Some posts on this web site include affiliate hyperlinks. If you e book or purchase one thing by way of these hyperlinks, I earn a small fee (at no further value to you). Take a take a look at my privateness coverage<\/a> for extra data.<\/i><\/p>\n From seaside hotspots and bougie harbour cities to historic cities and rolling rural landscapes, these are among the highest locations to go to in South Devon\u2026 <\/p>\n Southwest England is well among the best, and hottest, vacation locations within the nation. And Devon has all of it! <\/strong>Beaches to go well with all attainable tastes, an epic foodie scene, beautiful little villages, and one among England\u2019s best wildernesses. <\/p>\n Neighbouring Cornwall<\/a> could be higher often known as a seashore vacation vacation spot, however personally, I feel I want Devon. I stay simply next-door in Dorset<\/a>, so I do know the entire southwest very properly. And after spending the final couple of months visting almost each nook of Devon whereas researching for a guidebook, I do know the county higher than ever! <\/p>\n So, I\u2019ve popped collectively this information<\/strong> to probably the most stunning cities, best seashores and <\/strong>greatest locations to go to in your journey to south Devon. <\/p>\n Get prepared for seashore days, cliff walks, quaint harbours, river journeys, wonderful wildlife, and SO far more\u2026 <\/p>\n For tthis submit, I\u2019m specializing in probably the most southern part of the county moderately than the entire southern half of Devon. Exeter, Exmouth and past fall into \u2018East Devon\u2019 and received\u2019t be coated right here \u2013 however they\u2019re properly value visiting too! <\/em><\/p>\n Spread alongside the west financial institution of the large Dart Estuary, <\/strong>Dartmouth has lengthy been a big port. There\u2019s a prestigious naval school, a swanky yacht marina, and a historic harbour space to find.<\/p>\n Today, the city\u2019s crooked streets and gorgeous outdated buildings home posh eating places, cosy bars, swish artwork galleries, and funky boutiques. Oh, and loads of nautical clothes retailers \u2013 there\u2019s no escaping the maritime vibes right here! <\/p>\n One of the very best issues about Dartmouth is exploring by river. Take the ferry downriver to go to Dartmouth Castle<\/a>, the oldest elements of which date from 1388. Next, take a leisurely cruise upriver to identify the wildlife <\/strong>together with seals, kingfishers, wading birds and (generally) otters. Finally, take the ferry to Greenway<\/a>, Agatha Chistie\u2019s former vacation residence, now a National Trust property. <\/p>\n Devon\u2019s largest metropolis, Plymouth has a wealthy maritime heritage, <\/strong>incomes it the nickname \u2018Ocean City\u2019. Some of historical past\u2019s most well-known voyages set sail from the port right here: together with the Mayflower Pilgrims, Captain James Cook and Francis Drake<\/a>. <\/p>\n More not too long ago, Plymouth has been present process a dramatic transformation. <\/strong>The metropolis was closely bombed throughout WWII as a consequence of its function as a key naval port, and the hasty rebuilding left behind a metropolis centre that tended to favour performance over fashion. <\/p>\n But that\u2019s all altering \u2013 thanks to fashionable new waterfront revelopments round Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard, plus an thrilling new Arts Quarter<\/a>.<\/strong> This final one is across the University space, with galleries, funky new structure, and the vigorous Tavistock Place. <\/p>\n You can\u2019t skip Burgh Island if you go to south Devon \u2013 this iconic landmark is among the best locations for a mini journey! <\/strong>It\u2019s a tidal island, related to the mainland by a strip of seashore that utterly dissappears at excessive tide. <\/p>\n At low tide, you may stroll to Burgh Island from Bigbury-on-Sea. Or, at excessive tide, there\u2019s the Sea Tractor. This distinctive, bizarre-looking contraption is is operated by Burgh Island Hotel; you\u2019ll discover timetables posted on the seashore carpark in Bigbury-on-Sea and on the entrance to the island. <\/p>\n There are solely a handful of buildings on Burgh Island, and no roads to talk of. This is a spot to get away from all of it:<\/strong> stroll the coast path, spot wildlife, and climb the hill for views of the coast. To eat, there\u2019s the swanky artwork deco Burgh Island Hotel or the 14th-century Pilchard Inn \u2013 one among England\u2019s oldest taverns and apparently haunted by a smuggler\u2019s ghost. <\/p>\n Just alongside the coast from Dartmouth you\u2019ll discover one other crusing mecca to discover. <\/strong>Siting on the mouth of the serene Kingsbridge