The best things to do in Devon
21.07.2023 - 07:51
/ roughguides.com
Whether you fancy a fun-packed family break or a back-to-nature adventure, holidays in England's Devon deliver it all. Travellers of all ages will find rewarding things to do — from finding fossils to roaming many of the beautiful national parks. England's glorious southwest has a lot to offer, and Devon is the perfect place for an unforgettable staycation. Here is our list of the best things to do in Devon.
This page is inspired by our Rough Guide to Devon and Cornwall, your ultimate guide to travelling in Devon.
For lovers of the great outdoors, exploring Dartmoor National Park is one of the very best things to do in Devon (and Britain as a whole, for that matter).
Covering some 365 square miles of southcentral Devon, Dartmoor is one of Britain’s great wilderness areas — a haunting place of rugged grandeur, menacing moorland, and wooded valleys speckled with secluded villages. And with around 2000 Bronze Age sites dating back to 4000 BC, it’s as rewarding for history buffs as it is for ramblers.
The eastern gateway to the moor is Bovey Tracey, a small pleasant town with its main street running up the hillside. Another must-see sight is Hay Tor. Reached via a relatively short walk from Widecombe road, the climb to the summit is steep, but more than worth the effort for the panoramic views.
Viewing a stunning Dartmoor sunrise is one of the best things to do in Devon © Shutterstock
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Beginning at Orcombe Point in Exmouth, Devon, and continuing to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site represents 185 million years of Earth’s history along 95 miles of the coast. The rusty red section in East Devon is the oldest segment and home to Britain’s richest concentration of mid-Triassic reptile sites. When it comes to keeping monster-mad kids entertained, few things can beat going on a family fossil-finding expedition. Discover more about walking the South West Coast Path — Britain’s longest national trail, no less.
For further geological wonders, you won’t want to miss Kent’s Cavern is a network of limestone caves created by underground rivers some two million years ago. The best of the 80,000 archaeological artefacts found here are now housed in Torquay Museum.
Beer — a beautiful village on Devon's UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast © Marcin Jucha/Shutterstock
Ready to immerse yourself in the history of England? Our tailor-made trip service makes travelling easy by taking care of the planning and booking. Our England Historical Highlights trip takes you from Buckingham Palace to the mysterious Stonehenge. Our trips are crafted by local travel experts and