Visit Devon

question isn’t should I come to Devon but rather, where do you want to explore first !

Perfect for those seeking to rela x , those wanting some adventure, those wanting to discover something new with ever y visit and those who want a bit of ever ything , Devon is the perfect destination and the best bit ? You don’t even have to leave the UK!

With its own micro -climate making it one of the warmest places in the UK , and ever ything on offer from walking an alpaca to rock climbing to crabbing to sunbathing , Devon really does offer something for ever yone. Endlessly dog friendly and full of family attractions, bars, Michelin star restaurants and so much more, there is always something to discover in Devon. is is a count y of adventure, discover y and delicious food and drink Here is where you will find an abundance of fresh fish and seafood, oen ser ved the same day it is caug ht, wonderful homegrown meat and fresh fruit and veg etables and of course, lots of clotted cream –perfect for a cream tea –something that Devon is particularly famous for, just remember, it is always cream first !

When you think of Devon, chances are you conjure thoug hts of sandy beaches, melting ice cream and nostalg ia for British summers g one by. No matter where you are in Devon, you ’ re never too far from the beach, whether you want to spend the day sunbathing in South Devon, exploring the hidden coves and bays once frequented by pirates, challeng e yourself to some water sports in North Devon, where you’ll find the UK’s first surf reser ve, or explore the reg ion’s fascinating g eolog y along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritag e Site As of 2021, Devon was awarded fourteen Blue Flag Awards for their beaches Blue Flag awards are g iven to areas that are recognised as being clean, safe and accessible, which is why Devon is a top choice for family-friendly holidays. You can find the most recent Blue Flag beaches at Blackpool Sands, Broadsands Beach, Challaboroug h Beach, Dawlish Warren Beach, Exmouth Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Oddicombe Beach, Preston Sands, Sandy Bay, Sidmouth Town Beach, Teignmouth Town Beach, Torre Abbe y Beach, Westward Ho ! Beach and Breakwater Beach. You’ll also find Britain’s best beach here, at Woolacombe, so it is no wonder that Devon reminds us of beach holidays and sunshine – but it is so much more than that.

With two coastlines and its old-world charm, it is easy to recreate your childhood holidays for your own families

In North Devon, you’ll find unparalleled coastal views and the reg ion known as L ittle Switzerland, which has inspired romantic poets for g enerations Not content with being the UK’s favourite surf spot, North Devon is also home to the UK’s first Dark Skies Reser ve, something that is celebrated ever y year on Exmoor is incredibly unique festival is one of the reg ion’s must-visit events and is a great way to truly experience the nig ht sky at isn’t the only fascinating festival you can enjoy in Devon, see a West Countr y tradition by visiting Otter y St Mar y in East Devon around Bonfire Nig ht – it is the only place in the UK that still takes part in Tar Barrel Rolling , where residents make their way around a route while carr ying burning tar barrels It is also in Otter y St Mar y where you can witness the annual banishing of the villag e ’ s pixies on their Pixie Day ever y Summer. Other unique events include a worm charming festival, the reenactment of hunting an earl and the British Firework Championships which takes place in Plymouth.

Aside from the full event ’ s calendar, the count y boasts a number of top attractions, including the South West’s big g est roller coasters, water parks and some of the most famous zoos in the countr y. West Countr y traditions and animal conser vation is a hug e part of the way of life in Devon and you can join in by visiting otter sanctuaries, donke y sanctuaries, working museums, the oldest g in distiller y in Eng land and even hitching a ride on a horsedrawn barg e ! Whether you ’ re travelling as a group or looking for a romantic g etaway, there are plent y of thing s to see and do in the reg ion, along with some incredible accommodation options, including the world’s best B&B – you’ll find it in Torquay.

Speaking of Torquay, families love visiting the Eng lish Riviera’s best-known town. With its palm trees and childfriendly atmosphere, this area is steeped in maritime histor y and plays host to a number of festivals and sporting events, as well as having its own UNESCO Geopark and being the birthplace of the Queen of Crime herself, Ag atha Christie Perhaps Devon’s most famous export, Ag atha Christie was born in Torquay and had a holiday home at nearby Greenway, now run by the National Trust, whether you ’ re a Christie fan, a bibliophile or love a g ood myster y, there are plent y of ways to channel your inner Ag atha while in and around Torquay.

Torquay is also where you’ll find popular resorts, including Paignton, Brixham and Teignmouth and can even spot the locations used in Christie’s books, something you can also find In South Devon, where there is fantastic countr yside and coastline and the iconic sea tractors providing access to the beautiful Burg h Island

is is the place to be for g entle walks, water sports and rela xing in the sunshine and is full of award-winning bars and restaurants to enjoy At last count, Devon was home to four Michelin Star eateries and even more recipients of a coveted Michelin Plate and Taste of the West Awards, so whether you are on the hunt for a meal for a special occasion, a quick bite or a lig ht lunch, you can g uarantee a qualit y dining experience e majorit y of Devon’s eateries are committed to celebrating the count y ’ s rich, seasonal produce and menus will chang e constantly during the year to take advantag e of the incredible food and drink that you can find here. While here, make sure to sample a traditional Devonshire Cream Tea , available at eateries and hotels all over the count y and with plent y of varieties, including those that swap the tea for champagne, perfect for a spot of luxur y Other must- haves are real West Countr y cider, much of which can be found on tap, fish and chips, made with the fish fresh from the ocean that day and g in –especially if it is from Eng land’s oldest working distiller y which continues to make g in using an orig inal recipe and traditional methods.

