"Look Out The Crabs are Coming"

One of the best kept secrets in South Devon is the superb quality of the local crab, this is brought about about by the high quality of the sea water in this area, (more Blue Flag beaches than any other area of the UK) and the fully managed resources.  Up to now only available to the discerning few in the local more expensive high quality restaurants.  

This is about to change big time, Visit South Devon in conjunction with Mitch Tonks the celebrity chef, food critic and fish & shellfish guru are about to make "South Devon Crab" available to all throughout the area. You will still be able to enjoy South Devon Crab at the plethora of fine restaurants across the area, beautifully prepared, cooked and presented but now local crab, sourced and prepared locally will available at many Cafe's, Pubs and Shops at an   affordable price.  

One of the leading lights in this initiative is the Venus Cafe on Blackpool Sands. "Provider of the best alfresco Mediterranean style dining experience in a UK beach setting whilst integrating environmental & social care into every business decision." ( Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2010).  South Devon Crab is worth the journey and available from; South Devon Crab, Mayonnaise & Organic Cucumber Sandwich £4.50 to a Whole cracked Crab £16.95 (approx 1kg live weight) served cold with mayonnaise taken from Adrian’s own pots in Start Bay and landed in Dartmouth

Daytime Menu

Summer Evening Menu

"Have you heard?"

Dartmouth soon will have a brand new restaurant opening just a few doors away from the Seahorse.  Called Rock Fish Seafood & Chips, it is a family seafood restaurant which will serve up the freshest fish in stylish boxes to eat in the restaurant.  Mitch Tonks – fishmonger, chef, restaurateur and food writer – has a new venture: a super-casual seafood restaurant opening on the waterfront in Dartmouth in June.

 This will be the place to visit in South Devon for the best in fish and chips.  Not your ordinary fish and chip shop, the RockFish Seafood & Chips will seat 70 people and will serve the freshest fish bought straight from the fish markets daily.Served up in the restaurant, there will be a choice of the market’s fish available as well as specials like cracked Devon crab to try out.  A good range of wines to keep the grown up members of the party happy and plenty of sauces, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, garlic mayo, tartare sauce – to enjoy with the fish, followed up by great ice creams.  What more you could you ask for? 

The menu will be purely seafood.  The menu will be made up of five fish – some fried in batter, others fried in crumb.  The battered fish will be chunky white fish - like haddock and cod – and the breaded fish could be sole, langoustine, gurnard, whiting, scallops … There’ll also be cracked crab, lobster, crab or shrimp sandwiches and smoked salmon. Their aiming for that lovely informal experience of eating seafood.  

The fish will be sourced from Dartmouth and Brixham, which has some of the best seafood in the world.  They will buy from Brixham market every day, and work with one or two local fishermen for bass and shellfish, as well as the local mussel farm. You know exactly where their fish come from – and in the summer they plan to have their our own little boat line-catching bass for us.

"Blackpool Sands, the Jewel in the Crown" 

Blackpool Sands, set in a sheltered bay surrounded by evergreens and pines is one of South Devon's most beautiful natural treasures. An award-winning privately managed family beach with turquoise blue sea giving it an almost Mediterranean feel.  A shingle beach, as are all the main beaches in Start Bay and all incorporating ‘Sands’ as a historical name, located only 3 miles West of Dartmouth on the beautiful South Devon heritage coast.

With sand pits, a bathing raft, kayaks for hire, a range of delicious hot and cold food and a beach shop, it has something for all the family. But don't just take our word for it, come and see for yourself! Lifeguard patrol and no dogs during summer season.  

Superb swimming in clean, clear water tested by the Environment Agency.  Beach cleaned daily in main season.  The Venus Beach Cafe for organic and locally produced food.  The Venus Beach Shop for beach goods and games. Refreshing showers.  Toilets. Disabled facilities. Sands pits (from May) and bathing raft (from July). Surfski, kayak, boogie boards, wet suit and snorkel hire. Summer events. Lifeguards on duty during summer months. Dogs are not permitted in the car parks or on the beach from March to November.

Join them for a free Rockpool Ramble at Blackpool Sands (dates to be confirmed.) Come and meet some anemones, strange clingfish and maybe fierce velvet swimming crabs with local Wildlife Ranger, Martin Summers. Meet 12pm at the flagpole for the Rockpool Ramble. Bring sunscreen, hat and non-slippery shoes. This event is free of charge. Entry charges apply.

