Shaldon
SHALDON
The picturesque village of Shaldon is connected to Teignmouth its larger neighbour via a narrow bridge. Shaldon is a village with plenty of character. Narrow streets and little alleyways wind their way through thatched cottages and Georgian houses – all tightly packed on the edge of the estuary. Shaldon has a small zoo – the Shaldon Wildlife Trust – which specialises in breeding exotic birds, reptiles and endangered species of small mammal.
The village is full of life during the main holiday season, especially for boating and beach activities. In the summer the village holds very popular regattas and its annual water carnival.
The beach at Shaldon is adjacent to the bold red cliffs that shelter the village from the southerly winds. The beach is accessed via a small tunnel – erroneously called the ‘smugglers tunnel. The beach, known locally as the Ness, has some striking views of the Teign estuary and the town of Teignmouth. Shaldon beach sits at the mouth of the river Teign, a gently sloping estuary beach with views both out to sea, and over to the Port of Teignmouth
A mix of sand and shingle, the beach slopes towards the mouth of the estuary, and is a year round hive of different activities.
The Narrow streets and quaint nature of the village do cause some congestion in the summer months, so the best way to visit this picturesque little village is via the regular ferry service from Teignmouth.
Shaldon Bridge
Shaldon bridge was opened on the 8th june 1827 and had 34 wooden arches and was 1,671 feet long. Shaldon or Teignmouth Bridge over the Teign estuary to Shaldon and Torquay was the longest wooden bridge in England when built, nearly a third of a mile long. After two partial collapses in 1838 and 1893 the bridge was completely rebuilt in 1931. Devon County Council bought the bridge from the Shaldon Bridge Company on the 28th October 1948 for £90,000 and tolls were abolished.
The bridge is of Roman Origin and when the present bridge was constructed some of the Roman wood was used to make a table which was kept at Lindridge House. Tragically it was destroyed in the fire that destroyed the house just as its conversion into a hotel was nearing completion in the 1960’s.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust
Ringtailed Lemur
The Trust is a unique organisation which cares for some of the worlds most endangered species. It is set in about one acre of lush semitropical garden nestling into the hillside above the village of Shaldon
It is the smallest member of the British and European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA and EAZA) and concentrate their energy and expertise on smaller animals, which are just as interesting, if not more so, than their larger relatives. The Trust has a unique and special atmosphere; a place where people can relax and enjoy learning about animals.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust
Ness Drive
Shaldon
Devon
TQ14 0HP
Telephone: +44 1626 872234
Email: info@shaldonwildlifetrust.org.uk
Opening Times Summer Opening Times Winter
7 days a week 7 days a week
1000 – 1800 1100 – 1600