Aline Stackhouse and her late husband always dreamt of retiring to Devon and so moved here 25 years ago. She likes writing and hopes to publish a book soon. Aline has four children, 12 grandchildren and a new great grandson! Join Aline and Muffin the dog in Newton Ferrers.....

Newton Ferrers and its twin village of Noss Mayo lie on either side of the River Yealm Estuary. It is a place with beautiful steep wooded banks and creeks.

Because the road into Newton Ferrers is narrow and leads nowhere except to the village, accidental tourists are few. However, it is well worthwhile making a detour to visit this haven of peace.

Boats get left high and dry when the tide goes out

The village hill leads down past the shops to a delightful old pub.

Here the locals and the visiting yachtsmen gather on the river's edge away from the hurly-burly burly of Plymouth city just ten miles distant.

Sadly the once thriving oyster beds no longer exist, but local seafood is still available.

Other wildlife abounds. Swans and herons nest on the river banks, and egrets, kingfishers and even a black swan may be seen. Badgers, wild rabbits and pheasants even visit our gardens.

A short walk along beside the river, usually alive with dinghies when the tide is in, brings you to the harbour, known locally as the Pool, which has numerous safe moorings for larger yachts.

The beauty of the local churchyard

Time to contemplate in the peaceful haven of the church

The church at the top of the village is over 900 years old and is set in a lovely churchyard.

You can watch how the seasons change here by looking at the different plants. In spring and autumn it's smothered with wild cyclamen.

Throughout the village flowering trees are abundant, especially in the spring.

The absence of through traffic gives the church, and in fact the whole village, a sense of timeless tranquility which is one of the best features about living in Newton Ferrers.

Cottages, thatches and climbers

Most of the cottages are stone built, some thatched, and covered with climbing roses, wisteria, passion flowers and other plants which thrive in the sheltered climate.

Newton Ferrers has some beautiful houses - like this cottage with impressive thatch

Newton Ferrers is valued, by those of us who live here, for its close-knit and caring community.

At low tide you can walk across the narrow causeway to Noss Mayo where there are two more delightful hostelries.

Continue Aline's tour of Newton Ferrers