The wow of a holiday in Devon!

As 2021 goes down in the annals of time as the Year of the Staycation, we asked our blogging fraternity to thrill us with their Devon experiences. They pulled out all the stops to wow with their recommended places to visit, restaurants and a plethora of fun things to do. From the English Riviera resorts to the endless sandy beaches of North Devon’s Westward Ho! and neighbouring Saunton Sands, we have a fine collection of recommended places to inspire.

Our foodie bloggers are always quick to share their recommendations. For fresh seafood they waxed lyrical about both Brixham Harbour and Plymouth Barbican.

South Devon has a trio of Victorian resorts in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Known as the English Riviera, the area boasts the most hours of sunshine in the UK, creating a microclimate of mild winters, early spring and dry summer days. Add to that the appeal of Salcombe in the South Devon AONB, and Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep, and you’ll quickly understand the allure. Exmouth continues the appeal with its palm trees and beachy vibe while Babbacombe Model Village is a timeless family favourite.

North Devon fights back with miles of flat golden sand, UNESCO-listed dunes at Braunton Burrows and rolling waves that lure surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers and land yachters alike. Victorian Ilfracombe has plenty of attractions, and the famous traffic-free village and harbour at Clovelly are a must-see.

Further inland, Tavistock, Gateway to Dartmoor, has its own unique architecture in the bijou Bedford cottages, built by the landowning Dukes of Bedford. Roadford Lake gets a firm thumbs up for walking, paddle-boarding and watersports while one intrepid visitor recommends Brixham waters for excellent diving.

Explore Dartmoor National Park from the gorgeous market town of Tavistock

Our holiday in Tavistock, the lovely market town known as the Gateway to Dartmoor National Park was a glorious experience. There are a great variety of cosy country cottages and stunning apartments to rent here, suitable for families and couples like us who want a bit of luxury on our holiday time. And having somewhere gorgeous to stay and head back when a bit of traditional British rain comes in is essential! That said we only had one rain shower and were ready to head out and explore again.

Tavistock is West Devon’s biggest town and has been here since the Abbey was formed in 961. The famous Pannier Market has been hosting weekly food and goods markets since 1105 and still runs in the covered hall every day apart from Monday. As National Trust members we had great fun exploring the nearby Buckland Abbey, once home to Devon’s most famous export, Sir Francis Drake (membership makes entrance free, so that’s a bonus!).

It was Dartmoor National Park that drew us to Tavistock though. The market town is at the western boundary of the 954 square kilometre park and is perfectly located to explore. Dartmoor’s visitor centre is at Princetown and is the best place to start explorations, and then you’re set to go walking. The park has what’s known as “free-roaming” which means you don’t need to stick to the paths, making it the perfect place to explore for a safe, outdoor experience and holiday in Devon.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Tavistock, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Sarah Carter from ASocialNomad

Dartmoor really does have something for everyone; history lovers can explore castle ruins and learn about local myths and legends at our museums or on a guided walk, families have plenty of exciting attractions to choose from, while there’s lots of opportunities for rambling over tors, cycling up challenging hills and staying active in the great outdoors.

Brixham – Seafood so fresh it swims onto your plate!

It may have been a cold October weekend, but Brixham was calling for our small group of friends. We had booked a small cottage adjacent to the harbour and were set for a weekend of home cooking, walks and maybe a little bit of diving.

The first stop was the fish market to stock up on freshly caught Brixham seafood. Scallops and skate would be the perfect treat. It was then to the high street for the butchers to get local Devon steak and bacon (to go with the scallops). If you love food then Brixham really is a great place for finding local produce!

After a night of storms it seemed the only option was to walk out to Berry Head Lighthouse. This is an easy walk along the South West Coast Path and takes you past the small Ladybird Cove and the Lido. Both are great spots for open air swimming.

Berry Head Lighthouse is the shortest lighthouse in the UK and is just five metres high! The walk is through a woodland and we then carried on along the coast before coming back into the town from the west side. The Guardhouse Café close to the lighthouse was the perfect stop for afternoon tea with gorgeous cakes.

Devon is the perfect place for a holiday as there is something to keep every member of your group entertained and happy.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Brixham, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Suzanne from Meandering Wild

Brixham is a stunningly beautiful harbourside town on South Devon's beautiful English Riviera. Life here has always centred around the harbour, where heritage trawlers jostle for space with day boats heading out to sea for the day's catch, bringing it home daily to Brixham's famous Fish Market. Here, in the heart of England's Seafood Coast, the freshest fish and most delicious seafood.

