East Devon
Jurassic coastline and quiet villages between Lyme Bay and the Blackdown Hills
Photo © Michael Burnett, Google Maps
A first visit to East Devon usually starts on the coast. This stretch is part of the Jurassic Coast, and the cliffs, coves and fossil-strewn beaches around towns like Sidmouth, Seaton and Budleigh Salterton give you a proper introduction to the area within a day. Walking a section of the coast path is the obvious first move, whether that means a short stroll out of a harbour town or a longer route along the clifftops with the sea below.
Inland, East Devon settles into a gentler rhythm of villages, farmland and wooded valleys, with the Blackdown Hills to the north offering a different kind of walking and views back towards the coast. It is the sort of county you explore in loops, using a base for a few days rather than rushing between sights.
Once settled in, days tend to divide between the coast and the countryside. Beach time and coastal walks fill the mornings, with towns like Sidmouth and Seaton offering seafronts, shops and places to sit and watch the sea. Inland, there are villages to potter through, country lanes for cycling, and the Blackdown Hills for those wanting a proper walk with a view.
Where to stay in East Devon
All hotels in East Devon →About staying in East Devon
Most visitors stay in self-catering cottages spread across the area, from countryside spots to properties closer to the seaside towns. There is also a stretch of glamping options, including the group of pods at Lower Keats Glamping, which suit those wanting something a little different from a traditional cottage stay, and cottages such as A Twist of Lyme and Apple Barrel Barn for those after more conventional self-catering. With 166 properties listed, there is a good spread of settings, whether you want to be a short walk from a beach or tucked into quieter countryside.
Red Lion Inn
Fore Street, Sidbury
Buckley Farmhouse
Buckley Road, Sidmouth
Sid Valley Country House Hotel
Sidbury, Sidmouth
9.1
The Salty Monk
Sidford, one mile from Sidmouth
from £145/night
The Blue Ball Inn
Sidford, Sidmouth
Mincombe Barn Bed and Breakfast
Roncombe Lane, Sidmouth
Balfour Arms
26 Woolbrook Road, Sidmouth
The Barn and Pinn Cottage
Bowd, Sidmouth
Things to Do in East Devon
All attractions in East Devon →Where to Eat in East Devon
All restaurants in East Devon →About eating out in East Devon
Evenings are where East Devon's smaller towns come into their own, with pubs and restaurants serving local produce and, unsurprisingly, plenty of good seafood given the coastal setting. It is a low-key part of the country rather than a flashy one, which is exactly what draws people back for a second and third visit once they have done the obvious things on the first.
Attractions Near East Devon
All attractions in East Devon →Worth the trip — within 50 miles of East Devon.
1 mi
Alpaca Trekking with Bearhouse Alpacas
Sidbury · ⭐ 5.0
2 mi
Thorn Golf Centre
Sidmouth · ⭐ 3.7
2 mi
The Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth · ⭐ 4.8
3 mi
Massive Slip And Slide Devon
Sidmouth · ⭐ 4.8
3 mi
Something Lovely Pottery
Sidmouth · ⭐ 5.0
5 mi
Beer Quarry Caves
Beer · ⭐ 4.8
5 mi
Playdome Indoor Play
Honiton · ⭐ 4.7
Beer Heights Light Railway
Seaton · ⭐ 4.8
Camping in East Devon
All campsites in East Devon →
Thorn Campsite
⭐ 3.6 · from £19/night
Salcombe Regis Camping and Caravan Park
⭐ 4.5 · from £18/night
Oakdown Holiday Park
⭐ 4.7 · from £20/night
Kings Down Tail C & C P
⭐ 4.9
Kings Down Tail Caravan and Camping Park
⭐ 4.9 · from £16/night
Dunscombe Manor Caravan Park
⭐ 4.7
Bovey's Down Farm
⭐ 4.5 · from £22/night
Boveys Down Farm Campsite & Glamping
⭐ 4.5 · from £22/night
Self-Catering Cottages in East Devon(160)
All cottages in East Devon →
Brimble Cottage
2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £397
6 Lower Keats Glamping
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £1,494
Beachcomber Cottage
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £687
Boswell Farm - Cider Cottage
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £871
Boswell Farm - Linhay
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £871
Boswell Farm - Millhouse
2 bed · sleeps 5 · from £707
Boswell Farm - Shippen
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £871
Boswell Farm - The Holt
3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £1,246
Common questions about East Devon
How many holiday cottages are there in East Devon?
We list 160 self-catering cottages in and around East Devon.
Can I take a dog to a holiday cottage in East Devon?
Yes — 86 of the 160 East Devon cottages we list allow pets.
Are there large holiday cottages in East Devon for groups?
Yes — the largest cottage we list in East Devon sleeps 18.
Staycation ideas for East Devon
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