Devon Tourist Information
Glorious Devon offers a choice of holiday experiences depending on your taste. In Devon's capital Plymouth take a journey through Devon's maritime history right back to the Pilgrim Fathers. Plymouth is crammed with museums and attractions and has an exquisite heritage quay around the Barbican Harbour area. Move down to the South Hams area to a stunning coastline around Dartmouth and the River Dart, check out Totnes for superb specialist shopping and there's a choice of Devon Castles in South Devon.For walking holidays in Devon head to the spectacular Devon Jurassic Coast and South West Coast Path or walk the Dart Way around Dartmouth.
Other great walking trails in Devon include the Two Moors Way or Tarka Trail. Discover Dartmoor National Park, with its many natural granite Tors, or its ancient stones circles and megaliths. For family holidays in Devon both Torquay and the English Riviera and Ilfracombe and the North Devon Coast are perfect. Devon's north coast has some of the most beautiful long sandy Blue Flag beaches in the UK and Woolacombe, Croyde and Westward Ho! are all top surfing locations in the UK. North Devon coastal hotspots include Combe Martin and Lynton. Devon's English Riviera has been drawing the holiday crowds for many years. Family friendly Paignton makes the perfect seaside base, or hop on the Agatha Christie trail at Torquay or take a boat trip to Brixham with its stunning harbour.
South Devon Holidays
With maritime Plymouth at its heart, South Devon contains beautiful harbour bays like Dartmouth offering great boat trips and spectacular beaches along the South Hams Coast. Plymouth attractions include outstanding museums and galleries. Iconic features along Plymouth Sound include Smeaton's Lighthouse. A choice of Plymouth museums focusing on Plymouth's historic maritime history dig deep into the Pilgrim Fathers and famous names such as Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Discover superb art galleries, arts and crafts shops and the fantastic Barbican quay lined with chic bars and cafes. Plymouth Devon, is an absolute joy for a Devon city break, or day trip taking in the many attractions the city has to offer. Hop on the Plymouth trail of the Pilgrim Fathers who boarded the Mayflower and checkout the Mayflower Exhibition on the Quay opposite the Mayflower steps.
Discover The South Hams area of Devon with 60 miles of some of the most beautiful coastline and beaches around the Devon Coast. South Hams is famous for its local produce and fine restaurants and food, much of which is organic. Vegetarians and vegans visiting Devon will love South Hams centres like Totnes and don't miss a visit to stunning Dartmouth Castle. Totnes is a glorious spot in South Hams, famous for its Green Tourism and bohemian atmosphere. Totnes' superb high street is lined with organic food shops, great vegetarian and vegan cafes and restaurants and some Devon arts and crafts specialist shops selling an outstanding selection of gifts and souvenirs.
Torbay Holidays
Torquay on the English Riviera and neighbouring resorts Brixham and Paignton are some of the most popular areas for holidays in Devon. Torquay contains great family beaches, beautiful Edwardian and Victorian seaside architecture, a spectacular modern marina and a host of family attractions. Stag and hen weekend breaks in Torquay are incredibly popular and you'll find great seaside theatres, amusements and famously literary heritage with the Agatha Christie trail all in Torquay.
Find family holiday fun in Paignton with its endless family friendly beach, great family attractions including steam railways and numerous seaside shops and family friendly Paignton pier. Move to Brixham, once a small fishing village but now a delightful day trip mecca with a picture postcard harbour, lots of exquisite promenade walking and a bustling marina which hosts its own regatta annually.
Across the English Riviera coast you'll discover a choice of superb family holiday beaches. Both Torquay and Paignton have Piers, and Paignton Pier is crammed with amusements and rides. There's a selection of family holiday attractions across the region including waterparks, boat trips along the coast between Torquay and Brixham, the Living coasts attraction at Torquay, the Golden Hind recreation of Sir Francis Drake's ship at Brixham and the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam railway which begins at Paignton.
