Devon is a county in South West England famous for its stunning coastlines, rolling countryside, and maritime heritage. The county encompasses Dartmoor and Exmoor national areas, offering diverse landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Browse Devon campsites Big Ben, London Photo by Marcin Nowak on UnsplashDevon has a rich maritime history dating back to the Tudor period, when Sir Francis Drake and other naval commanders played crucial roles in defending England against the Spanish Armada in 1588. The county was significantly affected by the English Civil War, with numerous coastal fortifications built during this period. Devon's economy historically relied on fishing, wool trade, and agriculture, with the ports of Plymouth and Exeter serving as major commercial hubs.
Runs along the Dawlish sea wall where the track sits right on the shoreline, giving passengers uninterrupted views over the English Channel - one of the most photographed stretches of railway in Britain.
A slow, single-track branch line through the Exe and Taw valleys, passing rural North Devon villages and offering a good link to the Tarka Trail cycle path at Barnstaple.
A short branch line crossing into Cornwall via the Calstock Viaduct, running through the wooded Tamar Valley - a good low-effort scenic trip from Plymouth.
Follows the Exe Estuary, giving views over mudflats and wetlands popular with wading birds; connects easily with the Exe Estuary Trail cycle route.
Rugged coastal walking split between the north Devon coast (Exmoor cliffs, Hartland Peninsula) and the south Devon coast (Dartmouth to Plymouth), with steep ascents and descents throughout.
Crosses Devon from Dartmoor to Exmoor through farmland and moorland, linking the county's two national parks in one long-distance trail.
Short circular walks to Dartmoor's granite outcrops, popular for their views and easy access from car parks near Bovey Tracey and Widecombe.
Flat, waymarked route following former railway lines and the Taw/Torridge estuaries through North Devon, shared with cyclists on much of its length.
A flat, family-friendly route between Braunton and Meeth along a disused railway, taking in the Barnstaple estuary and Instow.
A mostly flat route connecting Exmouth, Topsham, and Exeter along the estuary, good for an easy day ride with plenty of birdlife to see.
Crosses the county from Ilfracombe to Plymouth via Dartmoor, mixing quiet lanes with off-road sections and some significant climbs.
A former railway track bed on Dartmoor near Princetown and Yelverton, giving high-moor views without the steep gradients of the surrounding terrain.
A steep-streeted estuary town with a working harbour, historic naval buildings, and boat trips out to the coast.
A privately-owned, car-free fishing village on the North Devon coast with a cobbled street dropping steeply to a small harbour.
A pair of linked towns joined by a Victorian cliff railway, sitting where Exmoor meets the sea, with dramatic coastal walks nearby.
A classic Dartmoor village built around a large church known as the 'Cathedral of the Moor', surrounded by open moorland and tors.
An estuary town in the South Hams popular with sailors, known for its beaches and boat trips along the Kingsbridge Estuary.
A Regency seaside town on the Jurassic Coast with red sandstone cliffs and a well-preserved seafront.
Dartmoor National Park's granite tors, ancient stone rows, and free-roaming ponies make for open, exposed walking unlike anywhere else in southern England.
North Devon's beaches have reliable Atlantic swell and surf schools suitable for beginners, alongside long stretches of sand.
Scones with clotted cream and jam, served in tea rooms across the county - Devon tradition puts the cream on before the jam, unlike Cornwall.
East Devon's red cliffs and fossil-rich beaches around Sidmouth, Branscombe, and Beer are part of a UNESCO-listed coastline stretching into Dorset.
Spots like the River Dart at Newbridge and Sharrah Pool offer clear moorland swimming, though the water stays cold year-round.
Devon's food identity centres on the cream tea - scones, jam, and thick clotted cream, traditionally spread cream-first in the 'Devon method'. The coastline supplies fresh crab, mackerel, and scallops (notably from Brixham), while inland farms produce Dartmoor lamb and beef. Local cider is widely made and sold, from traditional farmhouse scrumpy to more commercial brands, and Devon dairy produce more generally - butter, cheese, and ice cream - shows up on menus across the county.
A World Heritage Site covering 95 miles of coastline, with the East Devon section around Sidmouth, Branscombe, and Beer exposing rock layers spanning roughly 185 million years of geological history.
An expanse of open moorland, granite tors, and ancient woodland in central Devon, home to wild ponies and prehistoric stone remains.
Straddling the Devon-Somerset border, Exmoor combines high coastal cliffs with heather moorland and wooded combes, and is one of the few places in England with a resident red deer population.
A week-long folk music festival held in early August, drawing performers and dancers to venues across the town.
A smaller folk festival held in South Zeal/Sticklepath in early August, focused on traditional music, song, and dance.
A traditional agricultural and country fair held in Widecombe-in-the-Moor in mid-September, dating back to the 19th century and referenced in the folk song 'Widecombe Fair'.
A literary festival held in the North Devon village of Appledore over several days in late September, with talks and events across the town.
