One of the UK’s best-loved destinations, Devon has become increasingly chic in recent years, featuring fun seaside hotels and trendy city boltholes to delight the whole family. Devon’s popularity is reflected in the broad range of accommodation on offer, with everything from smart country houses to laid-back B&Bs, suitable for a whole host of budgets. Whilst many of the best places to stay in Devon are right by the seaside, some of our favourite hideaways are tucked in pretty villages or situated on the edge of Exmoor or Dartmoor – ideal for outdoor explorers and wildlife lovers.
SOME OF OUR DEVON COLLECTIONS:
Book a room in Plymouth, site of Sir Francis Drake’s famous game of bowls, for a sense of history — maritime and more — or base yourself in the university town of Exeter, parts of which date back to the Roman era. Stroll along cobbled streets, pop into lovely independent shops, and cosy up in the city’s many bars and pubs. If you’re eager to explore Exeter but would prefer to spend your evenings away from the student nightlife, nearby Crediton offers a charming alternative.
South Devon has become something of a hippy enclave, home to a host of great music festivals and alternative lifestyle centres. Dartmouth and the surrounding area are quite simply stunning. Lively Salcombe is particularly popular with young families, while Torquay tends to attract a more grown-up set. Alternatively, skip the crowds and base yourself in the pretty market town of Axminster, within easy reach of the south coast.
Try North Devon, on the other hand, to visit superb stately homes set in glorious grounds or to sample all manner of extreme sports out on the water. Surfers will adore riding the waves, whilst families will find plenty to discover in the pretty Victorian harbour town of Ilfracombe, with its sandy beach and artworks by Damien Hirst. Exmoor, too, is nearby, home — like Dartmoor — to herds of wild ponies and plenty of other wildlife.
The Devon countryside is as impressive as its coastline, with whitewashed thatched cottages and traditional stone longhouses nestled amidst a patchwork of fields. Boasting five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO Geopark and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Devon makes for a marvellous outdoorsy holiday destination. Whether you’re into walking, hiking, cycling, birdwatching or simply picnicking with the whole family, there are superb coastal and countryside spots to explore and admire.
Whether you prefer to base yourself within sight of the sea or to hide away in rural bliss, the best places to stay in Devon promise relaxation and a friendly welcome, perfect for great British escape.
