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Devon Holiday Cottages
These companies provide a wide range of Devon cottage properties as well as other forms of self catering accommodation. They can be found throughout the Devon region, situated on the picturesque coast and further inland. Check the sites for the latest news about deals and discounts.
Cottages 4 You - Over
400 Devon holiday cottages in the Northern, Southern and Eastern reaches of the county. All are graded with at least 3 stars, based on individual property inspections. The vast majority allow for pets and a good range of discounts are offered throughout the year.
Cottages Direct - Around
200 cottages in Devon in places like Bideford, Holsworthy and Dawlish. Some of their cottages may be booked for as little as £185 during low-season and pets are allowed for most of their collection. Smokers are also permitted for a select few properties.
Premier Cottages - 140 Devon self catering properties, all of which have received awards from their tourist boards for standards and quality. They offer a varied collection of properties that range from lodges to riverside apartments. Some feature indoor swimming pools.
Independent Cottages - More than 90 Devon cottages provided by Independent Cottages. Prices are between £250 and £975 for week-long stays and vary according to the time of year. Family groups and pets are allowed for most of their holiday properties.
Devon
Devon is located in South West England and is bounded by Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset. Also known as Devonshire, it is the third largest county in England. Much of its varied landscape is dominated by the rugged Dartmoor moorlands but it also boasts two separate coastlines, one of which is designated as a World Heritage Site.
Devon's northern coast consists of sandy beaches and steep cliffs which combine to form picturesque coves and remote, hidden caverns. In contrast, the southern coast is renowned for its temperate climate which features a
seafront lined with palm trees. Visitors will find a collection of resorts that take advantage of the pleasant weather such as Torquay, which is part of the English Riviera.
Inland, the moors of
Dartmoor offer a barren, rock strewn landscape, most of which has National Park status. The Dartmoor National Park consists of 365 square miles of windswept, untouched beauty which is popular with cyclists and hikers. This region is punctuated by a number of granite hilltops called Tors - Yes Tor and High Willhays are the most famous and are over 2000ft.
Visitors will also find a number of
important historical sites such as the Roman villas at Ilchester, East Coker and Camerton - as well as the rural beauty and charm, Devon also has a rich, fascinating heritage. For more information about Devon visitor attractions, entetainment and activities, see the summary that follows below.
Devon visitor attractions
See below for more details of popular attractions, pubs, restaurants and historical sites in the country of Devon. We've included admission prices, entry times and locational information.
Outdoor Activities
Crealy Great Adventure Park in located in Devon and features a number of high-adrenalin rides such as the Meteorite and the Tidal Wave Terror - there's also a dragonfly lake, a maze and dinosaur park. Opening times are 10am - 6pm and admission is between £8 and £14, infants are allowed in free. The
Milky Way Adventure Park in Bideford is also popular, particularly with families and includes a number of adventure play areas, live shows and roller-coasters. Day passes are £10 with discounts for online bookings - opening times are 10.30am to 6pm.
Nature lovers should visit
Combe Martin Wildlife Park which is set on the fringes of Exmoor. It boast 25 acres of parkland and woods and is home to over 250 different plant and animal species. There's also a dinosaur park and sub-tropical gardens. Call 01271 882486 for more details.
Food and drink
The Rock Inn, which is in Dartmoor, offers visitors the usual selection of local ales such as Dartmoor Best Bitter and Jail Ale. It's also known for its excellent a la carte food which earned an AA rosette. There's also has an attractive pub garden which includes a covered terraced area, which is suitable for families.
Other notable watering holes include
The Duke of York in Iddesleigh - a traditional country pub with friendly staff and a cosy interior. Bar food is well-priced and features imaginative dishes such as leek and parsnip cakes and local faggots with mash. For fine dining see the
Elephant Restaurant in
Torquay. Overlooking the harbour, and housed in two Georgian townhouses, this award-winning eatery specialises in modern British cuisine and holds three AA rosettes.
History and Culture
Bradworthy Transport Museum is a popular historical attraction and houses over 100 historical vehicles including jeeps, motorbikes and tractors and vans. Popular exhibits include a Green Goddess Fire Engine and a 1932 Hillman Minx. Entry is around £5 and it's open from 10am - 5pm.
Powderham Castle in Exeter is also worth seeing.
Home to the Earl of Devon and his descendants for over 600 years, the castle features a secret garden, a birds of prey centre and an adventure playground for children. Guided tours of the castle are also available throughout the day. Opening times are 11am to 4.30pm during high season and entry is between £6 and £9.
Torre Abbey is also an important historical site and is the oldest building in Torquay at over 800 years of age. The ornate interior includes a selection of classical paintings, some of which date back to the 19th century. There's also a well-kept garden area featuring a number of exotic plants such as a Chinese Yellow Wood Tree. Its open 7 days a week from 10am - 6pm.
