Devon

Devon's two coastlines offer very different moods. On the north coast, Ilfracombe has a working harbour and old-fashioned seaside charm, while Lynton and Lynmouth sit dramatically where Exmoor's cliffs drop to the sea, linked by a Victorian cliff railway. Bideford, on the Torridge estuary, makes a good base for exploring this quieter side of the county. To the south, Dartmouth is all yachts and steep, colourful streets above the River Dart, Sidmouth keeps a genteel Regency elegance, and Exmouth offers wide sands where the estuary meets the Channel.

Plymouth and Torquay bring city life and lively resort energy respectively, with museums, shopping and a busier pace than elsewhere in the county. Inland, Devon slows down: Ashburton sits on the edge of Dartmoor, handy for walking and moorland scenery, while South Molton and Axminster serve the rolling farmland of the north and east. Sidbury, a small village near Sidmouth, suits those wanting rural calm within easy reach of the coast.

Devon covers a lot of ground, and where you stay depends on which coast or countryside you're after. Torquay and Paignton give the English Riviera crowd its seafront hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of the beach, while Dartmouth offers something quieter, with harbourside guest houses like Compass Rose suiting couples over families with children in tow.

Inland, Tavistock and Tiverton make sensible bases for Dartmoor and Exmoor exploring, with farmhouse stays such as Beera Farmhouse putting you close to walking country without the coastal premium. Lynton and Lynmouth, tucked into the Exmoor cliffs, have their own cluster of small hotels and B&Bs, including Highcliffe House, well suited to those touring the north coast.

Across the county the choice runs from simple, good-value rooms like Elmdene and South View to more individual places such as Marmalade Bed & Breakfast and Carlton Court, so it's worth matching the setting to your plans before the price.

Devon's two coastlines and broad rural middle mean days out here rarely follow a single pattern. Exeter and Plymouth offer city-scale attractions and trails, while Exmouth, Sidmouth and Teignmouth lean into seaside activities, and inland spots around South Molton, Holsworthy and Parracombe favour farm visits, alpaca trekking and countryside pursuits.

Among the 225 listed here you'll find escape rooms and treasure trails such as those in Torquay, Plymouth and Exmouth sitting alongside craft workshops like avo craft cafe and Something Lovely Pottery, plus archery and segway sessions for something more active. Sidbury and Torquay add further variety, so it's worth deciding whether you want a coastal outing, a countryside experience, or something indoors and hands-on before picking a base.

Devon's coast and countryside come with a hefty appetite, and eating out here ranges from harbourside chippies to long-standing family diners. Plymouth offers the widest spread, with everything from quick-service chains to independent kitchens, while smaller towns such as Tavistock and Ottery St Mary tend towards pubs and cafes built around local trade.

Along the coast at Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton and Ilfracombe, seafood and traditional pub menus are easy to find, often with a sea view thrown in. Inland, Axminster and Tiverton suit a simpler stop for lunch or a pint after exploring the Devon countryside.

With so many options across the county, it's worth deciding whether you want a proper sit-down meal, a pub with a good atmosphere, or somewhere quick and reliable before choosing a town to explore.

Devon's size means campsites and glamping stretch from the surf-worn coast at Appledore round to quiet inland farms, and the choice reflects that spread. Somewhere like Huxtable Farm or Cockingford Farm sits deep in working farmland, good for those who want fields, animals and proper stargazing, while others lean towards polished glamping with hot tubs and finished interiors, as at Wheatfields Luxury Glamping or Bovey Heath Retreat.

Between those two ends there's plenty of middle ground: small family-run fields such as Orchard Lodge Camping or Bowhayes Farm, and newer ventures like Trinity Hill Hideaway and Foxcote offering a step up from a tent without losing the outdoor feel. Rewilding Coombeshead points to a growing strand of low-impact, nature-focused stays too.

With 467 places listed across the county, it's worth thinking about what kind of Devon you want first, moor, coast or farmland, since that will narrow things down faster than the style of stay itself.

Devon's self-catering cottages range from harbourside conversions to city apartments, and Plymouth accounts for much of what we list here, offering a base that mixes maritime history with easy access to the wider county. Properties such as Fisherman's Cottage and Harbour Heights make the most of Plymouth's waterside setting, while Elliott Terrace's apartments sit closer to the city's historic core near the Hoe.

Others, like Drakes Wharf's Number Six Mills Bakery or Marina View, suit those wanting marina views and self-contained comfort within walking distance of restaurants and the Barbican. Kings Haven and Holborn Cottage offer a quieter, more residential feel for longer stays.

Choosing between them often comes down to how central you want to be: harbourside cottages put you among the boats and pubs, while apartments further into the city give quicker access to shops, transport links and Plymouth's museums and theatres.