Holiday homes & rentals in Devon

Devon, a county in southwest England, is renowned for its scenic countryside and dramatic coastal landscapes. Visitors often rent holiday lettings in the West Country to soak up the sun at Devon’s Blue Flag beaches and hike through its expansive countryside. Travellers staying at Devon holiday cottages will be intrigued by the area's fascinating history, which is on display at its many heritage sites and museums.

The county offers so many options for a family holiday that it’s impossible to see everything on one visit. Devon’s mild climate and wide range of holiday lettings mean that, whatever your preferences, you can create your perfect holiday experience.

How to get to Devon

Most visitors to Devon arrive by car, and the county is well-connected to the rest of the UK via the motorway network. Alternatively, the train from London to Exeter takes around three hours, or you can fly into Exeter Airport from other UK regional airports or many airports in Europe.

The main attraction of a holiday in Devon is the peace and quiet of the beautiful countryside, and as public transport can be few and far between outside of towns and cities, a car is a must to see all that Devon has to offer, using your cosy holiday cottage as a base.

What to eat on your holiday in Devon

Devon’s long coastline makes the county famous for its seafood, and some of the best fish in the country is caught and served in Devon’s restaurants. From humble fish and chips eaten out of paper on the seafront at Torquay to Michelin-starred eateries and gastro pubs, Devon has it all.

Try asking people living close to your Devon holiday cottage about the best places to eat locally. You just can't beat local knowledge about that up and coming gem of a restaurant which hasn't featured in the guide books yet!

You definitely can’t go to Devon without having a cream tea – scones laden with cream and jam and served with tea or coffee. Traditional cream tea is eaten in the afternoon, and all cafes, coffee shops and hotels will serve this sumptuous treat.

For a relaxed family holiday, there are also plenty of self-catering holiday lettings available in Devon, so you can easily kick back and relax at home in the evenings when you don't feel like eating out.

What weather to expect on your Devon holiday

The south-west of England boasts the best climate in the UK, and has warm summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is between late May and early September, although if you’re a water sports fan, September and October have the warmest sea temperatures.

Snow is uncommon in Devon, except on the higher ground around Dartmoor. Summer months can be hot, with temperatures rivalling the Mediterranean resorts. Why not look for a Devon holiday letting with an outdoor pool, which will provide the perfect place to cool off on a warm July afternoon?

Devon's top attractions

Beaches, swimming and surfing

The main reason for visiting Devon is the beaches. You're spoilt for choice, with five kilometres of golden sands at Woolacombe Beach for family friendly swimming and sandcastles, Croyde Bay for rockpooling and surfing, or Torquay for the traditional British seaside holiday experience. Nine of Devon's beaches, including the popular Blackpool Sands beach in Dartmouth and South Sands beach in Salcombe, have been awarded the Blue Flag accreditation as testament to their cleanliness.

Family days out

Devon isn’t short of history either, and it’s just a short hop from many Devon holiday lettings to Plymouth Hoe or Exeter Cathedral. Crealy Adventure Park offers a mix of children's attractions alongside other rollercoasters to keep the teenagers happy, and a great plan for cooler days is the enormous National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. For family friendly days out from your Devon holiday homes, visit the apes and giraffes at Paignton Zoo, or the miniature houses at Babbacombe Model Village.

National parks

To discover the great outdoors in Devon, look no further than the greater Dartmoor area. This region boasts beautiful national parks with rolling hills and granite outcroppings, which are home to wild ponies, along with many other animals.

What part of Devon to visit

Devon has many scenic corners offering cosy and comfortable holiday cottages - there's definitely something for everyone.

Salcombe: In the pretty waterside town of Salcombe you can enjoy a thrilling sailing experience in the Kingsbridge Estuary. Or catch a ferry and cruise in search of nearby solitary beaches.

Dartmouth: This quaint harbour town is built on a hill overlooking the river Dart. The town prides itself of its many festivals and the charming Dartmouth Castle.

Woolacombe: Famous for its beach, the fun holiday parks and the vibrant village, Woolacombe is a family friendly holiday spot.