Estuary, Salcombe is one among south Devon\u2019s most upmarket locations. <\/p>\n This bougie little city \u2013 with its sheltered moorings, white sandy seashores, and fancy meals scene \u2013 attracts a little bit of a yachtie crowd. But there\u2019s loads right here for everybody to get pleasure from. <\/p>\n Get prepared for unbelievable seafood (don\u2019t miss the Crab Shack<\/a>), epic cliff walks, and lovely seashores. South Sands and North Sands are closest, or take the ferry to discover the idyllic seashores round East Portlemouth <\/strong>on the other financial institution. You also can take a ferry upriver to the historic market city of Kingsbridge. <\/p>\n The three cities clustered across the large unfold of Tor Bay<\/strong> earned themselves the nickname of \u2018The English Riviera\u2019 across the time of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). With the French Riviera offlimits, rich Georgians turned to the calm, sheltered waters of Tor Bay as an alternative. <\/p>\n Torquay and Paignton are the 2 largest cities. Both have some pretty seashores and a number of nostalgic seaside vibes.<\/strong> If you\u2019re in search of the traditional English seaside expertise, that is the place to come back! <\/p>\n Torquay is a bit more upscale, with a number of grand Victorian villas and parks. Paignton is a bit more \u2018cheap and cheerful\u2019 and feels a bit run down in spots. But it has some pretty seashores (Goodrington and Broadsands particularly), plus a retro Victorian pier lined with funfair rides and arcades. <\/p>\n Brixham can also be on the English Riviera, <\/strong>however has a really completely different vibe to Torquay and Paington. Colourful fishermen\u2019s cottages are clustered onto the hillside above Brixham\u2019s busy working harbour. This is residence to one of many largest fishing fleets within the UK, so the seafood scene in Brixham is unbeatable! <\/p>\n You can take fishing journeys and boat excursions from the harbour, or take a tour of the harbourside Fish Market <\/strong>with a fish breakfast on the wonderful Rockfish<\/a> restaurant. Don\u2019t miss the lifesize reproduction of the Golden Hind, Fransic Drake\u2019s ship! <\/p>\n It\u2019s not all in regards to the south coast in Devon \u2013 there are many superb locations to go to within the county\u2019s beautiful rural inside,<\/strong> too. And one among my private favourites is Dartmoor National Park<\/a>. <\/p>\n Honestly, I may wax lyrical about this place \u2013 however I\u2019ll attempt to include myself! It\u2019s one among England\u2019s final true wildernesses: an unlimited space of heather-strewn moors,<\/strong> towering granite tors (hilltop boulders) and dense forests. And thriller! Legends, folklore and ghost tales abound on Dartmoor, and amidst these dramatic landscapes its simple to start out believing them. <\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss the impossibly cute village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, the traditional Bronze Age settlement at Grimspound<\/a>, or the long-lasting Haytor Rocks \u2013 a terrific spot for a stroll. I additionally love the stroll alongside the outdated Princetown Railway out to King\u2019s Tor and the historic Foggintor Quarry. <\/p>\n Right within the coronary heart of rural south Devon sits Totnes, the UK\u2019s first Transition Town<\/a> <\/strong>and doubtless probably the most moral city in England! It was one of many very first cities in The Transition Network<\/a>, a worldwide motion by way of which communities purpose to deal with international crises at a neighborhood degree. <\/p>\n The result’s a artistic, community-minded city<\/strong> with probably the most unbiased excessive streets you\u2019ll ever discover. The veggie\/vegan meals scene is STRONG right here. Don\u2019t miss Riverford Field Kitchen<\/a> for a seasonal, farm-to-fork eating expertise. <\/p>\n There\u2019s additionally loads of historical past to find \u2013 significantly the anceint Totnes Castle \u2013 in addition to the serene, wildlife-rich River Dart. <\/strong>Totnes sits on the head of the Dart Estuary; you may take ferry rides and boat excursions to Dartmouth, or hop on a kayak\/SUP to discover. <\/p>\n Just west of Dartmouth, the large sweep of Start Bay <\/strong>is likely one of the most stunning spots alongside this stretch of coast. <\/p>\n Slapton Sands sits on the centre of the bay: a slender strip of shingle seashore<\/strong> between the ocean on one aspect and an enormous lake on the opposite. The lake, Slapton Ley, is surrounded by a wildlife-rich nature reserve and makes a great spot for a stroll. You can get a improbable view of all of it from on excessive as you drive out of the village of Strete. Driving throughout the skinny strip of Slapton Sands is a enjoyable expertise, too. <\/p>\n At the southwestern finish of the bay, Start Point is a good space for mountaineering and adventures.