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Devon, Visitor & Tourism Guide
Photo © JamesPenman
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Region: South West England
Neighbouring Counties: Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset
National Parks: Dartmoor, Exmoor
AONBs: South Devon, North Devon, Tamar Valley, East Devon, Blackdown Hills
Cities: Exeter, Plymouth
Select Towns/Villages: Dartmouth, Salcombe, Torquay, Brixham (and the other towns of The English Riviera), Torcross, Torbryan, Chagford, Sidmouth, Topsham, Lynmouth, Mortehoe, Tiverton, Clovelly, Ilfracombe, Beer
World Heritage Sites: Jurassic Coast, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape
Holiday perfection
National Parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and internationally important cities, Devon's one of the UK's top holiday destinations.
From magnificent coastal walking to a yomp on the high moors, surfing on Atlantic-facing beaches to lazy days relaxing on sandy coves, Devon's a natural joy. Home to some of the UK's top hotels and restaurants, boasting many fine self-catering properties, the county is seen by many as UK holiday perfection.
This is a short summary guide to the county. Browse our 'Top 10 Recommendations' lists on this page below quickly to identify places to visit and things to do which are of interest. Given that the majority of the team here at PictureTheUK live in Devon, we've visited and photographed all the destinations and attractions listed. The images we use are selected from a database of hundreds of thousands of UK photos. Also, click on the links in this summary guide as they take you to more specific guides to the county's National Parks, cities, major towns and so forth.
National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Dartmoor National Park's to the south and Exmoor National Park to the north. Exmoor straddles the Devon and Somerset border. The western section of the Park is in Devon.
In addition, there are five AONBs or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To the east of the county, visit the Blackdown Hills and East Devon AONBs. The East Devon coastline is particularly dramatic and we'd recommend walking the stretch between Sidmouth and Beer. To the north west, close to Exmoor, is the North Devon AONB. Famous for its surfing beaches, the North Devon AONB also covers the wonderful Hartland Peninsula. West of Dartmoor is the Tamar Valley which, in our opinion, given its history and beauty, is one of the most under-visited destinations in South West England. Perhaps most popular of Devon's AONBs is, however, South Devon. Its beaches and towns, coastal villages and rolling countryside are gorgeous.
The county's also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the only two mountains in southern England. The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site is superb around the Tamar Valley and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is best explored on the South West Coast Path. The (small) mountains Yes Tor and High Willhays are in the north west of Dartmoor National Park.
Cities and towns, moorland villages and fishing harbours
Exeter and Plymouth are internationally important Devon cities, Salcombe, Dartmouth and Ilfracombe are delightful coastal towns. Sidmouth, to the east, is in an exceptional location and Chagford, in the north of Dartmoor National Park, is a good gateway to the high moors.
For moorland villages, try Widecombe in the Moor and Belstone, for a couple of the UK's most stunning fishing harbours, visit Clovelly and Beer.
Some destinations, such as Totnes and Chagford, are slightly boho and others, for example Torquay, are very bling.
Take a look at our 'Top 10 Recommendations' lists for towns and villages in Devon below.
Big and beautiful beaches, too
Devon's beaches are second to none within the UK. For size and beauty, they compete with anything Cornwall, Northumberland and Pembrokeshire, for example, have to offer. With vast expanses of flat sand at Slapton Sands and Northam Burrows Beach and idyllic little coves at Mill Bay Beach and Blackpool Sands, you're spoilt for choice.
Having spent some time at the beach, perhaps you need a dramtic cliff walk? Try Budleigh Salterton Cliffs or Start Point. Perhaps you want to escape the crowds and head for the moors? Try Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) and Haytor Rocks.
Kids and their parents
What if you have kids? We'd point you in the direction of The Miniature Pony Centre and Exmoor Zoo, Plymouth National Marine Aquarium and Woodlands Park. There's Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park, too. We'd also suggest Paignton Zoo and Living Coasts, The Milky Way Adventure Park and The BIG Sheep.
History and culture
If you're looking for history or culture, try the Museum of Dartmoor Life and Princetown National Park Visitor Centre, Morwellham Quay and Exeter Cathedral. We'd also recommend Buckfast Abbey, Totnes Castle, Powderham Castle and Estate, Okehampton Castle, Lydford Castle and Saltram House and Gardens.
And Dartmoor
Oh, and don't believe it when people tell you Dartmoor's bleak. Yomp around Lustleigh Cleave, Lydford Gorge and Waterfall or the Teign Gorge, and you'll see nothing but lush, steep wooded valleys that are sensational in Autumn.
Top 10 Recommendations
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Located in Exeter, Devon, South West England, England Less than a mile away. Longest uninterrupted vaulted ceiling in the world. Exeter Cathedral was founded in 1050 when bishopric of Devon and Cornwall was transferred from Crediton. Decorated Gothic architecture. Damaged during both the Dissolut... |
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Located in Exeter, Devon, South West England, England Less than a mile away. Beautiful pedestrian area around Exeter Cathedral. Restaurants, cafes and shops. Impressive statue of Richard Hooker, the Anglican theologian... |
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Located in Exeter, Devon, South West England, England Less than a mile away. Famous sculpture outside Exeter Cathedral. 'Richard Hooker (1554 - 1600) 'Prophet of Anglicanism' and a Son of Exeter, he was a lively Elizabethan priest, quick-witted, urbane, intellectually acute, politically sophistic... |
Local Accommodation [See more Accommodation]
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 Less than a mile away. Total Rooms: 53; Rates: £79 - £205 Per Night Welcome to ABode Exeter at The Royal Clarence Hotel Situated in the heart of Exeter in the stunning Cathedral Yard, is Exeter's oldest and most historic hotel... |
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Less than a mile away. Total Rooms: 154; Rates: £66 - £162 Per Night Built in 1989 in a Georgian style, the Mercure Southgate is in the heart of Exeter, next to the city walls and close to the cathedral All en suite rooms are equipped with modern facilities including satellite TV and mini... |
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 Less than a mile away. Total Rooms: 14; Rates: £99 - £125 Per Night St Olaves Hotel is a small, intimate hotel in the very centre of historic Exeter and a few minutesa walk from the high street, Princesshay shopping centre and Exeter University... |
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