Devon

ECL's guide to Devon England. Discover the best attractions, local food and a guide to the most picturesque towns and villages.

Devon is cottage heaven and one of my favourite places in the world. This county has it all with two coastlines featuring some of the most beautiful beaches in England, glorious countryside with meandering streams and rambling hills, valleys and moors.

This county is generously blessed with enchanting villages and cottages.

This county is a gentle rural place with friendly locals and makes a great cottage holiday destination and if you are interested in cob cottages and thatch you will find them in abundance here; the home of Cob building.

Famous for Devonshire Cream Teas, seafood and fresh local produce. There are more ‘Green’ businesses here than any other English county.

The landscape is dramatic and full of contrasts with everything from frothing oceans pounding on craggy cliffs in the North; a surfers paradise to sheltered estuaries and sandy beaches in the South. The coast once bustling with busy harbours now invites travellers.

The inland; a tapestry laced with hedgerows and rolling green fields with its jewel in the centre in England’s last wilderness…Dartmoor.

Dartmoor is devastatingly wild with some areas inhospitable and other areas enchanting and idyllic.

This county is shaped by history, the birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh, the home of Agatha Christie she called her home ‘Greenway’ on the river Dart “The most beautiful place in the world” but don’t just take her word for it come and see for yourself.

Photo: Dartmouth and the river Dart.

The Cottage Tour Of England

Accommodation .

Devonshire has many great places to stay. If you are in a town why not try a local Inn many are stepped in history and have a traditional pub and sometimes pub food or a restaurant or of course a local B&B. If you want a home away from home try staying in a holiday cottage.

Holiday Cottages.

Staying in a holiday cottage is a wonderful option. Many of them are just beautiful and furnished to a fine standard, some are more quaint than others but you can find something for everyone’s taste.

Holiday cottages give you a feeling of still being a home even while you are on holiday, they are great is you like self catering, or just leave the cottage and head into the local pub or restaurant. If you are travelling with your dog you can find a holiday cottage for your four legged friend as well.

To see ECL's Guide To Holiday Cottages Click Here 


Surrounding Counties:

Devon is in the South West region of England and surrounded by Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset

Photo: Farm gate in Ugborough

Featured Town And Villages:

Branscombe: Properly the most picturesque and romantic village in the county. Local Beer stone cottages and some thatched cottages.

Broadhenbury: An unspoilt picture postcard village with thatched cottages.

Broadclyst and the Killerton Estate: The Estate spans approximately 6400 acres with working farms and 240 cottages; 30 are of mediaeval origin. It is now owned by the National trust.

Buckland-in-the-moor: Nestled on the fringe of Dartmoor is this wonderful idyllic village with enchanting thatched cottages.

Clovelly: Old World cobbled streets meandering down to the harbour. Privately owned and beautifully preserved.

Cockington: An escape from Torquay, a chocolate box cottage village, touristy, but worth visiting.

Dartmouth: Historical mediaeval town on the river Dart, considered by some as England’s most beautiful river. A great base for exploring the South.

East Budleigh: The birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh, a lovely village with thatched cottages.

Honiton: This town is famous for it’s beautiful lace.

Salcombe: A stunning picturesque part of the South Hams a great place for messing about on the water. Old fisherman’s cottages line the streets.

Widecombe-in-the-moor: Beautiful Dartmoor village famous for the song about Widecomb fair (“Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all”)

Photo: Cottage in the village of Thurlstone.


English Countryside:

AONB:

South: The glorious South Hams a cottage paradise wonderful beaches and gentle countryside.

East: Lovely green rolling countryside and more coastline to discover.

North: Dramatic coastline and inland farms.

Tamar Valley (Devon/Cornwall): Picturesque rural idyll with stunning villages.

Blackdown Hills (Devon/Somerset): Dramatic and steep bordering these two counties.

National Parks:

Dartmoor: The South West’s last wilderness, wild Dartmoor ponies and stunning bleak landscape.

Exmoor: Wild Exmoor ponies and a coastal view to Wales.

National Trails:

South West Coast Path: Hugging 600 miles along the north and south coasts, walk a part or all.

Photo: South West Coast Path Near Thurlstone

Book A Holiday Cottage 

ECL's Guide To Holiday Cottages. Click Here

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