Devon is far more than a pretty corner of southwest England; it is a county of hidden wonders, curious history, and natural landscapes that have inspired explorers and writers for centuries.
In This Article
- The Jurassic Coast is One of the World’s Greatest Fossil Sites
- Dartmoor National Park Has Its Own Brewing and Distilling Scene
- Devon Is the Birthplace of the Cream Tea
- Exeter Cathedral Houses the Longest Unbroken Medieval Vaulted Ceiling
- Plymouth’s Mayflower Story Changed World History
- Brixham Harbour Has a Working Fishing Fleet With Daily Auctions
- The South West Coast Path Offers Legendary Walking
- Lydford Gorge Has a Spectacular 30-Metre Waterfall
- Clovelly Is a Car-Free Village With a Waterfall in Its Main Street
- Lundy Island Is a Remote Wildlife Haven With Its Own Currency
The Jurassic Coast is One of the World’s Greatest Fossil Sites
Devon’s stretch of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, spans 95 miles from Exmouth to the Dorset border. The cliffs at Lyme Regis and Charmouth reveal 185 million years of geological history. Fossil hunting is free and family-friendly, with the best time being after a winter storm. The Lyme Regis Museum offers fossil identification services for a small donation. Ammonites and belemnites are common finds, and the famous ichthyosaur fossils discovered here reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life. A guided fossil walk costs around $15 per person as of 2026.
Dartmoor National Park Has Its Own Brewing and Distilling Scene
Dartmoor is not just wild moorland and ponies; it is home to a thriving craft beverage industry. The Dartmoor Brewery in Princetown produces award-winning ales like Jail Ale, named after the notorious Dartmoor Prison. The Plymouth Gin Distillery, the oldest working gin distillery in England, offers tours for $18 as of 2026. Several small cider farms, such as Sandford Orchard, produce traditional Devon scrumpy using heirloom apple varieties. A distillery and brewery trail is an excellent way to explore the region’s flavours while supporting local producers.
Devon Is the Birthplace of the Cream Tea
Devon claims to be the original home of the cream tea, and the proper Devon method involves splitting a warm scone, spreading clotted cream first, then adding strawberry jam. The Cornish method reverses the order, a debate that still divides the West Country. A cream tea in a traditional Devon tea room costs about $10 as of 2026. Some of the best cream teas can be found at the Riverford Field Kitchen in Buckfastleigh and at the Horn of Plenty near Tavistock. The clotted cream itself must be made from unpasteurised milk to be truly authentic by Devon standards.
Exeter Cathedral Houses the Longest Unbroken Medieval Vaulted Ceiling
Exeter Cathedral, founded in 1050, boasts the longest uninterrupted stretch of Gothic vaulting in the world, spanning 100 metres. The ceiling features intricate bosses carved with scenes from the Bible and medieval life. The cathedral’s astronomical clock, dating from the 15th century, shows both the time and the phases of the moon. Entry costs about $12 as of 2026. The Exeter Cathedral Library holds a collection of over 50,000 books, including manuscripts from the 10th century. The building survived both the Blitz and the English Civil War, making it one of Britain’s best-preserved medieval cathedrals.
Plymouth’s Mayflower Story Changed World History
Plymouth is where the Mayflower Pilgrims set sail for the New World in 1620. The Mayflower Steps, a commemorative portico on the Barbican, marks their departure point. The Mayflower Museum, admission around $8 as of 2026, tells the story of the voyage and its impact on both England and America. Plymouth’s Barbican district is one of the best-preserved Elizabethan neighbourhoods in Britain, with cobbled streets and timber-framed buildings. The city’s Hoe, a large public green overlooking Plymouth Sound, features Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse and offers views of the Eddystone Lighthouse in the distance.
Brixham Harbour Has a Working Fishing Fleet With Daily Auctions
Brixham is one of England’s busiest fishing ports, and its daily fish auction is a spectacle worth waking up early for. The auction starts around 6:30 AM and sells everything from turbot to spider crabs. Visitors can watch from a viewing gallery for free. The Brixham Fish Market processes over 20,000 tonnes of fish annually. The town’s seafood restaurants serve the day’s catch within hours of landing. A fish and chips meal at a harbour-side pub costs about $15 as of 2026. The Brixham Heritage Museum tells the story of the town’s maritime history, including its role in the Spanish Armada.
The South West Coast Path Offers Legendary Walking
Devon contains over 200 miles of the South West Coast Path, England’s longest national trail. Highlights include the section from Salcombe to Hope Cove, which passes through some of Britain’s most beautiful coastal scenery. The walk from Lynmouth to the Valley of Rocks is particularly dramatic, with sea views and wild goats. A guided walking tour costs around $30 per day as of 2026. The path passes through nature reserves, woodland, and fishing villages, offering a different landscape around every corner. The best times to walk are May and September, when the weather is mild and the crowds are thinner.
Lydford Gorge Has a Spectacular 30-Metre Waterfall
Lydford Gorge, owned by the National Trust, features the White Lady Waterfall, which plunges 30 metres into a narrow, fern-lined chasm. Entry costs about $12 as of 2026. The gorge walk is a circular route of about 1.5 miles, taking you through tunnels and along suspended walkways carved into the rock. The sound of the water echoing through the gorge is unforgettable. Devil’s Cauldron, a deep swirling pool at the base of a smaller cascade, is another highlight. The gorge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, home to rare mosses, lichens, and the elusive dipper bird.
Clovelly Is a Car-Free Village With a Waterfall in Its Main Street
Clovelly is one of Britain’s most unusual villages, built into a steep cliff with a cobbled main street that is too steep for cars. Donkeys were traditionally used to transport goods, and the village still keeps a small herd for visitors. The street ends at a small harbour where fishing boats bob in the swell. Entry to Clovelly costs about $10 as of 2026 and includes access to the harbour, the visitor centre, and several museums. The Red Lion Inn, at the bottom of the hill, serves traditional Devon ale and seafood. The village has been owned by the same family since 1738.
Lundy Island Is a Remote Wildlife Haven With Its Own Currency
Lundy Island, 12 miles off the Devon coast in the Bristol Channel, is a place apart. It has its own flag, its own postage stamps, and even its own one-puffin coin. The island is a haven for seabirds, including puffins, Manx shearwaters, and razorbills. The boat crossing from Bideford or Ilfracombe takes about two hours and costs around $50 return as of 2026. Accommodation ranges from a 13th-century castle to a lighthouse keeper’s cottage. Lundy has no cars, no street lights, and no shops beyond a small pub and a general store. It is one of the darkest places in England for stargazing.
Which Devon discovery surprised you the most? Have you visited any of these places? Tell us in the comments!
Category: Travel Tips
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