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Why visit Devon?
Devon
is one of the finest rural English counties. Mostly undeveloped,
it offers the chance to escape and enjoy a slower pace of life.
The landscape is of rolling hills and lush pastures, with thatched
villages and small towns dotted around.
Dartmoor, a national park of bleak but striking moors and forests
is in the centre of Devon while the south west coast - a world heritage
site - is known as 'The Jurassic Coast' due to its heavy fossil
content.
During the summer months, the beaches - ranging from small, secluded
coves to wide expanses of sand - are a major incentive to visit
the area.
As the area relies on tourism, there are plenty of attractions,
including a number of historic houses. Saltram, for example, was
location for Kate Winslet's "Pride and Prejudice." and
Buckland Abbey home of Sir Francis Drake.
Some animal attractions, in particular Paignton Zoo, are excellent,
and there are numerous museums in Plymouth.
Devon is a good choice for young families as there are many attractions
without the stress of busy cities, but the county is not highly
developed so don't expect to find theme parks, and remember that
not everything is within easy reach - the attractions are spread
out, but the drive between them can be part of the experience.
Wollacombe beach, Devon.
Downsides:
- If you're visiting from overseas and only staying a short time,
Devon is off the beaten track, at least 3 hours drive from London, often more.
- As it is a rural area, public transport is very thin on the ground
and the roads are narrow, so drive slowly and stay safe.
- Don't expect any big-city thrills or theme parks. Devon is undeveloped
- the main cities do offer entertainment venues, such as theatres,
clubs and bars as well as cultural attractions, but not on the scale
of major cities.
When to Travel in Devon:
Best: May - early Oct.
[tho' mid July-Aug gets crowded]
Worst: Jan-Feb [wet, cold, grey, and
short daylight hours].
Due to its south-west location Devon enjoys a milder climate than
most of the UK.
Where is Devon?
One of the UK's largest counties, Devon lies on England's south-west
peninsula, bordering Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. It has two stunning
and distinct coastlines.
Exeter, the county capital, is about 200 miles from London - a 3
or 4 hour drive, or 2.5 hours on the fastest scheduled train.
A traditional Branscombe village thatched house.
Devon's main attractions:
Where
you visit depends entirely on what you want to do. To really experience
Devon, stay in a rural area, such as
picture-postcard South Hams or East
Devon, touched little by the hands of time.
There is plenty of scope for walking, exploring the coast to find
beaches, or sampling the shops and cafes of the small towns.
There
are also many popular seaside resorts - small, yet still very busy in summer. You'll find brightly painted
buildings lining narrow, winding streets, curious shops and clean,
sandy beaches. Dartmouth and Salcombe are two of the best.
A
visit to the bleak open moorland of Dartmoor is a must, with its wild ponies and grand views.
Opt
for a short stay in the cities of Plymouth or Exeter if you want somewhere cosmopolitan,
with lots of attractions. Both are historic
sites: Exeter is famous for its Roman heritage, whilst Plymouth
for its seafaring traditions, and as the port from which the Pilgrim
Fathers sailed to America aboard the Mayflower (the Mayflower Steps
can still be seen in Plymouth's Barbican area).
Activities:
Walking and Hiking:
Numerous walks scatter the county, particularly on Dartmoor [368
square miles of high moorland] and the part of the 620 mile South
West Coast Path National Trail - the most southerly path in the
UK. Beware Lyme disease.
Biking: The county is undeveloped and
relatively peaceful so good for mountain bikers.
Pony trekking: popular around Dartmoor.
Fishing: lots of pretty coastline.
Surfing: Yes, but you'll need a wetsuit!
North Devon [Atlantic/north-west coast] has good, regular surf.
Beach life: plenty of cute, clean little
beaches around on the south coast and big, rolling surf beaches on the north.
What's
the food like?
Many restaurants offer excellent fresh dishes, due to Devon 's rural
nature and double coastline. Much of the meat is reared locally,
vegetables are grown next door, and fish is bought daily from nearby.
Recently some gourmet chefs have opened restaurants in the south
west but cuisine is generally high quality traditional fare.
Some pubs also serve good quality nosh, but equally some serve bland,
tasteless dishes. The best bet is to go in for a drink and take
a look at the menu before committing youself!
And don't forget to sample a Devon Cream tea - scones, jam and thick
clotted cream - this is a regional speciality. Opt for the farmhouse
or family-run cafe for the best quality.
An
alternative to Devon's beaches or bleak moors are
wet and woody places...
...but unpleasant beasties lie in wait for unwary travellers - the tick. These primarily feed on animals but will take humans if nothing four-legged is around and can result in Lyme Disease.
Lyme Disease should treated immediately with antibiotics if a rash [that often looks like a circular bruise] is noticed as it can affect the heart, brain, nervous system and joints if not treated.
The most common symptom is a slowly expanding rash/bruise which spreads out from a tick bite, usually in 5 to 14 days.
Other symptoms include fever, headaches and fatigue.
However it is not necessary to avoid the countryside to avoid ticks, just cover up exposed skin [no bare legs or arms!] when walking in long grass, dense shrubs or undergrowth such as above.
Other
Bugbog UK Guides:
England | Scotland
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Walks | Devon | London
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