Roadford Lake – an idyllic spot for SUP in Devon

If you want to experience water sports in Devon then you are in luck as it has two coastlines. But did you know it is also home to the largest area of freshwater in southwest England?

After the storms we weren’t holding out much hope for the diving, but the Sunday morning bought calm seas, so we wandered down to Breakwater Beach and had two amazing dives in clear waters surrounded by seals and marine life. This is a fantastic spot for swimming, snorkelling or diving. The little café does great food and in the summer months you may even catch a live band on the café balcony.

We chose this watery playground – Roadford Lake – as the Mid-Devon stop off during a family road trip across Devon. We’d already taken our kids to the beaches around Salcombe on the south coast and were headed towards the rugged north to bodyboard on the Atlantic swell.

After the storms we weren’t holding out much hope for the diving, but the Sunday morning bought calm seas, so we wandered down to Breakwater Beach and had two amazing dives in clear waters surrounded by seals and marine life. This is a fantastic spot for swimming, snorkelling or diving. The little café does great food and in the summer months you may even catch a live band on the café balcony.

Roadford Lake offered an altogether calmer paddle boarding experience with hardly a ripple to make us wobble off. It is run by South West Water and has an activity centre, campsite and miles of hiking trails around the Wolf Valley. We bought our own stand up paddle boards and paid to launch them on the water.

After the storms we weren’t holding out much hope for the diving, but the Sunday morning bought calm seas, so we wandered down to Breakwater Beach and had two amazing dives in clear waters surrounded by seals and marine life. This is a fantastic spot for swimming, snorkelling or diving. The little café does great food and in the summer months you may even catch a live band on the café balcony.

From Roadford Lake campsite you can paddle across to the visitor centre and cafe, which does cooked breakfasts, pastries and cakes to help you refuel.

As well as enjoying the lake, there’s plenty to do close to Roadford. We visited Lydford Gorge – the deepest gorge in the South West – and the Hidden Valley Discovery Park, just across the border in Cornwall. We’ve never been anywhere quite like it. It’s packed full of brain-teasing puzzles for families to solve together.

We are massive fans of Devon. So much so that we decided to move here after many years of holidaying in the area. If you want a taster of the good life, with plenty of fresh air and opportunities to truly immerse yourself in a rural landscape, then you can’t go wrong with a holiday in Devon with kids.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage at Roadford Lake Lodges, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Claire Hall from Devon with kids

Roadford Lake sits within the stunning surroundings of the Wolf Valley, near the Cornwall border. One of the biggest and busiest inland waters in the South West, the lake is surrounded by a variety of natural habitats, including Culm Grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards. An abundance of flora and fauna, and a lovely scattering of nature trails and footpaths to different areas of the lake, offer visitors the opportunity to appreciate the peaceful beauty of water, woodland and forestry on a walk or bicycle.

Ancient cliffs and estuary views in Exmouth!

Exmouth is somewhere that I’ve visited time and time again over the years. I’ve been with family, friends and with my boyfriend, and every single time I find something more to love in this town!

There are so many amazing things to do in Exmouth. My favourite is perhaps hiking along the sandstone cliffs to Orcombe Point, which marks the start of the world-famous Jurassic Coast. On a clear day you can see all the way to Budleigh Salterton and back towards Exmouth! There are also epic estuary views in several spots around town as well. Another amazing hike is up the Exe Estuary cycle trail, which takes in some beautiful nature and the country pubs along the route have a fun, friendly atmosphere.

Back in Exmouth town, the expansive beach is always a fun place to be. I love getting fish and chips from Krispies (rated as number one fish and chip restaurant in the country in 2019) and sitting anywhere along the beach – especially next to the palm trees, which thrive in Exmouth’s warmer climate.

There are a variety of new bars, restaurants and shops opening in Exmouth, which give the town a cool beachy vibe, unlike many other jaded seaside towns in the UK. Exmouth is somewhere that’s thinking of the future, and is putting itself on the map for seaside staycations for many years to come.

