Start Bay – Top 10 things to do when visiting
Start Bay Holiday Park in Strete is a peaceful retreat located in the countryside, just a short distance from South Devon’s popular sandy beaches. This park is a great base for fun-filled family holidays and offers excellent on-site amenities.
Start Bay features a variety of unique park facilities. Enjoy the retro American-style cinema, which is ideal for rainy days. Alternatively, the games room offers a lively atmosphere with a selection of tabletop games. Gather with family and friends in the charming 1950s American-style bar, a fantastic place to unwind and connect. For those planning an extended stay, the laundry room makes your experience even more enjoyable and hassle-free.
The park is a short walk from the charming village of Strete. Here you will find Strete Post Office and Stores, which offer fresh local produce and everyday forgotten essentials. For larger shopping needs, Dartmouth is nearby, providing a range of shops and opportunities for enjoyable outings.
Start Bay is close to sandy beaches, including the popular Blackpool Sands, Slapton Sands, and the hidden gem of Strete Sands. These picturesque spots promise a memorable day out for the entire family.
Westcountry Resorts has compiled a selection of things to do near Start Bay Holiday Park 👉
One of the largest family attractions in Devon, this theme park is located near Dartmouth and spans 90 acres. The park primarily targets families with younger children and pre-teens. The park features around 16 rides, including water rides, a toboggan run, and family thrill rides. For rainy days, there are expansive soft play zones, slides, climbing frames, and various activities.
Additionally, the park is home to over 500 animals and includes a falconry centre with birds of prey. There are multiple themed play zones spread across the park, such as Ninja, Arctic, Circus, and Dinosaur areas. Visitors can also enjoy obstacle courses, pedal vehicles, bumper boats, and adventure playgrounds.
Dartmouth is a small, historic harbour town located in South Devon, on the west bank of the River Dart estuary. Known for its picturesque waterfront, narrow streets, and rich maritime history, Dartmouth offers a classic coastal atmosphere filled with numerous boats, ferries, and sailing activities. Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including Dartmouth Castle, which overlooks the estuary, as well as walking along the harbour and the South West Coast Path. Additionally, they can take a boat trip or ferry to Kingswear and ride the Dartmouth Steam Railway.
Blackpool Sands is one of the most beautiful beaches in South Devon, located near Dartmouth. This sheltered, crescent-shaped bay features clear, turquoise waters often compared to those of the Mediterranean. Surrounded by pine trees and lush greenery, the beach has a unique, almost tropical feel. It is known for its exceptionally clean water and has received Blue Flag status. In recent years, it has been named one of England’s best beaches. The calm waters make it ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Additionally, it is family-friendly and offers good facilities, including toilets, a cafĂ©, a shop, and parking.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company is a popular tourist attraction located in South Devon. It offers a unique experience that combines steam train journeys, river cruises, and coastal boat trips. This heritage railway and boat company is centred around the picturesque River Dart and the stunning English Riviera. Visitors can enjoy a scenic steam railway journey between Paignton and Kingswear, river cruises on the River Dart including trips to Totnes and sea cruises departing from popular locations like Torquay and Brixham.
Dartmoor National Park is a stunning, rugged landscape in South Devon. It is famous for its dramatic moorland, granite tors, ancient woodlands, and rich cultural history. The park is particularly known for its granite tors—rocky outcrops that rise sharply from the surrounding moorland. Visitors can explore the open, windswept moors filled with heather, gorse, and peat bogs.
The Rivers Dart, Teign, and Tavy all originate in Dartmoor. The area is home to ancient clapper bridges, stone circles, and hut circles. Dartmoor ponies, a hardy native breed, roam freely alongside a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and livestock such as sheep and cattle.
Dartmoor is rich in prehistoric monuments, Bronze Age stone rows, and burial sites. Popular activities in Dartmoor National Park include hiking, wild camping (permitted in certain areas under specific conditions), cycling, horse riding, and stargazing. The park offers a great, free day out for the whole family.
Dartmouth Castle is a historic coastal fortress located in Devon, built to protect the entrance to the River Dart and the bustling port of Dartmouth. For over 600 years, the castle has safeguarded the narrow entrance to the estuary and remains one of the most scenic historic sites in southwest England.
You can climb the gun tower for panoramic views of the sea, explore passageways and defensive rooms, and visit St. Petrox Church, which is situated within the castle grounds. There are also lovely coastal paths and woodlands to walk in the surrounding area. Additionally, you can take a boat trip from Dartmouth town quay to the castle. It is often described as one of the most picturesque castles in England, thanks to its dramatic location on a rocky headland.
The South West Coast Path around Dartmouth is one of the most scenic sections of the entire trail. It features dramatic cliffs, picturesque estuary views, woodlands, and historic sites. The trail leads to Dartmouth after following Start Bay and Slapton Sands, eventually reaching the River Dart Estuary. To continue their journey, walkers typically cross the river by ferry to Kingswear and then proceed towards Torbay.
Greenway House and Gardens sit majestically on a hillside overlooking the River Dart in Devon. The National Trust manages this historic property, which served as Agatha Christie’s holiday home. Visitors often describe it as “the loveliest place in the world.” This 18th-century Georgian house showcases Christie’s personal collections, books, and artefacts. The stunning grounds feature beautiful woodland gardens and formal areas that lead down to the river.
The property has been owned and cared for by the National Trust since 2000. Inside, the house has been carefully preserved in a 1950s style, offering a glimpse into the family life of Agatha Christie’s era. Highlights of the property include beautifully maintained walled gardens, a charming peach house filled with seasonal flowers and produce, and scenic woodland walks leading down to the picturesque Dart Estuary. Visitors can also enjoy stunning riverside views from the boathouse, relax at The Barn Café, and browse the on-site bookshop during their visit.
Slapton Sands is a beautiful stretch of shingle beach located on the south coast of Devon, between Torcross and Strete Gate. Known for its dramatic scenery and unique ecology, this 3-mile beach faces the English Channel and has a significant place in World War II history. Slapton Ley, the largest natural freshwater lake in southwest England, backs it. The area is part of a National Nature Reserve, home to rare plants, birds, and insects, serving as a natural barrier that separates the sea from the freshwater lagoon.
Totnes Castle is a charming and well-preserved Norman motte-and-bailey fortress located in the town of Totnes, Devon. It was built in the late 11th century, shortly after the significant Norman Conquest of 1066. The castle proudly stands atop a prominent hill, offering breathtaking views of the picturesque town below and the meandering River Dart.
Its impressive position not only showcases its architectural beauty but also emphasises its historical military significance. Managed by English Heritage, Totnes Castle invites visitors to explore its historical treasures. Guests can enjoy sweeping panoramas of the surrounding countryside, making it an ideal destination for picnics, family outings, and enriching historical exploration. Experience the allure of this historic gem and immerse yourself in the captivating story it has to tell.
For more information on this fantastic park or to view Start Bay Holiday Park caravans for sale, please visit Caravans for sale at Start Bay
Alternatively, if you have a static caravan or lodge you are looking to sell, read: Sell my static caravan or lodge privately. Westcountry Resorts has been helping caravan and lodge owners sell their holiday homes for the last twenty years. For more information, get in touch or call 01392 271 222.
