Devon Activities

Worth getting out of bed for

Viewpoint

At 621 metres, High Willhays on Dartmoor is the highest point in southern England, and – unsurprisingly perhaps – affords beautiful panoramic views across remote open country. Avoid the area if you see any red flags raised, though – they indicate that the British Army is using the area for training exercises.

Arts and culture

Saltram house in Plympton (+44 (0)1752 333500) is a grand Georgian home with exquisite gardens and interiors, plus paintings by Reynolds. The National Trust property may look familiar: it was used to represent the Dashwoods’ pad in the film of Sense and Sensibility. Buckland Abbey in Yelverton (+44 (0)1822 853607), once home to Sir Francis Drake, is all Tudor splendour and landmark gardens. If you like your culture prehistoric, head to Dartmoor, which has more Bronze Age standing stones (or menhirs) than anywhere else in the UK. The Beardown Man near Devil’s Tor is especially spooky.

Something for nothing

The 90-foot White Lady waterfall at Lydford Gorge near Okehampton is a spectacular sight, and a rewarding one for anyone who walks along the arduous but lushly beautiful ravine. Look out for kingfishers.

Shopping

Tavistock’s Farmers’ Market, normally on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, is a great place to go browsing and grazing (www.tavistockfarmersmarket.com). Otherwise, visit a local farm shop: Beeches Farm (+44 (0)1822 833661) is known for its rare-breed pork, sold from the farm gate. Cheesephiles can sample then select their chunk of Little Stinky or Devon Sage at Country Cheeses in Tavistock (+44 (0)1822 615035; www.countrycheeses.co.uk). Marystow Farm Enterprises (+44 (0)1822 860420) in Lifton only makes between 12 and 20 jars of jams and condiments at a time on its Aga; be naughty and pass them off as your own.

Daytripper

The Cornish fishing village of Padstow is about an hour’s drive along the A30. It’s often referred to as ‘Padstein’, thanks to the culinary influences of a certain Rick Stein, whose eatery empire runs the gamut from fine dining to delis. Grab grilled mackerel and chips from Stein’s Fish & Chips on South Quay – you definitely won’t want to share them with the seagulls (www.rickstein.com). Green-keen tourists should check out the Eden Project, which offers first-hand, environmentally friendly access to the world’s flora. The Warm Temperate Biome is particularly comforting when the weather’s bad (www.edenproject.com).

Best beach

Devon is justly celebrated for its idyllic beaches. The south coast has the perfect sandy coves and unspoiled fishing villages every out-of-towner dreams of. Days spent in Branscombe, Bigbury on Sea or Blackpool Sands will wash away years of urban living.

Perfect picnic

With the expanse of moorland and two coastlines of beaches to choose from, finding a quiet spot won’t be your problem. Stock up on supplies from the award-winning NH Crebers Delicatessen in Tavistock (+44 (0)1822 612266) – purveyor of local cheeses and freshly ground coffee.

Walks

Dartmoor’s on your doorstep and has 368 square miles of open wilderness. On a sunny day, the views are incomparable, but in winter, the mist can wrap around you in no time, so take warm waterproofs and a phone. Map-reading skills not so hot? Book a guide from the National Park Authority (www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk).

Road trip

From Porlock to Milton Abbot via Lynmouth and Tiverton. A tale of two moors, this route brings you among classic motoring roads and the southwest’s most beautiful countryside. From the remote Somerset coast to Stone Age scenery on Exmoor and rugged Dartmoor, it’s the wilder side of English beauty. read more…

Children

Devon is all about ice-creams, buckets and spades, and sand in your shoes. The best coastal destinations for children are the beaches of South Hams – Bigbury and Blackpool Sands are clean and safe. If it rains, Pennywell Farm and Wildlife Centre (www.pennywellfarm.co.uk) has everything from piglets to ponies to keep boredom at bay; or, youngsters can lose themselves in the spider’s-web-like willow maze.

Activities

Surf’s up. Croyde on the north coast has worth-it waves, and lessons, board hire and encouragement are on hand from the Barefoot Surf School (www.barefootsurf.com). Dry-land lovers can hire a bike from Tavistock Cycles (+44 (0)1822 617630) and explore the moors on two wheels. Or, take to the Tarka Trail (www.devon.gov.uk/tarkatrail), 30 miles of largely traffic-free cycling along former railway routes. Try Otter Cycle Hire in Braunton (+44 (0)1271 813339). Mess about in boats on the Tamar: from Saltash, TamarSail will take you out on a traditional gaff-rigged craft (www.tamarsail.co.uk).

And...

The 90-foot White Lady waterfall at Lydford Gorge near Okehampton is a spectacular sight, and a rewarding one for anyone who walks along the arduous but lushly beautiful ravine. Look out for kingfishers.