Devon is such a beautiful part of the UK, sometimes overlooked and its beauty underrated. Full of rugged steep cliff sides, golden beaches and towns so picturesque as if plucked straight from a fairy tale.
We get to visit Devon a few times a year to stay with family and it never ceases to amaze us with its beauty.
Each year we discover more and more of this beautiful place and find ourselves drawn back for more.
This post includes the top things you simply must experience in Devon!
Visit Incredible Waterfalls
Devon is home to some of the UK’s most beautiful waterfalls! If there is anything Devon likes to do well, it’s a flare for the dramatic, and their waterfalls don’t fall short.
Below are two of our favourite waterfalls Devon has to offer.
White Lady Waterfall
Our top waterfall would have to be the White Lady Waterfall which takes pride of place on the National Trust Lydford Gorge Waterfall trail.
The walk itself is of course beautiful. However, the waterfall itself is the highlight of the trail.
Surrounded by beautiful green foliage and ancient woodland with water cascading as far as the eye can see, it makes for an incredible sight.
We loved this experience and all it had to offer. To really make the most of this beauty we recommend taking a picnic and setting up to have some lunch nearby, listening to the water crashing into the calm river beneath.
Prices
- Adult – £5
- Child – £2.50
- Family – 12.50
- Free for national trust members.
Important Information: The trail will be closed if there are high winds, so check the weather before heading out.
Speke’s Mouth Waterfall
To access this waterfall you have to do a short hike, but its sheer height and power is something you have to see to believe.
There is no entrance fee here, the waterfall is free to be admired. Park up at Hardland Quay and follow the path to the waterfall.
The path to reach the incredible waterfall is within itself a beautiful experience. Admire the black sandy beaches, dramatic rock formations and fruitful plant life.
The waterfall falls 48 meters and has three tiers. Watching the water falling from the edge of the cliffs all the way down to the beach itself is magical.
This waterfall is situated near the Devon/Cornwall border and is part of the North Devon Biosphere. An area that is full of rare and beautiful plants.
Relax On Award-Winning Beaches
Devon is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of England. Part of the coastline is home to the Jurassic Coast so you already know they are going to be beautiful.
Broad Sands
Broad Sands was voted the UK’s “Happiest View”, and it’s clear to see why!
Tucked away between the villages of Ilfracombe and Martin Combe, this little cove boasts all the beauty of Devon and provides a perfect escape from the elements.
Known as one of the best beaches for swimming with plenty of caves to explore, it’s definitely one not to be missed on a trip to Devon.
Woolacombe Beach
An award-winning beach and surfers paradise on the north coast of Devon!
With beautiful golden sand and 3 miles stretch of beautiful beach to enjoy, you can’t visit Devon without a trip here.
Barricane Beach
Close to Woolacombe beach but much smaller and cosier. Loved by local surfers and a great place for a picnic, this beach is a bit of a local secret.
Exmoor National Park
A trip to Devon would not be complete without experiencing the dramatic rolling hills and cliffs of Exmoor National Park.
Exmoor National Park has incredible viewpoints, wild ponies and red deer! Experiencing the wild Exmoor ponies is awesome.
They are free-roaming so you are not guaranteed to see them. To increase your odds, head to Porlok Hill, Winsford Hill and Molland Moor.
Exmoor is also home for around 3000 red deer, although the chances of spotting these are less than the horses you can always book onto a tour of Exmoor park to be shown the wildlife by a professional.
Although by far the best thing to do in Exmoor national park is to walk one of their many trails. We would recommend Dunkery Beacon, the highest point in the Exmoor national park for views as far as the south of Wales!
Explore Postcard-Perfect Villages And Towns
Make sure to visit Clovelly Town, known as the Positano of England!
This cute cliffside village has everything you expect from a UK village whilst also offering so much more, its own waterfall, dramatic sea views and crooked houses.
Clovelly is full of charm! No motorised vehicles are allowed into the village helping to add to the charm of the Cobbled narrow streets.
The community have worked hard to preserve its original atmosphere despite becoming a bit of tourist hot spot.
The only downside to this village is that you do have to pay an entrance fee. This will be £7.75 for an Adult and £4.50 for each child.
The cost of the ticket itself does, however, include access to Clovelly Gardens, so it’s worth it.
Lynton
The town of Lynton is a small Victorian town with a selection of shops, tea-rooms, and cafés. Spend some time exploring the town and walking around the shops before getting refreshing ice cream and sitting on the beachfront to enjoy.
Home to the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world. Although you can walk from one village to the other, this railway is a unique experience and provides you with awesome views over the Exmoor coastline for you to enjoy.
Lynmouth
Lynmouth is a beautiful little town on the Exmoor Coast. Know as little Switzerland, because of its character and distinct charm, this little town is so beautiful.
Valley Of The Rocks
The Valley of Rocks is a dramatic valley that offers some incredible views over the Exmoor Coastline. It is situated about 1 kilometre to the west of the village of Lynton.
A herd of goats call this awesome valley home. This valley is known for its unusual rock formations and caves.
Try Devonshire Cream Tea
There has been much debate over where cream tea originated. There has much dispute between if it was Devon and Cornwall that invented this essentially English treat. Historians have since unearthed evidence that the cream team originated in the Devon town of Tavistock.
So, whilst in Devon, you simply must experience the English tradition of the perfect afternoon tea complete with warm scones topped with Jam and beautiful clotted cream.
Hele Corn Mill & Tea Room
Hele Corn Mill is a cosy tea room has won the award for Devon Life’s best Team room, four times! It is the best place to experience afternoon tea in Devon.
If the weather is good enough you can enjoy afternoon tea in the picturesque tea garden with views of the water wheel.
If you have any dietary requirements, reach out and let them know beforehand so they can do their best to accommodate your needs.
The Thatch
The Thatch has recently celebrated 25 years of business, it has catered for many and provides a relaxing atmosphere. The Devon Cream tea will not be found anywhere as exciting and intriguing as the offering at The Thatch.
Where To Stay In Devon
Where you chose to stay in Devon will be massively affected by what you want to experience.
Woolacombe
If you wish to Surf, lay on a beach and chill, we would recommend Woolacombe. There are also a lot of shops and pubs so the amenities here are great.
The Best Hotel: Watersmeet Hotel.
Clovelly Town
If you would like to stay somewhere a little more expensive but with views to match, we would recommend Clovelly.
Staying in Clovelly itself is sure to be a memorable experience, but if you plan on travelling around Devon a lot, take into account you will have to walk through the town up a hill each day to reach your car.
The Best Hotel: New Inn Hotel.
Ilfracombe
If you wish to explore a lot of Devon and looking for a reasonably priced base we would recommend staying in Ilfracombe. This is where we normally stay because of family ties, but we love this seaside town and think it makes a great base to explore Devon from.
The Best Hotel: The Devonian.
When To Visit
Devon is a place that can be visited all year round. In the Summer months, the beaches are busy and prices for accommodation go up. Spring is an amazing time to see Devon in all its beauty before the Summer hits.
Winter and Autumn provide a completely different experience.
In Autumn to watch the moors turn from green to golden orange on long walks is beautiful and Devon also provides a great place to escape from the hustle and bustle of winter and a chance to reconnect with nature with a cup of hot chocolate by a fire.
Summary
We hope we have convinced you that Devon is such an amazing part of the UK and is worth taking a trip to explore all it has to offer.
With its beautiful beaches, historic coastline and stunning waterfalls Devon is a great place to experience over a long weekend or for a few weeks.
We hope that this article has helped inspire you to take a trip to Devon. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Katie Black YouMeUnderThePalmTree.com
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