Somewhere Special All Year Round is how we describe the South Hams - the most southern part of glorious Devon. The South Hams area, with coast, countryside and moor, has something for every taste and is uniquely beautiful and varied throughout the 360 square miles of glorious coast and countryside. The majority of the area is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

So why not come and visit us and explore our historic towns (Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge) - all have a unique character of their own. There are also many picturesque villages scattered cross our district and you can walk either all or part of our 60 miles of spectacular coastal path, appreciate the beauty of our five river estuaries and visit rugged Dartmoor closeby.

Coast Path Nr Salcombe

Out and About - For country lovers and walking enthusiasts there are a plethora of walks to enjoy from fascinating town trails bringing together all the most interesting aspects of our individual historic towns to circular guided country or coastal trails - you can also walk one of our newly restored Green Lanes which have been completed with thanks to several local businesses, our visitors and locals, who have made donations to our 'On the Right Tracks' scheme.

Award Winning Beaches - South Hams beaches have won more awards than any other area in England in the Tidy Britain Group Rural Beach Awards. BLACKPOOL SANDS and 11 other South Hams beaches have been awarded top honours in national Seaside Awards.

Blackpool Sands beach is one of only four out of 182 resort beaches in Britain to be awarded full marks by ENCAMS, formerly the Tidy Britain Group and also a holder of a Blue Flag. This year's awards also saw Bigbury-on-Sea and Challaborough beaches achieving 'resort' status for the first time. A further nine rural beaches in the South Hams have passed the grade in the 2002 national Seaside Awards, meaning no other district in Britain has more clean beaches. You are assured of clean, safe beaches with high quality bathing water. It is the second year running that all 12 beaches entered have received Seaside Awards. Tough criteria had to be met to qualify for the award, with stringent tests monitoring water quality, absence of pollution, safety, management and cleaning, and the provision of information for beach users.

Erme Estuary

Special Short Break Offers available - For Short Break offers and more information visit our website www.somewhere-special.co.uk or telephone South Dartmoor Tourist Information Centre for a South Hams Guide 01752 897035 (and quote Reference Westcountrynow)

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