Situated on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park, Ivybridge benefits from being both flanked by outstanding countryside and close to some beautiful beaches.
In fact if you desire, Ivybridge is the perfect alternative to the usual bucket and spade holiday. The River Erme flows fast through the town and was the source of power for Ivybridge''s mills of old. Visitors are drawn to the area for its rich South Devon heritage of cloth and milling industries. The town''s role as a bustling coach station in the 1700s still resonates and the Ivy Bridge itself still stands.
But if the seaside does take your fancy, Mothecombe beach is only ten minutes south and is one of the quieter, unspoilt stretches of coast. It has been accredited by the Marine Conservation society for pristine sands and water, with plenty of sheltered, serene bathing.
Surrounding bays offer bodyboarding and windsurfing, and if outdoor pursuits are your thing, Ivybridge acts a gateway to the wild expanse of Dartmoor and a wealth of active opportunities. There is a long distance route for the serious walkers that stretches for 102 miles and links up with the National Park of Exmoor. Horseriding on the moors is always popular and at nearby Dartington, the Dynamic adventure park has watersports, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Sustainable methods of farming are practiced fervently across the region, in turn supplying many of the local pubs and restaurants to keep the local economy strong. There is a well-loved farmers'' market in Buckfastleigh where the community meet to exchange an extensive range of dairy, meat, organic vegetables, smoked fish, ecological groceries and craft.
Search for holiday cottages in Ivybridge and you''ll find a picturesque collection of traditional Devonshire abodes.