North Devon - Bed and Breakfast and Self Catering - Holidays and short breaks

Other Regions of Devon

Mid Devon

Often described as the rural heart of Devon, this again sparsely populated area is found between Dartmoor and Exmoor, stretching far enough south to encompass the cathedral City of Exeter. It is a land of small picturesque villages tucked away between rolling hills and wooded valleys. Here you can still find that unique pattern of patchwork fields, once common across much of England. Exeter is a special attraction in its own right, with its history going back to the time of the Romans. Other main towns include Tiverton, on the River Exe, with its castle and museum of local history, and Crediton, where can be found the ancient church of St Boniface.

There are two excellent National Trust country houses, Killerton and Knightshayes, with extensive gardens to explore, and for children there is Diggerland, Quad World and Crealy Adventure Park.

For those visitors who regularly stay in Mid Devon, perhaps its biggest attraction is the fact that it is not generally recognised as a tourist area, so they can be sure of peace and quiet wherever they are staying, yet be on Exmoor, Dartmoor or either coast in under an hour.

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East Devon

The coastline of East Devon now has a World Heritage status and is known as the Jurassic Coast relating to the period in history when the low multicoloured cliffs were formed. It is an outstandingly picturesque coastline with long sandy beaches broken up by low hills running down to the sea. Every so often the coast gives way to small bays or coves around which have grown up numerous fishing villages.

One such is Beer, renowned for its fishing boats selling freshly caught fish direct to visitors.

Inland can be found some of the best examples of Devonshire’s thatched villages, such as Gittisham and Broadhembury. The main town is Honiton, once famous for its fine lace production and this can still be admired in the town’s museum. Axminster is another well known town giving its name to the high quality wool carpets made from local wool.

The countryside provides both an attractive farming landscape and large areas of heathland, such as Woodbury Common internationally recognised for its heathland butterflies and flora. The Blackdown Hills are aptly described by their Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status.

Out of season the region is well worth a visit to see and join in the autumn illuminated carnivals that so many South East Devon towns and villages run.

East Devon Farm Holidays

South Devon

The coast of South Devon is one of contrasts. At the east end are the traditional seaside resorts of Torquay and Paignton, providing everything necessary to give you the perfect traditional seaside holiday, while further west is Dartmouth, famous for its August Regatta and links with naval history. On from there are the beautiful beaches of Slapton, Thurlestone, Bantham and Bigbury.   The high cliffs and hidden coves betwixt the unspoilt natural beauty of the  Kingsbridge, Avon, Erme and Yealm estuaries.  The yachting havens and marinas of Salcombe, Newton Ferrers and the amazing Plymouth Sound are a must to see.

Finally Plymouth is reached, where maritime associations abound. From here Sir Frances Drake set off in the Golden Hind to sail round the world, and the Pilgrim Fathers began their epic voyage on the Mayflower. A special attraction is the Plymouth Aquarium, unique in its approach of charting aquatic life from small streams through to the ocean deeps.

Inland are the rolling hills and fertile valleys of the South Hams, with the characteristic fertile red Devon soil showing up vividly wherever land is being prepared for planting. The indigenous South Devon breed of cattle still feature widely on many farms. A major attraction are the many small villages nestling between the hills.

Just north of the region is the Dartmoor National Park, easily accessible to visitors staying in South Devon, and providing a stark contrast with its heather-covered moors and exposed tors.

South Devon Farm Accommodation

Dartmoor and West Devon

Dartmoor’s heather moors are characterised by the tors, exposed slabs of rock stuck precariously one upon another and forming summits to the many hills that make up the national park. It is a walkers paradise, with 600 miles of footpaths and many special features illustrating its industrial and spiritual past. Ancient standing stones and hut circles can be found, as can remnants of an ice making factory, old mine workings and stone clapper bridges.

As you descend from the high moor the valleys become heavily wooded often with fast running rivers creating spectacular waterfalls and gorges. Lydford Gorge is perhaps the best known of these. Horseriding is very popular in such ideal countryside and there are numerous riding stables to choose from.

Dartmoor villages have a character all of their own, as do the farmhouses, and this is due to the hard Dartmoor granite from which they are built.

West and north of the moor is beautiful countryside created by a farming tradition that has changed little in hundreds of years. The fascinating market towns of Hatherleigh, Okehampton and Tavistock bear witness to this. The area is rich in National Trust properties and the now world famous Eden Project is within easy reach just across the border in Cornwall.

Self Catering and B&B in Dartmoor  -  West Devon Friendly Farm Holidays