10 Amazing Days Out in Devon, England – Tips From A Local

Discover the most amazing days out in Devon recommended by a local. Here you will find plenty of inspiration for the the most stunning beauty spots and attractions in Devon.

If you’re looking for days out in Devon, you’ve come to the right place! Devonshire is a huge county, and there are so many things to do here – and it’s easy to put together a few nearby attractions to make a fun day out.

Some of these day trips are great for families, some ideal for couples who like travelling in luxury, and others are perfect for backpackers – but whatever your age and travel style, you’ll find something to enjoy in beautiful Devon!

Best Days out in Devon

Woolacombe

Woolacombe is a small town, but it is immensely popular in Devon – and it’s easy to see why. There are so many incredible beaches in Woolacombe, including the famous Woolacombe Beach (which was once voted the 13th best in the world). 

You can also hike around Morte Point, which is a dramatic craggy headland north of Woolacombe. Or, walk to Baggy Point (south of Woolacombe), and catch some fantastic views of the beach behind you! 

It’s also worth visiting Croyde, a chilled-out surf town with a fun holiday atmosphere, or Putsborough for more local vibes. Above Woolacombe, there is the village of Mortehoe, which has the fascinating Mortehoe Museum, focusing on shipwrecks around the area. 

Westward Ho! and around

The northwestern corner of Devon is home to the popular resort town of Westward Ho! – one of only two towns in the world with an exclamation mark in its name. 

This unusual name comes from a novel which was also called Westward Ho!, written by local author Charles Kingsley. Westward Ho! was established in response to the rise of tourism in the area. It is a town wholly catered for tourists, but that means that it is a place with a fun holiday atmosphere. 

There are many things to do in Westward Ho!, including surf lessons, hikes along the South West Coast Path, mini golf, and bumper cars. However, it is also in a great position to see other places along the coast. 

It’s a 20 minute drive from Westward Ho! to Clovelly. This historic fishing village costs £8.25 to enter as it is privately owned, but this includes entrance to a couple of fishing cottages.

The steep cobbled streets are lined by houses that look as if they are stuck in time, and the historic harbour is a stunning place to walk down to. Clovelly makes for one of the cutest days out in North Devon.

On the other side of Westward Ho! is the pretty village of Appledore. Famous for its waterfront and beautiful terraced coloured houses, Appledore has an entirely different atmosphere to Westward Ho!. If you want to eat here, I highly recommend both the Beaver Inn and the Seagate pubs. 

Exmoor National Park

Exmoor is a wild and rugged part of North Devon and Somerset. The National Park occupies 692 square kilometres and encompasses both wild moorland and beautiful coast. 

The South West Coast Path runs through the park – you can hike from Lynmouth to Combe Martin, or Porlock in Somerset to Lynmouth. Both hikes are strenuous, will take you all day and are only for experienced hikers! 

If you don’t fancy hiking, there’s still lots to enjoy in Exmoor. The charming twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth are connected by the country’s only remaining water-powered railway, and they offer mesmerising views of the coastline.

You can also visit the Flood Memorial Hall in Lynmouth to learn about the tragedy of the Lynmouth Floods in 1952 and head inland to Watersmeet, a beautiful area located in a valley of Lynmouth. 

Or, head out to the west edge of the park at Combe Martin. This is a chilled-out coastal village with a beautiful beach – perfect in warm weather. If you want a hike that’s not as strenuous, try the walk from Combe Martin to Ilfracombe, which has some of the best views on the entire South West Coast Path. 

Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor is Devon’s other moor, and somewhere with a completely different character to Exmoor.

This national park is not coastal, but it is home to lots of stunning waterfalls, tors, and plenty of wild Dartmoor ponies! Believe it or not, Dartmoor ponies are one of the great Devon tourist attractions.

There are many circular walks that you can do in Dartmoor, some that will take you all day (or even multiple days!) and some that will only take a few hours.

If you don’t fancy hiking, it’s also a great place for road tripping. Stop at Hound Tor (an abandoned Medieval village), Becky Falls, Lydford Gorge, and the village of Postbridge. 

You can also tour around the Dartmoor Prison and learn about the penal system in this part of rural Devon. 

If you want to extend your day trip and stay overnight, parts of Dartmoor National Park are the only places in England where wild camping is permitted. 

Okehampton

Okehampton is the gateway to Dartmoor, but it’s a town worth visiting in its own right, and you could easily spend a day or half-day here. 

First up, visit Okehampton Castle. This fortification dates back to just after the Norman conquest. It was first built as a defensive structure and bears a lot of similarities to Launceston castle, which sits 20 miles to the west, over the border in Cornwall (the two castles trail links them).

