Devon is an amazing part of the country. Located in the South West it has everything you could ever wish for from wonderful woodlands, to beautiful beaches, to magical moors, you name it Devon has it! Below are our top tips for you to be able to plan you Devon trip.
Before You Go – Where Should You Base Yourself?
Well, we may be biased but we think Torquay and Plymouth is the perfect base for your Devon adventure! Located in the South of Devon you are just stone’s throw away from glorious beaches, rugged moorland and secluded coves. You are also just a short distance from the region’s capital city Exeter, as well as the quaint market town of Totnes, coastal villages of the South Hams including Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Salcombe.
How Long Should You Visit For?
The perfect amount of time you should schedule in would be 5 days. This way, you are more flexible weather wise and can adjust your itinerary for South Devon depending on that. You can cram so much into 5 days with many places of interest in close proximity to each offering half day trips, so you can visit more than one place in a day with ease. We defiantly recommend exploring as much as you an as the landscape is vast and varied.
When’s The Best Time to Visit?
This totally depends on what you are after from your stay. Every season has its pro’s. Personally, though late Spring is an amazing time to visit. You get warm, sunny days and the evening are starting to draw out so you get to enjoy some al fresco dining (although you may need a cardie!).
Summer is of course the most popular time to visit with it’s hot sunny days, so if you don’t have children, it is worth visiting outside school holiday when it is less crowded.
Autumn is beautiful thanks to the colourful trees around South Devon especially on Dartmoor. In the early mornings, you can experience haze and fog creeping up epic places in Dartmoor and dew-covered landscape that makes it look very eerie.
Winter can be unforgiving on the coast, but if you are lucky enough you may even witness a storm with the waves crashing in from the warmth and comfort one of our sea view apartments in Plymouth or Torquay.
There is plenty to do on rainy days from shopping and museums to numerous restaurants and cafes.
What Should You Pack?
As with any weather in the UK it can be fickle so be prepared for all eventuality even if visiting in summer!
A travel guide to Devon is essential to planning your visit and it also gives you lots of handy tips to.
Should you want to visit Dartmoor, be prepared for colder temperatures, wind and rain. Therefore, a water and wind proof jacket are essential, along with good hiking boots.
Out of season (and sometimes in it) coastal weather can be fickle, so always check the forecast the night before and again on the day and make your decision on what to do and pack for the day based on that.
If visiting in the summer costumes, buckets and spades, beach towels and a good book is a must – if you’re the adventurous type don’t forget your kayak!
How Do You Get Around Devon?
The easiest way to get around Devon is by car, especially as some remote places aren’t connected by public transport.
Parking prices can be at a premium especially in summer months so using public transport offers a great alternative. There are day rates available if you chose to use the bus, which are a really good deal and allows you to travel with ease. There are more tips on public transport in Devon if that’s what you’re deciding on. Always double check bus times (especially the last one) to not get stuck.
There is a good rail network, however please note that the trains do not access the remote beauty spots you may be hoping to visit.
What’s There to See & Do?
The question should be what isn’t there to see and do!!
Being in the most beautiful part of the country the coastline is the main draw to the region. We recommend visiting the beaches around the South Hams if you are after a quieter day out and walking the South Devon Coast path. Book a good boat trip in Torquay to see the local wildlife such as seals, birds and even dolphins if you’re lucky!
There is also lots of countryside that surrounds Devon from the rugged hills of Dartmoor to the numerous country parks such as Cockington in Torquay to Mount Edgcombe in Plymouth.
There are many attractions for visitors both young and old, including Paignton Zoo, National Marine Aquarium, Splashdown, Woodlands Adventure Park, Dartmoor Zoo, Tinsdale Lido Pool, Greenway House, Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway – the list really is endless!
What’s The Local Specialties?
Devon is famed for its seafood! The well-known fishing port of Brixham is not too far away so many of the produce found in local restaurants has been caught fresh that day! So, fish and chips should most defiantly be on the menu, but are you brave enough to try a cockle or whelk!
The pasty is just as popular in Devon as it is in Cornwall, in fact the earliest known record for the recipe was from the city of Plymouth in 1510, on the Devon-Cornish border.
Another Devon/Cornwall rivalry is the Cream Tea. You cannot come to Devon and not have one, you can even purchase clotted cream to take home with you.
Ice cream is another must have treat, we recommend you visit the Orange Elephant near Exeter for a really special ice cream.
For those of you that like a little tipple Sharpham Vineyard near Totnes offers a great tour and tasting session. There is also the famous Buckfast Tonic Wine made by the monks at Buckfast Abbey (be prepared though it is stronger than you think!).
Plymouth Gin is known worldwide and you can still visit the distillery for a tour. Salcombe Gin has most recently become popular within the region and has won numerous awards.
