FOOD AND DRINK

With its diverse landscape, the local food and drink scene in Devon is one of the best in the UK.

With fresh fish and seafood directly from the coast to home reared meat and home grown veg all appearing on menus throughout the county, you can truly experience a real taste of Devon.

With excellent local produce and fantastic producers, Devon’s food and drink is known for being outstanding. Restaurants in Devon are some of the best in the UK, and it is no surprise that the county is home to a number of award winning establishments.

With chilli farms and dairies, coffee roasters and micro-brewers, vineyards and blueberry farmers, as well as excellent restaurants, cafés, delis and farm shops, Devon’s food is one of the key reasons why many people love to come and visit.

More and more big-name chefs are setting up in the area, inspired by the quality of the raw materials they can work with, to create truly memorable meals. If that wasn't enough to bring you to the region, many of Devon's food and drink businesses have won accolades at regional and national level. As of 2022, Devon is home to 4 Michelin Star eateries and even more recipients of a coveted Michelin Plate, so whether you are on the hunt for a meal for a special occasion or somewhere to grab a quick bite, you’ll find quality food and drink wherever you look.

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Did you know?… The oldest Cornish Pasty recipe actually originated in Devon… Don’t tell our friends over the border!

Devon’s most Magnificent Historic Gardens

Plenty of space for safe social distancing. BOTANICA L GARDENS

GARDENS of DISCOVERY

est. 1735

Sat-Nav EX9 7BG

Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 7BJ tel: 01395 568465 bictongardens.co.uk

OPEN ALL YEAR Day visitors can upgrade to a full annual pass for only £10 per person

We accept

Vouchers Palm House ● Woodland Railway ● Countryside Museum Restaurant & Gift Shop ● Indoor & Outdoor Play Areas See website for details of our special events.

DEVON FOOD FESTIVALS, EVENTS AND MARKETS

Devon has a number of food festivals and foodie events taking place throughout the year. For example, at Easter, you could spend the weekend in Exeter enjoying the Festival of South West Food and Drink or if you visit in May, the food fair at the The Cider Press Centre at Dartington. South Devon's Crab Month takes place in August, as does Flavour Fest in Plymouth or in the autumn months, you can find North Devon FoodFest in Barnstaple or Dartmouth Food Festival. Or if you’re only here for a short stay, you can source the best in fresh, organic ingredients and produce from the Devon farmers’ markets that take place practically every weekend - or eat amazing food right where it's cooked at street food events across the county.

Find out more at: visitdevon.co.uk/food-and-drink

We tell the local story from the prehistoric axe makers, the Iron Age hillforts, Roman roads, the Anglo-Saxon development of the Minster and the subsequent growth of the town, including displays on the world famous Axminster carpets.

Check our website for opening times. Thomas Whitty House Silver Street Axminster Entry £4 Free for 16 and under EX13 5AH Phone: 01297 639884 Website: www.axminsterheritage.org Email: info@axminsterheritage.org

credit: Tony Cobley

e Orangery Café & Parkland

AT BRIDWELL PARK ESTATE

e Orangery Café off ers barista coff ee & speciality teas, light lunches, delicious cakes, Jimmy’s bar drinks, along with local gifts & artisan produce.

FEATURING AN EXCITING CALENDAR OF SEASONAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS FOR 2023 • Artisans & Makers Markets • Workshops & Masterclasses • Family friendly ticketed events • Community Bon re & Fireworks Gates typically open daily 10am - 4pm. Dogs on leads welcome throughout the park.

Contact: events@bridwell.co.uk Visit: www.bridwell.co.uk

The Devonshire Cream Tea

The quintessential treat when in Devon – just make sure to do it the right way! To make it really special, look out for places serving a cream tea with a Devonshire Split rather than a scone, these traditional sweet buns are delightful!

Did you know?… The oldest commercial bakery in the world is in Plymouth.

The Devonshire Pasty

There will always be great debate about the origin of the pasty, but one easy way to detect the Devon pasty from the Cornish is that the Devon way has a top-crimp and is oval in shape

With over 700 years of practising, it’s safe to say that Devon is a great place to pick up a tasty pasty from a local producer.