<\/strong> Hit the coast path to glimpse the stays of South Hallsands village, washed away by a horrible storm in 1917, and to go to Start Point Lighthouse. Follow the trail across the headland to succeed in the distant, crescent-shaped seashore at Mattiscombe Sands. Chances are, you\u2019ll have the place to your self! <\/p>\n Just northeast from Torquay sits one other historic seaside city: <\/strong>Teignmouth. There\u2019s a grand Victorian pier, a fairly Georgian seafront, and a placing rust-coloured sandy seashore. <\/p>\n Beyond the nostalgic seashore vibes, Teignmouth additionally has a wonderful meals scene.<\/strong> It sits on the mouth of the River Teign (therefore the imaginative identify!), so is surrounded by wonderful produce. There are mussel and oyster beds on the river, a number of fertile farmland, and a improbable native fishing trade. <\/p>\n Just alongside the coast from Teignmouth, Dawlish Warren is residence to probably the most stunning seashores <\/strong>in south Devon. <\/p>\n Dwalish Warren itself is a small village recognized for its cheap-and-cheerful vacation parks and retro amusement park. But simply outdoors of the city sits Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve<\/a> \u2013 the proper place to get away from all of it.<\/p>\n The reserve is true on the mouth of the Exe Estuary, probably the most vital places for migrating birds<\/strong> recognized for its wealthy and diverse wildlife thorughout the 12 months. And skirting this nature reserve is an idyllic \u2013 and infrequently nearly empty \u2013 white-sand seashore backed by grass-topped dunes. <\/p>\n Last, however undoubtedly not least, on this record of the very best locations to go to in South Devon, we’ve got the Tamar Valley Area of Natural Beauty<\/a>. <\/strong>Just north of Plymouth, it is a wealthy rural panorama stuffed with rolling valleys and picturesque woodland. <\/p>\n Here, historical past and nature collide. Though Cornwall is extra well-known for its mining heritage, West Devon had its share of mines<\/strong> \u2013 significantly across the Tamar Valley. Don\u2019t miss the traditional stannary city of Tavistock, a phenomenal little place with a terrific unbiased procuring scene, or Morewellham Quay<\/a>, a dwelling museum the place you may take a experience on an underground mine practice! <\/p>\n The Tamar Valley is additionally a terrific place for strolling and biking.<\/strong> Try Drake\u2019s Trail<\/a>, a 21-mile biking and strolling route between Tavistock and Plymouth. You can do the entire thing, or only a part! <\/p>\n Below, I\u2019ve listed a couple of of the highest sights dotted round South Devon. These aren\u2019t fairly \u2018places to visit\u2019 however they\u2019re all nice additions to any vacation.<\/p>\n A fast spherical up of the very best seashores to go to if you hit the south Devon coast! <\/p>\n 50 Unique Things to do in Dorset<\/a><\/p>\n Best Places to Visit on the South Coast of England<\/a><\/p>\n![\"panorama](\"https:\/\/i3.wp.com\/www.emilyluxton.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Salcombe-South-Devon-England-AdobeStock_420701715-800x300.jpeg?ssl=1)
Map: Best Places to Visit in South Devon<\/h2>\n
12 Best Places to Visit in South Devon<\/h2>\n
1. Dartmouth<\/h3>\n
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2. Plymouth<\/h3>\n
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Top issues to do in Plymouth<\/h4>\n
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3. Burgh Island<\/h3>\n
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4. Salcombe<\/h3>\n
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5. Torquay & The English Riviera<\/h3>\n
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Best Things to do within the English Riviera<\/h4>\n
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6. Brixham<\/h3>\n
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7. Dartmoor National Park<\/h3>\n
8. Totnes<\/h3>\n
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9. Start Bay<\/h3>\n
10. Teignmouth<\/h3>\n
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11. Dawlish Warren<\/h3>\n
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12. Tamar Valley AONB<\/h3>\n
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Top Attractions in South Devon \u2013 A Quick List<\/h2>\n
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Best Beaches in South Devon<\/h2>\n
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Read More<\/h2>\n
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