2 min summary Best time to visit Rural farm vacations

Best time to visit Devon

Find out the best time to visit Devon based on local knowledge with temperature and rainfall just as important as local foodie festivals and the arrival of orchids and wildflowers within the ancient hedgerows. Read what to do in Devon and what not to, and pick up invaluable tips from our friends in Devon and responsible travelers who’ve been there, done that and got the muddy boots to prove it.

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Best time to visit Devon

Devon delights throughout the year so grab the dog, the kids and the wellies, and explore from Exeter to Exmoor with a whole lot of star-filled nights and long summer days in between.

Foodies flock to Exeter’s festival in April just as readily as wildfowl flood the Exe Estuaries over autumn, with Westward Ho! and Broadsands beaches swathed in sandcastles for practically the entire summer. The best time to visit Devon depends on how clean you like your clobber, as muddy winter walks prior to a pint and log fire can be as enjoyable as sand between your toes. In Jul-Aug, swallows, house martins and swifts arrive along with coastal crowds that clog up the high streets so opt for May or Sep for a quieter break. Lapstock Festival in late July is lots of fun and very colourful, with a laid back atmosphere.

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Devon Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

122

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

120

DEVON TRAVEL ADVICE

Ian Ripper, owner of our supplier Wheatland Farm Eco Lodges in Devon, shares a few of his Devonshire delights:

Pop in for a pint

“Devon has some great pubs, like the Duke of York at Iddesleigh (the drinking hole of Michael Morpurgo) a real classic country pub with good cask ales and a good restaurant but not flashy. The sort of place you have to take an American tourist. I’d also recommend the New Inn at Roborough (great atmosphere and food) and the George Inn at Braunton – just right after a day on the beach.”

Outdoor adventures

“We just love Dartmoor as it is one of the few places where you can free camp in England. Just pack a tent or bivvy bag and head out onto the moors - you can camp anywhere and you won't see a single person. No fences, no barriers, just you and a compass and OS map (mobile coverage poor). Coasteering is also a blast and available on both north and south coasts. It is a really top day out for all ages and gets you to places you wouldn’t normally reach.”

Short walks

“Our favorite short walks are the one in Heywood for the giant Scots pine that warms your soul and the one at Belstone Cleave which runs down the River Taw from Belstone on the edge of Dartmoor to the village of Sticklepath. Lovely old woodlands, clear streams and a swimming spot for the brave. Sticklepath also has a waterwheel-driven forge, Finch Foundry. It’s very interesting with daily demos of the hammer working iron and some colourful local history too.”

Advice for families

“There are some good local visitor attractions that work really well. Not the big and slick theme parks of the southeast, but ones that have grown from farms into great places to enjoy a day out. The BIG Sheep is fun for all the family, including dads, with the microbrewery onsite. I’d also recommend Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh – winners of quite a few tourism awards.”

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DEVON TRAVEL ADVICE

At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.

We have selected some of the most useful Devon travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation – and the space inside your suitcase.

Although the Tarka Trail was nice, we found it more interesting just cycling around, passing through lovely villages as there is lots to see.

– Jane Huddlestone

“A rental car is ideally required to make the most of the local countryside sights, but the farm shop 10mins walk away is nice and the food all locally grown.” – Glyn Kirpalani

“It really isn't that hard to get the train there. Honest. The year before we drove to Devon and it took 12 hours to return to Leeds which is just super stressful. This year the train took 6 hours. No problem. Buses, bikes and feet are the way forward on this vacation. Devon is very green, warm and beautiful.” – Kath Cox

“Don't come with preconceptions; let the peacefulness of the place slow you down. Bring wellies and a torch. The local dog walks are great. RHS Rosemoor is well worth a visit, as is Great Torrington. Eat at the ‘Tally Ho!’ in Hatherleigh.” – Sue Stanwell

“Bring lots of old clothes for the children; it takes time to get places by car as the roads are smaller; the train service from Eggsford is great - we used it to get to the coast and we loved Dawlish Warren – lovely beach and a nature reserve (really reasonable with a family railcard). Take a torch for walking back from the pub at night and star watching.” – Heather Mcadam

The local dog walks are great. RHS Rosemoor is well worth a visit, as is Great Torrington. Eat at the 'Tally Ho!' in Hatherleigh.

– Sue Stanwell

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Written by Chris Owen

Best time to visit Devon