Devon is the perfect escape for a quiet weekend away or a half-term break before winter finally sets in. Here are 5 reasons that may just persuade you to be impetuous and book a last-minute break in the West Country.
1: Devon food
Everything seems to taste better in Devon. The herds of cows grazing on lush green grass all summer long provide the creamiest milk for making traditional clotted cream to top fresh crumbly scones and sweet strawberry preserve. Few other counties come close to having milk rich enough to use for making clotted cream, and it always tastes better at source!
The rich milk is also the key ingredient in the butteriest-tasting ice cream, delectable soft cheeses and hand patted rolls of butter. Pick up a few packs of sweet or savoury biscuits bearing the Duchy Originals royal brand name as quality gifts and help support the West Country producers as well as a range of charities countrywide.
Fresh Devon lamb is mouthwateringly delicious at this time of year and the fish and seafood are the hallmark on the menu of many reputable restaurants and pubs.
2: Legends and myths
Too chilly to sit around on the beach, autumn calls for some bracing walks in the countryside. Discover some of the history and folklore in Devon on a scenic ramble. Learn about the “knockers†in the mines, the rock formations at Dawlish known as the Parson and the Clerk, and the tale of Lady Howard's Coach, destined to ride the Okehampton road for eternity.
Enquire in a local pub about the story behind the strange rocks on Dartmoor known as Bowerman's Nose and the nearby Hound Tor. Discover why tarred barrels are set alight and carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary on 5th November. As Halloween approaches, shiver at the spine-tingling tale of “hairy hands†grabbing the steering wheel of unsuspecting motorists on the road between Postbridge and Princetown, and be afraid!
3: Climate
Pockets of the South West of England enjoy a sub-tropical microclimate where wonderful gardens manage to grow palms and tree ferns more familiar in the Mediterranean than Modbury. Enjoy visiting National Trust gardens and estates or stroll through local parks in the balmy temperatures. Even the sea remains warm well into autumn for those wanting to slip into a wetsuit for a last dip, scuba-diving or an afternoon's surfing.
4: South West Coast Path
A large proportion of the South West Coast Path wends its way along the clifftops of Devon's north and south coasts. Enjoy scenic walks in the company of a few grazing sheep with the calls of overhead gulls riding the gusty sea breezes. Once you've worked up an appetite, stop off for lunch at one of the many smugglers inns in coastal hamlets.
5: Family theme parks
There is still plenty to see and do in the theme parks scattered across Devon, and they are far less crowded than in summer. Visit The Big Sheep and watch the “woolly jumpers†race, take a trip to the Milky Way's all-weather attractions or ride the roller coasters at Crealy in Sidmouth for a final fling.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.