Visit Devon & Cornwall

We share our team’s top tips for visiting a city or region. After two years of largely enforced holidaying in the UK, we thought that in this edition we’d share our highlights of visiting the beautiful Devon and Cornwall.

Kynance Cove

DAYS OUT

When visiting the coastal mecca of the UK, the natural place to start is the beach. With some of the finest beaches in the country, it is no surprise that on a summer’s day the queue to get to the beach is only surpassed by the mound of bronzing, or burning, bodies littering the sand. But where to head to is the key question.

Phil Thompson, Regional Director at Deepbridge suggests heading towards North Devon; “It can be a long journey from our home in Warwickshire, but the beaches at North Devon are a definitely favourite with the family and, of course, the dog. It’s a toss-up between Westward Ho!, Saunton Sands and Woolacombe but, after much debate, Woolacombe is probably the beach to head to.” Samantha Piddington, Head of Corporate Finance explained; “When seeking to get away from it all there is no greater escapism than coastal walks in Cornwall. The South West Coastal Path is extremely well signed and well maintained, ensuring there are walks accessible to all competences of walker. The far west of the county is one of my favourite places in the world.” Max Warwick, Origination Executive added; “A few years ago, I spent a few days walking the Coastal Path from Newquay to Padstow. With great accommodation and pubs on the route, it was a fantastic few days, even when the weather was less than clement… it’s amazing how a great pub at the end of a day’s walking can lift the spirits no matter what the weather throws at you!”

Burgh Island

Savvas Neophytou, Partner & Head of Life Science added; “The South West is awash with great beaches; whether it be the far South West of Cornwall and the breath-taking Kynance Cove, the beach at Devon’s Bigbury-on-Sea with the iconic walk out to Burgh Island, where you of course have to stop at The Pilchard Inn, or the world-renowned surfing at Fistral Beach in Newquay.”

If sunning yourself on the beach isn’t your cup of tea, then the South West Coastal Path provides exhilarating and ever‑ changing views of the coast along every mile of the Devon and Cornwall coastline – 630 miles in total, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset. Unless you have a good few weeks to walk the entire distance, then we recommend small day trips, with numerous options. Perhaps a day exploring the dramatic Valley of Rocks and Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon, the ancient history told around Tintagel in North Cornwall or the iconic western tip of the UK at Land’s End and the Lizard.

For those with a more sedate day out in mind, the Dartmouth Steam Railway, running from Paignton to Kingswear offers a slower pace of life. Running along the English Riviera and then cutting through the green hills of South Devon before

following breath‑taking Dart Valley into Kingswear, this steam railway can stop at Agatha Christie’s former home Greenway, now owned by the National Trust, and can be extended with river trips up to the quaint town of Totnes.

Andrew Aldridge, Partner & Head of Marketing reminisced; “Visiting the home of Agatha Christie by steam train and exploring the surrounding countryside, including the aforementioned Burgh Island, gives you a real flavour of how the iconic characters of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot were conceived for immortalisation in literary.”

Ian Warwick, Managing Partner added; “Dartmouth as a whole is just one of my favourite places. A beautiful town, obviously rich in centuries of naval history, with great restaurants and pubs, offers stunning views across the constant boating activity in the estuary – departing the Sea Horse restaurant after a fabulous meal, and strolling along the banks of the Dart is just fantastic.”

KYNANCE COVE www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kynance-cove –––SOUTH WEST COASTAL PATH www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk –––DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

EATING OUT

Naturally, Devon and Cornwall have an overwhelming choice of sea food restaurants, with many being merely a stone’s throw from where the fishermen unload their catch each morning. However, with the green farming land and wild moors, the region also produces some of the finest meat, game, fruit and vegetables anywhere in Europe. This abundance of fantastic resources ensures the region has a plethora of great restaurants.

When anybody mentions food and Cornwall in the same sentence, they naturally mention Rick Stein and his seeming culinary monopoly in the picture‑ postcard fishing village of Padstow, or ‘Padstein’ if you will! So, where better to start?

