Noss Mayo – South Devon

The twin villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo nestle either side of the picturesque Yealm estuary on the south coast of Devon, ten miles east of Plymouth, the largest city in the south-west. A short drive away you can find the glorious unspoilt Erme estuary and beach at Mothecome surrounded by rolling wooded hills and farm land down to the sea. At Wembury (some 6 miles away) there is a good family beach with rock pools and a small museum and café.

Most of the local shops are located at Newton Ferrers including a post office, butcher and chemist and a co-op with extended opening hours. Pubs with excellent local food include The Ship in Noss Mayo, The Dolphin in Newton Ferrers and the Mildmay Colours at the nearby village of Holbeton. Highly recommended for reasonable lunches and first class organic foods the well-known Riverford farm shop at Kitley close to the road to Newton Ferrers.

Activities include boating, sailing, fishing and swimming in the River Yealm, coastal walks with magnificent sea views, bird watching and tennis at Noss Mayo. For a rainy day there is the National Marine Aquarium, cinemas, theatre and bowling at Plymouth, while for historic house lovers there is nearby Saltram house, the film location for Sense and Sensibility. A little further afield is Overbecks house and gardens at Salcolmbe. August sees several local regattas including one at Newton and Noss. Using your cottage as a base we can recommend a visit to the National Trust property at Cotehele, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden project just over the border into Cornwall. For children Woodlands Leisure Park, Pennywell Farm and the Dart Valley steam railway are all popular spots.

Written by John & Jennifer Gilbert – Owners of Property 2855 in Noss Mayo, Devon