Salcombe


Here are quiet little back lanes, winding streets, an ancient church and boats, bobbing beside quays


Dartmouth


Tours of this iconic building will cover its history and its role within the Royal Navy today, providing the training of naval officers


Ship shape and Bristol-fashion


GUIDED public and private tours of Britannia Royal Naval College are available from late February 2013. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Naval Officer training in Dartmouth. BRNC should be a key ingredient of any visit to the West Country. From a convenient pick-up point in Dartmouth town you will be taken to the College by coach for a walking tour, which lasts around 2 hours. Tours of this iconic building will cover its considerable history and its role within the Royal Navy today, providing the training of Naval Officers.


Alternative sides – but both are great


WHAT is Salcombe? People often ask the question nowadays. Is it a small, trad- itional town and former Devon fishing village? Or is it, in fact, Chelsea-on-Sea, home to Home Counties tractor drivers and speedboat-driving international playboys? Go to one part of town and you’ll have not a shadow of a doubt. Here are the quiet little back lanes, the winding streets, the ancient church and the boats, gently bobbing beside the sheltered quays. Here is Devon – and it’s as traditional as you like.


But go to another part of the town and you’ll find yourself tripping through an


array of stores that stock all that is cons- idered the very best on offer in the finest and most fashionable of West End shops.


For every rusty old banger that achieves the hills of this little place, there is a people carrier or a Ferrari. In the estuary (yes, yes, we know it’s not really an estuary, but that’s what we call it), small fishing boats and modest dinghies, vie for space with luxury yachts and cruisers. So, fishing village or a suburb of the metropolis? Let’s take a glance in some local hostelries for a solution to the puzzle.


In the lounge, the food being served is rather high quality.


And the service, while unmistakably Devon in one respect, will cer- tainly bare comparison to the best on offer elsewhere.


So, Chelsea-on-Sea then. The taverns have given the game away. Or have they?


Go to the smaller, quieter rooms in this salty fishing district and here you will find yourself rubbing shoul- ders with some very sea-faring folk indeed. And salty is the word for their seafaring stories – mind, some of their land-based ones are pretty tasty too. As the old song has


it: ‘The women there are maidens fair, and her men are men indeed!’


Yes, ‘tis all Devon, glorious Devon.


Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre (01803 834224) provides a convenient booking service, offering dates in advance. To avoid disappointment advance booking is strongly recommended. Further information is available direct from the Britannia Association Tours office (01803 677565) based in BRNC or from the website.


www.britanniaassociation.org.uk


www.dartmouth-boat-hire.co.uk Adventure on the river


DARTMOUTH Boat Hire is right on the riverside embankment in Dartmouth and operates a fleet of boats


for up to 8 passengers. There are a variety of boats from cabin cruisers, open boats, a Dory and open launches. New for


2013 they are offering day sailing boats ideal for families wanting to sail on the river - they are also powered by


outboard motors. No licence is required but the hirer is required to show competence and confidence in boat handling and in the case of sailing boats - relevant sailing experience. Boats can be taken out for periods from one to six hours (or longer by arrangement).


www.tidesreach.com FIFTEEN


Included in the price is engine fuel, life jackets for all (including infants), safety equip- ment and an infor- mation pack including chart. Before departure a full briefing is given with detailed instruc- tions about the boat and engine and use of the river - all to make your trip more enjoyable. Just visit the Kiosk on the North Embankment to start your voyage and adventure on the river. Call 01803 834600 or visit their website.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24