Ready to explore one of England’s most stunning regions on your road trip along the South West? If so, Devon is calling your name with its sandy beaches, fossil cliffs, charming towns, and sprawling moorland national parks! From the rugged beauty of Lynton and Lynmouth in the north to the seaside town of Salcombe in the south, Devon covers a whopping 6,707 km². Impressively, that makes it the third-largest county in England (according to Google, of course).
Let’s be honest—size isn’t everything, but Devon is jam-packed with must-see spots perfect for your next road trip. If you’re cruising west along the Somerset coast, North Devon is probably your first stop. Here, you’ll fall in love with places like Lynton, Lynmouth, Clovelly, Ilfracombe, and Woolacombe. You can also expect stunning national parks, gorgeous beaches, and jaw-dropping natural landscapes!
Offering equally breathtaking landscapes and idyllic beaches, South Devon also has so much to offer. From the wonderful city of Plymouth in the west to Seaton on the Jurassic Coast in the east, this diverse area is perfect for road trip lovers like me! Whether you’re a beach bum, a town and village moocher, or a countryside explorer, you’ll have endless options at your disposal.
Just to make sure you don’t miss the best bits, I’ve pulled together my personal recommendations for your ultimate Devon adventure. But first, check-out my series below for my epic road trip around Devon and Cornwall! You’ll be sure to find some great tips and can even have a laugh at some of my own stories along the way.
Now, let’s dive into the must-see spots in North Devon! This area is a treasure trove of beautiful landscapes, charming villages, and fun activities. Here are some of my top recommendations:
Located along the Exmoor coastline, Lynmouth is a harbourside town filled with shops, a small theatre, and home to the National Trust’s Watersmeet House. Lynton, perched 500 feet above, is an unspoiled village with indie shops, galleries, and 19th-century buildings. Interestingly, the two are connected by the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, the highest and steepest water-powered railway in the world! If you’re visiting be sure to have a ride on the retro railway carts, the coastal views from here are incredible! You pay for one way at a time, and dogs are also welcome to ride. However, make sure you check opening times, as the railway is usually closed in winter.
For those who love the open road, driving to Lynton is an adventure in itself with its steep hills—so just make sure your brakes are in top shape!
A must-see destination! Just about half a mile west of Lynton is this amazing U-shaped dry valley, parallel to the sea and full of prehistoric rock formations, plus caves! Perfect for a lunch stop, there’s a tea room and picnic area with benches overlooking the dramatic coastline. You can take a stroll along the coastal pathway, where some wild goats might even join you. It’s worth climbing down to the sandy Wringcliff Bay cove, but be careful—it’s steep! I had an unforgettable sunset here with my dogs, a memory I’ll cherish.
Just a heads up: if you’re driving from Lynton or Lynmouth in a larger vehicle, the village roads are very narrow, so take it slow! And watch out for goats on both sides of the road as you head down the valley.
A beautiful, picturesque fishing village, steeped in maritime atmosphere and history. This village, once owned by the Queen of England, is situated on a steep hill – so make sure to pack some sturdy footwear! When it rains the cobbles do become slippy, I would say walking boots are the best option to prevent any ankle rolls. Follow the cobbled streets filled with colourful cottages up to the top of the cliffs from the harbour (you might spot the residents using sledges to drag their shopping up the hill). There are some fantastic tea rooms, restaurants and a pub here!
The stone beach has a wonderful waterfall that’s worth the short scramble to reach. Clovelly is a unique location that’s incredibly popular with international tourists and when you visit, you’ll see exactly why that is. Tickets are required but include access to the village, gardens and donkey stables.
Quoted as “the new St. Ives,” Ilfracombe is a charming seaside town packed with family-friendly attractions like the harbour aquarium and wildlife boat trips. The streets around the harbour are buzzing with pubs, restaurants, and indie shops. It’s also one of two major harbours offering boat trips to Lundy Island—something definitely worth considering!
Walk up to the Chapel of St Nicholas for stunning views, and check out Damien Hirst’s famous “Verity” sculpture. If you like to be spooked, don’t miss Chambercombe Manor, known as one of the UK’s most haunted houses! Ilfracombe is surrounded by beaches, perfect for a beach day. Visit Wildermouth Beach via the South West Coast Path, or explore the smaller, secluded Rapparee Cove and Hele Cove, ideal for rock pooling.
