In 2016 I spent some time exploring southern Dorset by public transport (click on my name for my profile for the TR), this year I plan to move further west, to Devon, again using public transport. I am thinking of spending up to ten days, and could use some help with where to base myself.

I land in Exeter (from Guernsey) 15:30 on a Saturday in mid-October. I can either start in Exeter or keep going to another base further south, but I am inclined to start in Exeter. I figure I can spend Sunday exploring Exeter, and then Monday at Powdersham Castle and maybe Topsham.

Other places on the agenda are Living Coasts, Paignton Zoo, Greenway, possibly Coleton Fishacre (may require a taxi), Kent's Cavern and Torre Abbey, not to mention Totnes, Brixham and Dartmouth, and walks. I'm looking forward to riding the South Devon Railway and the Dartmouth Steam Railway plus a ferry or two.

So, can I do all that with one base besides Exeter, or do I need two, and should it/they be Torquay, Paignton, Totnes or Dartmouth? I'd also love recommendations for places to sleep and eat.

Hi Thursdaysd - thanks for the heads up!

Looking at the places you want to visit, it makes sense to me to base yourself primarily in Torquay after Exeter, because that will cover Kent's Cavern [I think I was taken there when I was about 5! but I don't remember it], Torre Abbey and Living Coasts, and according to google maps you can get to Greenway too, using public transport and the Dartmouth Steam Railway - plus a ferry I think.

Coleton Fishacre, which we went to about 3 years ago with family who live in Totnes, is very interesting and worth the effort if the weather is nice. Not sure I'd bother if it wasn't as getting there might be a bit of a pain.

There are a number of lovely places you haven't mentioned - Dittisham, Slapton, Salcombe - but they are not easily accessible without a car. Dartmouth is also very nice and if you were going to try to get to those places, it's a lot closer so it would make a good third base. For example there seems to be a bus from Dartmouth to Salcombe which takes a couple of hours or so, hourly on the half hour; strangely it takes slightly longer to come back! [perhaps it's the hills!]. You'd see a lot of Devon that way.

I don't think you've said how long you have for the trip, and where you're going afterwards.

Thanks Ann! I'm thinking around ten days for this part of the trip. Depending on my younger sister's plans I'll either spend a few days in Bristol, or head straight to Norwich after Devon. This is a very eccentric itinerary - including time in Scotland and the Channel Islands as well as Devon and Norfolk. Part of it is visiting people, and part is seeing new places.

So looks like Exeter plus Torquay (better bet than Paignton?) and maybe Dartmouth as bases. Any recommendations for sleeping and eating? I was surprised to find no restaurants in Exeter in the Good Food Guide, although there were lots for Bristol.

It's a very long time since I stayed in Paignton [I think circa that visit to Kent's Cavern]. I don't know Toquay well either and as I was there for work I tended to stay in quite upmarket places - not sure what your price point is. In Exeter my favourite has gone down hill but the Queen's Court which is not far from the station [taxi there as it's uphill, walk back down if you feel up to it] is pretty good but you need to say you don't want a room on the top floor as the lift doesn't go that far. The food there isn't bad either, but there are loads of choices in Exeter, some round the Cathedral or in that general area.

Hotel in Exeter City Centre | Queens Court Hotel [close to Exeter St David's station, a bit further to walk into town centre]

https://www.cote.co.uk/brasserie/exeter/ [eaten there a few times, reliable brasserie food]

menu%20feb18.pdf [not eaten there, looks interesting]

For B&Bs etc I like this website:

https://www.sawdays.co.uk

In Torquay I've usually eaten in the hotel I've been staying in, and I've never stayed in Dartmouth. The Carved Angel used to be THE restaurant there but I don't know about its new incarnation, just called "The Angel" I think. There seems to be plenty of choice there.

Depending on the timing of my mum's move to Cornwall it would be great to meet up, if you'd like. PM to follow.

Thanks Ann! Budget is variable (sorry). Keeping it around 80 GBP would be great but I realize that is not always realistic. Plus, given I didn't travel last year, I am considering a few splurges this trip (first class on the Caledonian Sleeper, for instance). But I'd prefer not to go over 120 GBP.

Would love to meet up with you - didn't suggest it because I know you are in Cornwall.

In that case, Thursdaysd - do have a quick look at the Grand in Torquay - according to TA, Booking.com have double rooms at £103 a night including breakfast, and the Imperial is only £66 a night for your dates. I've not stayed there, but the Grand really lives up to its name, IMO.

meeting up would be great, if we can sort the dates out. Fingers crossed!

Hi Thursdaysd, coincidentally we returned on Friday from a week in Torquay staying with some friends who live there. I was also probably visiting Kent’s Cavern at the same time as Annhig!

I have stayed at the Imperial a couple of times years ago on business. A nice hotel and if within your budget go for it. I doubt you will find anything much better although there are a plethora of B&Bs around there.

We mostly ate at our friends home but did have a decent meal in The Kent’s in Wellswood near the cavern. The cuisine in the area, from what I could gauge was predominantly "English seaside" fare. Some great fish and crab sandwiches there is one Mich * place in Torquay. I could ask our friends for recommendations if you would like?

We did notice a "round robin" ticket which allowed a trip on the ferry from Torquay to Brixam and back by boat. Should be a good cost effective way to explore teh Bay Area.p

The best food is going to be found in Exeter and Dartmouth. The Carved Angel was good in its day but I think the chef may have moved on. Some very nice boutique type B&Bs in Dartmouth which have evolved to serve the hatching community and the parents of cadets at the naval college. A very picturesque town as you probably know.

I would definitely stay in Torquay for that area rather than Paignton. Brixham is nice but a little small and slightly less convenient I would say.

I would have suggested meeting up as we are off to Suffolk house sitting in a couple of weeks but noticed that you are not arriving until October when we will be off to Japan or Mexico or somewhere ( terminal indecision at the moment,] . One of these days our paths will cross....

Hi crellston, thanks for the info! Sounds like after Exeter I should move to Torquay ad the Imperial, although I am usually more of a B&B person. And then maybe Dartmouth as well. And yes, all recommendations welcome!

I'm actually arriving in the UK earlier, will PM you dates.