Exmouth is a beautiful place to enjoy a weekend by the sea, or even a longer holiday! It’s only a three-hour drive from London and one and a half hours from Bristol, so it’s really easy to get to – but when you’re here, sitting on the golden sand and amongst the palm trees, you’ll feel worlds away.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Exmouth, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Claire Martin from Go South West England

When you think of the South Devon coastline a few key natural features come to mind; sandy beaches, pebbled coves, wildlife reserves and of course dramatic cliffs. Wherever you visit along the Devonshire coast you won't be far from striking cliffs and stunning views, and to the east of the county, along the Jurassic Coast, the cliffs tell a fascinating story of the earth's prehistoric past.

Clovelly, worth the climb!

Last summer my husband and I managed to get away for a few days. We stayed in a self-catering cottage near the village of Sheepwash in North Devon. We loved the peace and quiet and can understand why the area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

I think our favourite outing was to the small village of Clovelly. It has been described as one of the most Instagrammable places in Devon but luckily when we visited it was quieter than usual.

The village tumbles 400 feet down a cleft in a cliff. Donkeys used to provide the main transport but thankfully they are now retired. We were able to stroke some of them in the stables at the top. Goods are still transported by sledge. Clovelly was the childhood home of the Rev Charles Kingsley who wrote The Water Babies and Westward Ho! His father was the local rector.

The village is still owned by a single family who has lovingly restored the houses. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with tiny whitewashed cottages, tea rooms and gift shops. We made it to the bottom, and I bought an ice cream which I ate on a bench overlooking the small harbour. Visitors can also dine on freshly caught local lobster, crabs or sea bass at the Red Lion Inn.

Normally visitors who don’t fancy a walk back to the top can get a lift in a Landrover but these were not running when we visited. I was glad I had taken the advice on the website and worn flat sensible shoes. Entrance costs £8.25 adult, £4.80 for a child and includes parking.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Clovelly, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Ann Fraser from The Platinum Line

Torquay – the beautiful pearl of the English Riviera

Palm-fringed sandy beaches, mild temperatures and gorgeous sunsets at the yacht harbor – all this comes to mind when I think of my southern England trip to the county of Devon. Is that really what England is supposed to be like, you’re asking yourself? Well, to be honest, I couldn’t believe it at first either.

Normally I associated the UK with dingy, rainy weather, not to mention Mediterranean beaches, but hey: the English Riviera makes it possible! It is one of the warmest regions in the UK in summer and gave me a real Mediterranean, almost tropical vacation feeling. In my opinion, this is also reflected in the good mood and extremely polite manner of the locals.

During my four-week solo trip through Devon, I was particularly enthusiastic about the town of Torquay, the so-called Pearl of the English Riviera. It is famous for its chic harbor with its luxurious yachts and the white Ferris wheel by the sea, which makes the skyline of Torquay look so beautiful – a real eye-catcher! I enjoyed this view especially in the evening hours while walking across the jetty and along the South West Coast Path, simply magical. For the culinary well-being, there are all sorts of pretty cafes and seafood restaurants in the harbor area. For all shopping queens (like me), by the way, there is also a shopping street to stroll.

Basically, I can recommend to just drift through the alleys, let your soul dangle on the beach and enjoy the sun. From my own experience, I can also say that you should keep an eye on the many seagulls flying around the sea. These like to drop “their business” over the heads of visitors but, well, that is known to bring luck!

Torquay is definitely worth a visit! If you want to visit Torquay, check out this England Checklist and Traxplorio for more inspiration.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Torquay, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Tristan Sassenberg from Traxplorio

The harbourside Devon town of Torquay is famous for its world-class sailing with national and international races regularly competing in the stunning horseshoe shaped bay. Yachts and super yachts nod gently on the marina and you can stroll across Torquay Harbour Bridge that spans the inner harbour, to admire the view and the boats. You can get afloat yourself with regular passenger ferries to Paignton, Brixham and Dartmouth, plus fishing and wildlife safari boat trips.

Westward Ho! – The only village in England that introduces itself

If you enjoy beaches – even better if you enjoy beautiful, large, empty beaches – then a trip to Westward Ho! will be right up your street! The quaint seaside town is one of the most beautiful villages in England and the only town in the country to have an exclamation mark at the end. This is actually because it was named after a book that was written by Charles Kingsley in 1855.

