Devon Road Trip Guide

Devon Road Trip Guide

Devon was one of the most varied stretches of my UK road trip with Roly. After leaving Bristol, I drove south into the county and based myself in Brixham, using it as a starting point to explore South Devon’s coastline, the South Hams, Dartmoor, Exeter and Plymouth.

If you’re planning a Devon road trip, the key thing to understand is this: Devon only makes sense when you move through it. It isn’t one destination. It’s a sequence of landscapes.

Harbour towns → open coastline → winding country lanes → moorland → small cities.

That shift is what defines the experience.

During my own route through the region, the drive unfolded like this:

Bristol → Brixham → Berry Head → Broadsands Beach → Elberry Cove → Salcombe / South Hams → Dartmoor → Exeter → Plymouth

Some parts of Devon feel coastal and polished. Others feel wild, exposed and almost empty. The better route is the one that lets you experience both.

This route focuses on South Devon, the South Hams and Dartmoor, which form one of the most cohesive road trip sections of the county.

Devon is bigger than it first appears. Areas like North Devon and the Jurassic Coast (East Devon) follow different routes and are best explored separately.

If you’re mapping a wider journey, start with my full UK Road Trip Itinerary first.

Table of Contents

• Why Devon Works So Well as a Road Trip
• My Devon Route Overview
• South Devon Coast: Brixham, Berry Head & the Bay Beaches
• The South Hams: Salcombe, Bigbury & Coastal Detours
• Dartmoor National Park
• Exeter & Plymouth
• Where to Stay in Devon
• How Many Days You Need in Devon
• What to Actually Do in Devon
• Is Devon Worth Visiting?

Why Devon Works So Well as a Road Trip

Devon is one of the strongest road trip regions in England because it gives you several different landscapes within relatively short driving distances.

Within the same route, you can move between:

• fishing towns and harbours
• clifftop walks and beaches
• inland moorland
• creative market towns
• historic coastal cities

What makes Devon work isn’t any single place. It’s the transition between them. If you only do the coast, you miss the scale of Dartmoor. If you only do Dartmoor, you miss the pulse of harbour towns and coastal life.

The experience comes from combining both.

My Devon Route Overview

The easiest way to understand Devon is to break it into stages of a route rather than a list of places.

The route that worked for me was:

Coast → Refined Coast → Moor → City reset

South Devon → South Hams → Dartmoor → Exeter → Plymouth

That sequence matters because each stage shifts the experience.

You start with something easy and slower, move into something more scenic and social, then into something open and raw, before reconnecting with structure again.

That’s what makes Devon feel like a journey rather than a series of stops.

South Devon Coast

Harbour Towns, Walkable Beaches & Coastal Living

Key stops: Brixham, Berry Head, Broadsands, Elberry Cove

This is where most people start, and where Devon feels easiest.

I based myself in Brixham, a colourful fishing town with a working harbour, pastel cottages and dog-friendly walks in every direction. It works well because it feels local, authentic, not just somewhere built for visitors.

A short walk from town leads to Berry Head Nature Reserve, where cliffs sweep out into the sea and you get an immediate sense of the coastline while enjoying a scenic hike. The Guardhouse Cafe sits right on the edge, making it an easy stop for breakfast with a view.

Broadsands Beach became mine and Roly's morning routine here. Wide sand, calm water and a very local atmosphere. Nearby Elberry Cove offered the opposite; quieter, more tucked away, and better for slower walks.

What makes South Devon distinct

Compared to the rest of Devon:

• more local and grounded
• easier to navigate than inland routes

Best for: first-time visitors, coastal walks, food-led travel
Dog note: Broadsands, Elberry Cove and Berry Head were some of the easiest daily walks with Roly
Nomad note: works for short stays

The South Hams

Refined Coastline, Scenic Detours & Slower Roads

Key stops: Salcombe, Bigbury-on-Sea, Totnes

Moving west, the coastline shifts. Roads narrow. Towns become more polished. This is Devon at its most postcard.

