WHILE most might beeline for the coast of Cornwall in this weather, it is no lie that the locals don’t like visitors too much, with a lot of NIMBYism (‘not in my backyard’) behaviour.
Yet as someone who grew up just next door in Devon, I think more people should come our way instead – if not just for a bit of a warmer welcome.
Not only that but it is the only county in the UK with two coastlines, and some amazing beaches along the way.
Having lived there for over two decades, here are my top recommendations for visiting the county – and why it trumps Cornwall in every way.
Beaches
Devon is home to the beautiful English Riviera, where you can find 25 amazing beaches.
There’s Elberry Cove, for example, between Paignton and Brixham, which has a pebble beach and crystal clear water, making it feel as if you are sitting on a beach on some Greek island.
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At the end of the beach there is even a historic Victorian ruin that allowed the local Earl to swim directly into the sea.
For a more family friendly spot, head to Goodrington Beach, also in Paignton.
Here you will find the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark (more on this later), as well as crazy golf, karts and pedalos.
For golden sand and waves ideal for surfing, there’s Bantham Beach, while the best sunsets are found in North Devon Saunton Sands.
The neighbouring beach, Woolacombe Beach, is then another great spot for families with a number of cheap holiday parks within walking distance.
Here is some more on the best English Riviera beaches with a complete guide on them here.
Attractions
Devon is home to SIX theme parks; The Milky Way Adventure, Woodlands, Crealy, The Big Sheep, Diggerland and Watermouth Family Theme Park & Castle.
Growing up, I spent many days – especially during the summer holidays – at a number of them.
At Crealy, there’s the train-themed rollercoaster Maximus which is the ideal introductory ride for children.
Visit the park in the spring and you’ll get to see loads of lambs that visitors can even feed.
Make sure to go on the log flume too as it’s still the best I have been on, and I’ve been on a fair few (just make it the last thing you do as you WILL get soaked).
Tickets to Crealy cost from £23.25 per person (free for children under 90cm tall).
Over at Woodlands (tickets from £22.31), you’ll find the county’s largest soft play area with drop slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle course sections.
As a child, my family knew they wouldn’t see me for hours on end and the only time they would is when I was worn out or wanting a drink after running around.
Another one for the kids is Diggerland with around 20 rides, drives and experiences to try out including ones where kids can operate actual diggers.
Tickets to Diggerland cost from £25.95 per person (free for children under 90cm tall) – but if you want 2-for-1 tickets, head here.
In all this hot weather, definitely head to Splashdown Quaywest at Goodrington Beach (tickets from £22.75).
This is the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark with 18 waterslides, a children’s splash play area and a pool.
Cities, towns and villages
Across the entire county you’ll find gorgeous towns and quaint villages, but here are a few of my favourites.
In South Devon village you’ll find Cockington near Torquay, which feels like stepping into a Bridgerton-esque fairytale.
The village is full of gorgeous cottages, all with thatched roofs and painted in pastel colours.
One of my fave spots in the village is Weavers Cottage Tea Garden, which is a must-visit for afternoon tea lovers (after all, you are in Devon).
There are a lot of walks you can head on around the village too, which are best followed by a trip to The Drum Inn pub after for a refreshing tipple.
(Here’s my longer guide on this pretty village here.)
Another quaint town is Totnes – which has historically been referred to as the hippie capital of the UK due to being devoid of chain stores.
The town is home to a motte and bailey castle (or the remains of), as well as a plethora of exciting independent shops and boutiques that quite literally feel like finding treasure.
Don’t miss the market on a Friday and Saturday either – it brings the town to life with antiques stalls, rug makers, food vendors and more.
You can read more about my Totnes recommendations here.
For a city spot, head to Exeter and explore the breathtaking Cathedral with intricately carved figures across its exterior.
The city’s main high street is great for a shopping spree, but there is also a hidden gem towards the lower end of the city.
Gandy Street is a narrow street with cute boutique shops thought to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley in Harry Potter.
Despite refuting this, I have always seen – and felt – the resemblance, thanks to the cobbles and overhanging buildings.
You can read more about my thoughts on Exeter and the real life Diagon Alley here.
This list also wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of Devon’s standout seaside towns.
In North Devon, head to Ilfracombe – a pretty seaside resort known for its dramatic cliffs as well as a medieval harbour.
Add a visit to Verity to your list which is Damien Hirst’s 20-metre sculpture of a pregnant woman.
Or there is Westward Ho! – the only place name in the UK to have an exclamation mark – where you can walk two-mile stretch of golden sand before venturing along the South West Coast Path.
Then in South Devon, make sure to visit Sidmouth and Salcombe.
More than just a pretty seaside town, Sidmouth is home to the free-to-visit Donkey Sanctuary that has over 100 donkeys as well as dramatic towering cliffs dating back 200 million years.
Then over in Salcombe – which has always felt more like a Cornish town to me – you will find cosy pubs as well as a vibrant seafront with small boutiques selling everything from handmade candles to local produce.
Dartmoor National Park
In my opinion, Dartmoor National Park is one of the most underrated places in the UK.
While most people head to the Lake District or the Peak District, I believe Dartmoor is far more accessible and quieter, but just as stunning.
Spanning 368-square-miles, the park has an abundance of different spots to explore including Haytor – a granite tor which towers to 457 metres.
If you happen to visit in the winter, you’ll most likely experience snow on the moors making it feel more like being in the Alps.
Across the entire National Park, you’ll find loads of historic sites including Bronze Age settlements that look like small versions of Stonehenge.
Wherever you walk on the moors it is pretty (and keep an eye out for Dartmoor ponies as well).
What makes Dartmoor even more special is that recently the Supreme Court ruled that Brits can wild camp on Dartmoor – making it the only place in England you can do so without landowner’s permission.
If camping isn’t your thing though, you can stay at The Moorland Hotel which sits right by Haytor.
If you want to discover more spots to explore on Dartmoor, then here are my recommendations.
Hotels
If you are spending more than a day in the county – which I would totally recommend – then you will obviously need somewhere to stay.
If exploring the English Riviera, book into Hotel Indigo Torquay – it is the newest kid on the block and kind of looks like a cruise ship docked just metres from the beach.
Inside it is sleek and modern with Art Deco touches and has a beautiful restaurant as well as a rooftop bar, ideal for soaking up the sunset views.
Rooms cost from £130 per night and you can read my review here.
If you are exploring Dartmoor, book into The Moorland, which is just a short walk from Haytor.
This cosy hotel has pretty gardens to wander around, is dog friendly and serves some of the best hotel food I have ever eaten.
Rooms cost from £80 per night.
Love camping? Try Harford Bridge Park campsite and caravan park in Tavistock.
You can pitch your tent right next to the River Tavy – which runs through the holiday park and is gentle and shallow.
When I used to visit the campsite as a child along with my family, we would always pitch next to river and then, in the blazing sun, my sister and I would put up our camping chairs directly in the river and sit with our feet in the water.
Make sure to book a ‘grass riverside’ pitch, which costs £24 per night for two people without electricity, working out at just £12 per person.
In North Devon, you’ll find my favourite Devon holiday park – Golden Coast Holiday Park.
Just five minutes from the beach, the holiday park has loads for families to do including a high ropes course, a climbing wall, adventure golf, go-karts and a whole host of other activities.
A two-night stay in August for a family of four costs from £265.
For a more comprehensive guide on the county, with all my recommendations as a born-and-bred Devonian, check out my guide here.