Sampford House
Sampford Guest House, 57-59 King Street, Brixham, TQ5 9TH
Call to book now 01803 857761
Click the image to view our live-stream of Brixham Harbour!
50 things to do in the summer
In Brixham and the surrounding areas
1. Are you a train spotter? Even if not there are 2 great Steam railway lines nearby; Paignton to Kingswear and the South Devon railway from Totnes to Buckfast, Choo choo!
2. Try the Brixham to Teignmouth Round Robin trip - Ferry to Teignmouth then train to Paignton and Ferry back from Paignton to Brixham. www.weferry.co.uk
3. Walk to Berry Head, an area of outstanding natural beauty with great coastal views just a 20 minute walk away and stop off for a well deserved drink at Berry Head Hotel.
4. You’re at the seaside so try Brixham’s fish and chips, its best open, sitting by the harbour. Beware; the seagulls will expect to share. Simply Fish is the ‘plaice’ to visit.
5. Book a sailing trip on The Vigilance BM76, a restored Sailing Ketch built in Brixham in 1926.
6. Lock out For ‘Rockfish’, Brixham’s restaurant operated by to famous TV chef Mitch Tonks.
7. The Golden Hind replica is right in front of Sampford House, it’s fascinating seeing what it was like for 80 men circumnavigating the globe. The smells are a bit sweeter now. www.goldenhind.co.uk
8. Fancy a day Deep Sea Fishing?
Kelly's Hero
Contact David 01803855179
Kingfisher 2
Contact Olly 07791 676224
Optimist
www.optimistfishingcharter.co.uk
Contact Nigel 01803882623
Bait and local knowledge can be obtained from Brixham Bait and Tackle shop 01803 853390
For list of local fishing marks visit www.brixhambaitandtackle.co.uk
We are happy to have any fish you don't want!!!!!
9. Cockington village, an oasis of calm within the bay, feed the ducks, have a stroll or a pub lunch. www.cockingtoncourt.org
10. Fancy a flutter on the fillies? Lose your shirt at Newton Abbot Racecourse. www.newtonabbotracing.com
11. Whatever the weather Devon ice creams still tastes great or try over 70 types of fudge.
12. Feeling fit? Why not take an early morning jog along the breakwater just in time for a quick shower and a sit down for our delicious full English breakfast. You deserve it!
13. Relax and savour one of your favourite tipples in a Brixham pub. Try The New Quay Inn
14. Stroll out to sea along Brixham breakwater and admire the different aspects of the bay.
15. Addicted to Devon Cream Teas? There are many places to partake in Torbay. Angel café in Babbacombe is a favourite - 01803 324477, or ‘The West Country Deli’ just down the road - www.the-west-country-deli.co.uk
16. Take a stroll down memory lane and visit Bygones, St Marychurch. See how the Victorians lived and played under one roof. www.bygones.co.uk
17. Take a coastal drive to Kingsbridge passing Blackpool sands and stop off at Start Bay Inn and see if you finish their eye popping portions of fish and chips. Most probably the best fish and chip pub in the UK! www.startbayinn.co.uk
18. Discover Stoke Gabriel, only a 20 minute drive away and one of the prettiest villages in Devon. www.stokegabriel.co.uk
19. Experience Paignton zoo, in our opinion the best zoo in the country. We love Monkey Heights. www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
20. Visit Britain’s oldest home, Kent’s Cavern. Remind yourself if stalactites or stalagmites go up. Well worth a visit on a rainy day.
26. Prefer to see your fish alive? Then visit the National Marine Aquarium at Plymouth, the biggest in the country. www.national-aquarium.co.uk
27. At Trago Mills you always get a bargain so make sure you’ve got his wallet! www.trago.co.uk
28. Take a 30 minute bus ride to Dartmouth and explore the art and crafts shops. We love the Cherub inn, one of the oldest pubs in Dartmouth.
29. Walk from quaint Galmpton village to Agatha Christie’s holiday home, so travelling the green way to Greenway and take in the splendid scenery. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway
30. Crabbing in Brixham is the number one activity, so don’t forget to bring your bucket, net, crab line and bacon. They love it.
31. Do your impression of Gulliver and visit Babbacombe Model village. Great fun for all ages and beautiful gardens too. www.babbacombemodelvillage.co.uk
31. Be brave and have a swim in the cool sea. Eeeeek!
32. Take a relaxing stroll at Bicton Park. A Nice place to go on a Sunday afternoon.
33. Discover Sir Francis Drake’s home at Buckland Abbey and visit the Garden House afterwards. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
34. Jump on a ferry to Torquay, Paignton or Dartmouth. If you’re lucky the dolphins or porpoises may come and say hello.
35. Feeling like a stroll? The walk from Brixham to Paignton along the famous South West Coastal Path is a must. It will take about 2 hours along beaches, cliffs and Meadows then come back via bus or ferry. www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk
36. Attempt the John Musgrave walking Trail, only 35 miles but you can do it in 4 sections and take in the varied landscapes. www.devon.gov.uk/walk67
37. Visit the best market town in Britain. Whatever you fancy –there is enormous choice at Tavistock and it’s a lovely place to walk around as well.
38. Relax and promenade along Plymouth Hoe especially after all that shopping!
39. Discover one of the oldest cities in England, take a guided walk and uncover historic Exeter and make sure you pop in the cathedral afterwards.
40. See the largest selection of orchids in the UK at the Orchid Paradise centre, Newton Abbot. www.orchids.uk.com
41. Visit the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, the largest contemporary crafts centre in South West England at Bovey Tracey and view or even buy from the wide variety of contemporary crafts by the 240 designers/makers. www.crafts.org.uk
42. Explore Dartmoor. If wet and windy stay in the car or if bright and breezy get your boots on. Visit Haytor and then take some refreshment at the Rock Inn.
www.rock-inn.co.uk
43. Take the bus or ferry to Torquay, enjoy the views on the top deck and visit the Agatha Christie exhibition at Torquay museum. We also love the Hole in the wall pub and it’s got great food as well.
44. Visit Paignton Zoo with over 2,500 animals across 80 Acres including Tigers and Gorillas. www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
45. Take the circular walk from Dartmouth castle to little Dartmouth and explore the beautiful woodlands and coves on the way.
46. Keep the kids amused and take them to Woodlands theme park, fun for all the family whatever the weather.
47. Walk the coastal path to Kingswear only 10.8 miles away, you may want to take the bus back.
48. Wander around Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and see the otters swim under water and learn more about these fascinating creatures. www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
49. Walk one of the dart valley trails, there are three to choose from and the scenery is lovely and peaceful.
50. A sunny day? Why not sit on the patio at the Berryhead Hotel and enjoy a tipple as you look over the bay and watch the fishing Trawlers bring home their catch
This should keep you busy but please tell us if we have missed your favourite
21. Peace, contemplation, monks, honey and fruit wines all on the edge of Dartmoor at Buck fast Abbey. www.buckfast.org.uk
22. Shop in historic Totnes and pop into the Dartington cider press centre - a hub of arts and crafts. Guaranteed you will be tempted. www.dartington.co.uk
23. A number of National Trust properties are open in the summer; Coleton Fishacre is our favourite but there’s also Greenway, Compton Castle and Overbeck’s nearby.
24. Amble for 3 hours to Broad sands passing secluded coves and stop off for a carvery or drink at Churston Court, an historic 12th century Inn. www.churstoncourt.co.uk
25. Packed your swimming trunks? Dare the refreshing waters or do some pebble throwing or beachcombing and spot a crab or two under the rocks at the Breakwater beach.