Okehampton’s other attraction is the Museum of Dartmoor Life. This museum focuses on the history and culture of the moor, and how people lived and grew societies around the land. 

Okehampton is also a lovely town to walk around, with shopping arcades, traditional pubs and tea rooms. It’s very easy to visit even if you’re staying in Cornwall as a base. 

Totnes

Totnes is a charming town and it makes for one of the loveliest days out in South Devon. Again, it is centred around Totnes Castle, which is a Norman motte and bailey castle; when it was built, Totnes was a very wealthy town.

Totnes grew around the ancient castle, and on a walk around the town, you can see historic buildings from all different eras. In fact, nowadays it has more listed buildings per capita than any other town in the country!

It’s definitely worth taking a stroll around the town and enjoying some of the charming shops, cafes and restaurants. 

Also, don’t miss strolling down to the river – in the summer, you can take a boat trip to the nearby seaside town of Dartmouth (which also has a popular castle!). 

Plymouth

Plymouth is the biggest city in Devon, and although it’s not as popular for tourists as other destinations, there are still lots of reasons to visit. 

It is a port with a colourful history, as boats used to leave here to destinations worldwide. Most notably are the Mayflower Pilgrims, who settled into what is now the USA in 1620.

Over 30 million people today can trace their ancestry back to this group of people. You can learn all about this at the Mayflower Steps, the Mayflower Exhibition and The Box, which is Plymouth’s new museum. 

Among the many things to do in Plymouth is also the UK’s oldest working gin distillery, where you can do a tour to learn about the history and gin-making process, as well as sample some gin. 

It’s also worth walking around the Barbican and the Hoe, which are lovely seafront areas with restaurants and bars and sea views. From the Barbican, you can take a cruise up the River Tamar, which acts as the border between Devon and Cornwall.

Exeter

Exeter is Devon’s other city, and although it is very different to Plymouth, it is equally historic. The city was founded by the Romans and developed quickly due to the woollen cloth trade. 

It was a very prosperous city in Medieval times and up until the industry collapsed, but then became a capital for tourism due to its huge cathedral. Sadly, it was bombed heavily in World War Two, which destroyed many historic buildings, but you’ll see elements of its history everywhere you look. 

Exeter Cathedral one of the top Devon attractions and should be your first point of call when visiting the city. There has been a Cathedral on this site since 1113 AD, although the current cathedral was built in 1342.

It has the longest uninterrupted medieval gothic vaulting in the world and lots of other impressive features inside and outside. 

To learn a little more about the history, you can do a Red Coat Guided Tour. These free walking tours have several different themes, such as Medieval Exeter, Forgotten Exeter, Haunted Exeter or general history. They are completely free to do, and they give you an insight into Exeter that you won’t discover otherwise. 

Make sure that you also check out the quay. This is Exeter’s waterfront area, with restaurants and bars housed in historic buildings and places where you can rent stand up paddleboards. 

There are also plenty of museums to check out in Exeter, including the Royal Albert Memorial Museum which has displays about the city and Devon. 

Exmouth

Exmouth is about a half hour’s drive or train ride from Exeter. It is a popular tourist town – famous for being the oldest tourist town in Devon. 

It has a vast beachfront with lots of attractions, and it is also the western end of the Jurassic Coast, a 95 mile stretch of beautiful historic coastline that extends to Poole in Dorset.

You can climb up the stunning cliffs at the end – the oldest of the Jurassic Coast – and visit Orcombe Point, which marks where the coast begins.

The Exe Estuary is also worth visiting, which spans from Exmouth Beach up to Topsham. This is a popular place for birdwatching and river views. 

Lundy Island

Lundy Island is one of the best days out in Devon. It sits just a two hour boat ride from Ilfracombe but is world’s away in atmosphere. 

The island sits where the Atlantic Ocean and Bristol Channel meet, meaning that it has a really unique portfolio of flora and fauna. It is famous for Lundy puffins and also has a colony of seals (that you can go snorkelling with!). On land, you might see some Lundy ponies. 

The island has a chequered history – it was invaded by different groups of people over the centuries, and Barbary pirates occupied it for a period. However, since Victorian times, it has been a popular tourist destination and nature reserve. 

You can do a free tour with a ranger, who will show you around part of the island and tell you some fascinating stories.

It’s also worth walking around the whole island and heading down to the beach – you can also take a boat around the whole island. And at the end of the day, enjoy a drink and dinner at the island’s only pub!

Most people visit on a day trip, but self-catering accommodation is available if you wish to stay overnight. 

There are so many amazing places to visit in Devon, and hopefully this list of days out has given you some inspiration! Whether you want to laze on the beach, or soak in some history, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful county. 

Have you been any of these days out in Devon?
Let me know in the comments!

LIKE THIS POST? PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER