The
population of Shaldon is currently 1,500 mostly living along the riverside
down tiny lanes leading to beautiful thatched cottages or terraced
houses painted in every conceivable colour you could think of. It
is a very entertaining pastime to find the cottage with the prettiest
name. Names such as "Sea Peep", "Forever Cottage",
"The White House" or "Corner Cottage ". It is
reminiscent of an old English village with a green where bowls are
still played. The Clock Tower on the green is dedicated to the memory
of local men who died during the 2 World Wars.
On
Wednesdays in the holiday season this same green is transformed into
a local gift market. All the locals wear Georgian outfits and entertain
holidaymakers in all manners of ways. As with all local events here,
everyone is made to feel welcome.
Even
the lanes have wonderful old names, such as Salty Lane, Arch Lane
and Horse Lane, to name but a few! If you take the next turning after
the Clipper Gift Shop and Café you will soon arrive at "Salthaven"
which a lovely old stone cottage with all manner of pottery wildlife
appearing to scale it's façade. By the front door is a wishing
well, the proceeds of which provide corn for the swans which frequent
the river and beaches.
Shaldon may be small but it has a very big heart and also everything
you could want from a day out, banks, post office, butchers, Spar
shop, 6 pubs if you are thirsty, bakery and many old English tea shops
serving the famous Devon Cream Tea! There is even an up market boutique,
the Tom Thumb (the reason being apparent when you step inside). There
are also gift shops and the jewellery shop will even mail your purchases
to you when you get home! If you wish to attend Sunday Mass, there
is a Methodist and a Catholic Church in the centre of the village.
If you feel fit enough to tackle the steep climb up to the botanical
gardens, you will be rewarded with stunning views across the estuary.
I
like nothing better on a cold winter's evening, than to watch the
clay boats negotiate the treacherous channel as they are led by the
local pilot boat through the estuary and out to sea. I especially
like this pastime when eating a bag of fish and chips from the super
"Chippy" on the front.
The
clay comes from the pits at Newton Abbot and Chudleigh and is transported
in a never-ending convoy of lorries to the loading bays at Teignmouth.
The expanse of water between Teignmouth and Shaldon is 30ft deep at
low tide.
The
Ferry to Teignmouth leaves from Shaldon beach frequently and entry
is made by "walking the plank!" Current fares are £1.20
per adult and 60p per child for a single, and is still regarded as
the quickest and cheapest way to get to Teignmouth. It operates 7
days a week until quite late in the evening in the summer months and
5 days a week in the winter. The ferry has existed since the 13th
Century but now thankfully for the operator, a motor has been installed.
On board however, there is still a pair of oars should they ever be
needed!
At
the end of August the annual 5 day Regatta is held with special swimming
and rowing events for all, including visitors. This is one of the
busiest events of the year with revelries going on late into the night.
Barbecues
and parties are also held on the beach and the locals special, "secret"
beach, the Ness. This beautiful and secluded sandy stretch is reached
via the Ness Tunnel, just up from the magnificent Ness Hotel and Shaldon
Wildlife Trust. At night the aroma of log fires, sausages and burgers
waft around the headland and frequent outburst of laughter can be
heard. The tunnel leading down to this beach is thought to have been
constructed in Napoleonic times.
The
Shaldon Wildlife Trust, as mentioned above, cares for small animals
and birds and is surprisingly large. The Trust is mainly concerned
with survival of rare breeds and is a very interesting place to visit.
There are quite a few steps to negotiate but pushchairs can be left
by the well-stocked gift shop. This is also where you will find the
massive car park adjacent to the Trust. There is also a large picnic
area with outstanding views towards Teignmouth and beyond.
Last,
but not least is the newly widened and strengthened Shaldon Bridge
connecting Shaldon with Teignmouth. It was built in 1827 and was originally
made of wood. There is an old Toll House on the Teignmouth side of
the bridge, which is quite precariously placed on a sharp bend.
Shaldon
is a beautiful place to visit, with something for everyone, including
2 churches, Methodist and Catholic. Many areas are now conserved for
all to enjoy and everywhere you visit in Shaldon you will see the
name Clifford. Lord Clifford was a local landlord who donated the
village green, so fishermen could dry their nets and also gave his
own private road to the Ness, to the use of the people of Shaldon.
