Searching for 60 miles of unspoilt landscapes and glistening sands? Wanting to explore an array of picturesque towns and villages? Looking for a relaxing escape? Then, South Devon is the perfect place for you and your family to enjoy a holiday.
Holiday cottages in South Devon
Not only is a large swathe of coastal South Devon an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but it is also the ideal destination for an action-packed break with thrill seeking activities ranging from surfing and abseiling to wake boarding and scuba diving. Renowned as one of the best surfing spots in the UK, Bantham Beach, South Devon’s most popular beach, sits opposite the beautiful and unique Burgh Island. One of the many attractions on Burgh Island is The Beach House at The Burgh Island Hotel and in this hotel room frequently stayed renowned author Agatha Christie, who wrote ‘Evil Under The Sun’ and ‘And Then There Were None’ on her travels to South Devon. Nowadays, there is a wide selection of holiday accommodation in Bigbury-on-Sea with good views of Burgh Island. Want to learn how to ride the waves just like Keanu Reeves in Point Break? Unique and friendly business Bantham Surfing Academy and its highly qualified instructors can provide expert tuition for beginners and for more experienced learners.
Holidays between Totnes and Dartmouth following the River Dart
On firmer terrain, South Devon has some fantastic routes for not just walkers and cyclists, but also horse riders. Totnes, a historic market town on the banks of the River Dart offers a town trail from Fore Street, the main shopping area, down to Totnes Castle, one of the best surviving examples of a Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, whereas Dartington provides a delightful circular walk from its former apple-pressing mill, now a stylish shopping centre, through the impressive and tranquil gardens of the medieval and spectacular Dartington Hall.
North of the AONB is the glorious Dartmoor National Park
One of South Devon’s other shining lights is Dartmoor National Park, with its 368 square miles of open moorlands, spectacular granite tors and steep wooded river valleys. If you want to explore the entire length and breadth of the park, you can grab your bike and cycle around the quiet country lanes and hidden bends, or if you’re feeling brave, take to the skies in a paraglider, or still keeping your feet on the ground, how about attempting the Dartmoor Way, a 95-mile circular route that showcases the sensational scenery in this picturesque part of the world?
South Devon has two main cities which are both shopping havens for its tourists. Exeter is vibrant and historically interesting with an attractive quayside that offers good local food and a friendly atmosphere. The Prospect Inn for example is the perfect place to enjoy a pint of beer in the sunshine or to sit cosily next to a roaring fire in the frosty winter months. Want to discover the history of the place? Explore Exeter Cathedral, one of England’s most beautiful medieval and gothic cathedrals or Powderham Castle, where the whole family and even the pet pooch can learn about centuries of haunted house stories and battles galore. Exeter also includes attractions like the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, which consists of sixteen galleries of prehistoric to present day displays and three special everchanging exhibition spaces. So fun that they’re award winning with prestigious certificates for Visit England 2016 and Devon Tourism 2017.
Holiday near Plymouth to have easy access to the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Dartmoor
Meanwhile, Plymouth also affectionally labelled as Britain’s Ocean City due to its shoreside location, is home to some of the most stunning and well-known attractions in the whole of the UK. On Plymouth Hoe, the green-lawned expanse at the heart of the city overlooking Plymouth Sound, one of the world’s favourite natural harbours lies Smeaton’s Tower, a 72-foot-high lighthouse and the meeting place for many a romantic picnic date. Beside it is the statue of local explorer Sir Francis Drake who is rumoured to have played a casual game of bowls on the green just before defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588. Away from The Hoe is Barbican and Sutton Harbour, with an eclectic mix of historic Tudor and Jacobean buildings and a wide selection of contemporary pubs, cafes and restaurants. One of the buildings, a 14th century former monastery is the world famous Black Friars Distillery, the working home of Plymouth Gin since 1793 and the oldest of its type in the whole of England. Why not enjoy the art of making the gin on a drinktastic guided tour and later sit back and relax with your favourite alcoholic beverage in the Refectory Cocktail Lounge? The place where the Pilgrim Fathers apparently spent their last night before setting sail in the Mayflower to the New World. For more information on the Pilgrim Fathers and their amazing adventures, you can book a ticket to the highly educational Mayflower Museum, in which the balcony on the top floor overlooks the busy Barbican centre.
The Devon Riviera
As well as the English Riviera with its beautiful coastline, secluded coves and popular holiday destinations like Torquay, Brixham and Paignton, South Devon has so much more to offer. With all this in mind; grab your beach bag, surfboard and binoculars for those picture-perfect landscapes and get ready to sample a delicious Devon Cream Tea, complete with freshly baked scone, rich clotted cream, rich homemade jam and a warming cup of English Breakfast…just as long as you put the cream on first.
Your holiday in paradise starts right here!
