Situated in the South West of England, close to other popular tourist destinations such as Cornwall, Devon has long been a favourite holiday spot and with such a huge choice of places to visit it is little wonder. The historic county, once known as Devonshire, has plenty of attractions, a thriving harbour industry and spectacular, unspoilt, natural sites with several areas that have been designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Well known for its rugged moorlands, pretty villages and quaint chocolate box cottages, Devon is a must–see holiday destination. Read more
This fantastic self-catering Devon holiday cottage is on the edge of Dartmoor and within easy reach of beautiful beaches and coastal footpaths. Hollyberrynook is a newly built property where individuals or couples can stay to enjoy gorgeous views, memorable walks, miles of cycling routes, fantastic food and lots of lovely rest that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. It's in the charming village of Rattery, a five-minute stroll from the 11th Century village pub with a private sunny garden and lots of space. Bookings are available between March and October.
A few minutes walk from the golden sands of Exmouth beach (with Blue Flag status), Sunnydeck is a fresh, modern ground floor apartment sleeping two guests in one spacious bedroom. Exmouth is a fantastic choice for a Devon holiday with the beach, estuary, nature reserves and excellent walks like the Jurassic Coast Footpath all on your doorstep. There are endless opportunities for walking, swimming, sailing and cycling, and with good public transport links nearby you don't need a car to enjoy it all. Guests love that there are great bars and eateries nearby. Stop by The Grapevine for a lazy lunchtime drink, or treat yourself to a meal at The Point with great waterfront views and even better steaks. Exeter, Sidmouth, Dawlish and Budleigh Salterton are just a few of the choices for a fun day out, making Sunnydeck a popular choice for couples who want to see and do it all.
This quiet holiday cottage is part of the owner's estate, with space for three people to sleep in two bedrooms. Little Yeo is within easy reach of Westward Ho! and just over two miles from the South West Coast Path. It is welcoming and comfortable, with a large garden and a lovely sitting room with a log burner. It's ideal for a relaxing break in any season and the layout suits couples, solo travellers or small families. Clovelly, Barnstaple, Exmoor National Park, Arlington Court and RHS Rosemoor are just a few of many choices for days out.
Grab the kids and the dog and head for Jasmine Cottage. This lovely stone terrace is on a non-working farm in the South Hams, with far-reaching views of the countryside and the coast. Salcombe, Dartmouth and Kingbridge are all an easy drive away, while the Cricket Inn pub in Beesands and the South West Coast Path are within walking distance of the front door. There is space for four people to sleep in two bedrooms, with a courtyard for sunny days and a woodburning stove for chilly nights.
Escape to the country in this romantic cottage-style apartment. Set in ten private acres with lakes and ponds, Acorn Retreat is ideal for couples who are searching for somewhere special to stay - a home-away-from-home where you can relax in comfort and style. Located on the border of Exmoor National Park, Acorn Retreat is a haven for wildlife and a great self-catering choice for those who enjoy walking, exploring or simply lazing on one of Devon's many glorious beaches.
Lower Carlane Court is a fresh ground floor holiday home sleeping four people in two bedrooms with two more on a comfortable sofa bed. It's well-equipped and suits families and couples, including those who want to bring their dogs. Slapton's two pubs and village shop are a two-minute walk from the door, while the walk to Slapton Sands via Slapton Ley Nature Reserve is only around 20 minutes. Dartmouth and Sidmouth are both within easy reach, as are the beaches and attractions of the English Riviera. Lower Carlane Court is one of three fantastic self-catering holiday cottages at Carlane Court. They can be booked together to accommodate extended families and friends.
The Stables sleeps six people in three bedrooms with space for two more on a comfortable sofa bed. It's an ideal holiday home for a family getaway to Devon, being only a mile from Slapton Sands and even closer to Slapton Ley lake and nature reserve. The cottage is one of four lovely self-catering cottages at Carlane Court in Slapton village, a few minutes from a village shop and two friendly pubs. Dartmouth, Sidmouth and Dartmoor National Park are all within easy reach, as is the South West Coast Path and the beaches and attractions of the English Riviera. The Stables is available for bookings all year round.
Upper Carlane is a gorgeous family holiday home in Slapton, a two-minute stroll from two pubs and the village shop, and a relaxed 20-minute walk from Slapton Sands. It sleeps seven people in three bedrooms with a double sofa bed that increases accommodation to nine people. Guests enjoy a beautiful open plan living area with a central fireplace between the seating and the dining room. Slapton is part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within easy reach of the English Riviera and Dartmoor National Park. Upper Carlane is part of Carlane Court and available for bookings all year round.
Just one mile from the popular seaside town of Seaton and ten minutes in the car from Lyme Regis in one direction and Sidmouth in the other, this comfortable self-catering holiday cottage with fabulous views offers the perfect base to explore the beautiful countryside and beaches of East Devon and West Dorset. Spend your days exploring the coastal path, fossil hunting on the Jurassic Coast, relaxing by the sea or discovering Devon's many attractions. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
A delightful quaint holiday cottage providing a peaceful retreat amongst beautiful rolling countryside just fifteen minutes from Bideford and ten minutes from North Devon's glorious beaches. Perfect for a relaxing holiday and an excellent self-catering base for exploring the many attractions of the area. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Modern comforts meet rural charm in this lovely holiday cottage in the North Devon village of Goodleigh. Goodleigh Cottage sleeps six people in three beautifully decorated bedrooms and features an upstairs open-plan living area with a vaulted ceiling and stunning countryside views. It's only ten minutes from Barnstaple and within easy reach of beautiful beaches and Exmoor National Park. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom holiday home sleeps up to six people and is ideal for families, extended families, and friends. Bookings are available all year round, with guests able to enjoy fantastic walks and bike rides from the door.
