Top Things to do in Devon
What to do and see in Devon, England: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
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. Coleton Fishacre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,786 reviews
Reviewed By JandAre
Third visit to this beautiful house. The grounds are magnificent and stretch down to the river. Unusual plants everywhere adding so much colour and interest. This is by far my favourite NT property - the warm feel of the house coupled with stunning views and beautifully designed and planted gardens surpass all the others.
2. Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 647 reviews
Opening 12th April Please check website for opening days. Booking from 9.00am on the day by phone. Following Government guidelines David and Kathy’s Tearoom will be providing outdoor undercover seating with cakes made from flour milled onsite, from 12th April 2021. The Mill interior will open later in the year when permitted.
Reviewed By HAL101
3 of us enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon tea at this pretty corn mill near Ilfracombe bay. One friend is diabetic and I am vegan. The staff were very knowledgeable about different dietary needs. My freshly baked vegan cheese scone was delicious, the nicest scone I have ever had. There was a choice of savoury or sweet (24 hours notice required for vegan). There was a choice of cheese or houmous with it. I chose cheese with onion marmalade for my scone and houmous and chutney for my sandwich. The bread was lovely. After, there was a choice of 2 vegan cakes( raspberry and coconut or cherry and chocolate), both delicious. It was served with a huge pot of tea. There was plenty to eat , the food was delicious ( much is baked with their own milled flour) and it was very reasonably priced.
3. Salcombe to Bolt Head Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 289 reviews
A 3 mile moderate walk along part of the South West Coast Path National Trail passing through an enchanted landscape of rocky spires and jumbled pinnacles to the mouth of the Salcombe estuary, with inspiring views in all directions, this is a coastal walk guaranteed to lift the spirits.
Reviewed By richardm19622019 - Bedford, United Kingdom
This is a great walk, tough and uphill to start, then stunning views as you get to the top and walk around bolt head, down to the valley to finish before heading back to Salcombe South sands. Brilliant. May have to wait for the ferry if catching it to Salcombe after as only 12 allowed on at a time. Enjoy
4. Borough Farm Sheepdog and Falconry Displays
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
Borough Farm, home of Channel Five's 'Mist-sheepdog tales', has hosted Sheepdog Displays since 1998. Tues, 11am Farmyard Show (July and August) Wed 6pm Sheepdog and Falconry Displays (May-Sept) Thurs 6pm Shepherding Experience walks (May-Sept) For a full list of events please visit the Borough Farm website Shepherd David Kennard hosts Tuesdays Farmyard Show, with an hour of hilarious antics, as Alfie the sheepdog, tells the story of the duck in the castle, with the help of a host of farmyard friends. For Wednesday evenings show David is joined by Exmoor falconer George Pile, with his delightful collection of Kestrels, Owls and Falcons. Sheepdogs Fly, Zola, Alf and Sweep are put through their paces as they work far into the distance, or close at hand in the ring with more Sheepdog and Duck fun All set against the backdrop of the beautiful Borough Valley. With teas, coffees and the finest homemade cakes served at the Borough Farm Shepherd's hut (barbeque too during July and August)and under cover seating for the occasional damp evenings, we hope that your visit to Borough Farm will truly be "an unforgettable country evening" On Thursday evenings David takes small groups on a walk around the stunning Morte Point headland. David has farmed the land for nearly 20 years and this opportunity to watch his top sheepdog Fly working in natural environment is simply breathtaking.
Reviewed By Squeakybird - Newbury, United Kingdom
We spotted the sign on the roadside for the Falconry and Sheepdog display, so thought we would go along and watch. We were not disappointed! Their first show back because of Lockdown, and David apologised several times if the animals didn’t ‘perform’ The ducks wouldn’t do as planned, but it was hugely entertaining, with David determined to get a duck down the slide....so funny! The sheep herding was amazing to watch, it didn’t go completely as it should have done, but to watch the skill of David regrouping the two dogs and working them to bring hundreds of sheep close, was amazing. Our favourite bits were Merc keep jumping the fence to get fuss from audience, Sweep sitting in the water, Glen’s attention to David, and then Alfie ..... the ultimate duck herder. Falconry was great to watch, with excellent skill and clear love for his birds, it was enjoyable to watch the swooping birds. The Covid measures in place didn’t deflect from the show, and can completely recommend this to anyone. Excellent work! It does get a little chilly, so make sure you take a jumper or blanket.
5. Heddon Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By O8035DBannet - Barnstaple, United Kingdom
Beautiful walk down to the beach....it's how become National trust property.... Gutters inn is great for a drink and food to warm up at this time of year....
6. The Timehouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 481 reviews
The Timehouse is due to re-open 21 June 2021 subject to the Covid situation. Check here and elsewhere online for updates.
7. Lundy Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 498 reviews
Located off the coast of Devon, this granite outcrop lies between England and America and is famed for its marine reserve.