Bigbury-on-Sea stands out immediately. At low tide, a sandy causeway appears connecting the beach to Burgh Island, one of the most visually distinctive places along the route. Lunch at The Oyster Shack, mussels and a glass of white summed up the area perfectly: simple, coastal and well executed.

In Salcombe, the atmosphere becomes more boutique. Narrow streets, pastel cottages and a more premium feel than Brixham. I walked through town before heading to North Sands Beach, then had lunch at The Crab Shed, which sits right by the harbour.

Further inland, Totnes shifts things again. Vintage shops, organic cafes and a slightly alternative energy make it feel noticeably different from the coast.

What makes The South Hams distinct

• more polished and aesthetic
• less working harbour, more destination feel
  

Best for: scenic drives, slow travel, couples, families
Dog note: beaches are strong, seasonal restrictions apply
Nomad note: good for long stays and structured work

Dartmoor National Park

Open Landscape, Wild Terrain & Complete Contrast

Key stops: Haytor, Hound Tor, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

This is where the route changes completely. You go from:

coastal → contained → social to open → exposed → quiet

Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor reveals the landscape with open moorland, sheep moving through the hills, and weather that shifts constantly. 

There’s far less structure here. No rows of cafes, no harbour centres, no obvious flow. It’s landscape first.

That’s why places like Widecombe-in-the-Moor matter. The Cafe on the Green (cream tea stop), The Rugglestone Inn, and Two Bridges Hotel bring back a bit of warmth and structure after the openness.

What makes Dartmoor National Park distinct

• the biggest contrast in Devon
• driven by landscape rather than places

Best for: walking, slowing down, landscape
Dog note: one of the best places in the UK for dogs. Open land, freedom
Nomad note: not practical, this is where you switch off

Exeter & Plymouth

Urban Stops, Maritime History & Route Anchors

Key stops: Exeter, Plymouth

After Dartmoor, the route reconnects with cities.

Exeter works well as a transitional stop. As a university city, it has a younger, more active feel than the rest of Devon.

I walked along the quayside and passed through the cathedral area. It’s compact and easy, but more of a reset than a destination.

Plymouth has a stronger identity. The waterfront, The Hoe, Smeaton’s Tower, and Mayflower Steps all anchor it in maritime history. Royal William Yard stood out most, a redeveloped naval complex now filled with restaurants and nearby Wembury Beach made a good final dog walk.

What makes them distinct

• more structured and practical
  
• useful as reset points

Best for: breaking up drives, food stops, logistics
Dog note: Wembury Beach is a strong dog-friendly stop near Plymouth
Nomad note: Both Exeter and Plymouth are good for work sessions

Where to Stay in Devon (By Travel Style)

Devon isn’t about one perfect base. It depends on how you want the trip to feel.

First-time visitors

Best areas: South Devon Coast (Torbay, Dartmouth, Salcombe)

This is the most balanced entry into Devon.

• Torquay / Paignton: easiest and most practical
• Dartmouth: more character, quieter
• Salcombe: most scenic, more premium

Scenic-focused trips

Best area: South Hams

Beautiful, slower, more expensive

Nature-focused trips

Best area: Dartmoor

Best as a contrast stop rather than your main base.

Flexible / practical base

Best base: Exeter

Good access, but less character.

Key takeaway

There are three Devons:

• Coastal Devon → most balanced
• South Hams → most scenic
• Dartmoor → most raw

The best trips combine at least two.

How Many Days You Need in Devon

2–3 days

Focus on one area (South Devon recommended)

4–5 days (ideal minimum)

• Day 1–2 → South Devon
• Day 3 → South Hams
• Day 4 → Dartmoor
• Day 5 → Exeter or Plymouth

This is where Devon starts to feel like a proper route.

6–7 days

Best experience. Split between two bases and slow it down.

What to Actually Do in Devon (Real Stops, Food & Places That Matter)

This part of Devon isn’t all about attractions. It’s about how your day actually unfolds; beach → coffee → walk → lunch → drive → pub.

Here’s what that looks like in real terms.