A quintessential thatched 'chocolate box' holiday cottage in the delightful South Devon village of Malborough, between Salcombe and Hope Cove. Just two miles from stunning beaches and walking distance to the village pubs. A great self-catering base for enjoying everything the South Hams has to offer.
Swallow cottage is homely and welcoming, in a quiet position and wonderful for all ages and well behaved pets. A few yards from the cottage is a beautiful National Trust Combe, leading a mile down to a lovely natural beach which is dog friendly, as is The Donkey Sanctuary, which children love, and is free to enter. The Sanctuary is just a few minutes walk away and has a good cafe overlooking the donkeys and combe to the sea, as well as eight miles of walkways. Sidmouth has lovely shops, and Branscombe, Beer and Lyme Regis are all within easy reach. The local Coast Path walking is spectacular.
Enjoy the best of the coast and the countryside in this lovely bungalow. Lansdowne Park is situated on a quiet street in the lively market town of Totnes (just 10 minutes walk from the town centre!), offering visitors a comfortable and convenient base for exploring Dartmoor National Park, South Hams beaches and the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is ample opportunity for walking, cycling, sailing, surfing and a wealth of other sports, as well as sightseeing and places to eat, drink and shop. The bungalow offers comfortable self-catering accommodation all on one level and is perfect for couples.
Charming and stylish holiday cottage for up to three people located in the historic fishing town of Brixham in south Devon. The Mizzen enjoys a prime location, being centrally but also peacefully located along a pedestrian lane high on the cliffs with spectacular views over the harbour and sea. Brixham is friendly and vibrant, with plenty to enjoy, and offers a wonderful base from which to explore Devon’s delightful towns and villages, as well as some of the loveliest landscapes in the country. Choose to spend your days on the beach, hiking along the cliffs, or visiting historic houses and beautiful gardens.
A charming period self-catering property located in the popular village of Braunton in North Devon. Located on an original farmer's estate, Diana's Cottage sits in a beautiful rural setting, yet is walking distance to the village shops, pubs and restaurants. There is a choice of fantastic beaches on your doorstep, or head inland to explore the wild beauty of Exmoor. Sleeping up to five guests in two bedrooms this pretty holiday cottage is perfect for families or couples looking for a seaside break at any time of the year.
Sitting alongside the fishing lake, Lake View Cottage is a popular choice for a family holiday and sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms. Located at Lower Aylescott Farm on the edge of the North Devon village of West Down (with a very good pub serving food and a shop), the cottage is a great self-catering base for exploring the North Coast of Devon with its glorious beaches and the areas many attractions. Guests can enjoy plenty of space inside and out for relaxing, a log burner for winter breaks, on-site fishing and lovely walks with Exmoor National Park within easy reach.
Perfect for families and friends, Duror Cottage is one of a collection of six holiday retreats located at Lower Aylescott, on the edge of the North Devon village of West Down. With extensive grounds (including a fishing lake) for relaxing during the summer months, a log burner for cosy winter breaks, good pub within walking distance and an abundance of attractions within easy reach (including the coast and Exmoor), this is a great self-catering base for enjoying everything Devon has to offer.
Blare Cottage is one of six well presented holiday retreats nestling amongst North Devon countryside on the edge of West Down village with a good local pub, shop for forgotten conveniences and an abundance of attractions close by. The glorious beaches of Devon's stunning north coast are just a car ride away with Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton providing lovely days out by the sea. On-site facilities include fishing lakes and plenty of space for children to play.
Enjoying a countryside position and with plenty of space for children to play and adults relax, Lower Aylescott is home to six family-friendly holiday homes surrounded by North Devon countryside within easy driving distance of the coast. Enjoy on-site fishing, lovely countryside walks from the front door or jump in the car and head for the popular beaches at Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton. There is an excellent pub in the village as well as a shop for provisions.
Popular towns in and around Devon:
AppledoreAxminsterBarnstapleBidefordBrixhamCombe MartinCreditonCroydeDartmouthDawlishExmouthGreat TorringtonHonitonHope CoveIlfracombeKingsbridgeMineheadNewton AbbotOkehamptonSalcombeTavistockTeignmouthTivertonTorquayTotnesUmberleighWoolacombeSome local suggestions:
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There are two national parks in Devon and these should be on everyone's list on things to see when they visit. The Dartmoor National Park offers something for everyone. Aside from the magnificent views Dartmoor provides, visitors can also explore the local wildlife; tourists can watch the Dartmoor ponies run wild or see if they recognise any of the scenes from movies such as The War Horse which was filmed in the area. Moreover, Dartmoor has many archaeological sites to visit, so it is a magnificent place for anyone who enjoys exploring or digging up history.
The breath-taking sites of Exmoor National Park have to be seen to be believed. This spectacular park, which spans more than 250 square miles, provides a unique combination of farmlands, rugged moorlands, valleys and so much more. While in Exmoor, why not take time to see the Landacre medieval bridge or the beautiful Exmoor ponies? There are plenty of attractions to visit for the whole family including many that are dog-friendly.
Exeter is at the very centre of Devon and its magnificent Cathedral attracts tourists from afar, as do the beautiful rolling Blackdown Hills and the famous Jurassic coast, which has been named a World Heritage Site. The diverse coastline of Devon makes an ideal place for tourists that like their outdoor activities including water sports. There are miles of coastal paths to explore making Devon a perfect holiday destination for walkers and dog owners. From the pebble beaches of East Devon with pretty fishing villages such as Beer; to the golden sands of Ilfracombe and Croyde on the North coast and the much loved English Riviera and South Hams areas on the South coast, Devon has plenty to offer beach lovers. The vast, clear blue seas are great for surfing or sailing and Devon is also home to many shipwrecks, so if you enjoy diving, you'll find plenty of sites to explore under the Devon seas.
