When you need a little travel inspiration, some facts about Devon & Cornwall, or just a good travel article written with eyewitness detail, our blog should be your first choice. Written in fresh and informative style for both travel junkies and armchair travellers, it cuts through the fluff to paint wonderful word pictures of each destination and event. We’ll help you make the most of your time when holidaying in the south west of England.
Bird lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and those looking for something different to do will all enjoy a visit to the Screech Owl Sanctuary in central Cornwall. It offers falconry demonstrations and hands-on opportunities with quite a menagerie of animals.
One of Devon’s most endearing attractions is the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary. The cute residents entertain all ages, especially at feeding time, and the butterfly house is ideal for showery days!
Located where the River Taw joins the Torridge, Barnstaple is within easy reach of Exmoor National Park and the Tarka Trail. It has a characterful historic town centre with some impressive buildings including the Victorian Butcher’s Row.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Barnstaple.
Following on from the reopening of the National Trust Coleridge Cottage, the scenic Coleridge Way has now been extended. It runs for 51 miles across the Devon-Somerset border linking Exmoor National Park with the Quantock Hills.
The tiny city of Truro with its charming cobbled streets and grand townhouses makes a great place to spend a long weekend at any time of year. With excellent shopping, dining, history and architecture you can mix city pleasures with a riverside stroll.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Truro.
Head down to Cornwall for some hair-raising activities in a flooded disused quarry. Try the Giant Swing, the 490-metre long zip wire and coasteering with a difference at Adrenalin Quarry.
Totnes is a former Saxon settlement on the River Dart, known for its alternative New Age community. This delightful historic town and wealthy river port once exported Devon wool and tin. It has a bustling main street, 15th century church, historic buildings and even an Elizabethan market along its narrow streets. Set on a steep hill, Totnes Castle is an interesting local landmark; one of many historic attractions to enjoy during your visit to this unique community.
Here are our suggestions for 5 top reasons to visit Totnes.
Coleton Fishacre is the arts and crafts style family home of the operatic D’Oyly Carte family. Furnished in 1920s style, the house is surrounded by superb RHS approved gardens sloping down to the sea.
If you plan to visit Devon, check out this article about the popular National Trust property which can easily be reached by road or coastal path from Dartmouth.
Penzance is the most westerly town of significance in the UK, just 10 miles from Land’s End. This lively town is famous for its old port, market, characterful pubs and for the majestic St Michaels Mount which stands in Mounts Bay.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Penzance.
Something you can only do in Cornwall is tour a former tin mine! Geevor Tin Mine near Land’s End offers an underground hard hat tour which is always a novelty for visitors. There is also a museum and plenty of heritage buildings to tour.
Dig into our article for more details of how to enjoy a day out at this award-winning attraction.
Lanhydrock is an increasingly family-friendly place to visit. There’s an adventure playground, off-road cycle trails with challenges and a quiz sheet to keep kids busy. There are 50 rooms of this splendid home to tour, from kitchen to nursery.
Enjoy the formal gardens and parterre, established trees and herbaceous borders and the riverside walk. There are also shops, restaurants and a family museum.
Kids and adults cannot help but want to stroke the muzzles of the gentle residents at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. This extensive sanctuary is a great place to drop in for lunch, but no visit is complete without saying hello to some of the residents.
Read more about how the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary began and plan to visit this popular family-friendly Devon attraction which is completely free to visit.
Plymouth has a rich maritime history with many areas of interest including the historic Barbican and the Hoe overlooking the natural harbour of Plymouth Sound. Home to the Royal Citadel and the naval dockyard at Devonport, this waterfront city is a fascinating place to explore.
Here are our 5 worthwhile reasons to visit Plymouth.
Until 2004, Looe Island remained a mystery to both visitors and residents of Looe. Occupied for over 40 years by two elderly sisters, the private island was bequeathed to the Cornwall Wildlife Trust and now offers boat trips and guided tours with a ranger.
The island has an interesting history and is now home to many seabirds, grey seals, wild flowers and butterflies. Enjoy walking, swimming, fishing or bird spotting as part of your interesting visit.
Once an essential part of life in Clovelly, donkeys were used to haul baskets of herring up the steep cobbled to streets. Nowadays they are occasionally used to carry luggage for visitors staying at the pubs.
Their main role today is to give rides to children, be petted and pose for photographs, but lucky visitors can enroll on a one-day Donkey Keeping Course. Here’s how…
Camel Valley Winery has won more awards and titles than most for its delicious white, red and sparkling wines. Take a tour of the vineyard and discover how to make wine on a commercial scale before enjoying a sample.
Easy to reach by bicycle from the Camel Trail, the vineyard terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the rural views with a glass of delicious local bubbly.
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) is a great attraction housed in a wonderful Gothic building in the heart of Exeter. With free admission it’s a great place to explore, but don’t expect to cover the 1.5 million historic objects, animals and artworks in one visit!
With regular lectures and family-themed events, RAMM should be on every Devon visitor’s to-do list.
A trip to Devon in winter is ideal for blowing cobwebs away and enjoying some fun activities as a family. The pre-Christmas period offers unusual opportunities for shopping while traditional carols, candles and Christmas trees are never far away.
Rent a holiday cottage in Devon in winter and look forward to days out with our suggested activities and cosy evenings playing games beside wood-burning fires.
Winter in Cornwall is a special time to enjoy this county’s ancient traditions. Where better to visit in preparation for Christmas with food fairs, craft shows, carols and lights along with the Montol Festival, Stargazy Pie and Santa by Steam.
After Christmas the pace doesn’t let up. Read on to discover more ways to enjoy a winter break in Cornwall with wassailing, Nordic walking, castles and racing!
The Yarak Birds of Prey Centre is ranked the #1 attraction in Devon by Trip Advisor. With 52 beautiful birds to admire, watch in flight and handle, it’s no wonder it is popular with families of all ages.
Discover more about what this top attraction has to offer, and put it on your list of great places to visit from your Devon cottage rental or holiday home.
Newquay was once known as a bucket-and-spade destination for family holidays, but in recent years it has certainly “come of age”. Now popular with young adults looking for adventure and fun, we feature the activities available at Vertical Descents.
Read on to discover adrenaline-pumping activities including coasteering, climbing, caving, abseiling, raft building, kayaking, quad biking, surfing and more.
Wingz started out as a personal collection of birds and rescued wildlife. It opened its gates to the public in 2010 and now has over 80 species of rare and endangered birds, and some unusual furry mammals too.
This ideal family attraction makes an educational day out at an affordable price. Feed the animals, make use of the children’s play area and support the café.
Diggerland is a great excuse for Dads to take their kids on a day out that they will probably enjoy just as much themselves. There are many full-size and miniature JCBs and construction machinery to try out, and youngsters can drive a real car.
This attraction near Cullompton also has digger-themed rides, slides and ziplines, providing a full day out for all ages at an affordable all-inclusive price.
If you’re looking for something different to do in East Devon, why not go llama trekking? These intelligent but gentle animals love being accompanied on a walk through fields and along the coastal path. Return to the farm for a Devon cream tea.
Learn more about this fun attraction on Devon’s Jurassic Coast and consider feeding, grooming and trekking with llamas at Peak Hill Llamas near Sidmouth.