Will's Top Tips for a Memorable Shaldon Holiday

Will Keen, Reservations Manager shares why Shaldon is such a beautiful place to be!

Whether you’re booking to stay in the peak of summer or the peace of winter, there’s always something happening. Here’s some of my favourite things to do when I spend time in this charming, unspoilt and picturesque village on the river Teign…

Enjoy Live Music? You’ll Love Shaldon’s Local Pubs!

A quaint little village on the mouth of a river isn’t exactly the place you’d think of for a fantastic live music scene, but that’s exactly what you get! My top tips would be to visit the fabulous Clifford Arms for their Jazz nights – there’s some really amazing local jazz talent and they serve up great local food too. Book if you can though – they’re very popular! You’ll also enjoy Shaldon’s ‘Pub on the Beach’ at the Ferry Boat Inn… every Thursday night they have their weekly ‘Ferry Jam’ session where you can even bring along your own instrument and join in, or just sit back and enjoy the fabulous music and entertainment.

Look Out for Enthralling Views!

If you love to explore and don’t mind a bit of a slope, be sure to check out Homeyard’s Botanical Gardens, an often overlooked attraction sure to leave you in awe of this fabulous seaside village on the South Devon coast. Steeped in history, the past saw Maria Homeyard frequent these beautiful gardens when on holiday herself after her husband’s passing in the early 1920s – she used to bring her friends and family to the summer house which is now lay to ruin. Castle remains and The Witch’s Cave, a small grotto made of Torquay limestone, are just some of the enticing finds along the way, as well as the beautiful flow of smaller rivers and ponds into a larger pool – a natural water feature that’s a marvel to behold, all in stunning surroundings. Whether for a wintry walk or a sunlit summer stroll, this is a great stop on your Shaldon adventure and is totally free.

What’s that coming over the river?!

Accessed from the beach at the front of Shaldon is arguably one of the most iconic sights in the village – the historic passenger ferry! Often said to be one of the oldest passenger ferries in England, the boat makes regular daily crossings throughout the year for a nominal fee – dogs are also welcome and travel free (with a well behaved owner!) and go between Shaldon and the Back Beach at Teignmouth just across the river – it’s a short but scenic trip and means you can explore all the delights of the traditional seaside town of Teignmouth, as well as its historic pier!