Located between the village of Stoke Gabriel and the medieval town of Totnes, in glorious South Devon, Aish Cross Holiday Cottages are just a 5 minute drive from one of the country's most beautiful rivers, the River Dart.

The River Dart valley is great place to spend a holiday appealing to families, couples, walkers, water enthusiasts and bird watchers alike. Just 1 mile away in Stoke Gabriel you can take a walk alongside the banks of the river, go crabbing or launch your own boat or canoe.

A 15 minute drive further down the Dart towards Kingswear you can visit the National Trust gardens of Greenway House, Agatha Christie's previous home. From here you can take the short passenger ferry across to the picturesque waterside village of Dittisham and enjoy a pint and meal at The Ferry Boat Inn. At Kingswear take the car ferry across to Dartmouth. Here you can sample some fabulous food, great shopping and take one of many different boat trips on offer.

Away from the Dart there are some great beaches within an easy drive including the popular Torbay beaches. Beyond Brixham, just off the beaten track is Mansands which is more peaceful. In just under a hours' drive you can get to the superb blue flag rated Blackpool Sands and many other excellent beaches.

The wonderful mild climate of the River Dart valley means it is a great place to enjoy all year round, perfect if you enjoy walking, fishing, bird watching, eating & drinking, golf, horse-riding not forgetting canoeing, sailing and crabbing.

Stoke Gabriel 1 mile

The River Shack - 01803 782520 www.therivershack.co.uk
Situated between the millpond and the village quay the River Shack is a great place to eat.

Church House Inn - 01803 782384 www.churchhouseinn.co.uk
A characterful beamed local set on a cobbled path by the Church which serves great beer and cider.

Totnes 3 miles

The Waterside Bistro - 01803 864069 www.watersidebistro.com
Casual eating and wine bar – the food is pretty good and great value.

The Royal Seven Stars -01803 862125 www.royalsevenstars.co.uk
Enjoy home cooked food in the saloon or eat in their restaurant TQ9 which offers a menu sourced from fresh, local ingredients.

Rumours Wine Bar - 01803 864682
Easy going and cosmopolitan – a bit alternative and unusual but excellent menu.
We like it and have had many fun evenings there.

Café India - 01803 866171
Good quality Indian food and excellent service.

Willow - 01803 862605
Popular vegetarian restaurant offering a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Café Asia -01803 868866 www.thecafeasia.co.uk
Chinese and south east Asian influenced cuisine, eat in or takeaway.

Steam Packet Inn - 01803 863880 www.steampacketinn.co.uk
Particularly nice for lunch on a sunny day – tables in the open by the river.

A little further a field Under 10 miles

Bickley Mill Inn, Stoneycombe - www.bickleymill.co.uk
More of a restaurant, nice décor and an excellent wide range of menu.

The White Hart, Dartington Hall - www.dartingtonhall.com
Set in the middle of the Dartington Estate, perfect for summer lunches and with its huge fireplace great for winter time too.

Premier Cru, Torquay - www.premiercrurestaurant.co.uk
One of favourite restaurants, small and popular – booking is essential.

The Malsters Arms, Tuckenhay - www.tuckenhay.com
Situated on Bow Creek this waterside pub is in a stunning location. Great food and excellent spot to spend a summer lunch or try one of their regular evening BBQs

The Tally Ho, Littlehempston – 01803 862316
14C traditional pub with good value home cooked food.

The Weary Ploughman, Churston Ferrers - www.wearyploughman.co.uk
Quite a large family run pub & restaurant serving good food at moderate prices- recently refurbished – nice décor etc.

The New Inn, Moreleigh - 01548 821326
A really good place to enjoy steak and chips. A hidden gem, beer from the barrel a real local.

Finally for those very special meals (more expensive!)

The Seahorse, Dartmouth www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk
The New Angel, Dartmouth www.thenewangel.co.uk
The Elephant , Torquay www.elephantrestaurant.co.uk
No 7 Restaurant , Torquay www.no7-fish.com
The Orchid Restaurant, Torquay www.orchidrestaurant.net
The Orestone Manor, Torquay www.orestone.co.uk

Places of Interest All Under 6 miles

Greenway www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Agatha Christie's house on the banks of the River Dart. The beautiful garden stretch down to the river where you will find Christie's bathhouse.