Fuchsia Curry, Head of Private Client Marketing commented; “For seafood enthusiasts, and those enthusiastic about good food in general, then Rick’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow is a mecca, which doesn’t disappoint. His bistro, café, pub, chip shop and delicatessen are also worth a visit, but possibly not all on the same day!”

Lisa Groome, Administration Executive, added; “I have spent many years working in luxury travel and have been fortunate to visit many great places. However, there is something iconic about Rick’s restaurant, which has only grown over time as he has showcased Padstow to the world.”

For a more relaxed seafood odyssey, the Crab Shack, situated on the beach in Teignmouth, Devon has long been a favourite for the Deepbridge team when in the area. With is catch of the day based menu, and stunning views, it’s no wonder that the Crab Shack seems to always be busy.

“It’s somewhat of a running joke,” says Simon Tutton, Regional Director for the South West, “that when Ian Warwick or the team are meeting our friends in this part of the world, that they gravitate to the Crab Shack. I’ll be honest, I’m not actually a great fan of seafood, but the steaks and game that are usually on the menu are great, and the frequency of my trips to the Shack are making more increasingly appreciative.”

For those looking beyond seafood, then head up the coast to Lympstone Manor to experience Michelin‑Star cuisine using the best local produce. Michael Caines’ Georgian country house restaurant offers everything you could want in the region; views, peace, quiet and great food.

Simon Tutton continued; “Now Lympstone Manor is something altogether different. All of the Michelin-star skills are employed to provide a culinary experience which is simply stunning, with the views over the River Exe just adding to the whole experience.”

THE SEAFOOD RESTAURANT www.rickstein.com/restaurants/theseafood-restaurant

–––CRAB SHACK www.crabshackonthebeach.co.uk

–––LYMPSTONE MANOR www.lympstonemanor.co.uk

OUT OUT

Over such a large region, like with restaurants, there are of course too many pubs and bars to mention, but some of our favourites offer different experiences. Ranging from your beach bars to your country pubs, and from vineyards to micro‑ breweries, there is a gem for everyone somewhere in the region.

If you’re after night life, then Newquay is the natural attraction, whether it be the cocktails of Tom Thum, the pub life at The Central or the after‑hours fun at The Chy, this is certainly the honeypot for teenagers and surfers alike.

For a change of pace, Porthmeor Beach Café located next to the Tate in St Ives, offers guests the perfect beach bar for relaxing as the sun goes down over a glass or wine or a cocktail.

Steve Shallcross, Chief Information and Technology Officer commented; “St Ives is a stunning part of the world where you easily while away hours, but when there is such a stunning beach bar then you can easily get lost for time. A favourite part of the world, with views to die for.”

Heading back to Padstow, you will find Ruby’s Bar as a timeless cocktail bar, serving guests with everything from local beers through to cocktail classics such as a Negroni or an Old Fashioned. Fuchsia Curry adds; “Rick and Jill Stein, of course, also own a cocktail bar in Padstow. And, of course, it’s also brilliant. It’s cosy charm and great drinks make it a perfect hideaway no matter what the Cornish weather is doing outside.”

Heading across the Tamar and back into Devon, a back street pub in Exeter where guests can find great beers, including their own micro‑brewery concoctions, is The Fat Pig. Stumbled upon by accident, their selection of beer and whiskies have become synonymous with a Deepbridge visit to Exeter.

The last word on the region goes to Ian Warwick, Deepbridge Managing Partner who commented; “The Fat Pig is a great little independent bar, serving great food and great beer. From hazy recollections, I believe the whisky selection is also excellent.”

PORTHMEOR CAFÉ www.porthmeor-beach.co.uk –––RUBY’S BAR www.rickstein.com/restaurants/rubys-bar –––THE FAT PIG www.thefatpigexeter.co.uk

Fistral Beach, Newquay