Rediscover South Devon

We, along with everyone else, are excited that we can once again travel and enjoy holidays in the UK. It’s the perfect time to book a staycation and rediscover everything that makes this country and South Devon so amazing. 

Whilst travelling abroad was off the cards for many last year, it encouraged us to explore closer to home and discover what we have our own beautiful country. Here at Visit South Devon we want to continue this trend throughout 2021 now that things have started to reopen again. So if you’re looking for your next big getaway in 2021 whether you’ve visited the region before or not, let us tell you our top 10 reasons to visit South Devon this year and rediscover this beautiful part of Devon.

Rediscover Dartmoor National Park

If you’re still not feeling comfortable with being in close proximity to others, we’ve got lots of wide open space for you to enjoy in South Devon and one of the most popular destinations for this is Dartmoor National Park. You could explore an ancient forest, climb to the top of a rugged tor for some seriously impressive views or simply walk in this vast landscape. The possibilities are endless on Dartmoor so even if you’ve been lucky enough to enjoy a trip to Dartmoor previously, we’re sure there’s even more for you to discover. You can learn more about the National Park here.

Rediscover Three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Not only does South Devon boast an incredible National Park in Dartmoor, but the region is also home to three stunning Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). These are the East Devon AONB, South Devon AONB and Blackdown Hills AONB. All three have a multitude of reasons to visit and lots to explore. For coastal views, South Devon and East Devon AONBs are beautiful and for some historical places of interest head to Blackdown Hills. Find out more about each of them here: South Devon, East Devon, Blackdown Hills.

Rediscover Bustling Cities

Maybe you’re feeling pumped to get back out amongst people (socially distanced of course!) and feel the buzz of a city again? If so, we’ve got two brilliant cities for you to explore. Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City and Exeter, a hub for culture and the arts. Both offer plenty to see and do with lots of well liked attractions that all the family will enjoy. There’s an aquarium and the charming Barbican in Plymouth whilst Exeter boasts an attractive cathedral and chic canal waterfront. Besides the usual spots for visitors, you’ll also find lots of hidden gems in these cities too. Find out more about Exeter here and Plymouth here.

Rediscover Seaside Resorts

If it’s a family holiday jam packed with attractions and fun that you’re looking for, there are a few hotspots in South Devon that are perfect for that! Some that spring to mind are the seaside resorts of the English Riviera; Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, as well as destinations such as Teignmouth, Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. All these lively towns are home to plenty of family attractions as well as a plethora of beaches and parks to enjoy. But South Devon seaside resorts aren’t just for family fun with little ones, there are plenty that are perfect for couples getaways and just about any type of holiday! Salcombe and Dartmouth are gorgeous waterfront communities and the regency town of Sidmouth is perfectly placed for exploring the Jurassic Coast. If you’ve visited one of our popular resorts before, why not try somewhere new and uncover more of this amazing region. 

Rediscover Quaint Villages

Alongside two cities and lots of exciting towns, South Devon is also sprinkled with quaint villages and settlements which can be overlooked. Why not expand your horizons and visit one of the lesser known villages in South Devon this year? One chocolate box village in East Devon that you won’t want to miss is Branscombe; it’s stunning location on the Jurassic Coast and thatched cottages feel like you’re on a movie set! And if you’re looking for villages that are out of the way of the crowds, be sure to have a look at places in Dartmoor National Park and Blackdown Hills AONB, both areas are home to lots of alluring hamlets and communities.

Rediscover Awesome Events

With events pretty much off the cards in 2020, we’re hoping to see our favourite events return with a bang in 2021! At the moment, planned to go ahead during the summer are many of the great regattas, concerts and festivals as well as lots of fantastic and unusual smaller events. Even if the larger gatherings are smaller this year or adjusted to comply with Covid restrictions, there’ll still be plenty to do. Many attractions host events throughout the year too so keep your eyes on our What’s On page here to see what’s coming up in the region.

Rediscover Miles of Coastline

South Devon has miles of coastline to discover during your visit and the best views and walks can be enjoyed using the South West Coast Path. Viewing points are in abundance and there is something for everybody. Perhaps you’d like a circular walk, gentle stroll or want to test yourself with a challenging hike, you’ll find something to suit. We’re also lucky enough to have part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in the region so be sure to head to it in East Devon where you can explore the prehistoric era. For more information about the South Devon coast, please click here.

Rediscover History & Heritage

Dotted across Devon are a wide range of historical attractions and fascinating sites just waiting to be explored. From country homes and castles to Iron Age Hillforts, Bronze Age settlements and steam railways, whatever your interest, you’ll find somewhere to discover the region’s past. Delve into the selection of history and heritage in South Devon by clicking here.

Rediscover Exciting Attractions

Zoos, theme parks, museums, galleries and pools are just a handful of the types of attractions on offer in South Devon. We understand that this past year has been a struggle for many of our wonderful attractions so what better way to give them a boost in 2021 than making the most of the variety on offer and rediscovering your favourite days out! They’ve all worked so hard to put the correct safety measures in place, with some already open and others opening soon, to ensure that you can enjoy a Covid safe trip, so if you’re able to, please visit them and show them your support, we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed! Discover South Devon attractions here.

Rediscover Delicious Food & Drink

It probably won’t come as a shock to hear that our fertile land and staggering coastline means that Devon produces some of the best food and drink around. Beautiful wines, yummy cheeses, tantalising soft drinks, ales, seafood, fudge, ice cream and more, you’ll be spoilt for choice! You can pick up local delicacies at a market or enjoy a meal at one of our amazing restaurants. Similarly to attractions, the hospitality industry was hit hard during 2020 so a visit to a local eatery, pub or bar is a great idea during to 2021. They’ll be ensuring all Covid measures are in place so you can dive into your delicious meal knowing that you’ll be safe. Rediscover our varied food and drink scene in South Devon here.

Now you’ve seen all the greats things that are waiting for you to do in South Devon during 2021 and beyond, it’s time to book your ideal accommodation. You can explore the fabulous range of places to stay in South Devon here. And for further help planning your visit why not check out the 2021 South Devon Visitor Guide here.

Whether it’s your first time to the area or you’re looking to explore some new places in the region, we hope to welcome you during 2021! And we’re positive it’s going to be a lot better than 2020, we can’t wait to see you soon!

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