Located near Bideford in Devon, Westward Ho! is mainly known for its beaches. The sand slopes gently towards the ocean, making it the perfect place to visit as a family as children will enjoy splashing around in the shallows. The far end of the beach is also lined with pretty pastel-coloured beach huts, which really add to the beauty of the bay. If you are visiting with children, then they will also love The Big Sheep an animal-themed amusement park that I remember absolutely adoring as a child.

Nature-lovers will also have a great time in Westward Ho! The nearby SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) of Northam Burrows is definitely worth a visit. Make sure to pack your binoculars as the 700 acres of salt marshes, grasslands and sand dunes are a hotspot for migrating birds.

Westward Ho! is also a great base for those wishing to visit the surrounding areas of northern Devon. It’s only a 9-minute drive from Bideford and a 20-minute drive from Barnstaple.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Westward Ho!, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Alice Smith from Adventures of Alice

Located near Bideford in Devon, Westward Ho! is mainly known for its beaches. The sand slopes gently towards the ocean, making it the perfect place to visit as a family as children will enjoy splashing around in the shallows. The far end of the beach is also lined with pretty pastel-coloured beach huts, which really add to the beauty of the bay.

Babbacombe – Devon’s hidden gem

One of our favourite places to visit when we are camping in Devon is Babbacombe.

Close to lots of major tourist sites in Devon, Babbacombe is home to Britain’s largest model village which is great fun for all the family. We absolutely loved spending a few hours around the model village spotting tiny celebrities and appreciating the adult humour that would definitely go over the heads of our nieces and nephews.

Also in Babbacombe, we enjoyed the Bygones Museums on the high street. We got lost amongst the displays including the replica of a Victorian England Street and a trench from World War 2. We even spotted some things that we are certain Lewis’s Grandma still has tucked away in her attic!

We spent a glorious afternoon on Oddicombe Beach after taking the Babbacombe Victorian Cliffside Railway down to the beach. The journey on the old railway is fun for train enthusiasts and there’s a small museum at the bottom telling the history of the railway. The views from the beach are reminiscent of southern European beaches… one of the reasons why we love this beautiful area of Devon.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Babbacombe, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Steph & Lewis from Book It Let’s Go!

How to spend a weekend in pretty Paignton

One of the most underrated seaside towns in the UK, Paignton sits between Torquay & Brixham to make up the borough of Torbay in Devon. Known as the English Riviera, Paignton is home to a superb beach, historic harbour and plenty of green parks and spaces from which to soak up the summer sunshine, making it an excellent choice for a UK staycation.

I visited Paignton when I was a teenager and had a wonderful holiday with my family. During my visit to Paignton I spent most of my time on the harbour and the beach but I’ve been told that Fairy Cove, tucked just behind the harbour, is a real hidden gem and somewhere I definitely need to return to! We enjoyed days on the beach, ice creams by the harbour, cream teas in the pub and even squeezed in a trip to Paignton Zoo. If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a long weekend by the sea look no further than pretty Paignton.

Interested in maritime history? Paignton’s 18th century harbour is lined with boats, restaurants and cafes where you can indulge in some classically British fish and chips. Fancy something more adventurous? Head over to nearby Goodrington Sands to take part in watersports and sailing.

Paignton makes the perfect base for exploring the English Riviera and the rest of Devon due to its close proximity to other seaside resorts. I was able to take day trips to Brixham and Torquay during my family holiday and they were equally as beautiful.

If you’re an avid walker I’d definitely recommend attempting the South West Coast Path, a section of glorious coastline which connects Paignton to Torquay, Brixham and beyond. This walking route is particularly popular with hikers during the summer months and offers stunning sea views the entire way.

Now that I’m older I’m definitely planning to return to Paignton and tick this walk off my Devon bucket list! Have you been to Paignton before? If you haven’t, you definitely should!

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Paignton, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Jessica Buck from Journeys with Jessica

Beautiful Brixham – perfect for hikers & seafood lovers

Brixham is one of the towns of the English Riviera on the south coast of Devon, and I think it’s a fantastic place for a trip. Arriving in Brixham was interesting, the most convenient way for me, and the prettiest, involved getting a water ferry from Torquay. The coastline is beautiful, thus the boat ride was thoroughly enjoyable. The town is delightful, set around a fishing port with beautiful sidestreets to explore. One of my favourite attractions to visit was the Golden Hind, a replica Tudor Galleon that was used by Sir Francis Drake. This was fascinating as I really enjoy learning about British history.

