Things to do in Devon

Culture and heritage

Devon is a wonderful getaway – perfect for a relaxing retreat, an action-packed adventure or a fun-filled family holiday. You’ll love the historic buildings, museums and gardens of its stunning market towns and the great outdoors of the two National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor. The county is full of interesting heritage attractions including working museums, castles and of course, stately homes managed by the National Trust, so there really is something for everyone.

Attractions

Exeter Cathedral is a spectacular gothic cathedral, the heritage fishing village of Clovelly is unique, while Agatha Christie’s holiday retreat Greenway can fill many with a sense of nostalgia and inspiration. Meet a huge range of friendly farm animals at Pennywell Farm or make friends with donkeys at Sidmouth’s Donkey Sanctuary or if farms are your thing take the family to Diggerland. Parents and kids alike will also love the variety around Torbay, spending time at Paignton Zoo or Kents Cavern.

Food and drink

Devon is blessed with some fantastic restaurants, cafes, pubs and lively food festivals, making it the perfect place for anyone with a love of good grub. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a Devonshire Cream Tea - with cream on the scone then jam, unlike in Cornwall where it’s jam first, then cream! Michael Caines MBE Michelin star restaurant at Lympstone Manor over-looking the tranquil Exe Estuary provides the ultimate in fine dining and make sure you stop off in Brixham for tasty fresh sea food or head to Ilfracombe’s Fore Street for a real culinary treat.

Sport and outdoors

If you love sport and the great outdoors, you’re spoilt for choice in Devon. Hop on a bike and ride the Tarka Trail, the South West Coast Path covers most of the county, or head to Dartmoor where you’ll find a huge range of activities like horse riding, canoeing, climbing and even wild swimming for the brave. The Middle Dart Valley Walk is also a good option in all weathers and starts and ends in the medieval town of Totnes in the south of the county. The coastline of the North Devon is perfect for watersports and is one of the UK’s top surfing spots, so grab your boards and get out there.

Music and nightlife

There’s no shortage of live music on offer across the region, from local acts performing in pubs to events like the annual three day Dart Music Festival, Sidmouth Folk Week, and Croyde Bay’s GoldCoast Ocean Fest. Then there’s the various live music events held in the beautiful grounds of Powderham Castle throughout the year.

Shopping

Enjoying a shopping experience that’s a refreshing change from the norm is easy in Devon. The region is packed with quirky, independent stores, with Dartmouth and Totnes among the most popular places to visit. For big-name retailers, Exeter and Plymouth are your best bet. Barnstaple is the home of the region’s historic Pannier Market where you can find regular markets full of local produce.

Discover more at VisitDevon.co.uk

Day Tripper

When in Devon, there is so much you can explore by train.

Purchase a Devon Day Ranger from the ticket office which allows you unlimited off-peak travel for a day and you could visit these great destinations all by train:

What is the main station in Devon?


Devon stations include Exeter and Plymouth as well as stations towards Torbay and the English Riviera, East Devon and the Jurassic Coast as well as North Devon.

Which trains run in to Devon?


Devon is serviced by a number of popular direct train routes from London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads and as far south as Penzance, Cornwall. There are also a number of branch lines serving North Devon, Torbay and East Devon.

What is the best time to travel to Devon?


Travel off-peak to enjoy a smoother journey on our less crowded train services.