Devon has something for everyone. In addition to the cities of Exeter and Plymouth, there are numerous market towns, such as Barnstaple and Bideford, each with its own interesting slice of history. The coastal scenery offers everything from spectacular cliffs to wide family beaches and rock pools. There is something here for every age group.
The wide expanse of Dartmoor shelters many attractive villages and towns: places such as Chudleigh, Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Belstone. This is probably the largest expanse of wild, unspoiled moorland in the country and there are numerous walks where one can experience wonderful views and local wildlife. On a misty day it is possible to imagine the eerie howling of Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.
On the Somerset border is the other famous expanse of Exmoor, immortalised in “Lorna Doone”. Not so barren as Dartmoor, Exmoor also offers many attractive hamlets and villages to entice the visitor. The nearby towns of Tiverton and Honiton are useful bases from which to explore this area.
Rural Devon boasts any winding lanes through field and wooded valleys. The countryside rivals anything else in the British Isles, with its gently undulating hills, dramatic coastline and pretty riverside villages. Here are the rivers where “Tarka the Otter” played and where wildlife is still in abundance. Small towns such as Dartmouth are in idyllic locations.
On the south coast are attractive towns such as Brixham, Paignton, Shaldon and Dawlish. Brixham is still a busy fishing port, whilst Shaldon is a quieter spot, across the estuary from Teignmouth. Dawlish has some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the south of the county.
The north coast offers such resorts as Croyde Bay, a popular spot with surfers. Inland are attractive towns such as Holsworthy, where there is still a regular market, and Hatherleigh. Wherever you stay in Devon, there are always lots of lovely walks and plenty of beautiful scenery.