I loved walking along the nearby South West Coast Path. I had a hike in both directions, which had some splendid views of the town and the local coastline. I even dipped my feet in the sea on a few of the local beaches.

Brixham was one of the best places I have visited for enjoying seafood, especially the crab. I picked up crab sandwiches from many of the local shops to enjoy for lunch. These were delicious and great to eat on the waterfront. And, the award-winning Rockfish Restaurant was a great place for an evening meal, their freshly caught seafood was divine. There are lots of things to see and do in Brixham, and highly recommend for those that enjoy seafood, hiking or perusing small fishing towns.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Brixham, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Richard Meek from RJOnTour

Located at the old fishing port of Brixham is The Golden Hind, a full sized and permanently moored replica of one of the most iconic exploration ships and a landmark tourist attraction in the town since 1964. Through the replica's five decks it tells the story of the life and times of the captain and crew along with conditions at sea during the 1600s through various exhibitions, re-enactments and interactive sessions. The idea is to allow visitors to really experience the sights, sounds and smells of life aboard a Tudor ship.

Surfers’ paradise at Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands is a wide strip of beach beloved by British surfers. People surf here from the break of dawn until well into the evening. We had a bird’s eye view of them from the xSaunton Sands Hotel perched on a clifftop above the beach. Lots of the guests staying at this family-friendly hotel built in the Art Deco era were surfers who had come to play in the waves. There is a hotel spa, an indoor pool, billiards room and hiking available for members of the family who did not want to go surfing.

Saunton Sands itself has a small cafe and a surf school to teach beginners. There are a handful of stores catering to what surfers need. Everyone was wearing wetsuits because the water is cold! There are plenty of people who came for boogie boarding too.

The beach at Saunton Sands is wide with lots of sand. It is dog-friendly all year round so there are lots of happy dogs playing. There are also lots of children playing with their buckets and spades or wading in the water. Overall, it is a very family-friendly atmosphere.

Saunton Sands is well located for other towns as well, including the postcard perfect Clovelly with its cobblestoned streets and Westward Ho!, the only town in Britain to have an exclamation mark in its name. Fishing village Ilfracombe is nearby and has an enormous statue by Damien Hirst as well as lots of shopping and restaurants.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Saunton, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Shobha George from Just Go Places

An idyllically situated beach, Saunton Sands measures at over three miles of stunning golden sand and plays host to some of the best surf in the country – when the conditions are right! Found between the villages of Braunton and Croyde, it is often the first beach that visitors to the area come across and provides a visually stunning introduction to the regional coastline.

Explore coast & country around Plymouth

Going to Devon on holiday is something we would never take for granted as it is a beautiful place and there is so much to do. One of our favourite places in Devon is Plymouth.

Plymouth is a great base when you want a bit of city life but also want to explore some nature. On one side, you have the ocean and beautiful beaches, and on the other, there is Dartmoor, all just a short drive away.

When we visit Plymouth, we like to base ourselves on the outskirts, where it is a little quieter, but everything is still within driving distance. There are so many places to stay in Plymouth that you’d never be short of choices.

Plymouth is also full of restaurants, within the city centre and just outside. Our favourite places to eat are on the Barbican, where you can get the freshest seafood, and some have gorgeous views of the harbour. The nightlife here is also fabulous, with live musicians playing outside while you sit under heaters sipping sweet cocktails. We have had some lovely nights just soaking up the atmosphere here and can’t wait to do it again. During the day, we like to travel outside of Plymouth a little to areas like Burrator Reservoir, Plymbridge Woods, Wembury Beach or even as far as Bantham Beach. These are stunning places which have so much to see!

If we fancy staying a little closer to the city, then the Hoe is our place to go. There are ice cream trucks, fish and chip shops and cafés, along with lots of other shops to fill the day. We have also taken a boat tour around Plymouth Sound from here that shows you around the dockyards and Drake’s Island. With great food, gorgeous beaches and plenty of things to do, Plymouth makes the ideal holiday destination.

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Plymouth, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Nesha & Lewis from Niche Travelling

You can't have a seaside holiday without a good beach. South Devon's got great beaches that are perfect for proper bucket and spade holidays, and many of them are award winners for cleanliness and safety. Bantham beach is one of the best in the area and ticks all right the boxes if you want a typical English seaside holiday.

