PROFILE: South Hams

The South Hams in Southernmost Devon is one of the most sought after locations. An unspoilt, largely rural area, with a coastline offering hidden coves, miles of coastal path, wildlife havens and expanses of river and sea.

The area boasts a varied and productive local food economy, including fish, seafood, meat, wine and cheeses, several excellent farm shops and regular farmers markets.

Eating out is a delight with variety ranging from the traditional fish and chips to Michelin starred and Les Routiers acclaimed restaurants.

Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Dartmouth and Totnes are the major towns, each offering a uniqueness of its own.

Kingsbridge established itself as a centre for trade and commerce in the 13th century when the Abbot of nearby Buckfast Abbey granted permission for his monks to set up an open air market on the quay to sell fruit, vegetables, honey and thick cream. Small independent shops still line Fore Street as they have for centuries.

Salcombe, considered the warmest place on the western coast, is located on the mouth of the estuary which runs up to Kingsbridge. The microclimate supports a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Boats and Salcombe are two words that are hard to separate and the waters are some of the best in the country.

Dartmouth town tumbles down hill in a seaward direction, houses vie for glimpses of the mouth of the Dart or further out to sea. Daniel Defoe described Dartmouth as a port 'where five hundred sail can lie in safety'.

Totnes, famous for alternative therapies and its special atmosphere.

These towns, with the myriad of villages in between offer what is truly a delightful place to live.