Top Things to do in Devon
Countries
Things to do in Devon, England: The Best Private Tours
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.
Restaurants in Devon
1. Award winning Luxury 3 day Devon and Cornwall Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Travel England Tours are an award winning chauffeur guide tour company. Devon and Cornwall possess some of the most beautiful coastlines and natural beauty in England. Your tour will capture these scenes and idyllic rolling landscape. Immerse yourself in the stunning views and historic locations. Visit the World Heritage Sites of the Minack Theatre, Charlestown Harbour and Botallick Mines amongst others. Experience the small fishing harbours, quaint villages and golden sandy beaches set in rural surroundings whilst travelling in one of our luxurious Mercedes vehicles. Your own local private chauffeur guide has an abundance of knowledge of the area which will ensure you have a memorable tour of these two beautiful counties. Travel in comfort and convenience with your own private chauffeur guide and vehicle. Collection and drop off at your local accommodation.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board
Exclusions: Food and drink, Admission fees (Minack Theatre approx £5pp, Tintagel Castle approx £10pp), Overnight Accommodation (if required, help can be provided to locate suitable accommodation)
Reviewed By 782andreyk
We have greatly enjoyed our tour around Devon with Ian. We have seen the most interesting attractions in Devon (Plymouth, Weymouth, Exeter, Slapton Sands, Dartmoor) in just one day. Ian is an extremely capable and friendly tour guide, and we can only recommend Travel England Tours for anyone wanting to explore Devon! Andrey and Giulie
2. Guided walking tour of the Barbican and Hoe
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Whether you are a local looking to find out more about the past of your home town, or visiting from afar; Plymouth is steeped in key events, stories and discoveries, and has been home to some of England’s most important and influential explorers, artists and significant folk. Join us for a guided tour as we visit a bygone age and step back into the past of this maritime city. Small group sizes keep a personable feel. If you have a particular interest, please tell us, as we are happy to tailor tours to suit this.
Inclusions: Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By rpjmLeeds
My wife and I met Elaine Shaw who was not only precisely on time but immediately made a terrific impression on both of us. We usually book a guide in most cities we visit and found Pilgrim on the web. We were extremely pleased with our choice. Elaine was friendly, informative and able to answer virtually every question we asked (and we did ask many !). The 3 to 4 hours passed all too quickly which served to reinforce our opinions and our only disappointment was when we had to say goodbye. Highly Recommended !
3. Glider Plane Tour of the Jurassic Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Flying above the Jurassic Coastline in a motorglider is a truly unique experience. Our aircraft it is both very quiet and comfortable and offers unrivalled visibility making it perfect for taking aerial photographs of all the attractions along the beautiful South Coast Motorgliders by there nature are extremely safe aircraft to fly in as with their long wings they can glide very efficiently without the engine running. Your 1 hour trip will give you ample opportunity to see the cliffs and beaches along the coast as well as the chance to handle the controls and fly the motorglider if you wish. As your pilot is a fully qualified flying Instructor you will be able to receive some tuition on handling the controls of the aircraft and possibly flying us back to the airfield yourself.
Inclusions: Pre-flight briefing and option to receive some flying instruction if you would like
Exclusions: We are unable to accommodate people above 100kg
Reviewed By Fearless03823612193
To begin with; Ian was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. It was my first time on a motor glider and I truly enjoyed the experience. Flying in a glider is an amazing experience and once Ian let me take the controls, it was outstanding. On top of that, stunning views of the Jurassic Coast are picturesque. I should add that compared to a standard light aircraft (Cessna or Piper) the views are better because of the canopy. I highly recommend it! Atilla
4. Culture, Cobblestones and Clotted Cream
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 7 reviews
Join me on your very own micro adventure for two (or three!) where wonder leads to wandering and life is a little more delicious with some local Devon food! Inspired by the abundance of quirky facts and hidden gems dotted all around the city, be prepared for a micro-adventure of culture, creativity & deliciousness, wrapped up in a blanket of fun. History oozes from the cobblestones in Plymouth but you don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy what this amazing city has to offer. We’ll wander off the beaten track, sails the seas on a cute little ferry, and have plenty of opportunities for photographs! We will be out in fresh air for the whole of this experience... social distancing and keeping safe. Allow 3-4hrs for this experience, to include food and make it your own!
Inclusions: Ferry Transportation, A cold drink and yummy sweet or savoury treat!
Exclusions: All food and drink is purchased as required by the individual guest, Tips and Gratuities
Reviewed By CarolumK
Jayne and Adrian are a brilliant double act - the dressing up and enactment of a Mayflower character is inspired and impressive both from the perspective of being on the tour and for getting the attention of other potential punters who we passed along the way. It also shows a great level of commitment and makes it easier to bring the stories to life. Both of them are very knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects and it is also great to have 2 running the show as one can pick up the reactions of guests and their particular interests while the other is delivering a section of the tour, while also filling in gaps in knowledge or simply a temporary loss of memory. Likewise, their delivery styles are very different so if the group has more chemistry with one than the other, they can be flexible and accommodate it. They reinforced my recently acquired belief that Plymouth is hugely underestimated as a city and has played a truly extraordinary role in the maritime, trading, naval, political and scientific fields of British/UK history. Go on their tour and tell me otherwise... Admin-wise they were very understanding of my request to switch my session on the same day and then accommodating my lateness due to terrible traffic. Awesome.
