Days Out in Devon

Our luxury cottages on the north coast, throughout south Devon and in the east of the county make it easy to reach almost any attraction with just a short drive, so here are a few days out in Devon that offer you variety, fun and something a little different.

Let Bygones be Bygones…

Heritage and history are important to Devon’s culture and a great way to step back in time is to visit Bygones in Babbacombe. This Victorian village has been lovingly reconstructed so you can experience 19^th Century Devonian life full of all the sights and smells of the era. If you want to see things from a very different perspective then Babbacombe is also home to its very own model village, a great day out for kids.

Scaling the Heights and Catching Some Waves

Up in North Devon there are plenty of family-friendly beaches to choose from, including the sandy expanse of Woolacombe, voted one of the UK’s top beaches. If you’re feeling adventurous then you’re in the heart of North Devon’s surfing community and there are plenty of schools that will teach you to ride a ‘stick’ so you can have even more fun in the waves. If you fancy heading a little further offshore then trips to Lundy Island – the last stop before the coast of the United States – are a great experience and a chance to see colonies of seabirds up close.

Just around the north Devon coast is Lynton and Lynmouth, linked by a clifftop railway that gives you some magnificent views as you climb between the two villages. And down in South Devon they have their own funicular railway at Babbacombe Bay too, which leads down to the secluded beach below.

In south Devon you can go underground and discover the ancient past (and the home of Europe’s oldest man) at Kents Caverns, or head inland and onto Dartmoor to the stunningly beautiful Becky Falls. For some peace and tranquillity (and a little bit of spiritual enlightenment) Buckfast Abbey is a wonderfully serene and beautiful setting.

Full Steam Ahead

Devon may only have a few modern railway lines, but there are plenty of heritage lines to take you on a memorable journey through the countryside. In South Devon you can choose from a trip on the South Devon Railway or the Dartmouth Steam Railway, both of which offer great trips throughout the year.

And if you want to learn a new skill then there are several locations that will teach you everything from archery at Dragon Archery Centre in Okehampton, through to handling birds of prey at the Hawkridge Bird of Prey Centre at Exmouth.

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