Visit Salcombe, the most picturesque harbour town in the UK

I’m a huge fan of Salcombe and go there multiple times a year with my husband and two sons. It’s one of the most picturesque places in Devon, if not the whole UK. And there are plenty of things to do in Salcombe whether you’re travelling as a family, group or couple.

The cute harbourside village has amazing estuary views and colourful, winding streets filled with characterful boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

It’s in the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it an ideal place for coastal and country walks or simply spending time at the beach.

Some of our favourite beaches in the area include North and South Sands, Bantham Beach and Hope Cove. North Sands is our number one as we also love the Winking Prawn restaurant, which is right next to the beach – they do a barbeque throughout the summer.

Other awesome things to do include lots of different water sports, like stand-up paddle boarding, surfing and kayaking. Or simply taking a boat ride around the harbour and coast. A really lovely day out is to take the ferry to East Portlemouth, which has a series of lovely bays, plus the excellent Gara Rock Hotel. Highly recommended!

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Salcombe, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Victoria Watts Kennedy from Bridges and Balloons

The beautiful coastal town of Salcombe sits on the banks of the Kingsbridge Estuary making it one of the prettiest towns in South Devon. Located within the South Devon Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty, Salcombe is known for its outstanding coastal views and rolling surrounding countryside, as well as a centre for sailing. Salcombe is a great base for holiday spent messing about on the water or at the water's edge, or just for a day trip - either way you will fall in love with this beautiful town.

The idyllic coastal town of Ilfracombe offers the perfect holiday in Devon

Looking for the perfect holiday destination in Devon? Look no further than the beautiful coastal town of Ilfracombe, located on the Northern coast of this beautiful county. During our trip to Devon, we spent a couple of days exploring the inherent beauty of this town and immediately fell in love with everything it had to offer.

From the delicious Devonshire cream teas from The Naked Cake to the historic Chapel of St. Nicholas (not to mention the spectacular views from the summit of Lantern Hill where this chapel is located), Ilfracombe has so many reasons to justify booking a holiday. The breathtaking views across the Bristol Channel, combined with the rugged coastline that perhaps you would normally associate with the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, provide an experience unlike anywhere else in Devon.

When it comes to the best things to do in Ilfracombe, you can easily spend a couple of days experiencing the collection of attractions. Heather and I took several leisurely strolls along the South West Coastal Path, taking in the epic panoramic scenery and also contemplating the prospect of taking a day trip to Lundy Island, another must during your trip to Ilfracombe.

The harbour offers a mixture of rich history dating back from the 12th century to modern day quirky looking souvenir shops where you can find stereotypical Devonshire fudge, traditional English fish and chips and myriad other local gems.

Ilfracombe not only offers an eclectic collection of attractions, places to dine and cool things to do, but it is also a great place to explore other nearby parts of Devon. While Ilfracombe frequently falls under the radar in comparison to some of the other infamous Devonshire locations such as Torquay, Plymouth and Dartmoor National Park, we would 100% argue that this should be at the top of your bucket list for an amazing Devonshire holiday!

☀️ Book a holiday cottage in Ilfracombe, and look forward to enjoying everything Devon has to offer.

Recommended by Chris and Heather Boothman from A Brit & A Southerner

There has been a port at since at least the 12th Century and a settlement for much longer. Today the predominant use is for leisure and tourism but this is still a working harbour with fish and seafood landed daily. Trips to Lundy Island, coastal cruises, fishing, sea-life safaris and diving are all available. Take a trip on the Ilfracombe Princess and see seals, porpoises and sea birds nesting on the cliffs. Try your hand at sea fishing on Blue Fin or take an exhilarating tour of the amazing coastline on the Ilfracombe Sea Safari or on the Hampshire Rose, a former RNLI Lifeboat.

Whether you’re looking for beaches and watersports, speciality food and wine, pretty towns or family-friendly attractions, Devon has it all. Book your holiday cottage in Devon today, get down here and start enjoying the fun!

A bird’s eye view of Devon…

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Holiday Cottages in Devon and Cornwall is brought to you by The Jetset Boyz. Sign up now and you'll be the first to know about our latest travel stories, some fantastic travel tips & exclusive content.

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