The stunning UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals swimming offshore and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls
Devon is awash with natural and historic attractions – great news for wildlife lovers and culture vultures heading here on a £9.50 Holiday.
Whether you’re fascinated by stories of the navy’s past, exhilarated by the sheer beauty of the coast or prefer to visit age-old market towns, there’s something to excite every type of traveller.
Of course, Devon is blessed with natural wonders such as its two national parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor, complete with its dark sky status.
You’ve also got five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to explore: Blackdown Hills, East Devon, North Devon Coast, South Devon and the Tamar Valley.
These are packed with natural and historical attractions, like the Tamar’s rich mining heritage landscape and the North Devon Biosphere, England’s largest sand dune system located around Braunton Burrows.
Among the top-rated historic attractions in Devon are Saltram, a Georgian house and gardens in Plympton, the 600-year-old Dartmouth Castle and Coleton Fishacre, a 1920s house with a grand garden in Kingswear.
We’ve spoken to local experts, plus Sun readers who have already enjoyed a £9.50 Holiday in this beautiful part of the world, to discover their recommendations for Devon’s best natural and historic attractions. Here’s what they said…
Walk, coasteering and belly boarding at Baggy Point
Surrounded by Croyde’s crashing waves and spectacular cliffs, Baggy Point is an impressive headland in North Devon.
The 300-ft-high site has an interesting history.
During the Second World War, it was used by the American forces to train for the Normandy Landings (lookout for the telltale remnants of this past, including dummy pillboxes on the plateau).
You can explore Baggy Point on foot, which Paul Braithwaite, General Manager at Ruda Holiday Park, recommends.
He says: “It takes about half an hour to get to the top, but you get incredible coastal scenery and some spectacular photo opportunities up there.”
Thrill-seekers can see the cliffs from a different angle with a coasteering session – or you can borrow one of the six wooden belly boards for free from the Baggy Point kiosk (during summer months) and leap into the sea of your own accord.
Meet Verity
Overlooking the Bristol Channel on Baggy Point in North Devon, a pregnant woman wields a sword overhead and holds the scales of justice while standing on a pile of law books.
This arresting sight is actually a 60ft bronze and steel sculpture called Verity.
It was created by world-famous artist Damien Hirst, who described it as a “modern allegory of truth and justice”.
Hirst, who lives in Ilfracombe, has loaned the statue to the town for 20 years, starting from when it was unveiled in 2012.
Tessa Lomas, owner of Sea Sauna in nearby Saunton recommends strolling to Stacc afterwards for cocktails and cake. Tessa, 31, said: “The pastry chef there is amazing and it’s all really good quality.”
Wildlife spotting in the national parks
Devon has two national parks, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
Both free to visit, they are incredible places to explore whether on foot, by bike or even on horseback (guided rides available).
While landlocked Dartmoor is famous for its granite “tors” and ponies, in north-east Devon, Exmoor meets the coast, and is also the UK’s first dark skies conservation area.
During the day, keep your eyes peeled for rare species, including butterflies and birds such as red grouse. The Valley of Rocks and Lynton circular walk offers plenty of wildlife spotting and coastal views.
See shipwrecks in South Devon
The rocky coast of Devon has been the cause of thousands of shipwrecks (some estimates suggest up to 5,000).
And you can get a glimpse of some of them if you know where to look.
Gem Krupa, Holiday Home Sales Manager at Challaborough Bay, suggests Hope Cove in South Devon where the wreckage of Empire Harry is visible at low tide.
She said: “You can hire a paddleboard from Bigbury-on-Sea (try Discovery Surf) or just take your snorkel. You can sometimes see seals hanging out there, too.”
After, swing by Hope & Anchor for a pint near the beach.
Park life
Sun reader Richard Tilley visited Cockington Country Park during his recent £9.50 Holiday at Parkdean Resorts Torquay.
The park is a mix of manicured gardens and rural countryside and woodland, with a historic manor house, thatched cottages and 11th-century church.
Richard, 62, from Devizes in Wiltshire, said: “It has a big old-fashioned cricket green and a little lake and stream. We had a cup of tea and visited all the little craft units.
“My partner watched the glass blowers and bought a bauble as a souvenir.”
Tip: Although the park is free to visit, you have to pay for parking (£1.80 per hour or £7 for four hours and over).
Market madness
For a shopping trip with a historic twist, Sun reader Dawn Brannigan recommends heading to Barnstaple Pannier Market in North Devon.
The current Guildhall building dates back to 1826, but Barnstaple’s trading history goes back even further, to Saxon times.
Dawn, 54, from Wakefield, was staying nearby at Golden Coast Holiday Park in Woolacombe when she visited Pannier Market.
She said: “It’s an indoor market with a historic feel. There’s also the Pottington car boot sale where I picked up loads of bargains.”
Royal William Yard and Drake’s Island
Plymouth has a fascinating naval history – after all, this is where the English fleet left in 1588 to confront the Spanish Armada.
The regenerated Royal William Yard area is steeped in history, having kept the naval fleet afloat in the 19th century.
Today, the restored Grade I and II Listed buildings are home to pulsing restaurants, galleries, shops and events such as live music and food markets.
Gem Krupa recommends the ferry to Drakes Island for history buffs, saying: “You can get a ferry through Plymouth Sound and do a tour of the island. You will see old cannons, mysterious tunnels and maybe even seals on the rocks.”
Wild swimming
Around a 35-minute drive inland from the South Devon coastline is a fantastic wild swimming spot on the River Dart.
Daniel Start, author of the new Wild Guide South West, said: “It’s one of the most beautiful wild swimming rivers in the UK.
In a deep gorge far upstream of Newbridge, you can lie out on the flat hot rocks above the serene beauty of Horseshoe Falls, a natural horseshoe-shaped water”fall.
“Below a deep pool, perfect for a refreshing swim, with opportunities for jumps from the surrounding rocks. From here a picturesque footpath leads up to the perfect village of Holne with a pretty pub.”
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