Torquay, South Devon & Dartmoor National Park

From a morning pickup in your local area, we travel by coach to our hotel.

Torquay, South Devon & Dartmoor National Park

Home to a community of Benedictine monks, Buckfast Abbey lies on the banks of the River Dart. Here, we soak up the peaceful atmosphere and explore the beautiful Abbey church with its art treasures. There’s also time to wander the tranquil gardens and browse the gift and produce shops.

We then continue on a scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park; this wild heart of Devon is peppered with moss-blanketed boulders, honey-coloured heaths, tinkling streams and cinematic granite tors. Look out for rare wildlife before we reach our next stop; Princetown. This tiny moorland outpost is home to the foreboding Dartmoor prison and the Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre, which was once the Old Duchy Hotel where Arthur Conan Doyle penned the eerie novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Our next stop is Tavistock. This classic West Country market town is the gateway to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. Explore the old streets, which throng with an eclectic mix of small independent shops and delicatessens, and peek behind the Town Hall to discover the award-winning and historic Pannier Market.

Full Day

Torquay, South Devon & Dartmoor National Park

We begin in Dawlish, a quaint and friendly resort that was once a tiny fishing village until the Victorian Railway Age turned it into a thriving seaside town. It nestles between striking red sandstone cliffs overlooking a sandy beach, with the railway still running right alongside the seafront. Afterwards, we continue to Teignmouth, a handsome estuary town which has the benefits of a bustling harbour as well as the classic attractions of a seaside resort. It boasts an elegant Georgian crescent, promenade and Victorian pier with fine views across the bay.

Full Day

Torquay, South Devon & Dartmoor National Park

We start the day with some time at leisure in the riverside town of Dartmouth. Former home of Agatha Christie, it is easily one of Devon’s prettiest destinations. Explore the pastel-coloured buildings leaning at angles and the picturesque harbour laden with yachts and pleasure boats.

Next, we enjoy a relaxing cruise along the calm waters of the River Dart, where we admire the magnificent buildings, including the Britannia Royal Naval College and Agatha Christie’s Greenway Estate. Cameras at the ready for the Sharpham Estate with its vineyards and steep, wooded hillsides plunging down to the water’s edge.

We disembark in the historic market town of Totnes, a helter-skelter of charming streets and fine Tudor buildings nestled beneath the silhouette of the sturdy Norman castle. We have time to explore the boutique shops famed for their range of ethical products, whole foods and fair trade goods.

Please note: the cruise itinerary may operate in reverse order subject to sailing times.

Full Day

Torquay, South Devon & Dartmoor National Park

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and board the coach for the journey home.

Explore the tranquil precincts of Devon’s sacred heart with a visit Buckfast Abbey, a working Benedictine community set beside the River Dart. Step into the luminous Abbey church to admire fine modern craftsmanship and contemplative spaces, then wander the tranquil gardens scented with herbs and seasonal blooms.

Learn how monks refounded the site in the early 20th century on medieval foundations, continuing centuries of prayer and hospitality. This serene stop balances art, devotion, and beautifully kept grounds — a contemplative counterpoint to South Devon’s breezy coast.

Roam the high moor on a panoramic journey across Dartmoor National Park, where granite tors rise above heathered hills and shaggy ponies graze the open commons. Expect broad horizons, rushing streams, and moments to pause for photos and reflection amid one of England’s most storied wild landscapes.

Call at Princetown, home to the formidable Dartmoor Prison and a visitor centre housed in the Old Duchy Hotel — where Conan Doyle shaped The Hound of the Baskervilles. Continue to Tavistock, a lively stannary town with the historic Pannier Market and links to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site.

Stroll the waterfront in Dartmouth, a pastel-fronted harbour town where fishing boats and yachts share the river’s edge. Amble the embankment, browse independent galleries, and trace maritime defences at Bayard’s Cove Fort, a compact Tudor stronghold that once guarded the Dart’s mouth.

Soak up a proud seafaring heritage framed by wooded hills and handsome quays. The town’s character is shaped by the nearby Britannia Royal Naval College and the dramatic estuary setting leading to Dartmouth Castle — a fitting backdrop for leisurely exploration and coastal photography.

Cruise the River Dart along peaceful, wooded banks, passing landmarks such as the stately Britannia Royal Naval College and Agatha Christie’s Greenway. Watch vineyards sweep down to the water at the Sharpham Estate while cormorants skim the surface and sailboats tack across gentle currents.

Disembark to explore Totnes, a market town threaded with Tudor-fronted streets and crowned by a sturdy Norman castle. Independent boutiques, whole-food emporiums, and artisan cafés give the centre an ethical, bohemian spirit. Note: routing may operate in reverse, subject to river schedules.

Unwind in the hotel’s show lounge and enjoy live evening entertainment after a day of coastal exploring. Settle in with a drink as performers bring the stage to life — from show bar cabaret to easygoing music — creating a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

This sociable experience invites you to mingle, compare highlights, and embrace the holiday mood. Expect a warm South Devon welcome, comfortable seating, and a easygoing, social atmosphere that makes the hotel a pleasant hub for your nights by the bay.

Visit Dawlish, a classic Devon resort set beneath red sandstone cliffs, where a stream runs through lawns often graced by black swans. Stroll the seafront beside the Great Western Railway sea wall and watch trains curve dramatically along the wave-splashed edge of the bay.

Continue to Teignmouth for Georgian crescents, a breezy promenade, and a photogenic Victorian pier overlooking the Teign estuary and Shaldon. This is an Optional experience at additional cost, bookable on tour, ideal for coastal views, promenade walks, and traditional seaside charm.