Devon Holidays
Devon, located on the South West Coast, is one of Great Britain’s most popular holiday destinations, and it’s easy to see why. From blue flag beaches, to wild and beautiful landscapes, castles and stately homes, to craft fairs, and animal parks, this is a county that has it all.
Devon is an ideal place for an active holiday, especially as there are two national parks in its boundaries, just waiting to be explored. Why not take one of the many walks through Exmoor or Dartmoor National Park, and view the famous ponies, or even go on horseback through the open moorland in Exmoor. Stunning landscapes, famous ponies, and many species of flora, fauna, and rare bird, can all be found in these parks. For the able hikers there’s also the Two Moors Way, or the South West Coast Path, which is the only National Trail in the county. If a bicycle is your favourite mode of transport, then you’ll also be spoilt for choice here, with off-road cycling, routes through Devon’s charming villages, and 150 miles of the National Cycle Network in the county. With a wealth of Blue Flag beaches, it should come as no surprise that Devon also attracts water sports fans, who can enjoy surfing at Croyde Bay, Woolacombe Bay, and Lynmouth. Diving is also possible at Lundy Island off the North Devon Coast, and boating/canoeing/and fishing is popular along many of Devon’s rivers. There are also traditional seaside attractions for the whole family to enjoy, such as Amusements and Aquariums.
Devon is not just a county rich in wildlife, and captivating landscapes, it has an interesting history and culture as well, illustrated through the buildings and museums that remain in the area. There’s National Trust properties, old Tudor houses in Totnes, Dartmouth Castle, the impressive Exeter Cathedral, and Museums like Morwellham Quay. This museum in the Tavistock area is based around a restored port and copper mine, and also features a Victorian Farm and Nature Reserve. Another ‘living’ museum/heritage centre is located in Bideford. Clovelly is a scenic fishing village, and entry fees maintain the village charm, and give visitors access to museums, audio visual exhibitions, souvenir shops, restaurants, and picture postcard picnic sites. No visit to Devon would be complete without taking in Plymouth, where in amongst the many attractions in the city, there’s the Mayflower Steps, linked to the Pilgrim Fathers who left from there to explore the New World. Plymouth also houses the oldest working Gin Distillery in England, which might be worth a visit after you’ve explored all Plymouth has to offer.
As you can tell, Devon really is a county for all tastes, all ages, and all the family! Additional family friendly attractions worth a mention include the Crealy and Milky Way Adventure Park, Living Coasts with its Penguins and Seals, Babbacombe Model Village, and Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre. There’s so much to interest the visitor, and all easily accessible too. Exeter has its own International Airport, Brittany Ferries sail into Plymouth, Trains run into Devon from London, Bristol, Cardiff, and Birmingham, and the M3/A30/A303 (South) and M5 (North) Motorways are all within easy reach. There’s no excuse not to plan a visit to this beautiful and diverse part of England, so why not make your next visit one to Devon?