Add to this all you'd expect from seaside resorts including a selection of family restaurants, ice cream shops and cafes, bargain holiday shops galore at Paignton, and a good choice of cinemas, leisure facilities and loads of B&Bs, guesthouses and holiday Devon hotels, many with their own in-house entertainment. The English Riviera is a great choice for a Devon family holiday, and don't forget nearby Babbacombe, Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth, ideal family seaside holiday hotspots.
Dartmoor Tourist Information
Steeped in myth and legend, Dartmoor National Park is one of Britain's most well known National Parks. Boasting a wild and rugged moorland landscape, Dartmoor is a mecca for walking holidays in the South West and contains ancient Megaliths and Stone Circles. Around the outskirts of the Dartmoor National Park runs the Dartmoor Way which passes through historic towns such as Okehampton, Tavistock and Ashburton, many of which grew and evolved as stannary towns serving the Dartmoor Tin Industry.
Outdoor activities in Dartmoor National Park are superb and include horse riding, climbing, walking, and water sports on the River Dart. Visit magnificent Dartmoor castles and stately homes, enjoy fine Devon local produce and real ales in cosy Dartmoor real ale pubs. Dartmoor National Park is also a hotspot for Devon fishing. If you're looking for luxury B&B guest houses and hotels you'll find them on the outskirts of Dartmoor. Beautiful historic and romantic retreats abound, with glorious views out onto Dartmoor.
North Devon Holidays
Spectacular award-winning Devon beaches await the visitor to North Devon. Top Devon family holiday seaside resorts include beautiful Woolacombe popular with both families and surfers. Woolacombe, Croyde and Westward Ho! are all top surfing holiday favourites in the UK. A Devon coastal walking haven along a dramatic cliff and sand dune coastline via the South West Coast Path. A Devon family holiday magnet at both Woolacombe, crammed with great all inclusive holiday parks and fabulous Ilfracombe with its famous tunnel Beaches.
Charming coastal villages in North Devon lined with picture-postcard cobbled streets and packed with fine specialist shops, traditional inns and tearooms include popular Clovelly. Stay in beautiful family friendly Bideford or beautiful locations along the Exmoor Coast including Lynmouth, Lynton and Combe Martin.
Exeter & East Devon Holidays
With spectacular historic centre Exeter at its heart, East Devon is full of character and charm, offering a varied mix of Devon holiday flavours. For Devon cities Exeter reigns supreme, with its central gothic cathedral, superb shopping, a cafe/student culture and an excellent contemporary art, cinema and arts centre scene. Combine this with its chic quay waterfront along the Exeter Ship Canal, its woollen trade heritage and Roman and Medieval history and you have the perfect combination for a great cultural city break!
The East Devon Jurassic Coast is a mecca for walking holidays in Devon featuring some of the most spectacular coastal walking in the UK. Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth make great Jurassic Coast gateway holiday bases, perfect for accessing the beautiful South West Coast Path. Internationally acclaimed festivals feature in East Devon such as the popular Sidmouth Folk Festival. The Exe Estuary around Exmouth is top territory for bird watching holidays in Devon and for great fishing and leisurely boat trips. Move inland to ancient market towns like Tiverton on a Medieval woollen trade trail. East Devon family holiday hotspots include Sidmouth and Exmouth, both of which have great beaches, with rockpools galore at Sidmouth, and lots going on for kids around the Exe Estuary, particularly at attractions such as Powderham Castle and Crealy Adventure Park
Central Devon Holidays
Ancient Devon market towns and superb local produce markets await the visiter in Central Devon. Things to do in Central Devon holiday locations like pretty Holsworthy include a great 18 hole parkland golf course and local fishing in fishing hotspot Tarka country. Visit beautiful Devon gardens around Holsworthy and Great Torrington like RHS Rosemoor Gardens or take a tour of great quirky Devon museums in the area like The Gnome Reserve and Museum. English Civil War heritage features strongly around ancient Central Devon centres like Great Torrrington, famously the site for one of the most brutal battles of the English Civil War in 1646.
