Devon in England’s South West is a place of surprises, from some of the best beaches in the world to glitzy towns with palm trees and boulevards. Here are the best places to stay.
Kingswear (Photo: c.art via Flickr.com / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Devon may not be as well known as its neighbour Cornwall but it is one of England’s most beautiful places to visit. Featuring two coastlines, with the Bristol Channel to the north, the English Channel to the south, two national parks, the swish English Riviera (made up of the towns of Brixham, Torquay and Paignton) and, whisper it, beaches that are named some of the best in the world, it is a place where you can get lost in a hideaway or walk palm-lined boulevards packed with holidaymakers. With such an array of different choices, from tiny coastal villages to family-friendly resorts it can be tricky to know where to go. To help you we have rounded up 10 of the most charming seaside towns and villages in Devon.
Kingswear
Kingswear is a place that most people get to know from afar. That’s because this pretty village, with ice cream block houses that look like they have been relocated from Cinque Terre, is normally seen from Dartmouth, the popular tourist town on the other side of the River Dart. Whereas Dartmouth, which is lovely in itself, is a mix of historic houses, antiques emporiums, crab sandwiches and charity shops, Kingswear feels like a village lost in time. It’s quiet, apart from when a steam engine from Paignton chuffs out of the station as if it’s leapt out of a Famous Five annual, and when the local pub has a singsong. A chain ferry joins Kingswear to Dartmouth in a few minutes so there is the added bonus of getting the best of both worlds too.
Brixham
Brixham (Photo courtesy of visitdevon.co.uk)
Brixham, a town where the streets seem to slide down the hills into the circular harbour, certainly attracts a lot of visitors but unlike so many other seaside towns it has staunch retained its working roots. Located on the southern side of Tor Bay, this small town boasts one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK, with catches brought to the famous fish market every day. But the joy of Brixham doesn’t stop at munching on good seafood. Take King’s Street to the East of the harbour and you’ll encounter first Breakwater Beach, one of the cleanest beaches on the English Riviera and a 53-metre sea water swimming pool. A short walk away is the wild Berry Head National Nature Reserve where you can feel like you’re on the edge of the world – and buy a cream tea of course.
Woolacombe
Woolacombe is very much a cheery, traditional seaside town where you can find cute little cafes serving baked potatoes and pet a pig at Pennywell Farm. What makes Woolacombe so appealing however is the beach. Voted one of the best beaches in the world, this three-mile stretch of golden sands surrounded by unspoiled National Trust rolling countryside beat famous coastlines in Costa Rica and Florida. Another top sunbathing spot is Devon’s answer to ‘The Beach’ – that is a secluded cove called Barricane Beach, known for cowries and other exotic sea shells that are thought to have travelled from the Caribbean, and you can only really see this secluded sandy spot from the air.
Croyde
Croyde (Photo courtesy of visitdevon.co.uk)
The pretty village of Croyde is a mix of chocolate box thatched cottages, dreamy little stone tea rooms for strong pots of char and surfboards standing sporadically in the streets like ancient runes. This being one of Devon’s most famous surf destinations, it’s younger and livelier than other villages but still retains an old-world charm – the relaxed vibe of the average surfer seemingly to be perfectly in tune with caravaners on the lookout for a nice ice cream shop. You can choose from three beaches to choose from but Croyde Bay is the best pick for families and anyone wanting to just kick back.
Sidmouth
Located on the beautiful Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sidmouth is another seaside town where time seems to move at a tectonic rate. Queen Victoria used to go on holiday in Sidmouth and poet John Betjeman wrote in 1962 that it was ‘a town caught still in a timeless charm’. It hasn’t changed much since. It’s a place to potter, wandering the little lanes under flapping bunting, stopping at cafes where the owner will make a point of saying hello. There’s a donkey sanctuary too as well as museums and churches to while away the hours. The shingle and sand Blue Flag award winning beaches make Sidmouth just perfect.
Torquay
Torquay (Photo courtesy of visitdevon.co.uk)
With its slightly faded glamour, lines of yachts, palm trees-lined boulevards and a mix of Art Deco and Victorian buildings that look like they could tell a thousands stories, Torquay is certainly not short of charm. The jewel in the English Riviera’s crown can at times feel upmarket and, turn a corner, and it’s a little downtrodden, with old school pubs and tourist shops mixing it with swish cafes and cocktail bars. There are some wonderfully kitschy and fun things to do, from model villages to old fashioned sweet shops, along with wondrous coastal walks, great theatre and of course top notch fish and chips – one thing you can say about Torquay is it’s never boring.
Hartland
Compared to the bigger Devon towns Hartland is a little remote, it is one of the most north-westerly villages in Devon and was once an important port. It doesn’t get too crowded and has a real community feel, so expect a hearty welcome when you wander around the independent shops selling jewellery and unique gifts, as well as galleries for local artists. There’s a little bakery and the lovely Coffee on the Square dishing up cooked breakfasts and traditional cream teas. Hartland also has plenty of local events, including celebrations for May Day, Easter, Harvest and its very own carnival. There’s a handy heritage trail that takes you around Hartland’s buildings and streets explaining the history of the village
Paignton
Paignton (Photo courtesy of visitdevon.co.uk)
Another town on the English Riviera, Paignton is all about having fun. That means an easy to reach beachfront, sweeping promenade, beach huts, palm trees and a traditional pier. Anyone who takes themselves too seriously may balk at the simplicity of Paignton’s old school charm but that’s their problem. This is an honest, cheerful and well-meaning seaside town where you can feel like a kid again and let the warm, mild climate just breeze over you. It’s cheap too, especially if you go just out of season. There’s a great range of accommodation options, including hotels, seafront bed & breakfasts and self-catering apartments.
Ilfracombe
With its pretty historic harbour and pastel coloured houses, Ifracombe is every bit the postcard seaside town. The town gently juts out into the ocean, with a 14th Century chapel perched on Lantern Hill that looks like it could be out of a fairytale. Damien Hirst’s statue Verity stands guard at the entrance to the harbour. The village itself is a mixture of quirky independent shops and art and craft galleries. Ilfracome is fast becoming one of North Devon’s foodie heavens too, from excellent hearty grub at S & P Fish Shop to more upmarket fare at the Brasserie at the Carlton.
Salcombe
Salcombe (Photo courtesy of visitdevon.co.uk)
On a hot summer’s day, when the sun is just right, Salcombe’s sweeping golden sands can look whiter and the waters around the picturesque estuary turn turquoise. At moments like these this resort town in the South Hams district of Devon can, from a distance, pass for a forgotten settlement on the Amalfi coast, the sound of Tony Renis floating through the air. You are more likely to hear the sound of an ice cream van in Salcombe however – this is a charming English seaside town through and through. Here you’ll not just find great beaches and fish and chips, but also art galleries and a gift shop, as well as some great restaurants and bars, freshly caught seafood and locally farmed produce.