Next up, and probably one you’re already familiar with is the stunning seaside town of Woolacombe. This place sits in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and boasts an award-winning beach! Its three miles of flat, golden sand and clear waters are perfect for holidaymakers, families, and water sports enthusiasts. You can hire boards and book surf lessons nearby too if you fancy.
Next to Woolacombe Beach is Barricane Beach, tucked between rocks, ideal for escaping the crowds. Nearby, you’ll find Combesgate Beach, great for rock pooling, and Grunta Beach, a small sandy cove only accessible at low tide.
Woolacombe also has plenty of pubs, restaurants, shops, and usual seaside attractions like mini-golf and quirky food outlets.
Moving onto uncover the best of South Devon! Here’s some of the places I personally loved, and think you will too!
Dartmoor National Park is a real gem right in the heart of Devon. Spanning 386 square miles, it’s a wild playground of open moorlands, historic sites, rivers, waterfalls, and rolling flatlands. You’ll spot free-roaming ponies and discover the largest collection of archaeological remains in Europe here.
If you love to walk, there are plenty of scenic strolls you can take. But if you’re into cycling, horseback riding, kayaking, climbing, or fishing, you’re in luck, as you can do all of this here as well! If you’re after something a bit different, you could even take a llama for a stroll.
For a deeper dive into Dartmoor’s history and wildlife, consider a guided tour. There’s so much to see, from charming villages and bustling market towns to fantastic spots like Buckfast Abbey, Dartmoor Zoo, South Devon Railway, Castle Drogo, and the Dartmoor Whiskey Distillery. So, whether you’re up for adventure or just a leisurely explore, Dartmoor really does have something for everyone!
Burgh Island is a stunning spot off the coast of South Devon, right across from Bigbury-on-Sea beach. It’s a picturesque place with scenic walks, an art-deco hotel, a cosy café, and a friendly pub to unwind in.
You’ll need to park at Bigbury-on-Sea and walk across the tidal beach to reach the island during low tide. However, if you visit when the tide is high, hop on the sea tractor—it’s quite the adventure! Fun fact, the island was recently up for sale in early 2023 for £15 million, just incase anyone was interested in buying…
An exceptionally picturesque coastal town located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Salcombe has breathtaking coastal views, surrounding rolling greenery and a beautiful estuary, which makes it an ideal place for water sports enthusiasts with its calm waters. Spend a day exploring the harbour, sandy beaches, shops and the many surrounding walking routes. You could also take a short ferry trip over to East Portlemouth for a small fare (£2-£3 each way). Some of the beaches on this side of the water are stunning, think Mediterranean, even Caribbean!
A beautiful harbour town in South Devon, Dartmouth is situated on the banks of the River Dart and is the perfect location for water sports such as sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding. There is a lot to explore within the town including museums, art galleries, shops and cafes. You could also have a look around Dartmouth Castle and take a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway (which travels seven miles along the South Devon coast). The South West Coast Path is also accessible from here for scenic coastal walks and you can catch a ferry to Torquay, Salcombe or Totnes. Yet another really charming South Devon town! You really are spoilt for choice down here!
This popular seaside town on the English Riviera is known for its sandy beaches, perfect for swimming, paddling, kayaking, and water sports. Torquay’s horseshoe-shaped Bay is a highlight, along with its iconic palm trees, harbour, and international marina.
Explore Torquay’s gems like the 800-year-old Torquay Abbey, the Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Cockington Country Park, the Torquay Victorian Museum, and the Princess Gardens in the town centre. With lots of places to eat and drink along the seafront, Torquay is a great spot for a sunny afternoon.
So, whether you’re setting out for North Devon or South Devon, this guide will help you make the most of your adventure. For all the insider tips and even more must-see locations, don’t forget to grab a copy of my Road Trip South West guidebook. It’s packed with everything you need for an unforgettable road trip along the South West if you’re hoping to go further afield!
Collie dog lover, keen traveler and travel guide writer. In 2022, I launched No Fuss Travel Guides with 'North Coast 500 - The Road Trip of a Lifetime' which became an Amazon best seller. I've since worked with tourism boards including Visit Wales and have been featured in The Guardian 'Best of Travel'.
Hopefully you find some value in my videos & blogs, if there's something you want to ask me, fire away.
Don't forget to follow me on Youtube, Instagram & Facebook for the latest updates.
Rob, Staffordshire, UK
