Top Things to do in Devon
What to do and see in Devon, England: The Best Breweries
From the wilds of Dartmoor to the wooded hillsides of the Lyn Valley, Devon is undoubtedly one of England's most beautiful counties. Its overwhelmingly rural landscape means that catered accommodation is restricted to over-subscribed Bed and Breakfasts and hotels which are mostly concentrated in towns like Exeter and Barnstaple.
Devon is a great location for a family holiday in the great outdoors, with everything from beach resorts at Ilfracombe to rambling in the hills of Exmoor and tors of Dartmoor. It is a large county, but whether you want to follow the Tarka Trail, or walk down the Doone Valley, you can be sure there will be cottages open for holiday rentals nearby.
Most of Devon's holiday rental cottages started as farm buildings of some sort, and planning restrictions mean that many of them retain their rural charm on the outside. However, the cottages are generally renovated to 21st Century standards inside, with double glazing, TV, washing machines and fully-equipped kitchens. Families are well catered for in the higher end properties with games rooms, sometimes including full-size pool tables and large gardens for children to explore.
Despite the unpredictability of Devon's weather even during the summer months, the comfort of these properties gives great peace of mind. Moreover, a week's holiday rental of a cottage in Devon can cost as little as £300 - £400. During the peak season you can spend as much as £900 a month for one of the larger or more luxurious cottages, which still works out to be cheaper than a lot of hotels, especially if you have to book several rooms to accommodate a family of four or five.
To get the best of Devon's startling countryside and its friendly communities, renting a holiday cottage near Lynton and Lynmouth can be a good start. It is a useful base from which to explore North Devon, and is within walking distance of several beauty spots, such as Watersmeet (complete with a small but impressive waterfall) and the Valley of the Rocks. Separated by a steep cliff, you can travel up a funicular railway from coastal Lynmouth to clifftop Lynton, with plenty of stunning walks, shopping opportunities and several beaches and boat trips to nearby coastal attractions.
The twin villages also boast a concentration of well-equipped holiday cottages, from modest fisherman's cottages on the path to Watersmeet to grander hillside houses on the way to the Valley of the Rocks. Whatever your budget, Lynton and Lynmouth can provide some tempting accommodation options for your first Devon holiday.
Restaurants in Devon
1. Woodsys Cider
2. Winkleigh Cider Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 26 reviews
At the Winkleigh Cider Company! We produce high quality Sam's Ciders and Autumn Scrumpies. Our cider is left to mature in our 100 year old oak vats. Cider has been made on site for nearly 100 years. 'Tis proper Devon cider. Come and visit our shop for a range of gifts and samples.
Reviewed By lynns337 - Stonehouse, United Kingdom
Popped in on the way home, to make sure we had some of Sams Cider to take home. Loved the fact that they do chutneys and jams too. They even had gifts in, ready for Christmas. Brilliant shop, great staff well worth a detour to visit
3. Stannary Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Stannary Brewing Company is a small craft brewery & Taproom close to the centre of Tavistock, only a 5 minute walk from the main carparks and the 'Meadows' park. Stannary Brewing Co. was born out of a love of big flavoured beers. Taking our inspiration from beer styles from all over the world we love to develop fresh and exciting full flavoured craft beers, all our beers are unfiltered & un-fined which means they are vegan friendly. The Stannary Taproom is open every Friday evening 5:30pm till 11pm throughout the year and our Beer & BBQ Bash takes place on the last Saturday in each month, see full details on Facebook or Twitter. Stannary Tap' serves 10 beers fresh from the keg every week plus a range of our bottled beers. We also sell a small range of ciders & wines, local gins and some cans and bottles from our favourite breweries from around the world. Drop in and chill out with a craft beer sometime!
Reviewed By Boardslider21 - Woolacombe, United Kingdom
The brewery is tucked away, as so many are in a corner of an industrial area, but can be reached on foot very easily with a pleasant walk through the park. It's best to double check opening hours before turning up though just in case. Bring a stout bag to take home your shopping from the bottle shop!
