If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

One of the most beautiful places in England

Visit Devon England UK Things to do Places to see Where to stay
Devon coastline beach holiday summer family vacation best beach

On the so-called English Riviera, lies Devon (/ˈdɛvən/, also known as Devonshire), one of the best family holiday destinations, albeit slightly more expensive than the average holiday destination.

The English Riviera also includes Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham.

Cornwall is known for its beautiful beaches, but here in Devon lies an award-winning beach… soon to be revealed.

Clovelly Devon county UK travel and home
Clovelly, Devon, United Kingdom
lighthouse north light lundy island United Kingdom UK travel and home
Lundy Island, Devon, UK
Beach fishing village in UK
A pretty Fishing Village,

Things to do in Devon

  • Drive to Clovelly, a harbor village known for its steep pedestrianized cobbled main street, picturesque views over the Bristol Channel, donkeys, and traditional architecture. (There is an entry fee.)
  • Visit Exmoor National Park (29% lies in Devon, the rest in Somerset) and enjoy the mesmerizing landscape, spectacular coastline, ponies, and dreamy night skies.  With the permission of the owner, you can wild camp in the Park.
  • Walk on the beach with a creamy Hocking’s Ice Cream
  • Visit the island and have afternoon Devon cream tea at the lighthouse on Lundy Island.
  • Cornwall is known for its pastis and pies. Whereas, Devon is known for its two Michelin Star Restaurants, namely The Masons Arms and Thomas Carr at the Olive Room. Nothing better than an evening of pampering those tastebuds!
  • Play a game of golf on England’s oldest golf course, The Royal North Devon Golf Club, founded in 1864.
  • Devon also provides for the surfers. Surf in the North of Devon at Croyde, Putsborough, Woolacombe, and Saunton.
  • In 2015, it was named as one of the top five beautiful beaches in Europe. In addition, it has claimed a variety of UK awards and is referred to as the best beach in the UK. We’re talking about Woolacombe Beach. A bucket list beach visit.
  • Go see the UK’s tallest statue, namely the Verity Statue in Ilfracombe.
  • Westward Ho! So you think this is a must-see because of the exclamation mark, right? Wrong. The exclamation mark is formally registered as part of the seaside village’s name. The only other place in the world with an exclamation mark registered as part of its name is Saint-Louis-Du-Ha! Ha!, in Canada.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Woolacombe beach aerial view Devon UK travel and home
An aerial view of the award-winning Woolacombe beach.

Where to stay in Devon

We’ve put together a list of lodging options in Devon, ranging from guesthouses to cottages to hotels, and more. Complete with price comparisons so you book the best holiday package possible.

Woolacombe Hotel

This stunning 4-star hotel is Travel and Home's choice accommodation, with just a 3-minute walk to the beach.

What is nearby?

You’ll also find beautiful places to stay in:  Mevagissey (A pretty little village nestled in a small valley and facing east to Mevagissey Bay), and Exeter (The beautiful capital city of Devon County, South West England, situated on the River Exe).  Both these places are definitely worth a visit.

Devon, UK, rainbow, best holiday destination, travel and home
Devon, crowned by a full rainbow. I wonder which end the pot of gold is?!