Things to do in Devon, England: The Best Water Sports

September 14, 2021 Flossie Demartino

Devon Cottages - The Ultimate in Relaxing Breaks

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.

Devon's Cottages, All Mod Cons

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.

Town Mouse or Country Mouse

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. Sea N Shore

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5.0 based on 195 reviews

Sea N Shore

Jump onboard in Salcombe with the specialist Sea-N-Shore team. Water is our thing! RYA Powerboat School Based in Salcombe, Sea-N-Shore is an Advanced RYA Powerboat School and Watersports School. Take the wheel - and learn the skills to qualify as a professional powerboat helm with level 1, 2, intermediate, advanced, day skipper, yachtmaster, VHF, first aid courses. Rib Rides (W.I.S.E accredited centre) FAST Experience the thrill of a 75min adrenalin Rib Ride around the coast with friends and family, seal spotting and wreck hunting, and take in Start Point lighthouse and an old ruined village. SLOW Explore the Salcombe estuary with a 75 min slower tour, trawling for plankton, using field microscopes, aquascopes, and take in the birds, fish, flora and fauna. CRUISE Take a relaxed 3hr RIB cruise from Salcombe to the Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge. Choose your meal and drinks onboard and we'll do the rest. What could be better? Banana Ride/Wakeboard/Waterski Master the waves and learn to Wakeboard or Waterski with professional tuition, or jump onboard our banana boat and laugh the afternoon away with our unique games. How long can you hold on? Rib Coasteering Get together and scramble the rocks and explore the caves of our incredible coast with qualified instructors, all by boat. Enjoy the pre-determined route, the power of the waves and feel the adrenalin rush of low, medium and high jumps. Have you got what it takes? Groups and families are our thing From family groups, STAG and HEN, Corporate and team, we can cater for a fantastic day afloat, bringing everyone together to build a memorable day. We hope you can join us onboard soon.

2. SeaSports Southwest

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5.0 based on 67 reviews

SeaSports Southwest

SeaSports Southwest is a family run business based in Teignmouth, Devon. We offer friendly, safe and professional tuition in, and equipment hire for a wide range of watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, powerboating, personal watercraft (Jet Ski) and ocean rowing. As an RYA and BSUPA accredited watersports centre with an AALA license we provide taster sessions and courses for beginners through to instructor level, for kids and adults, groups and private tuition. Whether you simply want some family or group fun time, taster sessions in something new or to improve your current skills we can offer something to suit all. All of our instructors are NGB qualified and DBS checked and we keep instructor to customer ratios low to ensure safety and quality of service at all times. Above all we aim to give you a warm welcome and a great experience, all in an easily accessible beautiful location.

3. Exewake

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5.0 based on 44 reviews

Exewake

We are a Devon based watersports school specialising in wakeboarding, waterskiing and inflatable rides. We are lucky enough to be located on the River Exe Estuary near Exmouth enabling us to operate in calm waters surrounded by stunning scenery. We offer groups and individuals of all ages and abilities the chance to get out on the water and try, practise or perfect a number of different watersports. We are a British Water Ski and Wakeboard accredited site which means we meet the highest standards of good practice for commerical waterski and wakeboard centres. To find out the best activity for you, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

4. Active Escape

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5.0 based on 150 reviews

Active Escape

North Devon's Adventure Activity Provider For: Coasteering, Stand Up Paddle Board, Rafting, Splatgun paintball, Amphibious Assault And More

5. Salcombe Dinghy Sailing

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5.0 based on 10 reviews

Salcombe Dinghy Sailing

RYA Training Centre providing professional Sailing tuition and boat hire. Based in beautiful Salcombe. Let's go Sailing.

6. Seaton Bay Watersports

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5.0 based on 61 reviews

Seaton Bay Watersports

Stand Up Paddle board and kayak activities on the Jurassic Coast. Hire, lessons and adventure trips available April to October weather conditions permitting.

7. The North Devon Surf School

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5.0 based on 634 reviews

The North Devon Surf School

The West Country's No1 award winning Surf School! Awarded the 'Centre of Excellence' by Surfing England, The North Devon Surf School strives to offer the very best that there is in surf lessons. We are a purpose built Surf School just 50 metres from Westward Ho! beach and rated 'Excellent' for our facilities, you simply wont find better! Group and private lessons available daily as well as a large fleet of surf and bodyboard hire.

8. Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre

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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre

Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre is based in the heart of Exeter on Exeter's historic canal & quayside, the Centre offers an unrivalled purpose built outdoor activity & training centre in one of the most picturesque areas of Devon's County City. There's plenty to choose from including family recreation sessions, adult courses, school holiday activities and children's weekend clubs, not to mention the best ever birthday parties. You might just want to hire a kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board and cruise Exeter Canal with your family and friends. The Centre is a British Canoeing Quality Mark delivery Centre, Recognised Royal Yachting Association Training Centre, an Adventurous Activity Licence holder & also a Duke of Edinbugh's Award Approved Activity Provider. Activities Include: kayaking, canoeing, sailing, stand up paddle board, climbing wall, abseiling, rock climbing, caving, powerfan, archery, raft building, orienteering & team-building & much, more.

9. Xtreme Coasteering

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5.0 based on 122 reviews

Xtreme Coasteering

Xtreme coasteering Ltd provide coasteering activities across the South West. All we do is Coasteering sessions, this means our instructors have the knowledge and understanding to tailor the session so that everybody young & old can join in. We can cater for individuals, families, hen and stag groups.

10. Torquay Stand Up Paddle Surfing and Kitebuggying School

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5.0 based on 1 reviews

BSUPA recognised, all year round school offering SUP intro sessions, half day cruises and surfin trips further afield. Powerkiting and Kitebuggying courses

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