HOW TO FIND US AND THE LOCAL AREA
HOW TO FIND APRIL COTTAGE
April Cottage is situated in the hamlet of East Portlemouth on the opposite side of the estuary to Salcombe. Although you can access the cottage by public transport (a train to Totnes, a bus to Kingsbridge, another bus to Salcombe, followed by a passenger ferry to East Portlemouth) it is much easier to get there by car.
In order to avoid some of the very narrow country lanes, we would strongly advise against the route suggested by Googlemaps! Once you leave Kingsbridge make sure you don’t turn right when Google prompts you to. Drive through Frogmore and Chillington and then take the right hand turn at the roundabout in Stokenham (see map below). That way you’ll stay away from the narrowest lanes.
Parking
The car parking area in front of the cottage is private for use by Hillside, Cowrie, White and April Cottage. In practice this works on a first come first served basis and if it is full you can park on the road nearby.
THE LOCAL AREA - BEACHES AND WALKS
East Portlemouth is on the South West Coastal Path so there are a huge number of fantastic walks of varying distances to choose from. Some of our favourites are
East Portlemouth to Gara
East Portlemouth to South Poole
Start Point to Beesands
Salcombe to Overbeck’s/Salcombe Castle
The coastline around East Portlemouth is truly stunning. Some of the best local beaches are:
For more information, including those further afield, please check out www.southhams.com/explore/beaches.
THE LOCAL AREA - EATING AND DRINKING
Eating and drinking out
Some of the best eateries on the East Portlemouth side of the estuary include:
Gara Rock Hotel (25min walk, 10min drive)
Pig’s Nose Inn (1hr walk, 8min drive)
The Millbrook Inn (1hr walk, 13min drive)
The Cricket Inn (20min drive)
The Start Bay Inn (20min drive)
Venus Café (10min walk, 3min drive)
Port Waterhouse - ocassional summer night offerings (5min walk
Salcombe: Across the estuary (10 min walk and short ferry ride) Salcombe has a significant number of pubs, restaurants and cafes (too many to list here!)
Grocery shopping
The closet supermarkets to the cottage are in Kingsbridge.
An alternative option is to do an online shop to coincide with your arrival – several large supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, deliver to the door.
SALCOMBE AND ACTIVITIES
Salcombe
No trip to April Cottage is complete without taking a trip across the estuary to Salcombe. The town has plenty of local shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants and of course Cranch’s sweet shop. From the cottage turn left across the carpark through the gate at the end and down the steps. At the bottom (10 minute walk) you’ll find the passenger ferry which is £2 for a single journey across the estuary. Times vary depending on season.
Activities
Other than the beaches and walks there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained in the local area – please also see those slightly further afield in the section below.
You will also find a selection of tourist information leaflets on the windowsill opposite the front door on arrival.
FURTHER AFIELD
There are lots of nice day trips from April Cottage. For more information check out www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/places/south-hams. Some of our favourites are:
Dartmouth - the coastal town of Dartmouth on the banks of the River Dart offers great food, the Dartmouth Castle and a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway where you can hop off to visit Greenway House (National Trust).
Totnes - the market town of Totnes offers an excellent range of small independent retailers and unique shops, and is famed for its promotion of ethical products, wholefoods and fair trade goods.
Dartmoor – the cottage is a 50 minute drive from the closest parts of the moor (over 90 minutes from the further side) – we recommend https://www.solosophie.com/best-things-to-do-in-dartmoor-national-park-visit-dartmoor/ for some Dartmoor ideas.
Kingsbridge – a 30 minute drive from the cottage Kingsbridge is a small market town with local shops, cafés and a nice little harbour.
