Holiday Cottages In Devon 2026/2027

By Car

The most convenient way of getting to and around Devon is by car. Although there are public train and bus services, they don't go everywhere and frequency can be limited, especially on Sundays. And with so many gorgeous places to stay out in the countryside and by the sea, they might be a little harder to get to. Travelling by car also means that you can get out and about, visiting some of the region's popular tourist attractions like Paignton Zoo Environmental Park and Crealy Theme Park, or go exploring and find some quieter beaches.

By Train

The main city in Devon is Exeter, so you'll probably be arriving into, or will need to change trains here at Exeter St Davids or Exeter Central. From here, you can head up to places like Barnstaple on the north coast, Okehampton on the border of Dartmoor National Park, or head down to the south coast seaside towns of Exmouth, Dawlish, Torquay and Paignton. Depending on where you are staying, you might then need to jump in a taxi if you holiday cottage is not close to public transport.

North Devon

Up in North Devon, popular beach towns to stay in include Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Westward Ho. Being close to the seaside will certainly push up accommodation prices, so if you venture inland a little to places like Bideford, Barnstaple and Combe Martin, you can often get cheaper places to stay.

South Devon

In South Devon, some of the best beach holidays are found in towns like Sandy Bay, Dawlish and Teignmouth. In South Devon, some of the best beach holidays are found in towns like Sandy Bay, Dawlish, and Teignmouth, where self catering holiday cottages offer flexibility and comfort for visitors. Quieter areas away from the tourist traps are often found further down the coast, with hidden gems including Beesands, Challaborough and Bigbury-On-Sea, although this part of the Jurassic Coast has far fewer beaches and more cliffs.

Although not technically part of Devon, Brixham, Paignton, and Torquay are very popular. In the summer, you'll find the area heaving with holidaymakers, however, there's also plenty going on here. As well as the great beaches, there's good bars and restaurants, and places to visit like Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Paignton Pier and Splashdown Quaywest water park.

Exeter

If you're spending time in the south, one of the great things to do in Devon is visit Exeter. This ancient city can be dated back to Roman times and offers a wealth of things to do and see, like Exeter Cathedral, shopping, boat trips on the River Exe and even tours of the exciting Underground Passages from Medieval times.

Dartmoor National Park

For a brisk bit of exercise, head into Darmoor National Park and take one of the walking routes. During summer, be sure to take the sun cream, while in winter, it might feel more like a hike than a walk. Various routes will take you through the landscape and into local villages.

Beaches

Of course, no visit to Devon is complete without at least one trip to the seaside. The golden sand beaches here are perfect for enjoying a warm summers day. In fact there are 10 Blue Flag beaches in Devon (3 in the north and 7 in the south). While the popular ones get busy, jump in the car and drive along the coast to find quieter beaches which are hidden away.

Many of the beaches are also close to self-catering holiday cottages, which serve as ideal holiday rentals for those looking to stay near the coast.

South Devon AONB

The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) offers 60 miles of gorgeous protected landscapes from Plymouth to Torbay and includes areas like Dartmoor NP, Hallsands and Blackpool Sands.

Farms And Animal Experiences

Being out in the countryside, you'll find lots of animal experiences, perfect for kids. Let them learn about the different animals, whether in the zoo, wildlife park, aquarium of farm, with many also offer experiences like feeding and petting. Take a look at places like Dartmoor Zoological Park, Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park and Exmoor Zoo, or pop over to Plymouth for the National Marine Aquarium.

By The Sea

There's nothing quite like waking up with stunning sea views in a self catering cottage, is there? A quick morning coffee on the terrace overlooking the clifftops? Brushing your teeth while gazing out to sea? And there are some amazing Devon cottages with sea views too. Take a look at Morte View in Woolacombe, a cute little apartment with balcony and views over Barricane Beach, or the modern hilltop Beach View cottage in Combe Martin, which offers an outdoor hot tub and has views from its terrace over the inlet of Combe Martin Beach.

Dog Friendly

Staying in the UK is one of the biggest attractions for pet owners. It's a horrible feeling to be leaving your dog with someone else or in kennels, and holiday companies are capitalising on this. There are now hundreds of dog friendly holiday cottages in Devon. You might have to pay a little extra (sometimes there are extra cleaning supplements when staying with pets), but you can't go on holiday without the WHOLE family, right?

Luxury

There are some modern and luxurious cottages around Devon. Companies like Coast & Country Cottages, Luxury Cottages and Sykes all offer several truly stunning places. Some modern with incredible views, others more traditional with a historic feel.

For Large Groups

Holiday companies and home owners can often be a bit nervous around larger groups because of the risk of damage caused during the stay, and you may find some of the larger properties won't allow single sex groups or parties. This is also the case with companies like Airbnb. Check the terms and conditions before you book to make sure the owner does allow groups. Some properties are well designed for this, even with things like games rooms.

With A Pool

During the summer months in particular, splashing out on a place with a pool can be one of those memory-making moments. Watching the kids splash around in the pool while you enjoy the sunshine. A great alternative is booking somewhere that's close to a leisure centre or water park. Or better still, you can also buy day passes to certain holiday parks where you can use their facilities like indoor and outdoor pools and waterslides.

Lodges

Lodges, especially lodges with hot tubs are another popular option here. They can offer more of a holiday feel sometimes, and when you've got a hot tub, there's no better way to enjoy a summer sunset with some bubbles.

Lodges are a fantastic option for Devon holidays, providing a unique and comfortable experience for families, couples, and groups.