Beaches
A great place to start exploring the sleepy South Hams would be Great Mattiscombe Sands; its surreal rock formations are impressive at sunset.
I also recommend Watcombe Beach. Pull in to the free car park and enjoy a tranquil woodland walk flanked by red sandstone cliffs. Reward yourself at Watcombe Beach Cafe, where food is cooked to order and a hot drink will leave you with change from a pound.
If you can muster the energy to visit Soar Mill Cove, near Salcombe, you will be delighted to discover a secluded haven with caves, rock pools and a rocky island to investigate. And if you appreciate pure, unspoilt sandy beaches, then Mothecombe has to be on your agenda. You can only use the beach on certain days, but the water and beach are kept exceptionally clean.
Villages and harbours
Shaldon village is an ideal retreat for easing into the laidback south Devon lifestyle and The Ness (Ness Drive) provides a hearty cooked breakfast. Yards away is the Smugglers' Tunnel which leads to lovely little Ness beach, a secret which eludes most visitors.
Thatched cottages and a homely public house await you at nearby Stokeinteignhead (Church House Inn). The village's mascot, the Cirl Bunting, can only be seen in these parts, so keep your eyes peeled.
Where to eat and drink
You should take a tour of historic Brixham, stopping at David's Fish & Chip Diner (64 Bolton Street, 01803 855771) to enjoy the local catch. A trip to the atmospheric Churston Court Inn is a must (Church Street, Churston Ferrers), along with the romantic shingle beach at nearby Elberry Cove.
Things to see and do
Torquay still holds one or two secrets, including the remarkable Babbacombe Theatre (Babbacombe Downs Road). Babbacombe is a great place to get up close to the local sea life, with Divers Down (139 Babbacombe Road, 01803 327111, diversdown.co.uk) offering beginners' Scuba diving courses.
South Devon's inconsistent surf has led to the rise of niche watersports that can be enjoyed in low to non-existent waves – ideal for beginners. Preston beach is the UK home of skimboarding, and you can see locals performing tricks in the whitewater with their small flat boards. A good vantage point is the Boathouse Bar & Grill (Marine Drive, Paignton, Preston) where you will find stonebaked pizza, burgers and sea bass on the menu, plus live music.
Stand-up paddleboarding is another sport on the up and the boards are so stable locals have started creating bizarre hybrids, for example Paddleboard Pilates at Flow.
In September, the South Devon Football League starts, and the numerous villages in these parts provide some stunning backdrops. The Cellars, home of Beesands Rovers, surely must be the closest football pitch to the sea. In Beesands, pop in to The Cricket Inn () to sample the locally-caught seafood. There's lobster, crab and scallop all sourced from the bay.
• Neil Hocking, editor of Sport South Devon free magazine (01803 606092 to order a copyk)