South Devon (Brixham, Torbay)

Beaches, harbour life, easy days

Start here. This is where Devon feels most accessible.

Walks & beaches

• Broadsands Beach: wide, easy, local favourite
• Elberry Cove: quieter, tucked away
• Berry Head Nature Reserve: cliff walks + views
• Shoalstone Seawater Pool: best in summer
• Brixham Breakwater & Harbour: everyday walking loop

Where to eat & drink (Brixham + Torbay)

• Rockfish (Brixham / Paignton / Plymouth): best all-round seafood
• Albero Brixham: seafood pasta
• The Guardhouse Cafe (Berry Head): breakfast with a view
• Breakwater Coffee Shop & Bistro: casual harbour stop
• Liberty Brixham / Old Market House: drinks + food by the water
• Simply Fish / The Larder Brixham: casual local food
• At Thai: easy dinner options

Coffee / remote work

• Storm in a Teacup: relaxed cafe stop
• Port Espresso: good quick coffee

Dog-friendly note

This is one of the easiest parts of Devon with a dog; beaches, coastal paths, water bowls everywhere.

The South Hams (Salcombe, Bigbury, Dartmouth)

Best food, most scenic stops, slower pace. This is where you slow the trip down and plan around food + views.

Key stops

• Bigbury-on-Sea & Burgh Island: tidal causeway
• Salcombe (North Sands / South Sands): best beaches + harbour
• Hope Cove / Bantham Beach: quieter coastal stops
• Dartmouth (harbour + Foss Street): best town stop

Where to eat (this is the strongest food section of the route)

• The Oyster Shack (Bigbury): mussels + wine (standout stop)
• The Crab Shed (Salcombe): essential, harbour seafood
• Cafe Alf Resco (Dartmouth): relaxed lunch
• The Seahorse (Dartmouth): more elevated dining
• The Cherub Inn / Dartmouth Arms: pubs with character
• Yarn (Dartmouth): smaller, more modern feel

Coffee / wander

• Foss Street (Dartmouth): boutiques + slow wandering
• Salcombe Harbour walks: easy afternoons

Dog note

Beaches are great but check seasonal rules. Still very manageable overall.

Dartmoor (Haytor, Hound Tor, Widecombe)

Open landscape, reset the pace. This is where you break the coastal pace.

Where to go

• Haytor Rocks: easiest access to the moor
• Hound Tor: more rugged
• Widecombe-in-the-Moor: small village stop
• Fingle Bridge (National Trust): riverside walk

Where to eat / stop

• The Cafe on the Green: (Widecombe) → cream tea stop
• The Rugglestone Inn: classic Dartmoor pub
• Fingle Bridge Inn: riverside food stop

Optional stops

• Castle Drogo / Becky Falls / Canonteign Falls if you want more structure.

Dog note

One of the best places in the UK for dogs with open land, minimal restrictions.

Exeter (Quick Reset + Food Stop)

University city, more energy, short stop.

What to do

• Walk Exeter Quayside
• Visit Exeter Cathedral
• Wander Magdalen Road / Gandy Street

Where to eat & drink

• EXE Coffee Roasters: better for proper coffee / work
• The Fat Pig: casual but good food

Nomad note

Exeter is the easiest place on this route to work from. Try EXE Coffee Roasters for a focused setup, or The Glorious Art House for a more relaxed, creative space with plenty of seating. Sacred Grounds is another solid option for longer sessions.

Plymouth (End Stop + Waterfront)

More grounded, good stop

What to do

• Walk The Hoe & Smeaton’s Tower
• Explore Royal William Yard
• Visit The Barbican
• End at Wembury Beach (quiet, dog-friendly)

Where to eat

• The Terrace (Royal William Yard): best setting + all-round option
• The Catch: modern seafood, slightly more refined
• Ocean & Earth Thai: relaxed, reliable dinner
• The Barbican Kitchen: more polished sit-down option
• Cap’n Jaspers: iconic casual harbour stop

Farm Shops & Food Stops 

Devon does this better than most places and these often end up being highlights.

