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South Devon, not to be confused with South Ham, is arguably the most popular holiday destination in the UK. Not as far away as Cornwall (so less time spent in the car if you’re travelling from London) but just as pretty, and with sweeping stretches of golden sand and charming villages adorned with bunting guaranteed. It’s not by chance that South Devon is also known as ‘the English Riviera’.

Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth are where to head if you want to combine a spot of sailing with your family break. There are dozens of activity centres offering sailing taster sessions for kids and adults alike. Why not hire a dinghy in Salcombe, the estuary offers outstanding scenery and an abundance of wildlife. There are both safe sandy beaches within the harbour as well as tidal creeks you can explore with your instructor in oar’s reach. Paddle over to East Portlemouth on the estuary opposite Salcombe and spend a few hours on the beach there, snoozing in the sun.

For those looking for the traditional seaside experience head to Torbay, one of the largest bays in south Devon. The towns of Torquay, Brixham and Paignton circle the bay. Take a stroll along one of the many promenades and enjoy some of the best uninterrupted sea views in the region. Torquay is famous for two things; its nightlife and being the birthplace of Agatha Christie. Take a tour around the places that inspired her and then, for some much needed ‘r&r’ head to The Guardhouse Café in Brixham for a splendid cream tea. The café can be found high on the granite outcrop of Berry Head. It’s popular with walkers and wildlife enthusiasts as well as being both child and dog friendly. Will you take some scenery with your scone? Yes please!

Last stop on our whirlwind tour is Plymouth. We’ve written a fair few blogs about gin, so we can’t miss an opportunity to mention the Plymouth Gin Distillery. This heavily beamed distillery has been brewing gin since 1793 and its success has been largely due to its presence on naval ships which ferried it around the world as a staple in many an officer’s mess. There are 4 – 6 tours a day for the ginophiles amongst you and a complimentary G&T in the grade II listed cocktail bar at the end. What better way to toast your holiday than in a South Devon holiday cottage? Cheers!