Summer hols- Lymington to Plymouth suggestions

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Andrew M

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Hi,

Am looking at us taking the boat on our 1st long (for us) trip out of Lake Solent, currently thinking of 8 or so days in August and going from Lymington to Plymouth and back.

So far, and weather/conditions permitting I'm thinking of stops at Weymouth, Torquay and Plymouth on the outward then coming back with a night in Babbacombe , possibly Weymouth again, Poole and them home.

I've searched a bit and read Henry F's fab thread on a trip down that way from 2013, as well as some other snippets of info but would just like to ask if there's anything that anyone considers either as a "must do" or a def "don't do" , either destination/ stop over or journey plan wise.

All comments gratefully received.

Andy
 
Hi Andy

I am also planning a similar trip to Plymouth and possibly on to Falmouth. Obviously subject to weather etc. I would also be interested in what info others can provide. We went on the Ancasta Cruise in Company to the Channel Islands at the end of May and it's given us the confidence to leave 'Lake Solent' and on this occasion venture further west. We are planning a trip for the middle of July. Also looking a t a similar list of stops to yourself :)
 
Skip TQ and go into Dartmouth.

TQ marina is fine, but the town is moribund.

Dartmouth entrance is straight forward and amazing, Dart Haven marina on the stbd side is lovely, get a book of tickets and pedestrians on the lower ferry, up to Dittisham to visit Greenaways if that's your thing.

Almond croissant from Saveurs in Dartmouth.
 
Richard.C said:
Andy,

I'd stop at Dartmouth and Salcombe, one on the way out and other on the way back.

Richard
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Yes totally agree, you really should not miss either place.

I'd say that you're trying to fit too much into a short space of time, I'd skip Plymouth, nice as it is, beautiful waterfront but the city is nothing special. It would then give you 2 days to explore the Dart, spend a night up at Dittisham, you won't regret doing that, and a night off Dartmouth.
I'd also skip Torquay, for the reasons given by Ben.

Also, what will you do if the weather turns? 8 days of good settled weather would be nice but rarely happens. Both Salcombe and Dartmouth provide good shelter with plenty to do.

If I were doing that trip, I'd head straight to Dartmouth for 2 nights, and then depending on weather outlook, spend a night in Salcombe, then maybe a night in Brixham, a night at Babbacombe (don't miss the Carey Arms), then Id also stop for a night at Lyme Regis, lovely spot and breaks up the long drag across Lyme Bay, then a night in Weymouth and maybe another around Poole. But all depends on weather and your own level of confidence, as well as the size of your boat.

Most important of all is enjoying the whole experience, so weather conditions dictate when and where you go, so you must be prepared to be flexible.
 
Have a few mins spare.

In Dartmouth, on foot, head for the north west corner of the inner harbour and head along Duke Street, the ancient overhanging timber frame building is the Butterwalk has a tea shop above the cake shop, head up the stairs, watch your balance on the wonky floor. In the same row of shops is a booze shop, he sometimes stocks Cocchi Americano which is now the closest thing to Kina Lillet, the vital ingredient in a proper Vesper.

Saveurs further along Duke St is nicer and posher than upstairs.

Cherub Pub worth a beer.

Secondhand book shop by Lower Ferry worth a rummage.

Walk South Coast Path to Brixham and get the bus back. Nice place for cup of tea on Berry Head.
 
burgundyben said:
Have a few mins spare.

In Dartmouth, on foot, head for the north west corner of the inner harbour and head along Duke Street, the ancient overhanging timber frame building is the Butterwalk has a tea shop above the cake shop, head up the stairs, watch your balance on the wonky floor. In the same row of shops is a booze shop, he sometimes stocks Cocchi Americano which is now the closest thing to Kina Lillet, the vital ingredient in a proper Vesper.

Saveurs further along Duke St is nicer and posher than upstairs.

Cherub Pub worth a beer.

Secondhand book shop by Lower Ferry worth a rummage.

Walk South Coast Path to Brixham and get the bus back. Nice place for cup of tea on Berry Head.
Click to expand...

speaks the obscure tea shop expert
 
burgundyben said:
Have a few mins spare.

In Dartmouth, on foot, head for the north west corner of the inner harbour and head along Duke Street, the ancient overhanging timber frame building is the Butterwalk has a tea shop above the cake shop, head up the stairs, watch your balance on the wonky floor. In the same row of shops is a booze shop, he sometimes stocks Cocchi Americano which is now the closest thing to Kina Lillet, the vital ingredient in a proper Vesper.

Saveurs further along Duke St is nicer and posher than upstairs.

Cherub Pub worth a beer.

Secondhand book shop by Lower Ferry worth a rummage.

Walk South Coast Path to Brixham and get the bus back. Nice place for cup of tea on Berry Head.
Click to expand...

Second the tea shop and the Cherub. Carry on up the Butterwalk to the market and you'll find Dart to Mouth, has just been selected as doing the best cream tea in Devon. There's also a nice walk out to the Castle at the river entrance, there's another good tea room there. Carry on up the steps opposite the tea room for great sea views, and if you feel energetic, a walk to Stoke Fleming and Blackpool Sands.