As it is a wonderfully diverse count y, Devon has many different areas to explore, with long beaches of g olden sands, rug g ed moors, bustling cities, rolling hills, prett y villag es and pastel-coloured seaside towns. Much of Devon’s diversit y comes from the fact that it is an incredibly old count y full of traditional West Countr y charm e oldest human remains in the UK were discovered in the count y and you can see evidence of the past, from Iron Ag e hill forts on Dartmoor to Roman Roads in Exeter and even a Sherman Tank to commemorate the count y ’ s role in WWII all over the count y

While the tranquillit y of the countr yside and the lures of the coast are hug e draws for visitors, the y aren ’ t for ever yone – and Devon is equipped to suit those visitors too as it features two cities ; Exeter and Plymouth Both unique and each bustling and full of histor y and culture, the y are both well worth a visit e two cities provide amazing shopping opportunities, music venues and more, while the seaside resorts and countr yside towns have charming independent stores and a plethora of activities which really celebrate the count y ’ s West Countr y routes

Exeter is where you can see the world-famous cathedral, stroll along the quay, indulg e in some retail therapy and can enjoy a bustling nig htlife Plymouth is the home of the reg ion’s maritime histor y and features the Royal William Yard, Plymouth Hoe and a maritime conser vation area , plus a host of entertainment venues Devon’s cities are the ideal destination for anyone wanting to experience the culture and vibranc y of a cit y break, while also having the opportunit y to escape into a quieter and more leisurely way of life. Both cities are surrounded by charming coast and countr yside, making them an ideal compromise for the travellers who want a bit of ever ything

If being in the centre of the action appeals to you, Devon has plent y to offer, especially in the Mid Devon reg ion, which is equidistance from the coastlines in both the North and South of the count y and the two National Parks is reg ion is the perfect location to explore the whole of the count y and with mainline train stations, you can easily access the towns, villag es and cities all over the count y Not only that, but Devon has the most roads of any other count y in Eng land, so exploring has never been easier ! e Mid-Devon reg ion is well known for its rolling hills, woodlands and wildlife, so it's ideal for anyone who loves being outdoors In fact, the whole count y is full of outdoor adventures, on Dartmoor and Exmoor there are companies offering ever ything from orienteering , abseiling , and rock climbing , plus there are loads of other activities, from rambling , photography and spotting the famous wild ponies Both moors feature their own herds of ponies, hig hland cows, sheep and other creatures – you can even see a herd of mountain g oats on visits to Lynton!

Speaking of the moors, these are great places to visit for anyone who wants to find out more about West Countr y traditions and to experience a new way of life. Wherever you choose as your base during a visit to Devon, you can expect a unique charm and a friendly welcome, allowing for a completely different experience each time you visit. For an olde world atmosphere, tr y one of the chocolate box villag es like Cocking ton or for a traditional market town, choose somewhere like Tiverton For bustling harbours, visit Ilfracombe or for somewhere historical, tr y Clovelly, or for a g entler pace, make Dartmoor and Exmoor a priorit y. Dartmoor in particular is a must for those of you looking for some inspiration – it is the home of a host of terrif ying and intrig uing myths and leg ends featuring ever ything from g iants, g hosts, witches and devilish dog s It was these stories that inspired the best known of Sherlock Holmes’ adventures, so who knows what you mig ht encounter when traversing the wilds of Whistman’s Wood or climbing one of the tors

While there is an extensive road network across Devon, one of the best ways to enjoy the sig hts of the count y is by public transport or by foot or bike. e rail lines in the count y take you throug h some of the most picturesque views, especially the Eng lish Rivera line. For something a little more nostalg ic, why not visit one of the reg ion’s steam or cliff railways for even more incredible views ? Another way to explore the count y is by following the South West Coast Path, the UK’s long est national trail which runs the entire leng th of both Devon’s coastlines, so no matter where you are in the count y, you can easily access the path and explore

It isn’t just the South West Coast Path offering the chance to see more of the reg ion, in North Devon, you can follow the adventures of Tarka the Otter by walking or c ycling the Tarka Trail where you can see some of the most picturesque places around Bideford and Barnstaple

If you want to come to the reg ion for some R&R , why not book into one of the reg ion’s spas, with an abundance of spa hotels offering the ultimate rela xation and retreats g iving you the chance to escape and reset, you are never too far from somewhere you can take time for yourself. Whether you are looking for something intimate and quiet for a couple’s break or something for the whole family, there are a rang e of amazing accommodation options across Devon to suit ever y need and budg et With selfcatering cottag es, hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, camping sites and even g lamping and alternative accommodation options, you can choose anything from the traditional to the more unusual. ere are even properties perfect for g uests with additional access needs. With coastal views, countr yside escapes and cit y centre boutiques, you can find the perfect home from home. Want to bring your dog with you – that’s not a problem, you’ll find plent y of accommodation options so the whole family can enjoy a holiday You won ’ t only find places to stay, Devon is full of dog -friendly attractions too If there is something that dog s and humans have in common, it’s loving the feeling of warm sand between their toes –something else you can enjoy with your dog s in Devon –the count y is full of beaches where there are dog -friendly sections during the peak months and even a couple that welcome dog s all year round ! What could be better than watching a sunset and enjoying ice cream tog ether ?

oug h Devon is one of the mildest places in the UK and many of the most popular activities take advantag e of the outside environment, you don’t have to worr y about rain stopping play here e count y has a host of indoor attractions and activities to keep you amused on a t ypical British day – in fact, several of the reg ion’s top attractions feature all-weather activities, so no matter what time of year you choose to visit, your day doesn’t have to be as dull as the weather !

Devon truly is a count y of adventures, rela xation and discover y, so whatever you are looking for from a UK staycation, you can be sure of a world of discoveries and experiences. It is a count y where you can create memories that will last forever. With an abundance of natural beaut y, culture and histor y spread out across intrig uing towns, villag es, moorland and coast, Devon is the ultimate place to explore and discover