Silence is not a luxury. It is crucial to our physical and mental health. We need it to think, to sleep, to recover from life’s frenzy… The sounds and rhythms of the water, the winds, the sunshine – reconnect with the sea, with wildlife, and with the changing of the seasons.
This can be a time to focus on happiness, health, fitness and diet.
Why not spend time outdoors, a gentle stroll barefoot on the beach to meditation on the clifftop. From post-illness recovery to family times; sharing, laughing and spending quality time with loved ones.
Our Reception Team can advise on local experts and practitioners;
Yoga is an ancient practice of breath awareness and body movement which helps realign and integrate mind and body, bringing a sense of inner joy and balance as well as physical refreshment and invigoration.
Breathe the true ‘ocean breath’ – breathing and moving as part of this unique environment.
Yoga is non-competitive; we all work at our own level and allow improvement to come when our bodies and minds are ready for it.
For Beach Yoga (1-1 sessions), Emma Lovick at www.southsandssailing.co.uk
Here are a few of the local centres and classes available: www.harbourhouse.org.uk
Our marine landscape offers such a variety of waters, from hidden coves along the rugged coast, beaches, creeks in our estuaries, plunge pools, hidden gullies and the River Dart and River Avon. Swim all year – from bracing winter swimming (our management team at South Sands, swim on the first of each month all year) to late summer warmth. Westuit or no wetsuit, that is your choice.
Tides, local conditions and weather patterns affect our waters. Experienced ‘wild swimmers’ seeking to make the most of these waters will need advice from relevant experts or publications.
Local wild swimming events include; the “Bantham Swoosh Swim”
on Avon Estuary in July and the Wild Dart Swim in September.
The South West Coast Path, 630 miles long, is on your doorstep! The South Devon coastline goes from Plymouth to Dartmouth and passes through the villages of Noss Mayo, Bigbury, Thurlestone, Salcombe, Beesands, Torcross and Dartmouth. The routes here are a trail runner’s dream.
If you don’t fancy doing it alone, Jason McKinley knows the South West Coast Path better than anyone. No distance is too far, nor too short. So if you want a guide, or just the company, he’s your man. Jason hosts regular runs in the immediate area, always within walking distance. Grab your trainers and get on the trails.
Jason McKinley: 07738528700
Reception can update you on Jason’s weekly run locations.
Devon has more roads (mainly country lanes with Devon hedges) than any other English county. Although there are over 150 miles of National Cycle Network in Devon, these are in other parts of the county. Our roads are often narrow, but full of character and they twist through glorious valleys and over short sharp hills.
There are many quiet lanes to explore or cycle routes to follow. The team at Reception have maps and can advise on local routes and places to visit. For those looking for a mountain bike experience, then Dartmoor is every biker’s playground – well worth the trip (a little bit further away).
Local experts for all equipment are Hot Pursuit in Totnes: www.hotpursuit-cycles.co.uk
South Devon is the place to be explored on horseback. It is unsurpassed for the beauty and quality of its landscape. The area offers a variety of landscapes; from beaches, shores and estuaries to Devon lanes and bridleways, a mixed landscape of rolling fields, woods and hedgerows. Close by are the memorable wide open spaces of the uplands of Dartmoor.
There are three native ponies in Devon, the Dartmoor, Exmoor and Lundy and two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) with strong equestrian cultures. Devon has been ranked as the ‘horsiest’ county in the land by Horse and Hound magazine.
For more information about local equestrian centres, please speak to our Reception Team. Freya, our Reception Manager is a keen rider and can assist with advice and local knowledge.
South Devon has a beautiful and diverse range of wild plants, from the hedgerow & woodland, to open meadows and coastal areas. The plants inhabiting these spaces have some incredible stories to tell, and a Wild & Curious Foraging walk or adventure will introduce you to the art of foraging safely, and how this ancient practice can nourish our bodies and minds.
Spending time in the great outdoors is proven to improve our health and wellbeing. We encourage a re-connection with the beauty of our natural world through working mindfully and sustainably with wild food.
Wild & Curious Foraging activities are led by wild edible plant specialist Myrtle Cooper, who has been teaching foraging since 2014. Myrtle is passionate about connecting people with wild plants and the great outdoor larder, and facilitating a sensory and immersive approach to learning about wild edible plants.
Wild and Curious Foraging – www.wildandcurious.org.uk
South Devon offers a very special beauty and quality of its landscape. From beaches, shores and estuaries, the ancient farmed landscape with deep ‘Devon lanes’ to the upland environment of Dartmoor. Devon has 33,000 miles of hedgerows and 210 Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These rich and largely unspoilt habitats provide a home to a fascinating diversity of plants and animals.
South Sands are supporting Anna Turn’s “Plastic Clever Salcombe” campaign – a mother and daughter helping local residents, holidaymakers, schools and businesses in this coastal area of Devon to think more responsibly about single-use plastic in order to reduce marine litter along this beautiful stretch of coastline and protect marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales, basking sharks, fish and even seahorses. (www.beplasticclever.co.uk)
Salcombe Harbour and Kingsbridge Estuary lies within the protected landscape of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It is a nationally important marine Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as a Local Nature Reserve.
In our pressured digital age, many people are re-discovering ‘hands on’ crafts as a way to relax and unwind. Skills and crafts that had gone into decline are now much in demand, with experts available to assist in learning or re-learning traditional techniques.
This could be an opportunity, in a very different environment to take part in a skills workshop.
The Reception Team, will be able to assist with local experts and workshops.
The Wool Merchant, Dartington: www.woolmerchant.co.uk
Modbury fabric and wools: www.hulucrafts.co.uk
Ani Catt: Crazy Catt Quilt Shop, Kingsbridge
Jewellery workshops: Royal William Yard, Plymouth
Wood turning: www.dartmoorcreativewoodturning.co.uk
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