The Best Hidden Gems in Devon.
This is a collaborative post.
Among the many consequences of the pandemic has been a downturn in overseas tourism. While it’s still possible to get on a plane and travel to a different part of the world, the risk is too great for many of us.
Consequently, the domestic tourism industry has enjoyed something of a bounce. For British holidaymakers looking to get away, there’s never been a more apt time to see what the United Kingdom has to offer. And, when it comes to natural beauty, culture and history, it’s difficult to match Devon. It’s remote enough to be unspoilt, and yet perfectly reachable with a long-term rental car from ZenAuto.
Let’s take a look at some of the spots that visitors to Devon will want to consider visiting.
Lundy Island.
Since 1969, the National Trust and the Landmark Trust have looked after the island of Lundy. It’s rare that you get a chance to explore a landmass without roads, cars or pollution, and the experience of walking around is amazingly invigorating. The abundant diversity of plant and animal life make it a must-visit for hikers.
Killerton Woods and Gardens.
If you’d like to wander around a gorgeous 18th-century estate, complete with a landscaped garden and a beautiful stretch of woodland, then it doesn’t get much more appealing than Killerton. There are fairly strict social distancing measures in place, but you’ll still be allowed inside the house.
Grand Western Canal.
This nature reserve meanders through just under twelve miles of Devonshire countryside, adjoining the sleepy little villages between Tiverton and Lowdwells, near the border of Somerset. There’s plenty to do along the way, including enjoying a horse-drawn barge trip, picking up trinkets in the gift shop and enjoying a break in one of the cafés throughout the day.
Heddon Valley.
Exmoor national park is enough to draw in the curious hiker. It’s wide open and stunning, and there are plenty of walks that’ll expose you to the area’s beauty during autumn. With looming cliffs and thick woodland to explore, Heddon Valley has an enormous amount to offer.
Berry Head National Nature Reserve.
Berry Head provides an unparalleled view of the Devon coastline. More than two hundred varieties of bird make their home here, with the most notable being the guillemots, which flock here in their hundreds during the breeding season.
Heddon’s Mouth Beach.
In the county’s north, we find a craggy cove, which marks the end of the river Heddon. It’s a very small river (though it isn’t a stream), and thus it’s the mouth which draws the majority of tourists. As such it is nice and isolated, with huge, round rocks running across the beach. It’s so isolated, in fact, that German sailors were able to sneak in during World War II in search of freshwater. If you’re arriving after a long car journey, then the salty sea smell and the fresh breeze might give you a sense of relief those chaps must have felt, having been crammed into a U-boat for months on end.
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I’ve never been to Devon before but it seems like a lovely place to visit.
A few great place to visit in devon, LUNDY ISLAND sounds lovely and peaceful, I may have to visit this place once lockdown is over 🙂
Devon is just one of my favourite places – I love that there is so much to do and explore there.
Lots of great places – haven’t been to Devon for a long time!
Devein is a beautiful place it’s somewhere I’d like to visit again after reading this
I hope you get to make it back to Devon one day it is really beautiful.
There are so very beautiful places, the photographs are lovely. .
It is a stunning location – absolutely somewhere everyone should visit at some point.
We’re considering Devon for our family holiday next year, there are some lovely suggestions here
It is such a lovely place to go – I definitely suggest giving it a try.
We were supposed to be visiting the UK for Thanksgiving but due to COVID that didn’t happen. Crossing my fingers for 2021. Devon does look like a hidden gem. Adding it to my travel list.
Oh I am so sorry – I hope you manage to come over here in the future and you really enjoy it.
Great places, beautiful part of the country to visit
It really is, isn’t it? We have some amazing places to visit.
Looks like a wonderful area to visit, sometime.
Devon is beautiful there is a lot to see and do there.
Devon is really beautiful. Amazing place to visit. Thank you for taking us to this virtual tour. I would love to visit Davon one day.
I hope you manage to get to go one day – it is such a beautiful location.
Lundy Island sounds fab!! I love finding hidden gems, and I am even still finding them around where I live.
It is amazing how many there are, I’m the same as well it is incredible all the nearby locations I just don’t know of.
All of these places look beautiful! It is nice to know about some neat places to explore off the beaten path.
Definitely, there are so many places in Devon to explore no matter what you love.
I love how beautiful these places are! I would want to spend more than a day just taking in all the beauty.
