by Emele Maisey

Created on: November 17, 2011   Last Updated: November 21, 2011

In the South of Devon at the head of a tidal estuary sits the attractive market town of Kingsbridge. Once a busy trading port this town, surrounded by rolling countryside, is a tranquil escape for those who love to spend time outdoors whether walking or hiking, cycling, sailing or simply taking in the sights and learning the history of the town.

The Salcombe-Kingsbridge estuary, which is a Local Nature Reserve and an SSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) is unique as there is no river but a series of flooded valleys, known as Rias instead. The estuary is home to a range of wildlife including egrets, buzzards, crab, shellfish and otters and if you're lucky you might see dolphins, seals or basking sharks that venture into the estuary to feed. There are a series of trails around the estuary that you can walk along and during the summer season a river cruiser operates. A

boat trip takes about 80minutes as you cruise the length of the estuary taking in North and South Sands, the remains of Fort Charles Salcombe Castle and the stunning views of cliffs and coastline.

The town, with its cobbled streets, quaint alleys and passageways and beautiful quay has a range of independent gift shops and art galleries, including the Mayne Gallery, for you to browse as well as a museum and some interesting architecture.

You can follow the Town Trail Walk which is a circular walk covering 1 mile which will take you past all the important sites of the town.

Located in the old grammar school is the Cookworthy museum which has nine galleries of exhibits covering the development and rural culture of the town as well as a collection of some of the finest English porcelain china. See the Victorian kitchen with huge cast iron range, the scullery, the Edwardian pharmacy and the farm gallery which contains a wide range of agricultural machinery and equipment including a cider press. The museum also houses 19th and 20th century costumes, 12,000 photographs dating back to the 1870's and resource centre for tracing family histories and personal research.

The Shambles is an old market hall raised on granite pillars which dates back to Elizabethan times. The grade II listed building still houses a market today. Near here you'll see the tall church spire from the Normal Church, St Edmund's, which dates back to the 13th-15th century. The spire has long been a beacon for boats coming up the estuary.

Anyone interested in ornithology may be interested to see Knowle House, once home of Captain George Montagu of Montagu's Harrier. Montagu was a naturalist best known for his Ornithological Dictionary and contributions to early knowledge of British birds including the harrier family bird of prey (Circus Pygargus) which was named after him.

Keen walkers can also take the 3 mile route from Kingsbridge to Bowcombe Creek which follows creeks and green lanes with views of the fishing boats bobbing in the estuary or take the shorter 2 mile walk to West Alvington Woods.

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