Self-catering holiday homes: Devon

Make a holiday rental home or a holiday cottage in Devon your home away from home

Devon, one of England’s larger counties, is a blissful rural area with timeless charm and a relaxed laidback atmosphere. Devon has two coasts, huge granite tors, miles of unspoilt forests, majestic rivers and idyllic small communities.

Places to holiday in Devon

Dartmoor is a magical place. Each part of Dartmoor has a different story. Walking, cycling and horse riding are extremely popular activities, taking you to wide heather covered moorland, ancient oak woodland, unspoilt thatched villages, impassable bogs, prehistoric dolmens, beautiful churches and rivers full of fish, not to mention the granite tors of Brat Tor, Hound Tor and East Mill Tor.

The coasts of Devon are home to many small fishing villages, camp sites and Devon holiday cottages on windswept cliffs. The sailing and surfing along the coast has bought large numbers of tourists to the area, often staying in guest houses or Devon self catering holiday cottages to give them the freedom to find the perfect bay or cove for the particular conditions. Torquay is a particular coastal favourite for those looking to take a holiday cottage in Devon, as it has many attractions, a range of beaches and good shopping.

Exeter, Devon’s County Town, is a coastal town with a long history. There are some fascinating sites along the Quay, and plenty of chances to explore the waterways and canals of the Exe Estuary and canal linking Exeter to the rest of the county. The most revered attraction in Exeter is undoubtedly the Norman Cathedral of St Peter, which marks the start of Exeter’s commercial centre, where some of the best Devon shopping can be found.

Things to do in Devon

Walking and cycling in Devon are a pleasure. The 180 miles of the Tarka Trail and the 120 miles of the Coast to Coast trail are fantastic, although tough in places. There are plenty of Devon holiday cottages along the route, and if the exercise becomes too much, you are never far from one of the notoriously relaxed Devon public houses! Freshly caught fish, farmhouse cheeses and local ales are a delight often found in the villages and pubs of the Devon countryside.

Devon’s historical legacy has meant that there are a huge number of castles, stately houses and gardens, many of which are open to the public. Dartmouth Castle, Castle Drogo and Okehampton Castle on Dartmoor are particular highlights.

There are also many good beaches in Devon, which are not generally as crowded as those in neighbouring Cornwall. Croyde and Saunton are both wide sandy beaches, popular with surfers due to the large swells and large amounts of space.

Not to be overlooked are the exceptional fishing (both river and sea) and golf facilities. Many people take a holiday cottage in Devon purely for the golf or fishing.

Weather in Devon

Devon’s climate is mild, but very unpredictable! Devon has a reputation for receiving better weather than much of the UK, and can even support sub-tropical vegetation in some areas!

Flights to Devon

Plymouth Airport (PLH) and Newquay Airport (NQY) are the two airports serving Devon, with cheap flights available from Air Southwest.

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