Discover Devon’s food and drink scene with our map of the English Riviera’s hotspots

WITH Easter set to be a scorcher, why not head to South Devon – not for its sandy beaches but for the fab foodie scene.

We travelled across this part of the county, sampling food and booze, as well as finding new places to play and where to lay your head.

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Here’s a map of our Devon odyssey.

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Things to see

1. The Shops at Dartington: The chances are, if you have eaten it in Devon, it’s available to buy here. Exploring Dartington’s 1,200-acre estate could be a sizeable trip in itself. Food shops, serving fantastic local produce offer the chance to stock up your pantry and will certainly keep you busy for the day. Handmade jewellery, glass and kitchenware, crafts, stationery and fashion are also available, and all in the fresh Devon air.

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2. Salcombe Gin School: An enlightening way to spend a day for anyone with a thirst for learning. . .  and gin. I picked up the fundamentals of making mother’s ruin, perfecting my own recipe then bottling a unique blend of my own. But the best part was trying my wares while enjoying a view of the estuary in the bar afterwards.
3. Dartmouth Castle: A river boat trip from Dartmouth town quay up to the castle is a must for anyone interested in journeying through 600 years of history, from medieval times to World War II. And with stunning views of the River Dart from the fortress, there’s also the opportunity for some fantastic photographs.

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4. Salcombe Brewery: This brewery tour will leave you impressed by the care and attention that goes into every drop of Salcombe Brewery’s range of cask and bottled beers. The brewhouse, built on the site of a decommissioned water reservoir, is an environmentally friendly operation with natural underground cold storage and solar panels on the roof. Don’t miss the gift-shop to pick up a few bottles for the road.

Eating / drinking

5. The Green Table: Nestled within the Dartington Estate, this is a great option for a healthy lunch. Nutritional, sustainable meals are prepared using organic ingredients. Vegan and veggie options on the varying seasonal menu are so good even carnivores will want a taste. The salad plate and a meze platter were a real treat.
6. Otter Valley Dairy: Just off the A30 you will often find a queue of people heading for an award-winning artisan ice cream from a roadside shack. Otter Valley Dairy’s small hut was just the tip of the ice(cream)berg. With a recently opened parlour on the site, the growth of this family-run business represents the continued success of Devon as a food and drink destination.

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7. Lyme Bay Winery: Award-winning English wines, ciders, meads and liqueurs are available from the on-site shop at the Lyme Bay Winery. The gift boxes are a great way to bring home a taste of the West Country’s finest tipple.
8. Private Dining with Chris Sherville: This respected local cook offers a “Chef’s table” experience at a secret location in Dartington Village. The private service by Chris makes this an ideal spot for special occasions. The atmosphere is relaxed and the menu can be tailored to suit the guests, but I can recommend the risotto of squid ink, with red mullet and Romesco sauce.

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Where to stay

9. Glazebrook House: This sits proudly in a quiet corner of Dartmoor National Park with a welcoming, country-house atmosphere mixed with quirky, bespoke Alice In Wonderland-inspired decor. The luxurious character extends into its restaurant where the eight-course taster showcases the diversity of the menu. The Sage gnocchi and the pan-fried hake were stand-out favourites.

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10. The Millbrook Inn: In a picture-perfect chocolate box village, The Millbrook is a haven for foodies. The finest local ingredients prepared via traditional French cooking is why The Millbrook Inn was voted Devon County Dining Pub for 2019. And the accolades don’t stop there. Award-winning accommodation comes in the form of The Millbrook Loft. Double-height, beamed ceilings crown this huge living space, which includes a king-size bed, living and dining room and a fully-equipped kitchen.
11. Bayards Cove Inn: The delightful town of Dartmouth is home to Bayards Cove Inn. A 14th-century timber-framed Tudor inn, Bayards Cove has seven characterful rooms, making it a great spot to lay camp and further explore this South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A bar serving the finest local lagers, ciders and ales doesn’t hurt, either.

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12. The Abbey Inn: The inn stands on the edge of the River Dart in the market town of Buckfastleigh. With each of the eight rooms overlooking the river, the views are stunning. Classic fish and chips served in the restaurant was a winner, too.