My First longer distance trip to Torquay and surrounding area recommendations?

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ianmacaulay

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Morning.


End of April I'm planning to venture a bit further for the first time and take the boat down to Devon. Im based in Poole and usually its trips to IOW and the Solent.

Im planning on having just over a week down in devon to give me a bit of extra time just incase wether gets a bit bad. First stop we are planning is a couple of nights and Torquay then head to Brixham and Dartmouth over the next few days.

Has anyone got any tips and pointers for the trip there and back and also any recommendations on places to go and visit?


All the best


Ian
 
I personally do not rate Torquay. I've been boating in the SW for about 30 years and have only been there twice but passed it by probably hundreds of times. The Marina is fine; it's the town that is exceptionally disappointing. If you need to, I'd maybe spend a night in Brixham, but again I'd also pass that by and head straight for Dartmouth which has one of the most beautiful river entrances I've ever seen. There's plenty to do on the Dart for 3 or 4 days, don't miss spending a night or two up at Dittisham, loads of great walks on either side of the river.
When you feel that you've done Dartmouth I'd then head for Salcombe, another spectacularly beautiful place with some of the best beaches in the country. My preference there is to go around the corner from the town and moor on the visitors pontoon in the Bag, but there are generally plenty of buoys to choose from.
If you have time I'd also recommend popping around to Hope Cove and Burgh Island, both places you'll need to anchor. Hope is particularly sheltered from East and N winds, but do look closely at the chart, there are some large drying rocks around, but it's well worth the effort. If you have a decent dinghy then you could go across to Burgh Island, it's about 3 miles away, an interesting island with a sandy causeway at about half tide and below.
All the above should fill your week quite easily, my advice would be to stick to just a few places rather than trying to cram too much in - you can always return to do more exploring! There are plenty of other places worthy of visiting when you have more time.
 
Totally agree with LJS, Salcombe is lovely and the walking, eating, beaches and tender runs all all great there.
Try the dart marina hotel for a berth, it's always worth a go but you'll probably end up in Kingsmere.
Rock Fish have fantastic fish and chips in Dartmouth :)

If you do yet around Start Point, the river Yealm is worth a look see, lovely pontoon and a couple of good pubs; you'll need your tender.

Have a great time, what's the name of your boat, we'll look out for you?
:)
 
tangerine said:
Don't forget to call in at |Teignmouth. Harbourside facilities a bit sparse, but check out the pubs,and up river in your dingy.
Click to expand...

As much as I like Teignmouth it wouldn't be top of my list if time was limited. And the entrance is not easy if you don't know it well.
 
Lyme Bay is very much in the way,but if you do get flat seas then do take the inshore route,and maybe take a short stop at Lyme Regis.
Torquay is OK for a short stop but Brixham is a bit more fun if you are short of time,but Dartmouth is way above both,including nicks recommendation for what must be uk s most expensive berthing! Otherwise either side of the river is just fine.
Salcombe is a highlight of boating in UK, again if you get the weather, and I would try to get a bouy off the town..just before the right hand beach swings off to the right.
Remember you have to get back..Lyme Bay can be a real pig..
Portland..avoid wind over tide and go right in to the shore..100 metres off is far enough..try not to arrive at full flood!
Hope for some good weather,though!,
 
All the above is good info. Take note of LJ he knows it like the back of his hand, as I did.

Torquay and Brixham are like marmite, you may well like one better than the other take note that John and I are very similar, we avoid marinas like the plague.
 
Agree with all above, Dartmouth and Dittisham both 10/10. Brixham for cheapish fuel (it was last year) and a very good fish and chip shop�� Ignore Torquay!
 
Torquay is the same as any other seaside town, it has its good areas and it has it's poor areas. Exactly the same as Brixham & Dartmouth ( Yes, even Dartmouth has its poor area!). Salcombe is very nice......out of season, during the holiday season it's OK if you want to squeeze through the narrow streets shoulder to shoulder.

My advice would be to do what I do, listen to everyone's thoughts, but make up your own mind after visiting these places.
 
sprocker said:
Torquay is the same as any other seaside town, it has its good areas and it has it's poor areas. Exactly the same as Brixham & Dartmouth ( Yes, even Dartmouth has its poor area!). Salcombe is very nice......out of season, during the holiday season it's OK if you want to squeeze through the narrow streets shoulder to shoulder.