Reviewed By macstan1 - Stradbroke, United Kingdom
Our friends suggested that we might like a couple of nights on Lundy Island, to seek out some puffins and incorporate it with my birthday. I decided it would be safer for me to travel to the top of the island by land rover and my husband and friends would walk. It is a very steep climb and I made the right decision as it would have ruined my time there, as I’m ok on flattish ground. But at least I was first at the inn and opened a tab, so when the others arrived they had a lovely cold lager to greet them, so I didn’t feel so bad about my ride up. As it was very hot, and we did some exploring, as our cottage would not be ready for about 4 hours. I love it there, the coast line is stunning and we did spot 3 seals in the water below but a long way off. The air is so fresh and all you can hear are the birds and animals, very little else. A place that is good for your soul. Our cottage was a 50s style, basic but clean. But quite quirky in its own way - must add it has a brilliant shower, small but really good. The staff are friendly and always seem to have a smile. Please remember there is no TV, or radio unless you took your own but I don’t know if it would work. And very little internet- and to be honest for a little while it really is quite nice. But we did without and it really wasn’t a problem. And we did get to see the Puffins, lots of them. It was wonderful. You need a good pair of walking shoes/boots and good binoculars and take a picnic if you can,but leave nothing behind. It’s unspoilt let’s keep it that way. We were very lucky with the weather, hot the first day but overcast on the second and I was grateful for that, as walking in the sun isn’t really for me. Even enjoyed the mist late that evening when leaving the inn to go home. But woke up to yet another glorious day. Even the boat trips both ways were perfect and to finish our couple of days off we saw Dave the single dolphin on the way back to Ilfracombe. (Apparently he has been kicked out of the pod, for some reason) so goes it alone. But wonderful to see him in his right habitat. All in all, a great visit, and we will go back one day - when fitter I hope ????????
8. Underground Passages
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 613 reviews
In light of the advice from the Government about COVID-19 the Underground Passages are closed to the public until further notice. Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter High Street are a unique ancient monument: no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain. The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple: to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes sprang leaks and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.The Passages are dark and narrow with a fascinating history. Visitors can experience interactive and educational exhibits in the Underground Passages Heritage Centre and watch a short video presentation before their guided tour.
Reviewed By JakeCox
Top of our list of things to do (along with the brilliant Royal Albert Museum - see other review) were the famed underground passages of Exeter's interesting past. We booked out tickets for the next tour, beginning in about 45 minutes' time, browsed a few nearby shops and then made our way back and downstairs ready for the tour to begin. In the room downstairs there is plenty to keep you occupied and interested as you wait for everyone in the tour group to gather. Next you go through to a room where there are lockers for your belongings and are shown a short video explaining the history of the tunnels as well as a brief introduction from the tour guide. Kitted up with hard hats you begin the journey through the passages of varying height and width, occasionally pausing as the guide gives very informative pointers on the history surrounding the area you're currently in. As a man exceeding 6 foot in height I found myself ducking a lot and being thankful for the hard hat but this is to be expected and didn't infringe upon my enjoyment at all. The stops are always timed for areas where the ceiling is of comfortable height so don't worry about being stuck doubled over for any significant length of time. You're also able to leave the tour at any point (provided you notify the guide of course) if you become claustrophobic so if that's an initial concern then see how you go at least. Later on in the tour you're given the choice of two routes. One path leads you back through a comfortable height tunnel, the other through a very low tunnel. Needless to say I chose the former. If you're below 6 feet tall and have no back or knee issues then you'll be fine - it's only a short route. If in doubt though, take the comfortable route and wait for the others to emerge; some muddy-handed if they had to steady themselves through the low tunnel! Great fun and our tour guide Alex was excellent. Defninitely recommend this.
9. Berry Pomeroy Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
Tucked away in a deep wooded valley, Berry Pomeroy Castle is the perfect romantic ruin with a colourful history of intrigue. Within the 15th-century defences of the Pomeroy family castle, looms the dramatic ruined shell of its successor, the great Elizabethan mansion of the Seymours. Begun in around 1560 and ambitiously enlarged from around 1600, their mansion was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon, a match for Longleat and Audley End. Never completed, and abandoned by 1700, it became the focus of blood-curdling ghost stories, recounted in the audio tour. The location of the castle makes it ideal for walkers who can explore the nearby beautiful woodland or you can enjoy a light lunch, home made cake or restorative cup of tea in the cafe. Within a short drive are Totnes Castle and Dartmouth Castle, making it an ideal day out for families.
Reviewed By 236traceya - Havant, United Kingdom
A scenic & peaceful area with the stunning ruins of the famously haunted Berry Pomeroy Castle that is steeped in a turbulent & colourful history between the Pomeroy & Seymour families, that is lovingly maintained by the English Heritage Society, there is a small on-site cafe & a limited amount of parking in the carpark nearby that has some marked disabled bays, but be careful of the narrow bendy lanes to get there, as I found it quite dangerous with people driving far too fast in the opposite direction when the roads were muddy & the sun was glaring, nevertheless it was well worth the visit, just don't forget to book online before visiting.
10. Overbecks Museum and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 660 reviews
Reviewed By sookeico1 - Etchingham, United Kingdom
Long winding road to get there, but well worth the trip. Immaculately kept gardens with some wonderful views from high up over the water. Lots of interesting plants and some great nooks and corners to explore. No cafe/drinks available at present, but still a good experience.
