The Charm of South Devon

1r h the ambition of almost every motorist to explore—once in his lifetime, at any rate—Dartmoor Forest and the South Devon Coast. With the possible exception of the Kentish and Sussex Coast, there is no touring area in Britain more crowded with cars in the height of the summer. The chief reason for this is that the whole of this glorious stretch of coast and countryside lies within a radius from Torquay of no more than forty miles. Another reason is that the journey to South Devon is a very comfortable day's run from London.

The wise motorist who can spare the time will, because of the popularity of this district in the summer, take advantage of the wonderful climate it enjoys in Spring and make his stay there at this period. All ways to South-Devon lead first to Exeter, the clearing-house for traffic „going to or coming from the West. From London the road—that is, the shortest and best road—passes through Hounslow, Staines, Basing- stoke, Salisbury, Shaftesbury and Yeovil. From Birming- ham it passes through Worcester, Gloucester, Bristol and Taunton. It is hardly possible to lose the way from either point, so good is the main road and so well signposted.

It may have been ar- ranged, however, to make the tour really systemati- cally by touching the Devon Coast at its nearest point and thus branch off at Chard for Seaton. The only drawback to such an arrangement is that the four resorts on this section of the coast, namely, Sea- ton, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth, are likely to prevent the tourist from " moving on " as quickly as at first intended, for they Are all so comfortable and pleasant to stay in.

The beauty of the scene from the top of Salcombe Hill before descending into Sidmouth will not easily be forgotten. Salcombe Hill is 4100 feet in height, but the descent is easy enough. Its neighbour, Peak Hill, on the opposite side of the town, is a far more formidable climb, and is still one of the test hills used in the London-Exeter trials. Still, it is well worth the climb to reach Budleigh Salterton by the coast road and so save the awkward journey back to the main road. So quiet, quaint and unconventional is Budleigh that one can well believe the legend that more honeymoon couples come here than to any other place on the . South Coast.. The run from here to Exeter has no particular interest, except that it passes through Exmouth.

From Exeter there are two ways of reaching Torquay.

Nowadays, as :the road-surface between Newton the and Torquay has been reconditioned, this way makes the smoothest journey. It also avoids the toll bridge, with the slow progress entailed in crossing it, over the River Teign at Teignmouth. The London road enters Exeter by the Bude Hotel. Heie you turn to the left and continue along-the main road out of the city and on to the Plymouth road. Two miles out of thudleigh the Newton Abbot road branches to the left. In 'housing aceomiliodation one word of advice is necessary. Should you have an inclination for apartments high up on one of the cliffs, make certain that a garage is near, otherwise Walks to and from a garage below may occupy much of yotir valuable. tune.- . _ .

As a motoring centre Torquay is. ideal. Day.tours • can be Planned to the furthest extremities of the DeVOli CORM Or of Dartmobr without thought of undue motoring strain. One of your earliest car rambles should take you to Kingsbridgc 1)!' way of the coast. Provided that you have the time to `Pare, it iinot worth using the costly ferry betieen-Kingswear and Dartmouth to reach your objective.• A .far- pleasanter waY, after passing Paignton, is to take the left-hand mad, fit

Brixhant, inspect its harbour of fishing smacks, continue by way of-the coast to Kingswear and then to Totnes along the left bank of the charming River Dart. From Totnes there is a direct main road to Kingsbridge, but once again a far more interesting run is in store, if the coastal route be taken. You drive up the hilly main street of Totnes and carry on along the Kingsbridge mid for a mile and a half. To the left at this point is the way to Dartmouth--a winding and narrow road. hilly in parts, but with a good and level surface. After Dartmouth conies the best portion of this run. Yott will have to make a climb of several hundred feet over a distance of two to three miles, and as you turn inwards to the coast at the summit, a wide expanse of sea and land, divided as it. seems by the glistening main road, will greet you. Torcross, sonie five miles away, will be dearly visible. The descent here to sea level must be taken With caution, owing to the bends and rather steep stretches. The fast, straight rim to Toreross will fully compensate you for this, and after reaching this little sea-coast village, you will bear to the right and make a dirckt journey of seven miles

into- Kingsbridge. •

Now this town, built _ .

on a steepish bill, is of importance because ; it serves as a centre for many delightful and IAA- ' cal South Devon resorts. Among these are Salcombe and Thurlestone, the for- mer possessing a line har- bour and the latter a splendid golf course. The return journey to Tor- quay can be made over

a distance of than twent.j. miles.

Now this tour will 'naturallY take you to that most exquisite piece of rugged country--:-Dartmoor Forest. To gain familiarity with Dartmoor, the following route wilt help considerably. Take the road to Newton Abbot and here discover the way to Bickington, which lies between three and four Miles to the right of Ashburton on the main Exeter-Plyinouth road. Cross this road and you will then begin to make a slow and steady ascent of about four Miles to the top of Haytor, possibly the highest point tin the Moor. The Moorland Hotel is at the summit. Rather than continue over the rough moorland roads lying north, it will be better to turn to the right by the hotel and drop gradually into the town of Bovey Tracey and there turn lett to the Moretonhampstead road. Here you will meet another good gravel road going to Tavistock, but before' continuing, you should cross to Chagfnd and spend some time there, for the view of the great rolling heather downs is superb.

The Moor contains so many lanes that you can very quickly find yourself lost among them. Returning from Chaglord to the main road, turn to the right and you will enter a vast ow. country with the road ahead continually peeping at you over

the brow of sonic hill or other in the distance. Quite a speed can safely be gathered towards Two Bridges, the way being so smooth-surfaced. The Hotel at Two Bridges is tucked away in a hollow and confronts you just at a nun/lent when you are wondering if there is anything on earth but bracken and gorse ! A stay here makes a pleasant break. Should you decide to turn back home from this point, a direct road along the bank of the River Dart will take you to 'runway by way of Ashburton. Otherwise, an enjoyable detour can

be made by going on to Prineetown--the grey, bleak prison buildings are on the right -of the road - ----and so through Dom-

land to Yelverton, a delightful place noted for its golf and fishing. A sharp turn less than a mile past Yelverton will lead you to Ivybridge, a safe but not altogether an easy run, From Ivybridge, the hornewarcl journey is through Avonwick,