Devon is beautiful and depending on where you go, you will find dramatic red sandstone cliffs, wide golden sandy beaches and cute villages with thatched roofs serving traditional cream tea.
Our ride through Devon was a trip down memory lane for me! I moved to Devon at the age of 16 but it’s been a very long time since I’ve last visited. I knew a lot of stunning places and couldn’t wait to show Fiona round my favourite spots. But as I used to live on the south coast I didn’t know the north coast well at all. This was about to change however!!
As part of our Land’s End to John O’Groats road trip, we made our way through the south coast of Devon. And once we reached Land’s End, we travelled back up the north coast. But we didn’t just stick to the coast! We also found some off-road adventure on the Trans European Trail (TET) and visited some National Parks too!
HERE ARE 5 PLACES YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS WHEN VISITING!!!
1. DARTMOOR: My favourite National Park in Devon
If you love hiking and nature then you’ll be spoilt for choice across the 386 square miles of moorlands. In addition, Dartmoor is the ONLY place in England where you can legally wild camp. You can hike across the tors, tackle steep hills, go fishing or take a dip in one of the many lakes. We were very excited about wild camping. However, there are many luxurious boutique hotels and cosy B&Bs inside the National Park.
Rules for Wild Camping in Dartmoor
– Your camping spot should be out of sight and not visible from the public pathways
– At least 100 meters away from the main road
– You may camp for a max. of two nights in one location
– Large tents or group camping is not permitted
– Lighting fires is prohibited
CLICK ON THIS MAP TO FIND OUT in WHICH AREAS YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CAMP !!!
Just driving through Dartmoor alone is absolutely stunning. But it’s obviously a hiker’s paradise! My absolute favourite hike was walking to the Wistman’s Mossy Woods. Anywhere you hike you will be sure to see free roaming ponies and horses, sheep, Highland Cows and other wildlife. You’ll often find sheep asleep on the road or crossing over so there is really no point driving fast and disturbing their piece. Fiona and I spent two nights wild camping and hiking across Darmoor and absolutely loved it!
2. SALCOMBE: the prettiest seaside town in Devon
Hands down the prettiest town in Devon! Salcombe is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the coastal views are simply stunning, as well as the surrounding countryside! The crystal blue waters make it a popular sailing spot and attract many tourists for kayaking or paddle boarding. Fiona and I enjoyed our time on the golden sand beaches of East Portlemouth which has a stunning view over the town. It’s impossible to miss as you’ll be looking right onto it when walking through Salcombe. The ferry ride will only set you back 2 GBP and takes only a couple of minutes to drop you at this dead-gorgeous beach! However, remember to bring a picnic as there are no facilities on the beach.
BEST BEACHES IN & AROUND SALCOMBE
– South Sands & NOrth Sands are ideal family beaches
– East Portlemouth Beach can be accessed via a short ferry ride from Salcombe
– Bigbury on Sea and Bantham are just a short ride away
– Burgh Island is likewise a great day trip destination
The town itself is lined with boutique shops, local art galleries and gift shops. There are some fantastic restaurants serving locally caught fresh seafood. We may have gone crazy on crab sandwiches which are very easy to find. Two more things you should try whilst in town are Salcombe Dairy Ice-cream and the award-winning Salcombe Gin. There is a distillery right in town if you fancy a tasting!
And don’t miss out on one of the most stunning coastal walks in Devon along the South West Coast Path to Start Point Lighthouse. For detailed directions click here.
Where to stay
Fiona and I camped at the Higher Rew just out of town, but there are many fancy boutique hotels and nice B&Bs located in Salcombe as well.
3. BLACKPOOL SANDS: my favourite beach in Devon
Blackpool Sands is a crescent-shaped beach made of pebbles located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by scented pines and my absolute favourite beach in Devon! It even has a cafe right on the beach serving local organic foods. The car park charges cars 7 GBP for the day but we could park our motorcycle here for free! If you are staying in the nearby town of Dartmouth you can also hike to Blackpool Sands. It takes around 2 hours and provides gorgeous views of the surrounding coast line.
The beach is pretty wide so although it can get pretty busy it doesn’t feel too crowded. In addition it is a blue-flag beach, which means it’s safe for swimming.
