Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth
Royal Avenue Gardens are situated in the heart of picturesque Dartmouth adjacent to the boat float, and are frequently referred to as the Council’s `Jewel in the Crown’. The ornamental gardens are laid out informally incorporating a mixture of permanent structural planting and season displays. The current layout of the gardens was designed by Sarah Eberle in 1990 following the loss of several specimen elms to Dutch Elm Disease. An extensive patio area provides space for community events and the recently restored bandstand and ornamental fountain provide focal points within the gardens.
A small children's play area is available adjacent to the Gardens on the embankment road side of the gardens.
In September 2003 Dartmouth was confirmed as a winner in the Britain in Bloom competition and selected to represent the south west in the UK finals of Britain in Bloom 2004.
The Council is proud of the role that Royal Avenue Gardens played in this success working with the local community.
Parking is available adjacent to the gardens in the Mayor’s Avenue car park.
Coronation Park, Dartmouth
The park is situated adjacent to the estuary on the main road into Dartmouth. The park consists of 4 hard tennis courts (2 with floodlights), a putting green, changing pavilion, refreshment kiosk, dinghy parking area, children's play area, toilets and under arches storage. The extensive grassed area is available for informal recreation. Ball games are allowed in this area. Coronation Park was created from an in filled creek and it is rumoured that a WWI German U-boat is buried under the park. Bookings for the tennis courts and putting are taken at the refreshment kiosk within the park.
For bookings telephone 01803 – 835099. Parking is available at Mayor’s Avenue car park adjacent to Royal Avenue Gardens which is 400 metres walk along the embankment from Coronation Park.
Limited parking is also available next to the park on Embankment Road.
Cliff House Gardens, Salcombe
An ornamental garden with a small open space having wonderful views across the Salcombe estuary.
The area provides an ideal venue for small fetes etc.
Borough Park, Totnes
The park is situated just off the main road running through the town at Borough park road accessed off the main roundabout on entering the town from Paignton or Newton Abbot. The park is mainly laid out to accommodate sporting activity but also provides a pleasant venue to walk and relax. The park is home to a number of Totnes clubs including those for football , rugby , cricket , bowls and tennis. A well frequented children's play area is situated on the edge of the park adjacent to the leisure centre and swimming pool. For the adventurous the park contains a popular skate park for which local young people raised substantial funds.
Bookings for all facilities is via Totnes Pavilion Leisure Centre on 01803 862992.
Parking is available at the Car Parks next to the leisure centre in Borough Park road. The town centre is only five minutes walk from the park.
The Park is also served by a cycle path which runs from Totnes to Dartington.
Kingsbridge Recreation Ground
The Recreation Ground is situated away from the main centre of town on the main road to Stokenham and adjacent to the Kingsbridge Estuary. The facilities include an six-rink bowls green, 2 floodlit tennis courts, children’s play area, putting green and kick-about area.
Within the Recreation Ground there are attractive areas of planting and a pond with a fountain is a central feature. The Recreation Ground is a focus for outdoor recreational activity in Kingsbridge and for the more competitive activity of the bowls club.
The Longmarsh, Totnes
The Longmarsh is a public area of some 5 hectares running alongside the River Dart to the South of Totnes. Formally a salt marsh, and more recently a firing range, the area is now a mix of close cut and conservation grassland, salt marsh, young woodland, waterways and a riverside footpath. The area is within easy reach of the town centre and is thus very popular for quiet recreation. With level access and good parking it provides good disabled access to the riverside walk and lends itself to organised events.
Despite its former use as an infill site, the area is still of importance as a wildlife area as it consists of a mix of habitats. As such it is considered to be of particular ecological interest and the Devon Wildlife Trust has classified the site as a " Country Wildlife Site " as their South Hams Wildlife Survey indicated a range of habitats and species of Devonwide importance.
The area was awarded the Millennium Marque by the Tidy Britain Group in the year 2000.
Follaton House Gardens and Arboretum
The gardens at Follaton House are long established and more recently the Arboretum has been added. Today this is the home of South Hams District Council who are pleased that the grounds and Arboretum, open at all times, are so well frequented by the general public.
The Arboretum is integrated with the existing formal gardens and woodlands and provides panoramic views towards Dartmoor and Totnes Castle. The management of the site combines a traditional parkland approach with that of nature conservation, and includes countryside elements such as ponds and woodland planting. The arboretum contains examples of both common native and rare exotic trees.
There is ample parking at the site and the area is readily accessible by wheelchairs.
The arboretum was also awarded the Millennium Marque by the Tidy Britain Group in the year 2000.
Vire Island, Totnes
An attractive area of open space situated near the town centre, alongside the river Dart with easy access for both able and disabled people. A suitable venue for fetes and exhibitions.
Woodlands Park, Ivybridge
The park is situated within a residential part of Ivybridge adjacent to the Woodlands Park Junior School. The park is managed as a recreational area with great emphasis on conservation with the area mainly laid to grass with trees and hedges predominating. Facilities include a children's play area, a multi-sports area and a teenage shelter.
The wildlife pond is a source of interest with a platform pier to assist pond dipping. There are various conservation areas being developed within the park such as meadowland being managed to encourage natural wild flowers.
