The South Hams Centre was established in 1980 to support the National Trust’s activities in the area and has a current membership of some 750.

The South Hams are located in the southern most part of Devon. It embraces an area almost reaching Plymouth in the west, into Brixham in the east and as far north as the edge of Dartmoor.

The whole area is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty and enjoys some of the country’s most beautiful and unspoilt coastline stretches.

The National Trust has two properties in the area, Overbeck’s near Salcombe and Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear/Dartmouth. It also owns many acres of coastline, woodland and farmland and other interesting conservation areas and is responsible for maintaining a balance between protecting the area and facilitating public access. The South Western Coast path runs through the area.