The wine shop also sometimes stocks Eos wine, strangely popular on board Eos:). For a decent value evening meal try Kendricks, near Boots, and for breakfast everyone goes to Alfresco, you will probably have to queue. Another good place for a beer with a view is Dartmouth Yacht club on the embankment. The Royal Dart YC on Kingswear side also has fab views, but haven't been there for some time so can't comment on the food or drink.

Up at Dittisham the Anchorstone cafe is excellent, but you will need to book. On the other side of the river is Greenways, Agatha Christies old house., lovely gardens. On the Kingswear side there's the steam train to Paignton which is a bit of fun.

You may find that a couple of days is not long enough............
 
Thanks for all the comments and info so far, much appreciated. I can see it might turn out that we do this but with less changing of stop overs, or yes I can see we'll just be motoring between stops for most of the time without getting to see or enjoy the places.

I'll look at crossing off Torquay and putting Dartmouth into the plans as that seems to have got universal recommendation so far.

Was thinking of Salcombe originally but reading up it looked like it wasn't great for getting a mooring ? We're just under 60' and will have our dog with us all the time, but have got a tender so we can get to shore if anchored or on a bouy.

Have found a great thread with lots of useful info from last year.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...e-to-Brixham-any-advice-please&highlight=Cary

Thanks.

Andy
 
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Andrew M said:
Thanks for all the comments and info so far, much appreciated. I can see it might turn out that we do this but with less changing of stop overs, or yes I can see we'll just be motoring between stops for most of the time without getting to see or enjoy the places.

I'll look at crossing off Torquay and putting Dartmouth into the plans as that seems to have got universal recommendation so far.

Was thinking of Salcombe originally but reading up it looked like it wasn't great for getting a mooring ? We're just under 60' and will have our dog with us all the time, but have got a tender so we can get to shore if anchored or on a bouy.

Have found a great thread with lots of useful info from last year.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...e-to-Brixham-any-advice-please&highlight=Cary

Thanks.

Andy
Click to expand...
I've always found somewhere in Salcombe, the Harbour assistants are excellent and will do all they can to help. The visitors pontoon in the Bag is very peaceful, and water is available in July and August. If nothing available you can simply anchor, the holding is pretty good. Just about all the beaches accept dogs, our 2 love it there!
 
longjohnsilver said:
I've always found somewhere in Salcombe, the Harbour assistants are excellent and will do all they can to help. The visitors pontoon in the Bag is very peaceful, and water is available in July and August. If nothing available you can simply anchor, the holding is pretty good. Just about all the beaches accept dogs, our 2 love it there!
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Yes very helpful... But they always seem to get their money even before your tie up.
 
Thanks for the tips, looks like we are off on this trip on Saturday. I think I've taken on board most of the comments and recommendations.
So Saturday is Lymington to Weymouth and an overnight stop, plenty of time then to get things right for timing around Portland (spoke to HM this morning, very helpful, said go and see him on Sat and he'll give advice on timing for the race) then straight across to Salcombe where we will stay for 2 or 3 nights as it appears to get universal approval. Then heading back, with a couple of nights in Dartmouth, on to Babbacombe for a visit to the Cary Arms if they have a bouy, possibly 1 night in Torquay ( I know most don't like it there but we just want to see it via the boat , we've liked it when doing normal holidays there), another stop in Weymouth and fill the tanks with fuel, then weather permitting a nice cruise around the coast with a stop in Lulworth if possible. And then if the weather really goes our way it may allow a spare last night in Poole that we can explore around in the dinghy.
Weather looks to be continuing generally ok, maybe a bit of wind mid week but I'll keep watching it and alter plans if need be.

Does that all sound feasible ?
 
Sounds like a great trip; the water barge in Salcombe is fun, they come around each day and fill up the boats one at a time. Make the guy a coffee and toast and he'll do your boat last and let you wash the boat down...

Have a great trip!
 
We are on the visitors pontoon up I the bag now , it's very nice but quite busy ( mostly yachts ) but only basic phone signal if your crew need data . Can recommend Millbank at the end of southpool creek ,lovely setting and a nice dinghy ride but access only 2 hours either side of high tide . Have a great trip .
 
andy59 said:
We are on the visitors pontoon up I the bag now , it's very nice but quite busy ( mostly yachts ) but only basic phone signal if your crew need data . Can recommend Millbank at the end of southpool creek ,lovely setting and a nice dinghy ride but access only 2 hours either side of high tide . Have a great trip .
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We are also up in the Bag, about 200m further N on a buoy, been here 4 days, superb weather and it has been very busy! Strangely I have a good 4G signal.
 
longjohnsilver said:
We are also up in the Bag, about 200m further N on a buoy, been here 4 days, superb weather and it has been very busy! Strangely I have a good 4G signal.
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Perhaps we had the wrong network LJS , left this morning and now round in Dartmouth for a few days . Spotted Eos when I went up towards Kingsbridge in the dinghy .
 
andy59 said:
Perhaps we had the wrong network LJS , left this morning and now round in Dartmouth for a few days . Spotted Eos when I went up towards Kingsbridge in the dinghy .
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Should have stopped to say hi, if we were in! May get another chance later as we're also returning to Dartmouth later today. What boat are you on?
 
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