Family holidays in Devon

Devon is a perfect destination for families - children will be more than happy playing on one of Devon’s many beaches, or in the countryside around your holiday cottage.

There are so many beaches in Devon that you could spend a month going to one each day and still not see them all. For a break from sandcastle-making, book the kids into surf school at Croyde or Woolacombe to learn the basics of surfing or bodyboarding, or take them to see the UK’s largest aquarium in Plymouth.

Trips and excursions in Devon

Devon is predominantly rural, but the mid-size city of Exeter features plenty of art, culture and nightlife, alongside its breathtaking cathedral. The town of Plymouth also has a charming Old Town district with offbeat restaurants, galleries and bars. If you are still yearning for a trip to a bigger city, hop on a train for a short trip up to Bristol for shopping, restaurants and everything a major city has to offer.

The next county to the west, Cornwall, has just as much for visitors as Devon, and Tintagel castle and the pretty village of Fowey are both worth visiting. Take a look at leaflets and other information in your Devon holiday letting - it's impossible to cram everything there is to see into one visit, and you'll have to prioritise.

Devon on a budget: self-catering holidays

With an abundance of natural attractions and good-value self-catering holiday homes, Devon offers visitors plenty of economical holiday options. The great thing about natural attractions is that many don't have an admission fee! Catch some sun and sand at Torbay, Woolacombe, and Ilfracombe, or go country and coastal hiking at Devon's national parks and along its coastlines.

Dartmoor: In South Devon lies Dartmoor National Park, which boasts expansive moorlands, towering granite hilltops, wooded valleys, fast-flowing rivers, and hiking trails with excellent countryside views. Ride the South Devon Railway's steam train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes to gape at the landscapes, or check out Dartmoor Zoological Park to see jaguars, tigers, monkeys, lions, bears, deer, and cheetahs.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery: This notable museum in Exeter, which has free admission, has 16 galleries packed with geological fossils, archaeological artefacts, 16th- to 20th-century paintings, prints, and sculptures. Make sure to see the fascinating decorative arts collection of clocks, watches, pottery, silverware, and glass.

Cockington Country Park: This 460-acre country park in Torquay includes some of Torbay’s most scenic countryside and gardens, all interwoven with circular walking trails. For free, visitors can check out the Cockington Court Craft Centre, a manor house comprising 20 craft studios and a contemporary art gallery. The park is also a venue for Illyria outdoor theatre summer shows, such as Frankenstein, The Merchant of Venice, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, and The Tempest.

Blackpool Sands: Blackpool Sands in Dartmouth, primarily a shingle beach, is Blue Flag designated and set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visitors can hire kayaks and paddle boats at the beach during summer, or take in spectacular coastal views along the Blackpool Sands Circular Walk. The sandpits here are great for keeping the kids busy building sandcastles.

South Milton Sands: At Salcombe, one of southern Devon's foremost seaside resort towns, visitors can bathe at South Milton Sands. The stunning beach's clean water is excellent for surfing, and the area is set alongside wetlands that are of scientific interest. Visitors can hire paddle boats and kayaks at the beach during the summer, or attend The Rock Watersports Festival in June.

Beaches and wildlife in Devon

B003242-1: Woolacombe Beach

Located in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, sandy Woolacombe Beach is popular with surfers because of its breaking waves.

The Donkey Sanctuary

Hundreds of donkeys including the large French Poitou donkeys with their distinctive shaggy coats are waiting to meet you. The sanctuary is located in Sidmouth along the Jurassic Coast.

Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Home to 2.000 animals of 300 different species, the zoo's collection is categorised by habitat. Prominent exhibits include the Desert House, Forest Animals, Wetland Birds and the Tropical Forest House.

Yaraks Birds Of Prey Falconry Centre

The centre welcomes those who'd like to handle and fly birds of prey in an undisturbed, natural environment. Make an appointment to visit the owls, hawks, falcons and eagles.

B003240-1: Plymouth Hoe

The Hoe, a clifftop ridge boasts splendid views over the ocean bay and Drake's Island. Look out for Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse, an impressive 18th c. engineering feat.

Frequently Asked Questions