Smith tip
You can arrange group meditation sessions at Lamper House. There are many benefits including reduced heart rate, blood pressure and muscle tension, which in turn make you more relaxed and irresistible to the opposite sex (OK, that last bit isn’t entirely true). If you’ve always wanted to give it a try but were scared off by the thought of six months in a Tibetan monastery, then this is the next best thing.
Lamper Head
Devon, United Kingdom[view map]
Best picnics
You will be hard pushed to beat the views from the garden at Lamper Head. There are also some great picnic spots on the banks of the River Dart below Cornworthy.Best beaches
There are some fabulous beaches within easy reach of Lamper Head. Slapton Sands is a three-mile-long pebble beach backed by a lagoon; it’s only six miles from the house. The wide, windswept beach at Bantham is a favourite with surfers. Blackpool Sands is ideal for families, with a natural freshwater pool that small children will love to paddle in; in the summer there’s an excellent Venus Café and a temporary cinema. Would you go back in the water after watching Jaws?Best walks
Expert-guided nature walks are available through the surrounding countryside, explaining local wildlife and habitats; it’s particularly interesting for families. There are walks along the estuary (where you might even spot an otter), either down to the coast at Dartmouth or inland to Totnes and beyond.Shopping
Supermarket: There’s a Morrisons supermarket on Coronation Road in Totnes (Monday to Wednesday: 8.30am–8pm; Thursday and Friday: 8.30am–9pm; Saturday: 8.30am–8pm; Sunday: 10am–4pm). There’s also a Somerfield on Fore Street in Totnes (Monday to Wednesday: 8am–8pm; Thursday–Saturday: 8am–9pm; Saturday: 8.30am–8pm; Sunday: 11am–5pm). Local shops: The village shops in Dittisham and in Harbertonford stock a surprisingly wide range of supplies. Off-licence: Totnes Wines on the High Street in Totnes has a wide selection and will deliver(www.totneswine.com). Deli: Effings on Fore Street in Totnes is a great place for foodies (www.effings.co.uk); on the same street is McCabe the butchers. Riverford Organic has a farm shop just outside Totnes and will also deliver to the house (www.riverford.co.uk). Dartmouth has several excellent specialist stores including Moby Nick’s the fishmonger in Fairfax Place; you can also buy the catch straight off the boats in the harbour.Activities
The Dart is ideal for sailing; Lamper Head can arrange dinghy sailing with the Dittisham Sailing Club. Canoe Adventures in Totnes organises trips along the estuary, including barbecues on the riverbank and night-time, moonlit trips (www.canoeadventures.co.uk). Dittisham is also the place to go crabbing; there’s a real science to this and Lamper Head provides some top tips for catching those elusive crustaceans, as well as supplying the crabbing lines. There’s an art house cinema and a wide range of cultural events throughout the year at Dartington Hall near Totnes (www.dartington.org/arts).
Restaurants
The New Angel
+44 (0)1803 839 425This is one of the finest restaurants in the area and run by acclaimed chef John Burton-Race; the seafood is excellent.
The New Angel, 2 South Embankment, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9BH
Spice Bazaar
+44 (0)1803 832 224This Indian restaurant is well-established and always receives rave reviews.
Spice Bazaar, St Saviours Square, Church Close, Dartmouth, TQ6 9DH
Cafes
The Oyster Shack
+44 (0)1548 810 876The setting may be informal but the mussels and oysters couldn’t be fresher. Booking is essential.
The Oyster Shack, Milburn Orchard Farm, Stakes Hill, Bigbury TQ7 4BE
The Anchorstone Café
+44 (0)1803 722 365This place in Dittisham has delicious seafood, while the Ferry Boat Inn opposite is a good choice for home cooking and a pint or two.
The Anchorstone Café, Manor Street, Dittisham, Dartmouth, TQ6 0EX
Hunter’s Lodge
+44 (0)1803 732 204This traditional pub in Cornworthy is always popular and is a great place for a drink.
Hunters Lodge Inn, Cornworthy, TQ9 7ES