15 best things to do in Devon: our top picks

Whether you fancy a fun-packed family break or a back-to-nature adventure, holidays in England's Devon deliver it all. Travellers of all ages will find rewarding things to do — from finding fossils to roaming many of the beautiful national parks. England's glorious southwest has a lot to offer, and Devon is the perfect place for an unforgettable staycation. Here is our list of the best things to do in Devon.

1. Dartmoor National Park

For lovers of the great outdoors, exploring Dartmoor National Park is one of the very best things to do in Devon (and England as a whole, for that matter).

Covering some 365 square miles of south-central Devon, Dartmoor is one of Britain’s great wilderness areas—a haunting place of rugged grandeur, menacing moorland, and wooded valleys speckled with secluded villages. And with around 2000 Bronze Age sites dating back to 4000 BC, it’s as rewarding for history buffs as it is for ramblers.

The eastern gateway to the moor is Bovey Tracey, a small, pleasant town with its main street running up the hillside. Another must-see sight is Hay Tor. Reached via a relatively short walk from Widecombe Road, the climb to the summit is steep but more than worth the effort for the panoramic views. 

2. Find fossils on the Jurassic Coast

Beginning at Orcombe Point in Exmouth, Devon, and continuing to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site represents 185 million years of Earth’s history along 95 miles of the coast. 

This is one of  the best things to do in England. The rusty red section in East Devon is the oldest segment and home to Britain’s richest concentration of mid-Triassic reptile sites. When it comes to keeping monster-mad kids entertained, few things can beat going on a family fossil-finding expedition. 

For further geological wonders, you won’t want to miss Kent’s Cavern, a network of limestone caves created by underground rivers some two million years ago. The best of the 80,000 archaeological artifacts found here are now housed in Torquay Museum.

You’ll see people of all ages scanning the beaches, and kids in particular love the idea that they might stumble on something ancient. See our guide to England with kids. 

3. Dawlish Warren

If you’re looking for holidays in Devon that blend a traditional seaside break with natural beauty, it doesn’t get better (or more convenient) than Dawlish Warren. A golden sandbar covering the entrance to the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren boasts a Blue Flag beach backed by sand dunes, funfair attractions, and an exceptional nature reserve.

Comprising over 500 acres of protected grassland, sand dunes, and mudflats, Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve is home to over 600 different species of plants and over 23,000 wildfowl and wading birds, for whom the warren is a migratory hotspot. With rarities recorded here including the broad-billed sandpiper and stone curlew, it’s little wonder the reserve is one of the best things to do in Devon for bird-watchers.

4. Totnes

Often described as Elizabethan, Totnes’s history actually stretches back much further, to AD 959, when “Totta’s Ness” (meaning fort on a “ness,” or ridge of ground) was established as a walled town. 

In Henry VIII’s day, Totnes was the second richest town in Devon (after Exeter), and today it has an eclectic array of independent shops. You'll find three secondhand bookstores, handmade crafts, and cafés. The town’s known for its alternative culture.

Other Totnes treats include the castle, Totnes Elizabethan House and Museum, and the Guildhall, where Oliver Cromwell sat in 1646 after taking the town for the Parliamentarians. With almost one thousand years of history to explore through fascinating exhibits, this handsome building (it's set behind a pillared portico) still houses monthly council meetings. 

Ready to see the best parts of the United Kingdom? Don't miss our guide to the best road trips in the UK.

5. Exeter

Exeter has been around for a long time—since the Romans, in fact—and that history is layered throughout the city. But it’s also lively and modern, thanks in part to its student population and well-kept city center.

The cathedral is hard to miss. Built starting in the 11th century, it’s known for its Gothic architecture and the huge stone-vaulted ceiling. Inside, there’s a lot to take in: the misericords (carved seats with quirky details), an astronomical clock from the 1400s, and a bishop’s throne that’s over 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall and carved from Devon oak.

If you’re interested in hidden history, the medieval underground passages are worth checking out—they’re the only ones like them in Britain. Or just walk along the quayside, where you’ll find small shops and restaurants by the water. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is free and genuinely interesting, with everything from ancient artifacts to local history..

6. Take a cliff-top train trip

The train ride between Exeter and Newton Abbot is worth doing, even if you’re not heading anywhere in particular. The line runs right along the coast in places—so close to the sea that you sometimes feel like the waves might splash the windows, especially near Dawlish.

It’s one of those routes where the journey itself is the main event. The views are great the whole way—red cliffs, open sea, and glimpses of beach tucked below. You’ll pass through small seaside towns like Dawlish and Teignmouth, and if you're paying attention, you might spot seabirds or even dolphins in the bay.

The railway has an interesting backstory too. It was designed by Brunel in the 1840s, and parts of it still follow his original route. This is easily one of the best things to do in Devon.

7. Ilfracombe’s boats, birds, beasts, and caves

Ilfracombe sits on the north coast of Devon and has a mix of old-school seaside town and creative energy. You’ll find rows of Victorian houses looking down over the harbor and fishing boats pulling in beside day-trippers boarding wildlife cruises out to Lundy Island.

One of the more unusual things here is the Tunnels Beaches—hand-dug passageways from the 1820s that lead through the cliffs to sheltered tidal pools. At low tide, you can also explore some sea caves nearby. There’s a small aquarium in town that focuses on local marine life, and boat trips run regularly to see seals, seabirds, and sometimes even porpoises.

Ilfracombe has also become known for its art scene—thanks in part to Damien Hirst’s giant sculpture Verity, which you can’t miss standing at the entrance to the harbor. It’s the kind of place where you can wander, eat well, and head out on the water all in the same afternoon.

