Find hotels, cottages, self-catering properties, budget accommodation and other places to stay in Devon. Alternatively, enter the destination in the search box above if you have a specific place in mind, eg 'Dartmouth' or 'Chagford'. Check out our Top 10 Recommendations, too, on our
Devon page.
Sponsorsed Advertisement
Devon, Visitor & Tourism Guide
Quick links
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
 |
Selected from the best Hotels in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Honeymoon Hotels in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Holiday Cottages in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Seaside Holidays in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Inns in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Weekend Breaks in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Places To Visit in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Things To Do in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Beaches in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Towns in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Villages in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Museums in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Views in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Rainy Days Out in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Castles in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Bays in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Walks in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Zoos And Wildlife in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
 |
Selected from the best Honeymoons in Devon we've listed our top 10.
|
|
Local Map
Photo Gallery
|
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...
What's near here?
|
|
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...
What's near here?
|
© Owner
|
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...
What's near here?
Streetview
|
© Owner
|
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...
What's near here?
Streetview
|
© Owner
|
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...
What's near here?
Streetview
|