Filled with a friendly, good natured atmosphere, welcoming locals and fascinating history, Kingsbridge is a wonderful destination to add to your itinerary.
The town sits along the Kingsbridge Estuary surrounded by beautiful countryside, a friendly atmosphere and easy access to both the South West Coast Path and nearby towns and villages making it the perfect base for anyone wanting to explore South Devon. It’s hardly surprising that it is a good spot for exploring the surrounding areas, Kingsbridge got its name from an ancient bridge that was built to link the royal estates of Alvington and Chillington.
Outdoor adventures in Kingsbridge
The countryside and estuary make it a popular spot for walkers and sailors alike. While the town itself has a gentle, easy going atmosphere, the estuary provides plenty of opportunities to get out onto the water and indulge in some watersports, especially if you’re into kayaking and paddleboarding while the South West Coast Path and the countryside offers excellent walking and cycling routes. Kingsbridge falls within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where you can find numerous walking trails and nature reserves, giving you plenty of chances to get out and about. Situated at the head of the Salcombe Estuary, this bustling market town is a picturesque place to while away the hours
Things to see and do in Kingsbridge
Though Kingsbridge is a relatively small town, you’ll find there are plenty of things to fill your time. The town is a haven of independent stores and you’ll find an eclectic selection of antique shops, art galleries, gift shops and local, family run stores with everything from fashion to snacks. If the weather is bad, there is a three screen cinema and a leisure centre giving you plenty of options when it comes to keeping you active.
No matter when you find yourself in town, there is always something going on. Through the summer, you can enjoy the annual delights of the Kingsbridge Food and Music Festival and Kingsbridge Fair Week and in the autumn, the Kingsbridge Show. Every year, visitors flock to the town for the popular Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas event and throughout the rest of the year, there are markets, Farmers’ Markets, workshops, live music and more. The people of the town are a creative bunch, so whatever time of year you choose to visit, you’ll find something going on.
Food and drink in Kingsbridge
For the foodies among you, Kingsbridge is an excellent choice, like most of the towns in South Devon, there is a huge focus on local produce, so the pubs, restaurants and cafes that can be found all around the town serve the very best in fresh, seasonal, local produce. The fish is often caught that morning and the veg is grown in the county. You’ll also find Devon reared meat and locally prepared bread and cakes in the bakeries and cafes too. That’s not all, you’ll also find local craft beers, ales and of course, that West Country staple, Cider. If you want to top up your cupboards, make sure to attend one of the regular Farmers’ Markets where you’ll find a wide range of local produce from across South Devon. It isn’t just beers and ales you can find being produced in the area, Kingsbridge neighbours Salcombe where there is an award-wining gin distillery and there are vineyards offering amazing locally created wines around the town too.
Back in the 18th Century, milling was the town’s biggest revenue source, and farming, agriculture and local food production is still very much a focus.
