The county of Devon hugs the southwest peninsula of the UK, nestling between the more rugged Cornwall towards Lands End and the rural heartlands of Somerset and Dorset to the north and east. Its attractions are legend – some of the most stunning scenery in the British Isles, more than 500 miles of coastline, two national parks, and 5 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It’s a pretty tall order choosing just nine places to visit – but here goes.
1. Exmoor
Exmoor probably has fewer visitors and boasts paths less travelled than its more famous twin, Dartmoor National Park to the south.
What gives Exmoor the edge may be the excellent walking country of its rugged northern coastline and an interior landscape still as bleak as that inhabited by Lorna Doone.
2. Exeter
Just up the river Exe – from the eastern fringes of the Jurassic Coast – you will find the bustling university city of Exeter.
With more than 2,000 years of history, it’s little wonder that this capital city of Devon offers heritage, architecture, and absorbing stories to fill all its back pages.
3. Salcombe
You might have an impression of Devon as a rural idyll where little happens beyond the ritual of afternoon cream teas.
You’d be wrong – countless schools around the coast offer all manner of water sports, from surfing to paddleboarding and more – with the quaint resort of Salcombe in the South Hams a particular magnet for the adventurous.
4. Dartmouth
Home of the Royal Navy College – it’s where the late Queen Elizabeth first met her future husband, the Duke of Edinburgh – Dartmouth is another favourite destination on the south coast of Devon.
Here it is the River Dart, of course, that offers opportunities for gentle boat trips through some of the county’s most attractive countryside, returning to a town lined with galleries, shops, and cafes.
5. Clovelly
Clovelly presents a picture-postcard version of the classic Devon fishing village – a privately owned village with its own entrance fees that nevertheless attracts its fair share of visitors for all that.
At the foot of its steep main street lies the small harbour from which you can choose your boat trip – many of which venture just offshore to the nearby seal colonies.
6. Woolacombe
Where the north coast of Devon is perhaps best known for its rugged beauty, the golden sands of Woolacombe, by contrast, offer a family-friendly day beside the seaside.
Its three miles or more of gently sloping beach is renowned for the quality and cleanliness of its water and the high standard of its beachside facilities. Throughout the summer months, lifeguards ensure safe swimming for the whole family. Woolacombe has often been voted one of the best beaches in Europe.
7. Lynton and Lynmouth
Lynton and Lynmouth lay on the north Devon coast.
Lynton is sometimes known as the Queen of Exmoor thanks to its imperious position high on the cliffs above the sea – with views along the rugged coastline and landwards to the glowering expanse of Exmoor. Down below lies its twin, the fishing village of Lynmouth.
8. Blackpool Sands
The south coast has its very own Blackpool – without the kiss-me-quick hats of its more famous cousin.
Blackpool Sands nestles against the backdrop of a pine forest near to Dartmouth. The pebbly beach gets very popular during the summer months thanks to its crystal waters, beach volleyball, and water sports.
9. Lydford Gorge
On the northwestern edge of Dartmoor National Park are the steep cliffs, deep pools, and tumbling waterfalls of Lydford Gorge. Among these are the White Lady Falls – the highest in southwest England. Hike through the gorge – part of the National Trust’s Tamar Trails – and you might see the shy local fauna of otters, kingfishers, and dippers.