From the wilds of Dartmoor to the wooded hillsides of the Lyn Valley, Devon is undoubtedly one of England's most beautiful counties. Its overwhelmingly rural landscape means that catered accommodation is restricted to over-subscribed Bed and Breakfasts and hotels which are mostly concentrated in towns like Exeter and Barnstaple.
Devon is a great location for a family holiday in the great outdoors, with everything from beach resorts at Ilfracombe to rambling in the hills of Exmoor and tors of Dartmoor. It is a large county, but whether you want to follow the Tarka Trail, or walk down the Doone Valley, you can be sure there will be cottages open for holiday rentals nearby.
Most of Devon's holiday rental cottages started as farm buildings of some sort, and planning restrictions mean that many of them retain their rural charm on the outside. However, the cottages are generally renovated to 21st Century standards inside, with double glazing, TV, washing machines and fully-equipped kitchens. Families are well catered for in the higher end properties with games rooms, sometimes including full-size pool tables and large gardens for children to explore.
Despite the unpredictability of Devon's weather even during the summer months, the comfort of these properties gives great peace of mind. Moreover, a week's holiday rental of a cottage in Devon can cost as little as £300 - £400. During the peak season you can spend as much as £900 a month for one of the larger or more luxurious cottages, which still works out to be cheaper than a lot of hotels, especially if you have to book several rooms to accommodate a family of four or five.
To get the best of Devon's startling countryside and its friendly communities, renting a holiday cottage near Lynton and Lynmouth can be a good start. It is a useful base from which to explore North Devon, and is within walking distance of several beauty spots, such as Watersmeet (complete with a small but impressive waterfall) and the Valley of the Rocks. Separated by a steep cliff, you can travel up a funicular railway from coastal Lynmouth to clifftop Lynton, with plenty of stunning walks, shopping opportunities and several beaches and boat trips to nearby coastal attractions.
The twin villages also boast a concentration of well-equipped holiday cottages, from modest fisherman's cottages on the path to Watersmeet to grander hillside houses on the way to the Valley of the Rocks. Whatever your budget, Lynton and Lynmouth can provide some tempting accommodation options for your first Devon holiday.
5.0 based on 258 reviews
Dragon Archery is North Devon's premier archery activity. We are advanced booking only, so call today to book your adventure.
We can't praise Andy and his boys enough. They have a fantastic set up in a beautiful location. They provide quality equipment and have obviously put a lot of thought into how to make the experience fun and entertaining. The tuition is excellent and we both improved our skills considerably. Dragon Archery is fantastic value for money and we would love to go back one day.
5.0 based on 243 reviews
Rock and Rapid Adventures is the biggest rock climbing centre in North Devon. Based in South Molton, our climbing wall offers everything from top-rope climbing and lead climbing to bouldering and dry tooling. We are also a leading adventure centre in North Devon, providing a range of outdoor activities, including coasteering, kayaking, outdoor rock climbing, raft building and more. We are open from 10am-10pm on weekdays, and 10am-6pm on weekends. Our centre also has a cafe, group bunkhouse accommodation for parties and school residentials, an abseiling platform and outdoor low ropes. At our centre and in the local North Devon area, we also offer school residential trips and activity days, climbing birthday parties, corporate events (including hire of our mobile climbing wall), charity events, stag and hen 'dos and much more. Whether you'd like to climb on North Devon's biggest bouldering wall, go coasteering or try kayaking, Rock and Rapid Adventures is the place to be.
Simmo was amazing!! My 4 year old son loved it. We spent an hour with Simmo, he played some great games that my son really enjoyed. The bouldering was really great and we cannot wait to go back. Next time myself and my wife are keen to get involved it looked so much fun! Fun for all ages and abilities. Also has a great cafe!
5.0 based on 71 reviews
Get wet - climb high - stay low, whatever you want, you can do it! Devon's top Active and Sporting Experience - Voted by Visit Devon. Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre on the North Devon coast will give you a day or stay to remember, where adults and children alike will find fun, challenge, inspiration and laughter. Enjoy an outdoor activity programme to meet all of your needs, whether you are a family or a few friends after a holiday or day of outdoor activities, trying to find something to do during those long days during the school holidays or a parent after a safe, secure and energising summer camp where your children can meet individuals and discover new things.
We stayed for three nights and had a brilliant time. Andy W was our Course Director who took us on the Hartland Experience, kayaking on the Torridge and then a selection of on site experiences for an afternoon. He was brilliant with the 14 and 15-year fit and able teenagers as well as the slightly broken 47 and 50-year olds! Andy helped us all push our boundaries and try something new, quickly getting the measure of each of us so that he could work with us as a group and individuals. We stayed full board and were very happy with food - clear plates all round! Jimmy the chef was cheery and happy, making us feel welcome and providing great gluten-free options for our daughter. We had an issue with our lights on the first night and the team quickly got the issue sorted, making sure we knew what was happening at every turn. Basically we cannot recommended the team at Appledore highly enough and will be back at some point! Thank you for a fantastic end to our holiday.
5.0 based on 36 reviews
5.0 based on 204 reviews
Set in a beautiful location on Torquay seafront we have an excellently maintained 9 hole par 3 golf course available to all ages and standards from top players to absolute beginners. There is also an outdoor bowls green available to the public as well as ten all weather tennis courts. All equipment is available and we are open all year round from 9am-dusk.
Beautiful area with lots to see and do. Lovely gardens with water features. Also a few kiosks for food and drinks and activities like bowls and golf.
5.0 based on 860 reviews
The Virtual Jet Centre is a state-of-the-art virtual aviation facility, offering one-to-one fear of flying courses, professional pilot training, team building and corporate entertainment packages as well as uber-realistic flight simulation gift experiences. What an opportunity! Choose any location in the world as your 'destination', set a flight path and feel the full thrill of flying a 70-tonne 737-800 jet from take off to landing, all with a professional pilot in uniform to help guide you. The brainchild of commercial airline pilot Captain Andy Wilkins, the Virtual Jet Centre is conveniently located just off the A38 road, set in beautiful Devon countryside. With an extensive career spanning 30 years as a commercial pilot, Captain Andy is realizing his vision of bringing the joy of flying to the wider public. Come and meet the experienced team of commercial pilots at the Virtual Jet Centre's purpose-built facility tucked away in a corner of Chudleigh and prepare to be impressed.
5.0 based on 28 reviews
A new generation of play space for babies to 6 years.....imaginative, adventurous & fun!
5.0 based on 137 reviews
The South-West's Award-Winning Board Game Cafe!
Me and my friend are both teenagers and came here on a rainy day and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day! The atmosphere was very chilled, the staff were super friendly and we will definitely return !
5.0 based on 41 reviews
The only arcade I will visit whilst I’m in Devon. Lovely friendly staff and it’s dog friendly ???? what more could you ask
5.0 based on 72 reviews
Wall in the Hall is a Multi Purpose Activity Centre offering both Indoor and Outdoor climbing facilities as well as other activities. We are Mid Devon's only dedicated climbing facility and pride ourselves on having a friendly and local feel. Saturday and Sunday we offer drop in sessions for people of any age and experience something that is very unique to find in a climbing centre and we have constantly changing challenges for ages 4 till 400(our oldest regular climber is in her 80's.). We also run adult climbing sessions and workshops and ensure there are always problems that will stump you no matter what your level of fitness. A perfect day out or Work out, and always a friendly smile.
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