The week before Christmas 2010 saw our first big snow in Devon. The landscape was transformed into a fairytale Winter Wonderland.

In our 13 years living in Devon we didn't see snow like this again.

The wintery weather coincided with a period of high atmospheric pressure and we were treated to a prolonged period of cold sunny days and crisp, clear, frosty nights.

It was a joy to take long walks through the woods along the banks of the River Erme, beneath trees festively decorated in snowy clothes, listening to placid waters tinkling over ice clad rocks.

Bigbury, famous for golden sands, watersports and Burgh Island. Life is tough in the South Hams, an active morning surfing, kite boarding or paddle boarding, followed by lunch at the delightful Pilchard Inn on Burgh Island. If you find yourself cut off by the tide, the unique Sea Tractor will get you back to the Mainland. Separated from beautiful Bantham by the estuary of the River Avon, this area is a real gem of South Devon.

Outside of Princetown, with its landmark and somewhat oppressive Victorian Prison, en route to Dartmeet and Widecombe lies the hamlet of Two Bridges. There is some limited parking for those wishing to follow the circular walk through the ancient woodland of Wistman's Wood.

The village of Widecombe in the Moor, sits in a valley sheltered from the extreme weather of the high moor. It boasts an exceptionally tall church tower, whose height allows the bells to ring out and summon worshippers from the scattered moorland villages and farms. Close by to Widecombe lie many of the Tors for which Dartmoor is famous. Honeybag Tor sits on the moorland plateau and has expansive views to the North and South Coasts of Devon.

Noss Mayo, nestles on a creek off the River Yealm. It's sheltered waters provide a safe harbour for a myriad of small boats. This quaint little village, on the South West Coastal Path, provides refreshment for walkers and sailors alike.

On the western edge of Dartmoor, just outside of the town of Yelverton, is Burrator Reservoir. A tranquil place, popular with walkers and cyclists. The circular walk, around the reservoir, a distance of around 4 miles, will take about an hour and a half.

At the mouth of the River Dart lie the picture postcard towns of Dartmouth and Kingswear. The sheltered waters of the Dart provided a safe anchorage for naval ships of old and ensured the position of Dartmouth as home to the Britannia Royal Naval College, the Officer Training College of the Royal Navy.

Today Dartmouth is a bustling tourist destination and home to a small armada of leisure boaters, steam passenger cruisers, ferries and the South Devon Steam Railway.

Start Bay, from Berry Head in the East to Start Point in the West, collects water from the River Dart, provides shelter for beautiful Dartmouth, a home for the wildlife of the lagoon of Slapton Leys and the stunning beaches of Blackpool and Slapton Sands. This is South Devon at its most photogenic, and which holds a special place in my heart, a place to leave the car behind and walk. You will tread a few of the 630 miles of the glorious South West Coast Path, find secluded beaches, ruined villages, and see the tragic history played by this area in the Second World War.

From Torcross, a narrow strip of land and shingle beach separates a freshwater lagoon from the seas of Start Bay. The lagoon, Slapton Leys, is a nature reserve of national importance.

Across the road is a 3 mile section of shingle beach called Slapton Sands, popular throughout the year with both locals and tourists.

At the south-western end of Slapton Sands is the tiny village of Torcross. Parked in a corner of the car park is a 1940's amphibious Sherman Tank, today it serves as a memorial to more than 1000 British and American troops, killed during the April 1944 'Exercise Tiger' rehearsals for the D-Day landings.

A 3 mile walk will take in the villages of Beesands and Hallsands (take a few minutes to visit the ruined village and learn how this thriving fishing community was destroyed by the dredging of the offshore gravel banks during the construction of the Devonport dockyard in Plymouth) and the lighthouse at Start Point, home to seabirds and a colony of Common Seals.

From Start Point your route could continue on to Prawle Point and beyond, complete an inland loop back to Hallsands or simply retrace your steps and even up your suntan on the other side.