Devon or Cornwall – Which Should You Book for your 2024 Holiday?

Devon and Cornwall have long been among the nation’s top holiday destinations. Situated in Southwest England, both counties enjoy a milder climate than the rest of the UK and some of the best beaches. Both have much to offer when it comes to things to see and do, and there’s a healthy rivalry between the two countries that goes much deeper than who has the best cream tea!

UK holidays have seen unprecedented demand over the last few years, largely because of Brexit and Covid and the cost of living crisis making it more difficult to go abroad. This trend may well continue over the next few years. What’s more, many West Country lovers are choosing to buy a holiday home in Cornwall or Devon, giving them a year-round bolt hole in one of the UK’s most beautiful regions that they can rent out when not needed.

As with all holidays, to get the best deal, it’s a good idea to book ahead. But which to choose for your 2024 UK break – Devon or Cornwall? Let’s take a closer look.

Where are the Best Beaches?

Most holidaymakers head to the West Country for the stunning coastline and arguably the best beaches in Britain. The North Devon coast boasts the surfing hotspots of Croyde Bay, Woolacombe, and Saunton Sands, complete with rolling golden sand dunes, while Bantham Bay and Blackpool Sands are the jewels in the South Devon beach crown.

However, it would be hard to rival Cornwall’s incredible coastline, with its high-rise cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise seas, and glorious sandy beaches that wouldn’t look out of place in the Caribbean! Long stretches of golden sand in the north of the county include Godrevy and Perranporth, while the southern coast is known for its sheltered sandy coves. Carbis Bay, Sennen Cove, Kynance Cove, and Porthcurnick Beach are all worth a visit.

Which County has Better Seaside Towns?

Aside from sandy beaches and secluded coves, both Devon and Cornwall have plenty of traditional seaside towns and villages for whiling away the hours, shopping, dining out and entertainment for all the family.

In Cornwall, Falmouth and Padstow are bustling coastal towns with a busy schedule of popular events. St Ives boasts cultural interest with the Tate St Ives gallery and Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden. If you’re after nightlife in Cornwall, Newquay is the place to be. It is also the location for Boardmasters, the well-known annual summer festival combining live music with surfing and skateboarding competitions.

Devon has larger cities and towns, including Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth, that offer plenty of sightseeing and entertainment. Don’t forget to visit the famous Gothic Exeter Cathedral and Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Take a trip to the harbour port of Dartmouth, home to the Britannia Royal Naval College, and sample some traditional seaside entertainment along the English Riviera.

What’s the Best Foodie Destination?

Finally, you can’t talk about Devon and Cornwall without mentioning food. Both counties focus on locally produced food, whether you are tucking into locally caught fish from Brixham or Falmouth, a Red Ruby Devon Beefsteak, or a pint of Healeys Cornish Cyder.

Cornwall is renowned for the richness of its local produce, and it is forward-thinking when it comes to food. Many well-known chefs have made their home here, including Rick Stein, whose Padstow restaurant is a must-try. From beachside cafes serving the finest brunches to high-end restaurants famed for some of the most exquisite cooking in the UK, your palate will thank you for choosing Cornwall.

The Devon food scene is wide and varied. For the best seafood, head to The Maltsters Arms near Totnes, The Oyster Shack in Bigbury-on-Sea and The Seahorse in Dartmouth. Don’t miss Clovelly’s Lobster & Crab Feast. The Riverford Field Kitchen near Buckfastleigh is the go-to destination for organic, seasonal food grown on the premises.

Where to go for Nature Activities?

Most people head to the West Country for the beaches, but it isn’t just about the sand, sea and surf. Nearly a third of Cornwall is covered by Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and the South West Coast Path is a great way to explore some of them on foot. Further inland, Bodmin Moor is a remote granite moorland with standing stones, ancient buildings and river valleys just waiting to be discovered.

Cornwall has the edge when it comes to major tourist attractions that celebrate the natural world. The world-famous Eden Project near St Austell welcomes over a million visitors annually. Other unmissable experiences include the magical Lost Gardens of Heligan and a visit to St Michael’s Mount, the ancient island castle and now a National Trust property.

Devon, of course, has the Dartmoor National Park, a unique area of moorland packed with rivers, valleys, and a wealth of wildlife that you can experience via many hiking trails. Exmoor National Park straddles North Devon and Somerset and stretches into the North Devon coastline, including the iconic Valley of the Rocks. There’s also the East Devon AONB which incorporates part of the famous Jurassic Coast, a famous UNESCO site that’s great for fossil hunting.

So, which is Better – Devon or Cornwall?

As you can see, there are lots of things going on for both Cornwall and Devon, making for a difficult choice of which one to pick. Cornwall undoubtedly has the edge when it comes to beaches and nature, with dramatic clifftops and lots of beautiful hidden sandy coves that make this county a favourite holiday destination for many.

Staying in Cornwall can also be affordable for all budgets, especially when you use Cornwall Hideaways voucher codes to find the best deals on beautiful Cornwall cottages

Devon has the advantage of easier accessibility – you have to go through Devon to get to Cornwall – and major cities for better shopping and nightlife. But it’s not far behind when it comes to natural beauty, and there are plenty of hidden gems to discover at your own pace. Perhaps it’s not a question of whether to choose Devon or Cornwall for your next UK holiday, but which one to visit first?

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