Devon: When to go, what to see and what to eat!
Devon at a glance:
Location: South Western England
Capital: Exeter
Area: 6,707 square km
Nearest airports: Cardiff and Exeter airports
Famous food and drinks: Devon Flat Biscuit, Cream teas, Plymouth Gin, Devon Blue (type of cheese), Devonshire Split, Clotted Cream and Damask Cream
Why go to Devon?
Devon is one of the few places in the world which offers two of the world’s greatest pleasures together.
What are these two great pleasures?
First is great food.
Second is the great outdoors.
These two reasons automatically make Devon the best choice for outdoor lovers and also for foodies. For the rest, there are always the scenic beaches. Then there are the restaurants and the pubs.
When to go there
The peak season is between the months of April and October. September and October are the best months for visiting Devon.
Any time in between is considered as off-season. Most tourist attractions at Devon remain closed during the off-season. However, it is still a good idea to visit Devon during the off-season because the beaches and the hotels remain empty!
How to get there
By train
A train journey to Devon consists of picturesque locales and is a very memorable experience. Devon is served by both Waterloo and Paddington Lines.
By bus
It is not the best option, but is a good one nonetheless. Major bus stops include Exeter, Barnstaple and Plymouth.
By air
Flights to Devon regularly take off from Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Belfast and Aberdeen. Other airports include the Jersey Airport (Channel Islands), Norwich and Leeds Bradford.
What to see at Devon
Devon is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site (The Jurassic Coast), two national parks (Dartmoor National Park and Exmoor National Park) and a UNESCO Geopark(English Riviera).
Along with that, Devon is dotted with numerous beaches and the prettiest of villages. Devon is also home to some spectacular historic ruins and buildings.
Some of them are as follows:
Dartmouth Castle (Built in the 13th century)
http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/dartmouth-castle-p130453
Kents’ Cavern (Geological formation dating back to 700,000 years)
http://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/
Powderham Castle (Castle built in the 14th century)
Exeter Cathedral (Historic cathedral built in between the 12th and the 15th centuries)
http://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/
Accommodation
Dartington Hall
https://www.dartington.org/visit/stay/
The location of this hotel makes it one of the best places to stay at. It is located at the Dartington Hall estate which includes a barn from the 14th century! The kitchens of the hotel are located where medieval kitchens used to be. It is open from 12 noon to 8 pm.
The George Inn
This is one of the few inns in Devon which allows pets. So if you are taking your pets along, you know where to go. Along with excellent food, the inn offers some great views of the countryside.
Gastronomical delights
Drinking culture in Devon:
A strong drinking culture is prevalent throughout Devon. Pubs become very busy 6 pm onwards. If you are planning to go for a drink, then make sure to get there before 6!
Eating out:
Pelican Fish and Chip Restaurant
http://www.pelicanfishandchips.co.uk/
Owned by a family and located at Barnstaple, this eatery offers traditional fish and chips in a modern setting. It is an ideal place for a family meal.
Fresha
Like the name says, everything served here is fresh! Be it pizza you want or a cake or even hot chocolate, Fresha has everything. It is open from 10 am to 7 pm from Mondays through Fridays.
More good choices include:
Jack in the Green Inn
http://www.jackinthegreen.uk.com/Home
The Corner Café (https://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g190822-d4242032-Reviews-The_Corner_Cafe-Barnstaple_Devon_England.html)
Five Bells Inn
Angela’s
http://www.angelasrestaurant.co.uk/
Things to know before you go to Devon:
- The weather can be unpredictable. It might start raining all of a sudden!
- Some villages in Devon don’t get any mobile reception
- It is not a good idea to drive on Devon’s narrow lanes. The bends are steep and plenty of cattle roam on the streets.
- Even though drinking is big in Devon, do not drink and drive!(That is if you plan to drive at all)
- If you are planning to swim at any of the beaches, make sure that it has lifeguards
- Do not forget to carry insect repellants!
Did you know?
- Devon has two coastlines
- Plymouth is the largest city in Devon
- The first ever Jack Russell Terrior dog was bred in Devon. The name of the breeder? Jack Russell!