Relaxing Retreats in South Devon

Holidays are for doing what you enjoy most and for many of us that’s relaxing.

With coast and countryside, cities, towns and villages, lively resorts as well as peaceful hideaways, this wonderful region offers the perfect background to immerse yourself in, whatever you find relaxing.

Whether it’s a spa break, a shopping outing, splash about at the pool or a round of golf you can unwind and enjoy it all here.   

Spas

Getting your nails done, sinking in to the warm waters of a bubbling hot tub, feeling the heat in a sauna or loosening up with a revitalizing massage are just some of the relaxing treats you could indulge in at one of South Devon’s many spas.     

Throughout the region there are lots of spas and health clubs which are waiting to welcome you in to their tranquil environments. Many of the area’s spas and treatment rooms are housed within some of South Devon’s most deluxe hotels and accommodation providers.

If you’re looking to book your own peaceful sanctuary to relax in, a self catering holiday in South Devon could be the answer. Be You Spa and Gym at Beyond Escapes near to Totnes offers oodles of pampering treatments, a sauna, steam room and outdoor vitality pool as well as a state of the art gym. Whilst at Hawkchurch Resort Spa near Axminster you can feel rejuvenated with a range of treatments and therapies. Both offer luxury holiday accommodation set amidst stunning South Devon countryside. 

For a nights stay where every amenity, including spa treatments, is on hand head to one of our luxurious hotels. For a coastal retreat check in to the Thurlestone Hotel and visit The Voyage Spa, with its jet spa hydrotherapy pool and gentle dry heat laconium for the ultimate in relaxation. Or The Cary Spa at The Cary Arms, near to the coastal town of Torquay, this award winning spa offers guests the chance for total relaxation and indulgence with spectacular sea views. The Aztec Spa at the TLH Carlton Hotel in the heart of Torquay lets you chill out and escape in their stunning Aztec themed pool complex with sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. If you wish to be close to the Jurassic Coast head to the Royal York and Faulkner Hotel in Sidmouth and unwind in the contemporary design and spectacular interior of the Aspara Day Spa.

For a countryside getaway with moorland views, the Ilsington Country House Hotel Spa is just the place to spoil yourself and your loved ones with an indulging spa package in beautiful surroundings. Closer to the city of Plymouth, but still within easy reach of dazzling countryside, the luxury spa of Gaia Spa at Boringdon Hall is a haven of tranquillity with an infinity pool, hydrotherapy pool and crystal salt steam room.

Swimming

Splashing your cares away and diving in to a swimming pool for many is a fantastic way to relax and in South Devon we have a number of great pools.

For slides and a more entertaining swim head to Finlake Fitness, near Chudleigh, who offer just that, you’ll find a 12 metre heated indoor pool and splash zone. Whist Ladram Bay Swimming Complex offers a large pool with interactive splash zone including slides and fountains as well as sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

For other pools which offer a good day out and chance for lane swimming head to Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton, Dawlish Leisure Centre or Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, as well as great pools, sports courts and gyms can also be found and are perfect for the relaxing workout. 

In the summer months, be sure to head to Teignmouth Lido where you can enjoy a mix of outdoor swimming and relaxing by the water’s edge, all within easy reach of the beach.

Golf

Whether it’s for a serious round or friendly driving and putting practice, a game of golf can be a great relaxing day out which can be enjoyed with friends or family, and South Devon has a number of stunning courses for you to enjoy.

Bovey Castle Golf Course can be found in the heart of Dartmoor and boasts a challenging and beautiful championship golf course. In East Devon near to the city of Exeter, Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf Club offers a world class golf course surrounded by fantastic Devon countryside. On the outskirts of Newton Abbot, Dainton Park offers a 71 par golf course set in 125 acres of parkland with multiple water features, sculpted bunkers and generous fairways. 

If you’re looking for a shorter round of golf, Shaldon Approach Golf is an 18-hole course with hole distances of 60 to 120 yards. Enjoying a game here will not only let you hone your skills but you will enjoy breath-taking views of Teignmouth and the Teign Estuary.      

Shopping

For many, hitting the shops and indulging in a bit of retail therapy is the dream relaxing day trip. And with the towns, cities and villages of South Devon offering an assortment of shops and brands, the region is the ideal place to head for a shopping holiday.     

City and Town Centre Shopping

Devon has two cities, Plymouth and Exeter, both located to the south of the county, which are havens for shopaholics or anyone looking for a city centre shopping break. The bustling high streets and shopping districts are packed with big names, department stores and local brands ensuring all your shopping tastes are catered for. City centre shopping can be enjoyed at Princesshay Shopping Centre in the heart of Exeter, where over 70 fantastic restaurants and retailers can be found with the iconic cathedral as a back drop. McGahey the Tobacconist is located on Exeter High Street and is a specialist tobacconist.   

In the lively harbour town of Torquay, Fleet Walk Shopping Centre can be found. With many of the big name brands which can be found in the cities also found here or close by you can get the city centre shopping experience in a friendly seaside town.    

Independent Shops 

If you’re looking to buy a unique gift or purchase some yummy local produce the towns and villages of South Devon are full of local brands and independent stores offering just that.

Near the town of Totnes, Sharpham Vineyard and Cheese Dairy produces and sells a selection of wine and cheeses, you can also take a tour of the vineyard and see where the grapes in your wine were grown. In the East Devon town of Honiton, the Thelma Hulbert Gallery is a contemporary exhibition space and galley, once you’ve browsed the artwork there’s a shop were pieces and souvenirs can be purchased.    

The choice of arts in Bovey Tracey is huge, House of Marbles is a unique attraction where an assortment of gifts can be brought and make sure you pay a visit to the onsite glassworks where you can watch some of the wonderful artworks being crafted. Close by, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen is another paradise for art lovers; the Grade II listed building houses gallery space as well as a shop. A short drive away you’ll find Trago Mills Family Shopping and Leisure Park, where everything from shoes, art supplies and garden plants can be purchased.

As well as the city centres, there are a number of towns scattered throughout the region, many of these towns have a history as market towns with weekly or monthly markets still being held. In Newton Abbot you’ll find a thriving indoor market which is open 6 days a week at the Market Hall as well as a number of weekly markets, including a produce market every Friday, held in Market Walk and Courtenay Street. 

Kingsbridge Farmers’ Market is held the first and third Saturday of the month, whilst in Bovey Tracey the farmers' market is held on alternate Saturdays. In Dartmouth, The Old Market houses a range of shops and an assortment of market days. All offer the perfect opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown produce and homemade gifts.    

Mixed with a coffee or cake stop, a trip to any of the towns, villages and cities in South Devon is a perfect relaxing day out for any lover of shopping.

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