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 An Introduction to Devon

Devon has a lot to please everyone, with a splendid range of places to stay in, and some very good food. There are lovely gardens, delightful thatched villages clustered around ancient church and equally ancient pub, glorious vistas of coast and moor, some decidedly unstuffy museums, all sorts of rustic pursuits, and vintage steam trains puffing through gorgeous river valleys.

The county is packed with so many enjoyable places to visit that we have divided it into three areas: Exeter and East Devon (classic family holiday country, with Exeter a charming small city); South Devon and Dartmoor (glorious scenery, the widest range of interesting places to visit - good all year); and North Devon and Exmoor (a quieter appeal than other parts, less touristy but plenty of interest). Devon is first-class for a summer holiday. For a shorter break spring, early summer or autumn is better: no hold-ups on the roads, even richer colours in the countryside, a real sense of space and peace. A particularly good point for families is that even "adult" places generally have a lot to entertain children too - Buckland Abbey in S Devon is a fine example. And vice versa - many family placed can keep adults smiling too, such as the Big Sheep nr Bideford or the Gnome Reserve nr Bradworthy (N Devon), with its unexpectedly appealing plantings.

There are of course places geared more exclusively to children: Crealy Country at Clyst St Mary (E Devon) is a prime example of these day-out-treat places, with the Plymouth Dome, Paignton zoo and the Woodland leisure park at Blackawton all outstanding for families in S Devon. Devon also boasts the country’s most enjoyable "attraction shop" - the one attached to Buckfast Abbey at Buckfastleigh. Some of the best views here are from trains; besides the steam lines, the standard railway Devon Rover is a good deal, with unlimited train journeys in the area at a reduced rate for either a week or any three days out of seven.

Devon is a fascinating mixture of high moorland, wooded valleys, rugged cliffs, traditional seaside resorts and picturesque towns and villages. In the east, Exeter lost many of its historic buildings during Second World War bombing raids but its imposing 11th century cathedral has survived intact along with the castle and the fine 15th century Guildhall. Another attraction is the extensive Maritime Museum which displays all types of boats across the ages.

To the south west lies the Dartmoor National Park, an area of high moorland, granite tors, rivers, woods and marshland and noted for its rugged scenery and ’wild’ ponies. The main resorts in south Devon are on the eastern coast with Torquay, Brixham and Paignton leading the field along with Salcombe, on the Kingsbridge Estuary, a popular sailing area. The old maritime city of Plymouth stands on the River Tamar which forms the border between Devon and Cornwall. Plymouth’s history is extensive with The Hoe recalling Sir Francis Drake’s famous game of bowls as the Spanish Armada approached and the Mayflower Steps commemorate the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for America in 1620. North Devon has its fair share of resorts such as the Victorian Lynton and Lynmouth, overlooked by the 1000ft Countisbury Hill, Ilfracombe, Woolacombe with its extensive beaches, and Clovelly, one of the prettiest coastal villages in Britain with its steep cobbled streets where motor vehicles are replaced by donkeys.

To the North east, Exmoor National Park extends into Somerset. This area has also been designated as a National Park and contains gentler scenery than Dartmoor but is just as picturesque with a number of beautiful valleys and viewpoints.