Torquay 7 Miles

SHALDON in DEVON

Of all the places in the UK that I’ve visited, my favourite has to be Shaldon.

That small Devon village is set on the tidal river Teign - pronounced Teen - just as it joins the sea at Teignmouth – which is pronounced Tin, so I was informed by the sunburnt boy who helps to ferry a small boat from one side of the river to the other, as people have been doing for hundreds of  years

Teignmouth to Shaldon Ferry

Whether the journey is long or short depends on the state of the tide.  But in either case it is always atmospheric; open to the weather and wonderful to be amongst the mass of other small boats that use the river.

Dogs travel Free

There is no pomp and circumstance.  Simply go down the beach from either side; walk the narrow plank with a helping hand from the boy and choose your seat, then take stock of the characters and the dogs that share the experience with you.

Comparing their catch.

Waiting for the tide.

Shaldon village consists of wonderful, picturesque houses; some dating as far back as 1620.

It has a village green where the game of Bowls has been played for centuries; gardens that offer tantalising glimpses of the sea and public house signs like The Ferryboat and The Clipper.      

Rain or shine, the Game goes on.

View from a Private Garden

With a Post Office and a small shop; a primary school and a bus service as well as a Botanical Garden and a small Zoo it must be a very desirable place to live but perhaps we’d need to win the Lottery first.