" Lushwind Paddleboarding" 

                               

Experience the beauty of Stand up Paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking at BlackpoolSands Beach near Dartmouth with the help of Lushwind.  Stand up Paddleboarding is the fastest growing watersport and here at Lushwind  we are leading the way in providing instruction by BSUPA qualified instructors. We also run extensive half day trips around Blackpool Sands and Bigbury on Sea as well as along all the South Hams amazing rivers and estuaries.

Lushwind is an RYA recognised training centre that can not only help you “Start Windsurfing” but can take you up to a level so that you can be skimming across the water hooked in to a harness using the full force of the wind to go at controlled high speeds.  Enjoy the freedom of kayaking on Lushwind range of single, double and triple kayaks for hire by the hour. It is an amazing way to view the bay and the beach while taking some leisurely exercise.  For all enquiries and booking call on 07849 758987 or email: info@lushwind.co.uk

" Canoe Races and Beer Festival "

12 man Canadian canoes will be racing at The Malsters, Tuckenhay on a tributary of the Dart on Sunday 23 May 2010. Come and support the Dart Lifeboat crew who came 2nd last year. The event opens at Noon and the first race will be at 1pm. There will be a Barbecue, music, stalls and a raffle. There is free parking and it will be a great Family day out. A percentage of the profits wil be donated to the RNLI.

Try a paddle yourself at Canoe Adventures who work from and to the slip way beside the friendly Maltsters Arms  at Tuckenhay (TQ9 7EH) halfway between Totnes and Dartmouth, at the head of Bow Creek on the west bank of the glorious Dart.  For all ages and ability, why not try guided 12-seat Voyager canoeing offering you excellent fun on the wonderful River Dart in South Devon year round.  The youngest crew to date was little Sarah, aged 12 days; the eldest was Mr George, 87. 

   

The Voyager canoes, aka Voyageur, are big and strong and easy to use. Each one comes with steersman-guide, and full canoeing equipment is supplied.  Everyone is invited to bring picnics, sometimes BBQs, and often they stop across the river at Stoke Gabriel for ice cream.  It is ideal for families with children, for people who gently want to try canoeing, for bold adventurers who've done it before, and for everyone who loves the water and an amazingly beautiful place like the Dart.

"South Devon, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty"

The AONB is full of interesting places to visit and explore.  At a time when pressures are leading even further towards uniformity, there is a need to understand, celebrate and treasure the things we value.  Learn more about the background and "local distinctiveness. 

Buying local produce has an important part to play in keeping the landscape special.  The AONB Management Plan promotes the principle of "buying local" to help the area's farmers, growers and producers keep the AONB a living and working landscape.

Farmers Markets

Fabulous Walking

The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is fabulous walking territory with a huge variety of opportunities to explore the coast, historic towns, and stunning countryside and river valleys.  They have included information on length of trail, the level of difficulty, local toilets, availability of refreshments, and access, along with interesting facts about the landscape, heritage and wildlife that will captivate you along the way!

Downloadable Walks & Trails

Cultural Trails

Adding to there vast variety of walks are the new Downloadable Cultural Trails  Along with North Devon AONB, they have jointly produced a series of themed trails to help you discover some of the area's hidden gems!

Downloadable Cultural Trails

News & Events

Keep up to date with what's happening across South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and view our events calendar for fun and exciting ways to enjoy this wonderful AONB.

Download AONB Events

AONBs exist to conserve and enhance the beauty of the landscape. The purposes of AONB designation are set out in the Countryside Agency’s 1991 Policy Statement on AONBs. (For a summary of the key points – follow the link to “the purpose of AONB designation”)

OTHER FORTHCOMING SOUTH DEVON EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

"You Can Now Book Your Cottage On Line"

New for 2010, you can now book 24/7 on the Hillfield Village website. Once you have decided which accommodation you prefer, you will need to check availability on the dates and prices page. You will need to click on the start date, specify the length of stay, number of adults, children and infants. When you have decided, simply click on the link to "Book Now" which will take you directly to our agents on line booking page. Fill in your details and follow through to the payment section, fill in all your credit card details in the appropriate boxes and your done!