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Geography

With such a wonderful variety of contrasting vistas, Devon is a place of beauty; its vast, wild moorlands reach down to stunning seascapes with beaches hugging the longest coastline of any region in England.  The milder climate makes Devon particularly suitable for self catering holidays in caravan parks or holiday cottages. South Devon also has some outstanding holiday parks located close to Dawlish.

Wildlife

For those looking for more than the 'bucket and spade' type holiday, Devon boasts a plethora of wildlife and wide open spaces to explore.  Devon has 2 areas of moorland within its boundaries; Exmoor and Dartmoor.  Both are National Parks because they are such special and valued areas for wildlife and recreation.  Devon is also blessed with fast flowing streams, lazy rivers, wetlands, marshes, heathlands, grasslands, including wild flower meadows as well as woodlands. This provides a host of different locations for any family on a self catering holiday to discover and explore.

In the Area

Rich in places of interest and things to do, south Devon is the ideal choice for a family holiday.  If you have a preference for water sports, you can sail, surf, canoe and windsurf, as well as join an organised fishing trip, from which you can return with the 'catch of the day' for the family supper. Walkers and cyclists alike can enjoy trails along cliff-tops or sheltered coves. Take a look at the South West Coast Path with affords wonderful views along the way.

Caves, Castles, Cathedral and Cobbles

There are literally hundreds of places of interest to explore on a self catering holiday in Devon, including Kents Cavern in Torquay; a series of caves noted for its archaeological and geological features.  Visit Powderham Castle - a medieval fortress set in an ancient deer park with lavish interiors, gardens and grounds. There's the stunning gothic cathedral in Exeter, dating back to 1050 AD; all full of history and grandeur, this beautiful piece of architecture is surrounded by quaint little shops, cafes and restaurants in Cathedral Yard.

Exeter has its own river and canal along which to meander, or to rest a while with a coffee or glass of wine at one of the many eateries overlooking the water.  With its vast array of shops and restaurants, this city has much to offer, including a warm welcome that will definitely encourage you to linger just a little longer. Take a drive and visit the cobbled, traffic-free, high street of the world famous Clovelly fishing village in North Devon, built into a cleft in a 400' high cliff; it tumbles its way down past whitewashed cottages festooned with flowers to the tiny working port.

Festivals, Fish and Food

One of the largest fishing ports in the country, the ancient town of Brixham in south Devon is renowned for its variety and quality of fresh fish landed and sold to local, national and global customers.  With historic evidence dating back to the Vikings, along with the Berry Head fortifications built during the Napoleonic wars, Brixham is steeped in history. You can re-live Drake's incredible world voyage of 1577 on board an exact copy of the Golden Hind, which is moored in the harbour.  Brixham was also in 'the cradle of the Bloodless Revolution' when Prince William of Orange landed at the port in 1688, and went on to claim the throne as King William III.

Dartmouth is medieval town with so much to offer the family on holiday.  It has its own castle and Dartmouth Royal Naval College looks down over the town and the estuary.  It's possible to take a trip up the river to other towns on the English Riviera, but if the sea is not for you, you can always take the steam train. The steam train runs from Paignton to Kingswear on the opposite side of the river to Dartmouth. A 3 minute ferry-ride transports cars and passengers across to Dartmouth, also famous for its Royal Regatta and music festivals; as well as the glorious Food Festival held in the autumn.

Salcombe is sheltered inside the Kingsbridge Estuary, and retains its tranquillity by favouring the pedestrian over the motorist. There is plenty of parking around the edges of the town and the wisdom of using it becomes clear when you see the narrow streets in the town centre. Salcombe was, and still is, a seafaring town. The sea trade was at its height in the 1860s, when about 100 mostly locally built schooners sailed to the Bahamas, the Mediterranean and the Azores for exotic fruit for the home market. It was a tough but lucrative business if you survived, and profits from this provided the cash for many of the substantial Victorian houses to be found in Salcombe today. The town has an abundance of individual shops, many catering for marine activities, as well as restaurants, galleries, and some delightful waterfront pubs. There are 2 beaches - North Sands and South Sands; here you can enjoy even more family fun in the Splash Centre - a water sports activity centre. With such diversity, and so very much to choose from in the county, you can be sure that your self catering holiday in Devon will be anything but typical.

About the Author:I am lucky enough to live in Devon and have explored the county far and wide. I have visited the Dawlish based holiday park that's an ideal base for self catering holidays in Devon , and used these experiences to inform this article.

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