Devon

Devon offers two contrasting coastlines plus the wild heart of Dartmoor, making it one of England's most varied outdoor counties. Red-cliffed south Devon and the rugged north coast bookend moorland rivers, waterfalls and wild-swimming pools. Our guides pick the best beaches for families, dogs and couples, alongside hidden gems for solo trips, plunging waterfalls and summer swimming spots. From surf at the coast to secluded pools on the moor, expect scenery that swings from gentle to genuinely dramatic within a short drive.

Best Beaches in Devon

With two very different coastlines, Devon hides beaches worth the effort of finding, from Barricane Bay in the north to Lannacombe and Moor Sands in the south.

Best Hidden Gems in Devon

Devon runs from two coasts to a wild granite heart on Dartmoor, hiding the oaks of Wistman's Wood, Wheal Betsy and Fingle Bridge, with Lundy Island out to sea.

Best Places to Visit in Devon

Devon holds two coastlines and two national parks, and its best places to visit run from the Valley of Rocks and Baggy Point to the quiet sands of Sugary Cove.

Best Waterfalls in Devon

Devon runs from granite Dartmoor to a cliff-bound coast, and its best waterfalls hide in both, from Lydford Gorge and Canonteign to Speke's Mill Mouth.

Best Wild Swimming Spots in Devon

Devon's wild swimming is mostly Dartmoor's, where cold rivers run off the high moor into pools and cleaves at Shilley Pool, Tavy Cleave and Cullever Steps.

Best Wild Swimming Spots in Devon in Summer

When summer settles over Devon, slip into a Dartmoor river, from Sharrah Pool and Spitchwick Common to the Salmon Leaps, across seven wild swimming spots.

Couples Beaches in Devon

Devon hides its loveliest beaches down valleys and coast paths, from Soar Mill Cove to Ayrmer Cove and Gara Rock, quiet sands worth the walk down for two.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Devon

Devon's two coasts reward a short walk with the dog, from Scabbacombe Sands to Rockham Bay and Mattiscombe, on eight quiet beaches with real room to roam.

Family Beaches in Devon

Devon's coast is made for family exploring beyond the busy resorts, from Elberry Cove to Lee Bay and East Portlemouth, on eight beaches for a day out.

Solo Hidden Gems in Devon

Leave Devon's honeypots behind for a walk alone, from Hound Tor on Dartmoor to Morte Point and Bowcombe Creek, on eight quiet gems of high moor and coast.

Underrated Hidden Gems in Devon

Devon is more than its honeypots, with underrated gems from Wistman's Wood and Combestone Tor to Bowerman's Nose and the Valley of Rocks out on the moor.

Where are the best wild swimming spots and waterfalls in Devon?

Devon is a wild-swimming stronghold, with Dartmoor rivers, plunge pools and waterfalls alongside sheltered coastal spots. Our guides pick the best swimming holes, including summer favourites, and the county's finest waterfalls, though river levels and tides mean conditions should always be checked first.

What are the best beaches in Devon for families and dogs?

Devon's two coastlines offer sand for everyone. Our guides highlight family beaches with facilities and gentle water, dog-friendly shores (some with seasonal restrictions) and quieter couples' spots, spanning the red cliffs of the south and the rugged north coast.

What are the best hidden gems in Devon?

Beyond the busy resorts, Devon hides quiet moorland corners, secluded coves and lesser-known villages. Our hidden gems guides, including picks for solo travellers and underrated spots, point you to peaceful places that many visitors driving through the county never discover.