Did you know?… The last witches to be tried in the UK were executed in Exeter.

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Clotted Cream

Devonshire clotted cream is better than any other cream, for a truly memorable taste sensation, look out for clotted cream ice cream or clotted cream fudge when at the coast!

Gin

Britain’s oldest working gin distillery is in Devon and continues to make gin to the original recipe using traditional methods.

Cider

The West Country is the home of cider and in Devon, there are pubs with local brews on tap, breweries offering tours and food and drink festivals where you can buy straight from the producer!

Cider has been made in Devon for generations, in fact there is evidence to suggest that some form of cider was being made all the way back in the Neolithic period! Certainly, the cider we know and love today was started by the Romans and boosted by the Normans. In Devon, records show that cidermaking was happening on a commercial scale from 1285 onwards! As such, at the beginning of the year, you can find wassailing events taking place at orchards across the county. Wassailing, for the uninitiated is a ceremony that involves hanging toast in apple trees and pouring cider on the roots to ensure a good harvest. Make sure to look out for wassailing if you’re in Devon in January!

Ancient Woodland Park Dartmoor

Walk the trails Meet the animals Free Nature Challenge - prize for every child! Licensed Café & Gift Shop

Manaton, Bovey Tracey, TQ13 9UG. T: 01647 221259 W: beckyfalls.com Open Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

9th Feb - 29th Oct 2023 Pre-booking advised!

BEST PLACES IN DEVON FOR FRESH SEA FOOD

Being on the coast means that you can sample some of the freshest flavours straight from the sea! In Devon there is a real focus on sustainability, which means that you will find sustainably caught fish and seafood all over the county!

Bigbury on Sea

Like most of South Devon, this is a great place to visit for fresh seafood, especially oysters! There are fewer things more romantic than watching the sun set from the beach and enjoying some handpicked oysters after catching the sea tractor across to nearby Burgh Island.

Brixham

Home to the famous Brixham Fish Market, whether you want fresh seafood or good old-fashioned fish and chips in the harbour, you’ll find that what you’re served is fresh in from the boats that day!

Known for their annual lobster and crab food festival, it’s not surprising that the seafood from this historic village in North Devon is well worth the trip.

Woolacombe

As one of Devon’s most popular holiday resorts and home to Britain’s best beach, there are fewer places better suited for enjoying fish and chips on the coast.

BEST PLACES IN DEVON FOR A CREAM TEA

Whether you’re stopping off at an actual tearoom for a real Devon cream tea experience or you are enjoying the comfort of a hotel or the casual nature of a café, there are plenty of places to enjoy Devon’s best loved delicacy.

NEW EXPERIENCES

HISTORY AND CULTURE PLAN YOUR VISIT

BY TRAIN:

Exeter 30mins Plymouth 30mins Bristol 1.5hrs Birmingham 3hrs London 3hrs Leeds 5hrs

© Artur Niedzwiedz

GREAT LOCAL FOOD RIVER WALKS

Did you know?… Devon is home to the UK’s only 16-sided house.

Dartmoor

Full of fascinating history and open countryside as far as the eye can see, the villages and towns of Dartmoor provide a lovely backdrop to a traditional Devon cream tea, especially if you’re planning to reward yourself with one after exploring!

Sidmouth

Located on the Jurassic Coast with some stunning views, there are loads of lovely hotels and cafés in Sidmouth, many with prime positions so you can enjoy a cream tea with a sea view!

Cockington

This cute, chocolate box village on the outskirts of Torquay has everything you could need to experience a true Devon cream tea – there are delightful thatched cottages and horse drawn carriages to look out over while sipping.

HARCOURT HOTEL Forest Glade Holiday Park

49 Fore Street, Ilfracombe, Devon, EX34 9DJ 01271 862931 enquiries@harcourthotel.co.uk

Forest Glade Holiday Park is situated between Cullompton and Honiton and set in a forest clearing on the Blackdown Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the perfect place for a relaxing family holiday, offering peace and tranquillity allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life!