• Darts Farm: (Exeter): top-tier food stop
• Washingpool Farm Shop: great produce + cafe
• Felicity’s Farm Shop: easy roadside stop
• Churston Traditional Farm Shop (Brixham area): small but local

The Real Flow of a Day in Devon

Most days naturally look like:

• Morning: beach walk
• Late morning: coffee stop
• Lunch: harbour or coastal restaurant
• Afternoon: drive, walk + scenic stop
• Evening: pub or seafood dinner + sunset walk

This is where Devon works best. Not when you try to do everything, but when you choose the right stops, eat well, walk often, and let the route carry you through it.

Is Devon Worth Visiting?

Yes, but only if you understand what kind of place Devon actually is.

Devon isn’t one single experience. It’s a county split across very different landscapes and identities, and the way you move through it determines whether the trip feels flat or genuinely memorable.

The route I took focused on South Devon, the South Hams and Dartmoor, which gives you one of the most balanced versions of the county:

• coastal towns that feel lived-in rather than curated
• beaches you can actually walk, not just photograph
• a shift inland where the landscape opens up completely
• small cities that bring structure back into the route

That combination works because it builds naturally. The coast draws you in. The South Hams refine it. Dartmoor expands it. The cities reset the pace.

But that’s only one side of Devon.

This guide focuses on South Devon → South Hams → Dartmoor → Exeter → Plymouth, which is the strongest route if you want contrast within a relatively short distance.

But Devon stretches much further than this.

North Devon

North Devon feels noticeably different.

• wilder coastline
• larger surf beaches
• more exposed Atlantic energy

Places like Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton Sands are known for long, open beaches that feel less contained than the coves of South Devon.

Further along, areas like Lynton & Lynmouth and the Valley of Rocks bring in dramatic cliffs and steeper terrain.

How it compares:

• bigger, more rugged than South Devon
• less polished than the South Hams
• more about landscape than towns

Best for: surf trips, big coastal walks, more remote-feeling stays

West Devon & Exmoor Edge

As you move further west and north, the landscape shifts again.

• rolling countryside
• deep valleys
• less tourism infrastructure

Exmoor (just beyond Devon into Somerset) offers a similar contrast to Dartmoor, but feels softer and more wooded rather than open and exposed.

This part of Devon is less about ticking off places and more about quiet, slower travel.

Best for: long drives, countryside stays, disconnecting

East Devon & Jurassic Coast Edge

On the opposite side, East Devon blends into the Jurassic Coast, where the landscape becomes:

• cliff-heavy
• geologically distinct
• more linear along the coast

Places like Sidmouth, Beer and Branscombe feel different again from South Devon; less harbour-focused, more shaped by cliffs and coastal paths.

Best for: coastal walks, geology, quieter seaside towns

So, Is Devon Worth It?

Devon is worth visiting if you approach it as a route, not a checklist. If you build a route that moves through coast, variation within the coast, inland contrast, then back to structure, you start to understand how the county works.

From my own experience, the South Devon → South Hams → Dartmoor loop is one of the easiest ways to feel that shift without overcomplicating the trip.

It gives you:

• the social side of Devon (harbour towns, food, beaches)
• the scenic side (South Hams coastline)
• the raw side (Dartmoor)
• and a reset points (Exeter / Plymouth)

Final Thought

Devon stayed with me because it never settled into one mood for long.

One day it felt all sea air, harbour walks and easy coastal routines. The next it opened into something far quieter and more exposed, where the landscape did most of the talking. That constant shift is what gives the county its depth.

For me, Devon wasn’t really about headline sights. It was about the accumulation of smaller moments: a morning beach walk, lunch by the harbour, a cream tea after Dartmoor, the feeling of the roads narrowing as the scenery changed again.

That’s why it works so well on a road trip.

You don’t just arrive in Devon. You move through it, and in doing so, the place gradually reveals more of itself.

For city-by-city breakdowns and deeper regional planning, explore the full UK Travel Guides.