Devon is a beautiful county in the South West of England. It shares borders with Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset, and is one of the most popular holiday and tourist destinations in the UK. The reasons for its popularity are quite simple – Devon is a diverse county, with a host of superb attractions to suit all interests. Its stunning and seemingly ever-changing scenery and its delightfully relaxed pace of life appeal to anyone who wishes to escape from the pressures of the modern world for a while.

Devon is also where you will find the melancholy splendour of Dartmoor National Park, and (part of) the picturesque Exmoor National Park. There are also miles upon miles of beautiful coastline and golden sandy beaches. Dotted along the shores are delightful little fishing villages and of course quintessentially English seaside towns like Ilfracombe and the three Torbay resorts of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham – often referred to as The English Riviera. Exeter is one of England’s finest medieval cathedral cities, while Plymouth is a large vibrant city with a proud maritime heritage.

The name ‘Devon’ is believed to have been bestowed upon the area by the Romans – prior to which it was largely inhabited by the Celtic ‘Dumnonii’ people. Evidence exists of much earlier habitation of Devon; artefacts dating from 6000BC have been discovered on Dartmoor, and some historians believe that the area was one of the first to be populated after the end of the last Ice Age. After the Romans left, Devon was annexed by the Anglo Saxon Kingdom of Wessex. The area also suffered numerous invasions by the Vikings, the most notable event arising from this being the enforced moving of the cathedral from Crediton to Exeter.

Naturally, with such an extensive coastline, Devon has always played a pivotal role in England’s seafaring heritage. Devon has produced many famous seamen over the years, most notably Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. There is so much just waiting to be explored in Devon. So much in fact that one visit is never enough, and you will find yourself wanting to return for a holiday on the south coast time after time.