Are you a history buff? Then you might like to check out the next beach along too. A Sherman tank on Slapton Sands commemorates the tragedy of Exercise Tiger during World War Two in which 946 American servicemen lost their lives. German E-boats surprised the troops but sadly many lives were also lost in ‘friendly fire’.
I want sand … not pebbles !!!
If you are looking for a sandy beach instead, then Bantham is probably the most beautiful sandy beach we visited in devon. It’s just a short ride away from Salcombe!
4. CLOVELLY: this ancient fishing village is a true gem!
Clovelly is one of the most picturesque fishing villages I’ve ever visited. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it as you stroll down its cobbled street along flower-strewn cottages down to the harbour. There is strictly no car traffic which adds to its charm. Donkeys transport everything from groceries to furniture.
It’s pretty unique to spend the night in Clovelly. It’s a very popular tourist destination for day visits but most people leave by 5pm. Experiencing Clovelly in the evening, away from the crowds, is a truly unique experience and will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Fiona and I arrived here in the evening. We loved exploring the town which we had pretty much to ourselves and chatting to the locals.
After a perfect dinner we decided not to come back the next morning as we knew it wouldn’t be as special. First of all it would have been far more crowded the next day. Secondly, the Visitor Centre right next to the car park charges an entrance fee during the day. The entrance fee was definitely a bit of a surprise to us. I’m also not entirely sure if we would have been willing to pay it. In general, we avoid most attractions with an entrance fee. I am not sure if Clovelly would have had the same charm for us after paying the entrance fee on a busy day so I recommend visiting in the evening!
ADMISSION FEE
The 8.25 GBP Admission covers parking, entrance to the visitor centre, two museums and the clovelly court gardens and contributes to the preservation of Clovelly.
*THere is no entrance fee when the visitor centre is closed !!
Clovelly’s Annual Festivals
Clovelly and the surrounding coastline were historically known for smuggling, piracy and shipwrecks. Its heritage is still very much reflected in various annual festivals like the “Lobster & Crab Feast” in September, “Hering Festival” in November, the “Seaweed Festival” in June and “Maritime Festival” in July.
Don’t miss the stunning coastline surrounding Clovelly
There is a stunning coastal walk to Speke’s Mill mouth Waterfall and stunning wide golden beaches like Bude that are absolutely worth visiting!!!
Where to stay
There are only two hotels in town: the 400 year old New Inn and the C18th Red Lion on the quay. We didn’t stay in town but enjoyed delicious lobster and seafood for dinner at the New Inn. It’s a lovely traditional pub with a fabulous selection of cider which they make themselves. A double room at the New Inn will set you back 140 GBP.
Fiona and I found a friendly farmer just outside of town who was happy for us to pitch our tent in his field for the night!
5. VALLEY OF ROCKS
The Valley of Rocks is a fascinating valley running parallel to the dramatic coastline bordering Exmoor National Park on the north coast of Devon. Hike up the cliff tops for some truly stunning views of the unique coastline and mountain backdrops! You are almost certain to encounter free roaming goats wandering the rock faces. The best way to experience this rugged valley is to take in the views with a coastal hike. There is a popular circular route from the nearby town of Lynton to the Valley of Rocks. Click here for maps and directions or to find more challenging hikes in this breathtaking location.
Best Beaches south of Lynton
– Saunton Sands
– Woolacombe
Are you ready to explore Devon?
Hopefully this blog post has provided you with a useful overview of some of the highlights Devon has to offer. It has such a great mix of natural beauty, coastal walks, beaches and picturesque towns. No matter if you are heading to the north coast or south coast, there is an abundance of natural beauty to explore. Want to learn how to surf? Check out the Croyde Surf Academy. And if you are into off-road riding, do check out the Great Western Trail of the TET. But whatever you do, make time for some stunning hikes and plenty of stops for traditional Devon Cream Tea. And if you want to check out Devon’s alternative scene, then make sure to check out the historic market town of Totnes.
If you have any questions or simply want to tell us about YOUR favourite place in Devon then please leave us a comment below. We are always happy to hear from you 🙂
