Devon as a holiday destination has a lot to offer. The landscape consists of sandy beaches, towering cliffs, rugged mountains and rolling green countryside. As one of the UK’s leading holiday destinations there are many things to do, place to eat as well as attractions to visit. The local folk will welcome you with a rich variety of foods, ranging from venison to lamb. At the local markets, you will come face to face with an array of foodstuffs that make your summers even better, from ice cream to cheese.
Yachts sailing on the River Dart in Devon
You can visit any time between April and October, as this is the time of the year most of the main attractions remain open. If you want to beat the crowds to it, avoid the school holiday times altogether when the roads get clogged up with holidaymakers travelling between tourism attractions. But even at this time of year Devon is a great travel destination for holidays and vacations, with plenty of places to stay throughout this amazingly picturesque county.
With so many great places to discover, it’s not easy deciding which are the must-see travel destinations in Devon. As a starting guide here is a rundown of some of the best places to visit while on holiday Devon.
1. River Dart
At River Dart, the scenery is great. The summer scenes will suffice, and the winter aura will blow you away. If you are one for canoeing and kayaking, you will find a lot of pleasure cruising around this well-populated area of Devon. The weather is calm and the waters are gentle. Snack and drink shops will make your day after a long time in the water.
2. Lundy Island
Located near Hartland Point in the northern part of Devon, Lundy is a three-mile stretch whose mix of humans and marine life is unique. If you are a snorkeler or a diver, you will enjoy this destination with tens of others. Sharks, puffins and seals will give you company, although from a distance, as they like to bask far away from the human populace. If watching and studying birds is your thing, then you will fit right in, as the area is a great habitat for many varieties of seabirds.
3. Exeter
Exeter has pretty much everything within its borders. The streets are Georgian and well lined. It is easy to walk around here admiring the sheer lay of the land all day. There is a university in there too, with well-mowed lawns and hundreds of bright faced students fill the streets every weekday evenings to interact with the locals, check out the movies of the day or even sample the foods on the menu. To add to all these, a roman cathedral stands tall within the city. There are even some underground passages to remind you of the vintage years .Throw in a smattering of Roman ruins and you have yourself just the place you need to be at for a holiday.
4. Dartmoor
Out here, you are in the wilderness, as it were. Everything at Dartmoor simply transports you to a remarkable time in the past when the land lay passive and undisturbed. You will enjoy the pleasure of exploring the many hamlets from centuries past, ruins that go all the way back to the Stone Age as well as a collection of country pubs with the perfect crowds and classy music. If you are lucky enough, you will spot kingfishers, otters, wild ponies as well as many, many birds of prey.
5. The South West Coast Path
This is the longest footpath in Britain. It covers the north and south coastal parts of Devon, providing travellers access to deeply hidden coves and cliffs. Here, the environment is tranquil, the hamlets are calm and the higher altitude areas sit in peaceful silence all the time. The southernmost part will give you the cosiest beaches as well as the jagged landscapes around. The view is great, and so are the people who generally hang out here; animated, welcoming as well as resourceful.
6. Living Coasts
This is one of the largest aviaries in the area. The sheer amount of sea birds in this part of Devon will strike you as impressive. The penguins do not seem in the least scared of humans. They peck at your toes as you walk by. The sea ducks and the wading birds are a spectacular sight to start and end your day, whichever fancies you. There exists an underwater viewing place where you can play around with sea gulls using a range of gimmicks and ribbons.
Devon is a great place to be, whether you are looking for calm and tranquillity, noise and fun or just a lazy week outdoors. There is a rare competition of humans, nature and the world, and this is why travellers just keep dropping by.
