I visited 1 of UK's most famous seaside towns - the village 1 mile away is much better

When I admitted I preferred the quieter village one mile away, a confused Dartmouth resident informed me it was more popular with pensioners. That may be so, but as a 30-year-old, I was just as charmed.

Dartmouth is beautiful, there is no denying that. It is one of the most popular seaside towns in Devon, full of independent shops and quaint cafes. But thanks to its hillside, much of the harbourfront sits in shadow from late afternoon, and if you're anything like me, you seek sun at any opportunity in the UK. Not only does the other village get the afternoon sun and golden glow, but you get to gaze back at the colourful houses climbing up Dartmouth's postcard-perfect hillside, while sitting on a peaceful terrace with a cold drink.

I visited Kingswear during the pandemic when we all took advantage of UK holidays. As I walked into the house and opened the terrace doors, I felt like I was on our cancelled trip to France.

The views over Dartmouth were stunning, the weather was fantastic, and I couldn't believe I had never visited this part of the UK before.

Kingswear is far from a hidden gem, but the quintessentially English village felt more tranquil, like the sleepier sibling of Dartmouth, which it is separated from by the River Dart.

Colourful houses cascade down the green hills on both sides of the river like mirror images, but most of Kingswear enjoys the afternoon sun, peace and the views. The beauty of Kingswear is that you get to take it all in.

When you're ready to explore, you can follow the winding coastal walk around the headland, which is dotted with beautiful bays for a quick dip.

Plus, you get the best of both worlds. To avoid the 25-mile round trip, a ferry that has been running since the 1700s connects the two in less than five minutes-the perfect morning commute for coffee.

It was lovely to visit Dartmouth, mooch around the shops, visit cafes and dine at a wider range of restaurants. If you're looking for buzz, I would recommend staying there instead, especially since the ferry finishes before 11pm.

But if you'd like the option to visit the busier side and retreat to a quiet paradise with views back over the river, Kingswear is the better choice in my opinion. Especially if you're doing a home stay and plan to hide from the world for a few days.