3 November 2023
If you’re looking for a great regular holiday destination, you’re sure to find it amongst the rolling landscapes and idyllic coastlines of Devon.
Choose a holiday lodge which you can visit year-on-year to enjoy the best that Devon has to offer. Make the most of local delicacies, visit the sandy white beaches and picturesque countryside, villages and famous sites from past and new. Choose long weekends or full season escapes as regularly as you can. Read our top reasons for buying a holiday lodge in South West.
Why Choose a Holiday Lodge in Devon?
Locally-Sourced Cuisine
If you’re a keen foodie who enjoys sampling local produce and savouring the flavours of home-grown fruit, veg and reared meat, then Devon is a feast in its self. It’s well-known for the production of free-grazing beef and lamb and its seafood supplied by the many coastal fishing ports.
For those looking for fine dining, there are a number of restaurants which certainly won’t disappoint. Try the Mason’s Arms in Knowstone, Exmoor which serves Michelin-starred pub food or try The Quay in Ilfracombe to enjoy the spectacular view of Ilfracombe’s pretty harbour and seascape, along with artwork from Damien Hirst.
However, if you prefer light lunches and indulgent snacks then we mustn’t forget the humble pasty and of course, the famous Devonshire cream tea.
Activities and Sights
There’s lots to do and take in when you holiday in Devon. The list is endless, so you’ll never be left at a loss how to spend your time. A great advantage of owning a holiday home here is that you can always come back to see more.
Visit the pastel coloured houses and steep streets of Salcombe; take a walk along the South West Coastal Path – Britain’s longest footpath or travel the River Dart by boat or by rail. Or simply take your time breathing the sea air and experiencing the many beautiful beaches along the coast.
Take relaxing days out seeing well-known sights such as the gardens at Darlington House or learning about glass production at close by Darlington Crystal, the UK’s only remaining glass factory. If you’re a keen historian who enjoys immersing themselves in years of old, take a day to visit Powderham Castle to lose yourself in centuries of stories; or visit the ruins of Devon’s largest castle, Okehampton Castle, to learn about ghostly happenings.
Rolling Landscapes and Natural Beauty
If you enjoy taking country walks with your partner or like to have lots of choices for alternative dog walking routes, the countryside is vast and filled with easy access public footpaths. Or if you’d rather enjoy the views driving through hilly landscapes or embrace your inner artist, then visiting areas of breathtaking beauty such as national parks Dartmoor and Exmoor, will always leave you feeling refreshed.
Devon’s countryside will inspire and delight. If you want peace and quiet then you won’t be let down as your main company will be the local livestock. With so much greenery, there is an abundance of wildlife to enjoy for any keen bird watcher or nature enthusiast.
Apparently legendary director Steven Spielberg once said: “I have never before been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty.” A perfect testimonial if we’ve ever heard one.
Devon’s Climate
We can never guarantee anything about the weather in the UK, but a bonus with Devon is that it tends to be a bit milder due to the North Atlantic Drift, so snow is pretty uncommon and summers are usually warmer. There tends to be more rain inland than on the coast but with the rain comes the lush foliage and greenery that Devon is known for. There are still plenty of sunny days to enjoy along with milder winters and spring-time at its best. Ideal weather for keen gardeners and perfect for anyone’s health and wellbeing.
Gorgeous Coastlines
The north and south coasts of Devon each have both cliffs and sandy shores, and the county’s bays contain seaside resorts such as Saunton Sands to the North. The untamed three-mile stretch of beach is also home to Braunton Burrows, one of the largest sand-dune systems in Britain.
Another beauty, this time in South Devon, is Blackpool Sands. South-west of Dartmouth, Blackpool Sands consists of a sheltered and peaceful crescent backed by wooded hills. It’s popular with families, especially for swimming in its turquoise, clean and calm waters. Fishing towns, and ports like Salcombe and Brixham also mustn’t be missed.
Devon is known for its calm and tranquil pace of life, but as well as those more relaxing and scenic locations, Devon’s coast is also home to more bustling cities such as vibrant Plymouth and Exeter. A perfect mix for either style of holiday and excellent for holidays with the grandkids.
An Investment Opportunity
As a top holiday destination in the UK, buying a holiday lodge in Devon can not only be great for you as a beautiful get away, it’s also a great investment opportunity, especially for retirement. Even if it’s a dream you’ve had to own your own holiday home and you invest all your savings, you can still make that money back over time through sub-letting through the winter months or renting it out as a holiday home for the times you’re not enjoying it yourself.
Ease of Access
Devon used to be a tricky place to get to for those further north or east, but those times have passed. The West Country highway network has undergone massive improvements over the past years with key routes such as the M5 as far as Exeter and the North Devon Link Road, which gives access to north Devon. The A30 also now gives fast access right to the tip past Penzance in Cornwall. Or the A38 expressway has also made the journey to south-west Devon much easier. Just three and half hours from London by car or if it’s a quicker and easier journey you’re after for a weekend break, hop on an aeroplane for just an hour to arrive in Exeter by air.
If our top reasons to buy a holiday lodge in Devon have taken your fancy, then check out our recommendation for luxury lodges at Haulfryn, Finlake in Devon. Set amongst 130-acres of woodland and close to Newton Abbot. The Finlake holiday park includes a gym, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a relaxing sauna, steam room and spa; as well as outdoor activities including fishing lakes, adventure playground and a high ropes adventure course for the grandkids.
To see more parks in Devon, search our online Park Finder.
Written by Clara Baillie-Lane