5. Devon, Dorset and Cornwall : Private Driver Guided 5 Day Tour from London
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 2 reviews
Your experienced Private Driver Guide takes you to arguably the most beautiful counties of England and Britain. Dorset, Devon and Cornwall have some of the most picturesque and quaint English villages with thatched cottages, historic churches and welcoming country pubs serving excellent food and drink. There is also the opportunity to visit the dramatic Jurassic Coast with its steep cliffs, and breathtaking rocky outcrops. We also visit the wild and rugged terrain of Dartmoor and hear many stories that have originated from this spectacular landscape. The following day is spent on the northern coast exploring the beautiful villages of Clovelly and Port Isaac, where the TV series, Doc Martin is filmed and there are more opportunities to taste the local cuisine and try the local beers from this part of Britain. There are a range of things to to on the final two days - exploring St Ives and Mount St Michael or the Eden Project to name just a couple. The tour is tailor-made to your needs.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation
Exclusions: All accommodation, meals, drinks and refreshments are not included in the price of the tour.
Reviewed By Zenzaro
We had met Nigel Homer earlier in December when he guided us on the Rabbies Oxford & Traditional Cotwold Villages 1 Day Tour. We had such a wonderful day that we booked Nigel again. Nigel has such a delightful manner, is extremely knowledgeable & has a very inviting sense of humour all of which enables him to deliver the most relaxed, comfortable, fun & enjoyable tour. Thank you so much & best wishes, Nigel. ????
6. Transfer from Southampton to London via Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey
Avoid a long wait at the taxi rank or the stress of navigating public transport with this chauffeur driver private transfer from Southampton cruise terminal to London via Highclere Castle, the real-life Downton Abbey and famous Downton Abbey film locations. Book this private transfer and your driver will collect you from Southampton cruise terminal or nearby accommodation and transfer you to central London or London Heathrow via Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey film locations. The transfer includes pre-booked admission into Highclere Castle and Cogges Manor Farm giving you fast-track entrance.
Inclusions: One-way private transport in a modern comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, Southampton port pick up and hotel drop off in central London or Heathrow Airport, Professional local guide/driver, Tickets to Highclere Castle and Cogges Manor Farm
Exclusions: Entrance fees to other attractions, Food or refreshments, Gratuities
Reviewed By mptaylor11
Our family had a wonderful time exploring Oxford and the Cotswolds with Graham, whom we found to be very knowledgable and friendly. The tour was well structured but also left enough flexibility for us to explore our specific interests. It felt like we were traveling with an old friend rather than someone we had just met. This was time well spent that provided us with fond memories from our family vacation.
7. Award Winning Luxury 5 day South West of England Tour
Travel England Tours are an award winning private chauffeur guide company. Explore the unspoiled countryside of the South West of England in one of our luxurious Mercedes S Class vehicles. With many World Heritage Sites located within the 8 counties covered within this tour you will see lots of outstanding coastlines, rolling landscapes and historical architecture. Relax and take in the beautiful landscapes while travelling in comfort and style with your own private chauffeur guide. Your local chauffeur guide has an abundance of knowledge of the areas which will ensure you have a memorable tour.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Admissions to attractions, Accommodation
Reviewed By 782andreyk
We have greatly enjoyed our tour around Devon with Ian. We have seen the most interesting attractions in Devon (Plymouth, Weymouth, Exeter, Slapton Sands, Dartmoor) in just one day. Ian is an extremely capable and friendly tour guide, and we can only recommend Travel England Tours for anyone wanting to explore Devon! Andrey and Giulie
8. Devon's Hidden and Secret Coastline
We start with some BREATHTAKING SCENERY with VIEWS to die for and a sea colour you just won't believe !! We visit a HIDDEN BEACH reached only by a old 18th Century SMUGGLERS TUNNEL. We will show you a stunning SECRET PICNIC SPOT, bring a picnic if you want. Next is somewhere 385 million years old with more SPECTACULAR VIEWS and then visit a COASTWATCH STATION. We will be DOLPHIN and SEAL watching all the way.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Bottled water
Exclusions: Dinner, Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea, Alcoholic Beverages, Lunch, Soda/Pop, Breakfast, WiFi on board, Restroom on board
9. South West Coast Path Walking South Cornwall Coastline (12 days, 11 nights)
The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s National Trail footpaths, running 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, round the South West tip of England to Bournemouth in Dorset. This itinerary focusses on the South Cornwall Coastline, running from Penzance to Plymouth. This includes the popular landmark of Lizard Point. What's included? Breakfast included, other meals excluded Luggage Transfers between accommodation providers Fully comprehensive tour pack with maps, available in English, German, French and Italian as standard. (Other languages available on request) Access to a smartphone digital app which offers GPS tracking for the routes (downloaded prior to save on data costs) Access to a 24/7 helpline in case of any emergencies Exclusions Entry or admission fee Landing & facility fees Individual travel to the UK Lunch & Dinner Travel Taxes Entry fees to attractions Please note Passport required Passport needed if travelling to UK from other countries
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast
Exclusions:
Reviewed By WildWalkers2
Absolutely beautiful walk. Great luggage service collect and drop your bags at the next overnight stop.
10. South West Coast Path Walking - Somerset & Devon (11 days, 10 nights)
The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s National Trail footpaths, running 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, round the South West tip of England to Bournemouth in Dorset. This itinerary focusses on the Somerset & North Devon Coastline. From the start in Minehead, the path drifts inland across Exmoor and the gorgeous moorland landscape. What's included? Breakfast included, other meals excluded Luggage Transfers between accommodation providers Fully comprehensive tour pack with maps, available in English, German, French and Italian as standard. (Other languages available on request) Access to a smartphone digital app which offers GPS tracking for the routes (downloaded prior to save on data costs) Access to a 24/7 helpline in case of any emergencies Exclusions Entry or admission fee Landing & facility fees Individual travel to the UK Lunch & Dinner Travel Taxes Entry fees to attractions Please note Passport required Passport needed if travelling to UK from other countries
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast
Exclusions:
Reviewed By WildWalkers2
Absolutely beautiful walk. Great luggage service collect and drop your bags at the next overnight stop.
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