My advice would be to do what I do, listen to everyone's thoughts, but make up your own mind after visiting these places.
Click to expand...

The OP did say he was planning on coming down at the end of April. Salcombe will most definitely not be packed then. However it's not the town that I go there for, it's the fabulous scenery and beaches, miles of glorious clean sand washed by water that is invariably crystal clear because there is no river water flowing into it.

Does Torquay still have the raw sewage discharge off Hopes Nose? One of the most disgusting sights and smells I've experienced anywhere in the world. But yes, there are some beautiful areas in Torquay, unfortunately most of them are well away from the harbour. And quite right, even Dartmouth does have its less salubrious areas, but fortunately they are nowhere near the riverside.
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply and give some great help and information. I have passed through Torquay before and i understand whats been said, Perhaps i may avoid there for now.

I may head straight to Dartmouth and base myself there to start.

Im off to get a map up and look up some of the above said places :-)

Thanks again


Ian
 
Thank you


Her name is Tobias, Whats yours?

Thanks

Ian

Nigelpickin said:
Totally agree with LJS, Salcombe is lovely and the walking, eating, beaches and tender runs all all great there.
Try the dart marina hotel for a berth, it's always worth a go but you'll probably end up in Kingsmere.
Rock Fish have fantastic fish and chips in Dartmouth :)

If you do yet around Start Point, the river Yealm is worth a look see, lovely pontoon and a couple of good pubs; you'll need your tender.

Have a great time, what's the name of your boat, we'll look out for you?
:)
Click to expand...
 
Thanks...

I was under the impression to take it far out 5+ miles off of portland bill? Is this not the case?

Thanks again

Ian
gjgm said:
Lyme Bay is very much in the way,but if you do get flat seas then do take the inshore route,and maybe take a short stop at Lyme Regis.
Torquay is OK for a short stop but Brixham is a bit more fun if you are short of time,but Dartmouth is way above both,including nicks recommendation for what must be uk s most expensive berthing! Otherwise either side of the river is just fine.
Salcombe is a highlight of boating in UK, again if you get the weather, and I would try to get a bouy off the town..just before the right hand beach swings off to the right.
Remember you have to get back..Lyme Bay can be a real pig..
Portland..avoid wind over tide and go right in to the shore..100 metres off is far enough..try not to arrive at full flood!
Hope for some good weather,though!,
Click to expand...
 
Hi Ian,

Did a very similar first long trip in my aquamarina 31. Lyme bay is a long slog but worth it for Dartmouth. Never managed to get a berth at kingswear, always ended up at dart marina. Probably the most I've ever paid for a night. Cheaper to stay on the public quay or better still go up the river and take a visitor's buoy at Dittisham. Need a tender to get to the pub. Buoys are clearly labeled with the maximum length possible.

Salcombe and Newton Ferrers just round the corner but you're just on a buoy and need a tender for access.

Brixham ok and Torquay is worth it for one night if you've not done it before but it is what it is!
 
Hi Ian
Agree with most of the suggestions below. I do think that a word of support for Torquay would give some balance though. It depends on what you are looking for on your cruise. Torquay is lively, plenty of bars and a good range of restaurants, all a short walk from the boat. If you have young children with you it may be the highlight of their week. Amusement arcades, Dinosaur World, Living Coasts etc. For me it would be worth a stop for one night just for dinner at No.7 fish restaurant.
Dartmouth is wonderful. Dittisham very peaceful.
Salcombe is stunning and if you get good weather here you may never want to go back to the Solent!
The Yealm is a lovely spot to stop for lunch on board.
Hope you have a great trip.
 
Ian MacAulay said:
Thanks...

I was under the impression to take it far out 5+ miles off of portland bill? Is this not the case?

Thanks again

Ian
Click to expand...
Plan wind with tide, preferably both going west for the trip across. Forget timing slack water at Portland and either cut inshore, (close to the rocks), or wide of the shambles and race, as you say around 5/6 miles south.

Coming from Poole you are better of taking the shoreline around Portland and then heading directly for the port of choice.

Make sure to get the wind and tide going the same way for Lyme bay.....
 
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