Short Breaks in Devon


By land area, Devon is the third-largest county in England and is one of the most popular holiday destinations due to its favourable climate, great coastline, glorious sandy beaches, and wild moorland. Devon has two coastlines, two National Parks - Exmoor and Dartmoor - and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: the Blackdown Hills, East Devon, the North Devon Coast, South Devon, and the Tamar Valley. And believe it or not, Devon also has parts of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the North Devon Biosphere and the Jurassic Coast. With all this natural beauty, it’s no wonder that Devon makes an excellent holiday destination and why there are so many organised short breaks in Devon to choose from.





Being “outdoors” features in most Devon escapes, whether it’s along the coastline or high up on the wild moors, but there are many other things to do if the weather is against you, or you want to discover the culture and history. Devon has castles to explore, grand houses and museums to browse, cities and towns to wander, and some wonderful gardens to relax in. And don’t forget to make time for a Devonshire Cream Tea, which means you’ve got to put the clotted cream on the scone first!


Brixham Harbour Along The English RivieraBrixham Harbour Along The English Riviera © essentially-england.com


Short Breaks in Devon


We’ve had some memorable times in Devon and even worked there for a few months when our jobs were relocated. I remember marching over Dartmoor trying to find stone circles, a stone tramway, and ancient abandoned villages. It was great fun, but I’d only want to do it when the weather was good, as it can get a bit grim up on wild Dartmoor. We’ve also camped near Exmoor, which was equally beautiful, and perhaps not as wild as Dartmoor.

Although we’re not the kind of people who sit on a beach, we have admired the beaches on both the north and south coasts and even took a short break in Torquay. We particularly liked the bit of coast between historic Slapton Sands and lovely Dartmouth.

There is so much to do and explore in Devon, and I’m sure there is something for everyone’s taste. Take a peep at these short breaks in Devon that I’ve selected...


Torquay, Regency Coast & Riviera

5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Coach travel to Torquay hotel & back from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • Relax in wonderful Torquay, part of the English Riviera.
  • Sidmouth & Exmouth.
  • Optional extra day out to Plymouth & Dartmoor.
  • Discover Brixham, Kingswear, & Dartmouth.


Exmouth & Exeter Weekend

4 Days / 3 Nights


Travel

Coach travel to Exmouth hotel & back from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • Enjoy the coastal scenery around your holiday town of Exmouth.
  • Get excited in historic Exeter and explore its cathedral, city wall & underground tunnels.
  • Optional extra day out to Seaton & Sidmouth.


Best of North Devon & Clovelly

8 Days / 7 Nights


Travel

Coach travel to Lynton hotel & back from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • Clovelly.
  • Optional extra days out to Barnstaple & Bideford & Exmouth.
  • Lynton & Lynmouth.
  • Exmoor National Park & Dunster.
  • Chambercombe Manor and Ilfracombe.







Devonshire Coast & Dartmoor

5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Make your own way to/from your hotel in Barnstaple.

Visit

  • Lynton, Lynmouth, & RHS Rosemoor.
  • Dartington Crystal, Clovelly, & Hartland Abbey.
  • Dartmoor, South Devon Steam Railway, & Buckfast Abbey.


Exmouth & Devon's Rails & Sails

5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Coach travel to & from Exmouth hotel from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • South Devon Railway, Buckfast Abbey and Totnes.
  • Exeter and Jurassic Coast Cruise.
  • Optional extra day out to Sidmouth, Seaton, & The World of Country Life.


Torquay and Cruises of the English Riviera
5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Coach travel to Torquay hotel & back from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • Dartmoor National Park and Plymouth Harbour Cruise.
  • Exmouth and Jurassic Coast Cruise.
  • Optional extra day out in historic Exeter.







Hound TorHound Tor © essentially-england.com





Activity Breaks in Devon


We can vouch that the walking is fantastic in Devon, whether it’s on either Dartmoor or Exmoor, along the rocky cliffs or a beach, or just a peaceful meander around a garden or parkland. It seems that wherever you go to walk, there will be great views.

I’ve had race wins and won National Championship medals whilst cycling in Devon, but Devon is not the first place many of us think of when looking for a cycling holiday. It's worth giving it a try, though. Cycling in Devon can be challenging, but the beautiful views, friendly towns, and cute villages make it very rewarding. There are some flatter areas and a couple of disused railway lines have been turned into bike paths for easier cycling.


Contrasts of Devon Walking

8 Days / 7 Nights


Travel

Make your own way to Plymouth hotel & from Buckfastleigh.

Visit

  • Walk from Plymouth to Wembury via Plym Estuary (11km/7 miles).
  • Wembury to Mothecombe via Yealm Estuary (17km/11 miles).
  • Holbeton to Ivybridge (10km/6 miles).
  • Ivybridge to South Brent (10km/6 miles).
  • South Brent to Buckfastleigh (8km/5 miles).


Cycle Devon - Coast to Coast

4 Days / 3 Nights


Travel

Make your own way to/from Tiverton Parkway Railway Station.

Visit

  • Cycle Ilfracombe to Barnstaple (32km/20 miles).
  • Cycle Barnstaple to Hatherleigh on the Tarka Trail (52km/32 miles).
  • Cycle Hatherleigh to Tavistock on the Granite Way. Optional ride Dartmoor National Park (42km/26 miles).
  • Cycle Tavistock to Plymouth on Drakes Trail & drive back to Tiverton (35km/22 miles).


Walk Devon - Dartmoor and South West Coast Path
6 Days / 5 Nights


Travel

Make your own way to/from Totnes Railway Station.

Visit

  • Dartmoor to Chagford (10km/6 miles).
  • Haytor Rocks to Hound Tor (15km/9 miles).
  • AM - Sharrah Pool on River Dart. PM - SWCP to Bigbury (16km/10 miles).
  • Avon Estuary & South West Coast Path to Hope Cove (13km/8 miles).
  • Hope Bay to Salcombe (15km/9 miles).







Walking Over to Burgh Island at Low TideWalking Over to Burgh Island at Low Tide © essentially-england.com





Special Interest Short Breaks in Devon

Agatha Christie On The English Riviera
3 Days / 2 Nights


Travel

Make your own way to/from your Torquay hotel.

Visit

  • Private dinner & evening talk.
  • Torquay Agatha Christie Mile, Greenway, & murder mystery evening.
  • Lunch at the art-deco Burgh Island Hotel.

Gardens of North Devon

5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Return coach travel to your Bideford hotel from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • The beautiful RHS Rosemoor gardens.
  • Optional day out to Lynton & Lynmouth.
  • Hartland Abbey & Gardens and Woolacombe.

Lynton and West Somerset Railway
5 Days / 4 Nights


Travel

Return coach travel to your Lynton hotel from various pick-up points.

Visit

  • Explore the medieval town of Dunster and take a train ride from Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.
  • Optional extra day out to Ilfracombe.
  • Barnstaple and Bideford.










Tempted? For even more short breaks in Devon click here.






For more holiday or day out ideas return from our short breaks in Devon page to the England Holidays page.