8. Surf at Croyde Bay

Croyde Bay is one of North Devon’s go-to beaches for surfers, and it’s easy to see why. The waves here are consistent, the beach is sandy, and the atmosphere is laid-back for beginners and seasoned surfers alike.

Mid-tide tends to bring the best waves—fast and clean—and if you’re just starting out, there are surf schools right on the beach. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer, which adds peace of mind, especially for families with kids trying it out for the first time.

The village behind the beach is small and traditional, with thatched cottages and a few pubs that get lively in the evenings. You can also walk along the cliffs at Baggy Point or head south toward Saunton for more wide-open views of the coast.

In summer there's even more to do, Croyde hosts surf contests, beach games, and live music.

9. Try a proper cream tea

A cream tea in Devon isn’t just about scones—it’s a regional ritual. The classic combo is warm scones, thick clotted cream, and strawberry jam, usually served with a pot of tea. And yes, in Devon, the cream goes on first—always. This isn’t just personal preference; locals will remind you that it’s tradition, unlike over the border in Cornwall, where they do it the other way around.

The cream itself is what sets Devon’s version apart. It’s thick, yellow-tinged, and has a rich, buttery texture thanks to how it’s made—by heating full-fat milk slowly and letting the cream rise and set. It’s a method that’s been around since at least the 11th century, when Benedictine monks served it at Tavistock Abbey.

This is an unmissable thing to do in Devon. You’ll find cream teas all over the county—in thatched tea rooms, gardens, country pubs, and even right near the beach. 

10. Castle Drogo

Castle Drogo is found above the Teign Gorge on the edge of Dartmoor, and it’s a bit of an odd one—it looks like an ancient fortress, but it was only built in the early 1900s. It was designed by Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe, who wanted a proper castle but with modern comforts like electricity, heating, and en-suite bathrooms.

Inside, it’s a mix of medieval-style design and early 20th-century features. The architecture is thoughtful, with a blend of grandeur and practicality. Some rooms feel quite stately, while others show off the Arts and Crafts influence that was popular at the time. There are areas where you can try on period costumes, and the rooms have been restored to reflect what the place was like when it was still a home.

The grounds are worth exploring too. There’s a big estate around the castle with woodlands, walking trails, and gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll. You get great views of the gorge, and there’s a decent chance of seeing butterflies and birds along the trails. 

11. Bronze age stone circles at Merrivale

If you're heading across Dartmoor, it’s worth stopping at Merrivale to see the Bronze Age stone circles and rows. This site sits right by the B3357 near Princetown and feels surprisingly remote, even though it’s easily reachable by car.

The layout includes a stone circle, two parallel rows of standing stones, a few individual stones, and some burial remains—all dating back about 4,000 years. One of the rows runs over 590 feet (180 meters), aligned roughly east to west, which suggests it might’ve had something to do with tracking the sun.

You don’t need to know a lot about prehistory to find it interesting. Walking among the stones gives you a sense of how much effort went into placing them. It’s peaceful, a bit mysterious, and a good reminder of how long people have been drawn to Dartmoor. It's one of the best things to do in Devon.

12. Wistman's Wood

Wistman’s Wood is a small, ancient oak woodland tucked into a quiet valley near Two Bridges on Dartmoor. It’s one of the few remaining parts of the old forest that once covered much of the moor, and it feels like something out of a storybook. The oak trees are short and twisted, draped with moss and lichen, and grow among giant granite boulders that are just as green.

The wood is only about 9 acres (3.5 hectares), but it’s rich in rare mosses, lichens, and wildlife. You might spot woodland birds or even an adder if you’re quiet. People are drawn in by the forest’s eerie, almost magical feel. Folklore adds to the atmosphere, with local legends about ghostly hunters and hounds said to roam the area. It’s a quiet, strange, and beautiful place to walk, and one of the best things to do in Devon.

13. Kents Cavern in Torquay

Kent's Cavern is a prehistoric cave system on the edge of Torquay. It’s one of the oldest known places where humans lived in Britain—archaeologists found a jawbone here that’s about 41,000 years old. 

The caves themselves go back over 2.5 million years and were once home to creatures like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats.

You can take a guided tour through the caverns, which have some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The guides do a good job explaining how people once used the caves for shelter and what the excavations uncovered.

14. Walk the Tarka Trail

The Tarka Trail follows the journey of the otter from Henry Williamson’s novel Tarka the Otter, but you don’t need to have read the book to enjoy it. The full route runs about 180 miles (290 km) through North Devon, but the best-known section is a 30-mile (48-km) stretch that runs along a disused railway line between Braunton and Meeth.

This part is completely traffic-free, level, and easy to follow—great for walking or cycling, even with young kids. You’ll pass through peaceful countryside, river valleys, and bits of woodland, with plenty of places to stop along the way. Some of the old stations now serve as cafés or rest stops, and bike hire is available in most towns along the trail.

Wildlife is a highlight here—you might see herons, kingfishers, or, if you’re lucky, an otter in the rivers Taw or Torridge. The route also passes by historic towns like Bideford. Because the path is so flat, it works well for all ages and fitness levels. I

16. South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path runs all the way from Somerset to Dorset, but the sections through Devon give you a good taste of how different the landscape can be across the county. The north side is more rugged, with cliffs and wide beaches, while the south side has softer hills, quieter coves, and estuaries.

There’s something for all levels here. Some stretches are easy and flat, ideal if you’ve got kids or just want a short walk. Others, like the Hartland Peninsula or the path between Babbacombe and Dartmouth, are a bit more demanding but worth the effort.

The path also passes through old fishing villages, past lighthouses, and near a few shipwreck sites. It’s well-maintained and signposted, and public transport makes it pretty easy to plan day walks without having to loop back. There are also plenty of places to eat or stay along the way, so you’re never far from a break if you want one.