Devon: Coast, culture and wide-open spaces

Cathedrals, castles and collections

The cathedral’s Treasures exhibition also has a focus of its own: it displays the Exeter Book and treasures from the old cathedral library. Exhibition displays may change. Families can also enjoy the Cathedral Cat Trail and interactive craft activities; seasonal activities may vary. This gives visitors distinct ways to explore architecture, library history and a more playful side of the cathedral.

The collection at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery includes more than one million individual objects and specimens, divided into eight main categories. Castle enthusiasts can visit Totnes Castle, a classic Norman motte-and-bailey castle. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest at the highest point of the hilltop town. Okehampton Castle offers an audio guide and the chance to explore its ruins. These examples offer different perspectives: a major museum collection, Norman castle building and the exploration of a castle ruin.

Buckfast Abbey is home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks. Dartington Estate, meanwhile, combines Grade II listed gardens with historic buildings. The visitor guide includes an audio guide to these buildings. These places broaden the picture of Devon to include a religious community, gardens and architectural history, without requiring the same kind of visit to be at the centre of each experience.

Coastal paths and landscapes

The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark covers more than 100 square kilometres and tells a geological story spanning more than 400 million years. On the coast, the South Devon section of the South West Coast Path passes through the English Riviera. Devon’s coast also offers opportunities for surf sessions and walks along the South West Coast Path. The Geopark offers a geological perspective on the landscape, while the coastal path and activities mentioned put the focus on experiencing the landscape through movement and exploration.

Dartmoor National Park has two distinct networks of routes: 450 miles of public rights of way, as well as more than 350 kilometres of bridleways and byways. There are also quiet roads and designated cycle routes. The Tarka Trail is one of the longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling routes in Great Britain and forms part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route. These details help distinguish the types of routes: Dartmoor has public rights of way and several kinds of routes, while the Tarka Trail is specifically described as a traffic-free route for walkers and cyclists.

At Bantham Beach, surf lessons with local surf schools are an option; availability may vary by season and provider. When the sea is calm, stand-up paddleboard tours are also possible there, along the coast or on the River Avon Creek. These tours depend on sea conditions and provider availability. If you’re planning to take part in watersports, check the conditions and current offerings in advance.

Aquarium, gardens and regional tradition

The National Marine Aquarium is located in Plymouth, Devon, and is the United Kingdom’s national aquarium. Its four main zones span habitats from the local waters of Plymouth Sound Marine Park to the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Among them, the Atlantic Ocean habitat is the deepest aquarium habitat in the United Kingdom and holds 2.5 million litres of water. These endpoints give the visit a clear thematic range, from local waters to a distant tropical habitat.

RHS Garden Rosemoor is a visitor garden in a Devon valley, with formal and informal plantings. It can be reached without a car by bus, train, bicycle or on foot; check the relevant services before setting off. On the Dartington Estate, footpaths and walking trails are open from sunrise to sunset, though path conditions may vary. These offer two distinct garden and walking experiences: Rosemoor’s plantings and the Estate’s paths and historic buildings.

A regional food tradition is also part of Devon’s character: a Devon cream tea is traditionally served with clotted cream spread first, followed by jam. Choose your search area based on the places you plan to visit. If tours, exhibitions or travelling by bus and train are important to your plans, check the relevant details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Clovelly, Chulmleigh, Chagford, Buckfastleigh, Okehampton, Woolfardisworthy, Sutcombe, Ilsington, Woolacombe, Drewsteignton, Lynton, Seaton, Exminster, South Brent, Martinhoe, Holbeton, Hawkchurch, Exmouth, Exeter, Dunkeswell, Dittisham, Devonport, Dawlish, Plymtree, Otterton, North Tawton, North Huish, Lympstone, Exbourne, East Putford, Dunsford, Cornwood, Ottery Saint Mary, Shaldon, Crediton, Kenton, Harberton, Rackenford, Stoke Canon, Hollacombe, Bampton, Swimbridge, Ashwater, Witheridge, Princetown, Ivybridge, Modbury, Westleigh, Chittlehamholt, Noss Mayo, Marldon, Littleham, Ipplepen, Holne, Cornworthy, Bradworthy, Broadhempston, Culmstock, Bridgerule, Abbotsham, Clyst Saint Mary, Woody Bay, Meshaw, Sampford Spiney, Broadclyst, Dalwood, Saint Giles in the Wood, Bottreaux Mill, Sparkwell, Chittlehampton, Northam, Sidmouth, Branscombe, Beer, Bigbury-on-Sea, Woodleigh, Upton Pyne, Tipton Saint John, South Pool, Payhembury, Luppitt, Frithelstock, Bere Alston, Ashprington, Newton Abbot, East Portlemouth, Southleigh, Sampford Courtenay, Moreleigh, Liverton, Hennock, Coffinswell, Abbotskerswell, Newton Poppleford, Throwleigh, Chudleigh, Longdown, Plympton, Parracombe, Outer Hope, Appledore, Axminster, Bideford, Torquay, Yarcombe, Wick, Ware, Two Bridges, Totnes, Virginstowe, Manaton, Whimple, Morebath, Bratton Fleming, Colyton, Westward Ho, West Buckland, Berrynarbor, Bradninch, Brixton, Whitchurch, Tiverton, Yealmpton, Upottery, Spreyton, Umberleigh, Torrington, Molland, Chapelton, Cove, Postbridge, Croyde, Hartland, Sampford Peverell, Parkham, Broadwoodwidger, Broadhembury, Blackawton, Bishop's Tawton, Ashreigney, Burrington, Burlescombe, Exebridge, Rockbeare, Newton Saint Petrock, Black Torrington, Milton Abbot, Buckland Monachorum, Hemyock, Kingskerswell, North Bovey, Lamerton, Hatherleigh, Uffculme, Stokeinteignhead, Horrabridge, Honiton, Holsworthy, Stoke Gabriel, Buckland Brewer, Combe Martin, Salcombe, Thorverton, Teignmouth, Tavistock, Winkleigh, Cullompton, Washfield, Uplyme, Tawstock, Slapton, Shirwell, Ilfracombe, Lapford, Halberton, Kings Nympton, Colebrooke, Copplestone, Meavy, Starcross, Shaugh Prior, Pennymoor, Dartmouth, Moretonhampstead, Lynmouth, Lifton, Kingsteignton, Kingsbridge, Beaworthy, Georgeham, Braunton, Bovey Tracey, Barnstaple, Ashburton, Alston, Wotter, Cheriton Bishop, Budleigh Salterton, North Molton, Stoke Rivers, Staverton, South Molton, Instow, Lydford, Woodbury, Talaton, Little Torrington, Yelverton, Mortehoe.

For the broader travel overview: South West England.