Strete Gate

Strete Gate is a proper medieval fortification that stands guard over the coastal landscape between Kingsbridge and Start Bay. It's a modest stone structure - nothing flashy - but the historical weight of it hits you when you realise this was built to control the only viable road through the area centuries ago, taxing merchants and stopping unwanted traffic in their tracks.

What you're looking at is a reconstructed gatehouse from the 14th century, positioned right where it would have commanded the passage. The stonework is weathered but solid, and there's a genuine sense of standing at a chokepoint in medieval commerce. You can walk around it, examine the construction, and actually visualise how travel would have been restricted here. It's not a massive complex - you're looking at maybe twenty minutes on foot if you're thorough - but it's the sort of site that rewards a bit of curiosity about how the landscape was controlled in centuries past.

History enthusiasts will get the most from this. It's less about spectacle and more about understanding the practicalities of medieval life. Families with younger kids might find it brief unless you're doing a broader walk through the area. If you're based at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, it's absolutely worth the short drive. The gate fits neatly into a day exploring the South Devon coast and Kingsbridge's broader medieval heritage. Bring decent footwear - the ground gets boggy after rain.