Places to visit in East and South Devon

Venture into the Devonshire countryside on the Seaton Tramway, which runs from its namesake seaside town to Colyton – a 30-minute ride through the countryside on a vintage tram trolley. It’s all open-air, with sweeping views of wildlife-filled wetlands and rolling meadows: just the ticket to blow away the cobwebs after your journey, and one of the top things to do in South Devon.

Looking for foodie things to do in South Devon? At Colyton, the Tramstop Café is the kind of place where scones are lavished with cream and jam, and tea is served in pots for sharing – so pull up a seat for afternoon tea. It’s located right beside the tramline, with a flower-filled terrace and scenic short walks from its door. If you fancy exploring, check out its takeaway menu for a picnic overlooking the Axe Valley.

The tramway passes through two nature reserves, so on your return journey hop off at Seaton Wetlands – to spy kingfishers and sandpipers in the reeds, and ospreys swooping for fish. Otters can be seen here too, and the pathways are filled with butterflies in summer. Spend an hour or two strolling the boardwalks and spotting the wildlife (with a little help from the info boards), before catching the tram back to Seaton.

Tonight, we recommend staying at THE PIG at Combe, a country house hotel with sumptuous bedrooms, a fabulous wood-panelled bar and the Potting Shed spa in its garden.  Treatments use organic VOYA products, which are infused with aromatherapy oils and nutrient-rich seaweed – so take your pick from massages, facials, scrubs and more. The ideal way to relax into countryside life, in one of the top places to stay in Devon.

As well as growing produce in its own kitchen gardens, THE PIG at Combe offers a ‘25-mile menu’ – which means that everything on your plate is sourced within a 25-mile radius. This evening, tuck into a hyper-local supper at the hotel: chances are, the fruit and veg will have been picked just a few hours ago, served alongside hand-dived Lyme Bay scallops, Devonshire sirloin steak and venison from a nearby farm.

Head south this morning, for a steam-powered jaunt on the South Devon Railway. Board at Buckfastleigh (the first train departs at 10.30am), and use the hop-on, hop-off service to discover rambling walks beside the River Dart, wildlife at Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Norman history at Totnes Castle. It’s a 14-mile round trip back to Buckfastleigh, with glorious Devonshire countryside around every twist and turn of the rails.

Brixham’s Fishcombe Cove Café feels like a secret hideaway: it’s just a small shack on the beach, reached on foot via a scenic coastal pathway. As the waves lap the beach, take your pick from the hot pasties, toasted teacakes and homemade soup – best munched on the outdoor terrace, overlooking the crystal-clear bay. One of the best restaurants in Devon, and a great spot for swimming and snorkelling too.

Next, take a mooch around the pretty harbourside town of Brixham – where fishing boats bob in the marina, pastel-painted houses dot the hillside, and the shops are full of seaside crafts and curiosities. It’s part of the UNESCO-accredited English Riviera Global Geopark and has a huge range of things to do: from museums that reveal its pirate-filled history, to art galleries, SUP trips, dolphin-watching cruises and more.

A mini vision of life through the ages, Babbacombe Model Village is as intriguing as it is dinky. From Bath’s famous Crescent to Shakespeare’s Globe, it’s all recreated in super-cute scale, built by hand and populated by 13,000 mini people – including a few tiny celebrities! Exploring this tiny town is one of the most unique things to do in South Devon, and it’s full of subtle humour, puns and silliness too.

Tonight, book into The Imperial Torquay – a luxurious seaside hotel that dates back to the Victorian era. At sunset, you’ll want to be sipping bubbly on the panoramic outdoor terrace, or relaxing with an ESPA massage in the spa. The Restaurant gives local ingredients a fine-dining twist: think slow-cooked beef with fondant potato, and parmesan-lavished wild mushroom ravioli.

Described by Agatha Christie as ‘the loveliest place in the world’, Greenway was her family’s holiday home in the late 1930s – and now gives a fascinating insight into the great crime novelist’s roots. It’s preserved as it looked in its heyday, showcasing the family’s art collections and curios: fascinating to explore, before heading outside into the walled gardens and rambling woodlands. For bookworms, this is one of the top things to do in South Devon.

As an alternative to Greenway, set your sights on the ancient fortress of Dartmouth Castle, which has towered over the English Riviera coastline for more than 600 years. It’s surrounded by crystal-clear water and rises up from the rocks like a super-sized sandcastle – with a gun tower, tunnels and panoramic battlements to explore. You can reach it on foot or by ferry from Dartmouth: look out for grey seals on the journey over!

One of the loveliest beaches in Devon, Blackpool Sands is a seaside dream – whether you’re kicking back with an ice cream, paddling in the water, or taking a long walk along the bay. Before lunch at the Blackpool Sands Café, why not unwind in the wood-fired sauna on the beach? It’s infused with the aromas of eucalyptus and lavender, with soothing views of the waves.

The South West Coast Path (SWCP) hugs Devon’s coastline, combining leg-pumping cliff hikes with spectacular sea views and beach strolls. A SWCP walk is one of the top things to do in South Devon; from Slapton, join the long-distance trail for a 2.2-mile (3.5km) jaunt to Torcross – or extend your route to Start Point, 5.5 miles (9km) away. To return to your car, hop on the bus from Torcross to Slapton for 20 minutes.

Promising seaside style, great food and warm hospitality, Harbour Hotel Salcombe is utterly charming – and is the perfect digs for tonight. Like all the best places to stay in Devon, it combines nautical-chic bedrooms with a great restaurant (The Jetty), which specialises in fresh local seafood. Think juicy seared scallops and catch-of-the-day bouillabaisse – all served overlooking the estuary.

Do as the locals do in Salcombe Devon – hit the water! This seaside town is a watersports lover’s dream: those calm shallows are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, or maybe you’ll give windsurfing a go? The team at Salcombe Watersports offers expert tuition and board hire, as well as any safety gear you’ll need – and if you fancy extending your trip, there are multi-day hire options too.

If you’re tucking into seafood at Crab Shed Salcombe, it likely arrived on a fishing boat that very morning! This quayside eatery serves fresh mussels, scallops, lobster and more – but its stand-out speciality is crab. Whether cracked, dressed or potted, or whipped into rich bouillabaisse, bisque or linguine, its Devon-caught (and hand-cleaned) crab is the stuff of local foodie legend. One of the top restaurants in Devon; bookings are essential.

The best way to explore Salcombe’s sandy coves and rocky bays is by boat, so hop on a 90-minute Harbour & Creek tour with Salcombe Cruises. Whether you’re keeping watch for sunbathing seals or spotting ospreys swooping for their supper, there’s always something spectacular to see – while the entertaining commentary reveals all about the area’s rich history. Particularly blissful in summertime, this is one of the top things to do in South Devon.

Salcombe Devon is a shopper’s paradise, full of independent boutiques, ateliers and craft galleries. Cranch’s Sweetshop is bursting with vintage treats: from pick-n-mix favourites to clotted cream fudge and lemon bon-bons. For nautical fashions, look to Quba & Co – while Will Bees Bespoke is the spot for handmade bags, cushions and accessories, designed and crafted in Salcombe.

Not quite got your fill of Devon’s seafood? Check out The Winking Prawn, whose supper menu features the likes of garlic-drenched prawns, bacon-wrapped monkfish, roasted hake with crispy pancetta and more. It’s located just a few steps from Salcombe’s North Sands, with a cosy seaside vibe that’s ideal for date night: another of the top restaurants in Devon. The Banoffee Bocker Glory, made with Salcombe-churned ice cream, is definitely worth saving room for!