastoral landscape. There are beautiful coastal towns to discover, such as Salcombe, Dartmouth and Paignton, as well as inland towns like Kingsbridge and Totnes, steeped in history. With its mild and sunny climate, palm tree-lined seaside towns, estuaries filled with boats, and sandy beaches in sheltered coves, South Devon is a wonderful place for an annual holiday or short break.

Compton Castle
Within three miles of the lively and fashionable seaside resort of Torquay, there survives a remarkable fragment of Devon’s history: the magical fortified manor house of Compton Castle. Compton Castle was built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries and has been the home to the Gilbert family for most of the past 600 years. One of the most famous members of the family was Sir Humphrey Gilbert, a swashbuckling Elizabethan explorer and seafarer, half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. The last truly fortified dwelling to be built in Devon, the castle has all that imaginative children and adults could wish for: an 8-metre high curtain wall, towers, buttresses and battements, spiral staircases, squints and a portcullis. It is surrounded by rolling hills and orchards and has a number of delightful small garden areas. Only a short step away from this place of ancient enchantment, you will find all the pubs, restaurants, shops and nightlife of Torbay, not to mention the Mediterranean atmosphere and wonderful beaches. There is also a restaurant at Castle Barton opposite Compton Castle, and a pub and shop nearby in Marldon. Holiday Cottage guests have free access to Compton Castle during opening hours.

National Trust places nearby: Coleton Fishacre, Greenway, Bradley Manor. Shop and pub: Marldon 1½ miles. Tea-room/café/restaurant: Castle Barton and Occombe Farm, 2 miles. Beach: Paignton 4 miles. Other attractions: Living coasts, Torquay, Paignton Zoo, Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway. Activities: walking, watersports.