Coleton Fishacre www.nationaltrust.org.uk
This 1920's house is in the arts & crafts style. Gardens are a haven of dense woodland and filled with rhododendrons and a scattering of rare rainforest plants

Berry Pomeroy Castle www.english-heritage.org.uk
Former home of the Pomeroy and Seymour families, set in woodland and is rumoured to be one of the most haunted castles in Britain.

Totnes Castle www.english-heritage.org.uk
This castle has commanding views of Totnes and the River Dart. It is one of the best surviving examples of a Norman castle.

Compton Castle www.nationaltrust.org
A fairy tale castle which was used for the set of Sense and Sensibility (2005). It has a medley of fortified towers and battlements. Dartington Hall & Gardenswww.dartingtonhall.com The 1200-acre Dartington Hall estate is located in the heart of South Devon. This encompasses one of the finest gardens in the south west with many beautiful woodland and riverside walks.

Family Fun

Quay West www.quaywest.co.uk
Open from May each year, this is a wet and wild water park set on Goodrington beach in Paignton. Great family fun.

Woodlands Leisure Park www.woodlandspark.com
60 acres of entertainment, 15 family rides + play zones designed for all ages. Watercoasters, Toboggan Run, Arctic Gliders & Bumper Boats and one of the biggest indoor venture zone around.

Pennywell Farm & Wildlife Centre www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Multi award winning farm activity park with lots of outside and indoor things to do and animals to see.

China Blue www.china-blue.co.uk
Paint your own pottery in one of the largest studio's in the South West, great for a rainy day.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
There's is a whole animal kingdom waiting to be explored all packed into 80 acres of natural habitat.

Living Coasts, Torquay's Coastal Zoo www.livingcoasts.org.uk
Come face to face with penguins, catch the seals in their underwater viewing area and watch the elegant sea birds.

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam
Jump aboard in Paignton, Goodrington beach or Kingswear and experience some stunning scenery along the Torbay Coastline.

South Devon Railway www.southdevonrailway.org
This train follows the River Dart for 7 miles between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Paid parking by the mainline train station or Totnes leisure centre and take the 10 walk to the platform

Riverlink www.pdsr.co.uk/page.php?xPage=riverlink.html
Take one of their many pleasure cruises on the River Dart, the Dartmouth to Totnes trip is the most popular where you can make a round trip by taking a steam train and open topped double decker bus.

Angling/fishing

Ashley's Fishing Trips, Paignton Harbour www.mackerelfishing.co.uk
Mackerel fishing trips and deep sea fishing trips

Cinema

Apollo Cinema, Paignton www.apollocinemas.co.uk
Located on the seafront in Paignton with 9 screens including 3D screens.

The Barn Cinema, Dartington Estate www.dartington.org/barn-cinema
This is an independent cinema set in a converted 14c barn with a wide film range program including art house, world and mainstream.

Horse Riding

Babeny Farm Stables www.babenystables.co.uk
Situated on Dartmoor near Poundsgate, stunning off road riding for experienced and beginner riders.

Dittiscombe Equestrian Centre - 01548 581049
Located a few miles away from Slapton Sands the centre offer lessons and hacks for novice to experienced riders. Hacking in quiet country lanes and tracks. Indoor and Outdoor schools.

Cheston Equestrian Centre - 01364 649461
Hacking on Dartmoor and indoor school suitable for all levels.

Swimming

Riviera Centre, Torquay www.rivieracentre.co.uk
Great wave pool with a flume.

Shoalstone Outdoor Pool
A sea water pool with free entry situated near Berry Head in Brixham.

Tennis

Churston Tennis Club 01803 844577

Torquay Tennis Lawn Club www.torquayltc.co.uk
3 indoor courts as well as floodlit outside grass & claytex courts.

Water sports

Ski west water sports www.skiwest.co.uk
Water ski and jet ski hire.

South Devon Discovery Surf School www.discoverysurf.com
Offers all year round tuition in Bigbury on Sea

Canoe Adventures www.canoeadventures.co.uk
Guided tours on the river dart

Golf

Churston www.churstongolf.com
Fine coastal headland course stretching along the cliffs towards Brixham. Concessionary rates available for all our guests.

Dainton Park www.daintonparkgolf.co.uk
Undulating parkland course with water features on 6 holes and 2 of the toughest opening holes in Devon.