15th Apr 2019

7 Gorgeous Pub Gardens in South Devon

Guest Blog Post - Toad Hall Cottages

There’s no better place to end a countryside walk or day out on holiday than a quiet spot in a pretty pub garden with some delicious food or a glass of local beer or cider. In sunny South Devon we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to traditional countryside inns; tucked away on the banks of tranquil creeks, on the fringes of village greens or surrounded by glorious scenery. Here are a few of Toad Hall Cottages’ favourite South Devon pubs with gardens …

The Crabshell Inn commands a beautiful spot on the banks of the Kingsbridge Estuary, the ideal place to sit, unwind and watch the world go by. The Crabshell’s waterside beer garden is a renowned afternoon sun trap, a place where swans glide on the still estuary waters and the cows graze on the hillside.

Hidden away on the banks of Bow Creek in the hamlet of Tuckenhay, is The Maltsters Arms. Here, you can sit out in waterside pub garden and enjoy the views of the rolling countryside of the Dart Valley. During the summer months the slipway is the perfect place for youngsters to enjoy a refreshing paddle and for dogs to take a cooling plunge. This historic inn was once owned by the flamboyant TV chef, the late Keith Floyd. It remains a much-loved yachtsman’s retreat and one of the South Devon local’s best kept secrets.

Next, we head to one of South Devon’s most popular seaside resorts and a famous old sailor’s tavern perched on the harbour. The Ferry Inn’s waterside terrace garden looks out over the sparkling waters of Salcombe Harbour and boasts unrivalled views towards East Portlemouth and its secret coves and sandy bays. Watch the sailing boats tack the estuary waters as you indulge in a seafood platter and a glass of whatever you fancy. The Ferry Inn is one of the South Hams oldest pubs, dating back to 1739; over the years the décor might have changed but the views have remained as stunning as ever.

Smuggle yourselves away to stunning South Devon when you book a Toad Hall holiday cottage. With hundreds of picturesque properties in idyllic locations across the South West and more than thirty years of industry experience, Toad Hall Cottages remains the agency of choice for thousands of holidaymakers looking to explore this spectacular region.

The enchanting village of Stokenham, with its thatched rooves and picket fence gardens, is the scenic setting for our next pretty pub garden. The Tradesman’s Arms lies only a couple of miles from Slapton’s famous shingle beach and the gleaming waters of Start Bay. This gorgeous pub forms part of a row of old farmer’s cottages and dates back to the 14^th century. The pub’s garden overlooks the village green, a place where you can sit back and relax in the shade while enjoying a well-earned quencher or two.

On the leafy banks of the River Dart, as it wends its way through the ancient borough of Totnes, sits The Steam Packet Inn. This handsome riverside pub
provides the perfect sanctuary away from the bustling streets, its plush garden terrace the ideal place to while away an hour or two while the rowers glide by. Where better to rest and recharge after your day out discovering the sights and sounds of Totnes.

Not so far away The Cott Inn, Dartington, is every inch the rustic and traditional village tavern; thatched roof, low timber ceilings, centuries old cob walls, cosy inglenook fireplace…the list goes on. Set in the heart of the South Hams - the wild and brooding Dartmoor providing a dramatic backdrop - this gorgeous family-run free house has a splendid pub garden with ample shady spots for those hot summer days.

The final leg of our South Devon pub garden tour takes us back along the coast to Wembury Bay and a quiet creek off the River Yealm. Set on the Noss Mayo harbourside, there’s nowhere better to be on a blue-sky day than The Ship Inn’s sun terrace garden. Here, you can savour not only the pub’s award-winning food but also one of the region’s most picturesque settings, a place where the tide ebbs and flows and the fishing boats bob on their moorings.

If all this talk of pub gardens has got you longing for a South Devon getaway, then look no further than Toad Hall Cottages portfolio of over 400 cottages in beautiful locations throughout the region.