4. Salcombe Brewery Co
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Salcombe Brewery Co. has stunning views of Devon hills towards the beautiful Salcombe Ria. The brewhouse is a unique concept situated above a decommissioned water reservoir, utilising the natural ambient temperature of the underground facility for storing beer making the brewery as energy efficient as possible. Together with the surrounding nature and views towards Salcombe, it’s a great place for local and visiting customers to enjoy. Brewery tours and Brew days are great interactive ways to learn more about the beers; Devon Amber, Seahorse, Lifesaver, Salcombe Gold and Shingle Bay. Visitors can watch the brewers in action, engage in a Q&A and enjoy the all-important samplings of the beer! The Taproom can also be hired for events such as meetings, parties and tastings, making the brewery a versatile place to visit and enjoy. The Brewery Shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 16.00 (Open Saturday 10.00 - 14.00 during the low season).
5. Countryman Cider
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By kellan_csmith
I went a bit out of my way to try this place and I am glad i did. The people are really welcoming and helpful and the scrumpy is great and well priced. The actual place is quite historical and looks great. Although parking was a very minor problem overall was a welcoming and satisfied experience.
6. The Wizard Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Wizard Brewery is one of the fastest growing breweries in the southwest and continues to grow year on year. Award winning ales like Druids Fluid and Lundys Gold compliment our new ale Thirst Borne nicely & represents the essence of magic we brew.We offer regular tours of the brewery which include talks and demonstrations of the brewing process as well as beer tasting.
7. The New Lion Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
The New Lion Brewery taproom, bottle shop & venue | Food pop ups | Live music | Beer tastings and more | See our website or social for events and food vendor info | Visit us at Meadowbrook Community Centre, Dartington, Devon, TQ9 6JD
Reviewed By Jannerbloke - Devon, United Kingdom
Stopped off on our way to Totnes and spent a relaxed hour here out on the benches. Affable crowd. We had two large but different IPAs and would have stayed for a vegetarian burger lunch from The Big Kebabski food stand. We will be back.
8. The Totnes Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
The Totnes Brewing Co is situated at the bottom of Totnes Castle. As well as brewing their own craft beers right in the bar on a weekly basis they also stock a huge range of guest craft ales & ciders - local and international. If you love craft beer this is a must with "probably" the largest selection of beers and ciders in the area (usually over 100). The beer garden is a perfect spot from which to admire the Castle and the bar is warm and cosy at night - with an open fire on cold days. Food platters to go with beer are served during the holiday season and people are welcome to bring their own food when the kitchen is closed - they are dog friendly and have free wifi. Children welcome during the day and early evening.
Reviewed By GrecianSteve79 - Exeter, United Kingdom
Fantastic pub, great choice of beers and very knowledgable staff. Even in covid times the pub was very organised.
9. Hunt's Cider
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Cider Tours are held at 2pm on Wednesdays from 31st May. Our tours include a walkthrough of our cider production facilities and tastings of our delicious Devon ciders. Tours last approximately 1 hour. We also have a small shop onsite where you can purchase cider and apple juice to take home. The shop is open weekdays between 9am and 5pm.
10. Sandford Orchards
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
We make cider properly. We take our learnings from the traditional Devonshire cider makers of yesteryear and shape their techniques for the modern era. We only ever make cider from naturally fermented, freshly pressed juice. No concentrates, no artificial flavours or aromas. Every drop of Sandford Orchards cider is made by us. From the beginning, our aim has been simple; to produce top quality ciders from the finest Devon cider apples, like generations of Crediton cider makers before us. It’s how we did it in 2002 and how we always will. Proudly, True to our Roots.
Reviewed By charlieg858
Absolutely fabulous team working here! Whilst on Holiday in nearby Tiverton, we decided to take a trip down to sandford orchards! (Our local pub stocks it). Turned up and one of the team members instantly recognised us from when he came up to our neck of the woods to do some cider tasting and immediately offered us a quick tour around the premises with the owner! Fantastic knowledge and customer service was outstanding! Also, the Pizzas are to die for! 10000% worth a visit!
