Ask most people about their memories of camping in Devon and they will say, beautiful beach and coves, scrumpy bought from the farm, and cream teas with scones! But if you haven’t been to Devon before, or need convincing to put jam on your scone before cream, then please read on. From Exmoor to Dartmoor, from Bideford to the south Devon beach, there is lots to explore and much to enjoy.
Recommendation on things to do in Devon
The East Devon and Dorset coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site as well as the mining landscape of Devon and Cornwall. You’ll be able to get some stunning photos anywhere in the county but right below Dartmoor is an area of outstanding Natural beauty!
For the surfers out there you can take part in a 3-day workshop where you can build your own surfboard, or just catch some waves on the south coast!
Fancy a Beer? Well, there’s a town called Beer on the south coast of Devon! And is part of the first natural world heritage n the UK as well as sitting on the edge of the Area of outstanding natural beauty. Have a pint by the sea in this picture-perfect town! Then head north West to the Beer Quarry Caves, a 2000-year-old underground man-made quarry complex.
If you want more information or background on the places we have mentioned, take a look at the Visit Devon website!
Exmoor
Exmoor is a hilly open moorland that bleeds over into Devon from Somerset. Named after the river Exe and home to beautiful little villages such as Simonsbath and Malmsmead, Exmoor is worth visiting.
The Village of Malmesmead opens up into the Doone Valley, made famous by RD Blackmore’s novel Lorna Doone published in 1869. The picturesque landscape is the perfect backdrop for your Campervan holiday in Devon!
Another piece of natural beauty in north Devon is the Valley of Rocks. A U-shaped dry valley parallel to the sea is a stunning and fossil-dense area of Devon.
Dartmoor
You’ll be hard-pressed to not find beauty in Dartmoor so here are two places you may want to visit in your campervan!
Lydford Castle and town date back over 1000 years and have roots in both Saxon and Norman times! The Castle Served as a prison for the enforcement of the Dartmoor laws of the time. Visit English Heritage for more information on the historical sights of devon here.
By contrast, Castle Drogo is the last castle to be built in the UK going back only a century! Overlooking Teign Gorge and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe in 1910.
Devon Beaches
Most of our family holidays were spent on the beaches in Devon. We used to camp at a farm near Kingsbridge in Devon. The beaches in this area are legendary for smugglers’ coves, rock pools, and beautiful sand. Devon has many award-winning Blue Flag beaches with long sandy stretches, sheltered coves, and lots of rock pools. I would always recommend taking a wind break to the beach. When the sun is shining the beach is beautiful, but if you get a breeze off the sea, it can feely very chilly.
Devon Cream Tea – Jam v’s Cream
Devon and Cornwall have been at odds with each other for centuries. As neighboring counties, they share the South West Coasts’ stunning coastline and sunny weather but disagree about everything! Not least should you add jam or cream to your scone first! Devonians argue diary should go first with Jam added on top. However, our inhabitants from Cornwall disagree and argue the Jam will protect the cream from the warmth of the scone. They even have their own hashtag: #creamisnotbutter. there is, of course, only one solution, try both combinations and make your own mind up!
Devon Scrumpy
Devon has always been a great place to grow apples and make strong cider, known as scrumpy. Due to the rich soil and the amount of sun it gets, apples develop a high sugar content, which is perfect for cider. Devon cider is naturally cloudy, full-bodied, and has lots of character often described as the “cider bite”. Just be careful, as local cider can be deceptively strong. You think you are drinking apple juice, and then suddenly you aren’t!
When is it best to go to Devon?
Any time of year you’ll find plenty to do here, whether it’s a city break or an escape to the country the county of outstanding beauty can’t disappoint! Rich in History due to its moors and coasts, friendly people, and stunning scenery Devons is a great holiday destination!
How to get to Devon
From our forecourt, in Hemel, the drive will take you about 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic. We would definitely recommend adding in a couple of stops to break up the journey. If you are driving along the M4, a Nice place to stop is Bristol or Bath. If however, you want to follow the coast, head to the New Forest or stop at Corf Castle. This route will take you through the beauty of the South Coast and extend your adventure.