Devon is a gorgeous place to spend some time definitely more than a day trip if you can make it.
Visiting Devon has always been on my travel bucket list. It just looks so beautiful.
I hope you manage to get there one day soon it is such a beautiful place.
This pandemic really canceled a lot of plans so the plans to travel had been drafted and only waiting to happen. But will surely enjoy once it all ends
It is hard isn’t it – we have cancelled all out outings and holidays this year.
We always went to Devon or Cornwall when I was a child, but there’s still lots I need to see!
It has so many beautiful locations, well both of the do!
We have been to Cornwall but never Devon, so totally enjoyed reading your post about all the wonderful places there is to visit there
They are both wonderful locations – I would suggest trying Devon too!
These are some really loved Gems in Devon, I actually can’t remember seeing them last year on my visit to the area.
There is so much to do and see across Devon I still have a lot to see to.
Some beautiful places mentioned here! We love visiting Devon and always seem to find somewhere new to explore and see no matter how many times we visit.
It is a beautiful place isn’t it – it always seems so peaceful as well.
Heddon mouth Beach is somewhere I’d love to go visit. It’s great that it’s issolated as many beaches tend to be crammed with people when the weather is good.
I hope you managed to get there sometime! It is really nice to find somewhere where you are a little more alone.
This pictures are all so beautiful. What a wonderful place to see. I would sure love to go there someday and see all these beautiful sites.
Devon is absolutely stunning honestly, and so much to do and see there.
Devon is such a beautiful county. I haven’t visited in a few years but I’ll be saving this guide for when I next go. Such great tips on places to visit.
I hope you manage to get to go back sometime – it is gorgeous isn’t it with so many different places to go see.
I am putting Devon on my places to visit. Looks like a gorgeous, serene place to visit.
Oh please do – it is such a beautiful location I promise!
I love Devon but haven’t yet visited those places you have mentioned. I will definitely have to visit in the future.
I hope you get to go and enjoy them sometime soon.
Looks so peaceful! I’m trying to talk my husband into taking me to England for a trip in a couple years. It’s my biggest dream!
I hope you manage to make it over here – we do have some really lovely locations (even if the weather isn’t the best)
Love the history and historical places. I am so curious to find new places and to listen their story! Thanks!
Your welcome – Devon is such a beautiful county with so much to explore.
I love Devon, and had a few holidays there when I was younger, we are hoping to visit Devon and Cornwall next year
I hope you manage to make it we are hoping the same, if the darn virus clears up by then.
Great place. I will add this to my list even if it seems like it would take ages before everything get back to normal. ?
It’s hard isn’t it – I keep hoping that things will take another step towards normality but it seems to be the other way.
This looks like such a beautiful area to visit. I’m glad that you shared this as a good resource for those traveling or living in Devon to check out. I love the castle looking location, makes me want to go there.
It is a beautiful place this just scratches the surface of places to go and of course all the fossil hunting you can do!
My husband was in Devon for a school trip in the 80s and fell in love with it. He wants to go back badly. Maybe after Covid.
I hope you manage to make it with him and get to see it for yourself as well.
Beautiful pictures. There is a lot to see out there and this country offers a lot. I enjoy photography of flowers, trees, landscapes and anything else nature related, so this would be perfect for me.
We have some amazing locations, don’t we? Some of my favourite photos of late have come from Devon it is just stunning.
Gorgeous! I would love to get here one day. I am all about being by the water.
It is such a beautiful location, one of my favourite places to go to be honest.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place to visit. Love that bridge. I could stand there for hours and watch nature go by.
I am with you there, sometimes there is just places I would love to sit and just not move and watch the world.
I had never heard of devon before but it seems like an excellent place to go. I have not traveled since the pandemic but this will be on my list.
It is such a beautiful place in the South of England, honestly, it is worth looking into!
Gorgeous places! I have never visited any of them. We are due down to Cornwall later in the year and always stop in Devon on the way down.
I might try and make one of these a stop for us x
Devon and Cornwall I love them both they are so beautiful aren’t they? I hope you have a lovely time in Cornwall.
Looks like an absolutely blissful holiday! I *wish* I’d got my act together and sorted out a staycation in the south of England before the weather turned, but we are hoping to get away to Norfolk soon!
We always go out of season and you can still have a lot of fun! December most years we go to Cornwall as we have family there and it is just as lovely.