First time to Devon
 

Looking to have a first time visit to Devon in June. Which places are interesting and must sees.
Thanks.

Where in Devon are you going to be based? And what kind of things are you interested in?

transportation details would be nice too.

Dartmouth.

Surich - what people are tactfully trying to indicate is that your question is far too broad.

To give you a sensible answer we need to know how long you are planning to stay, where you are going to be staying, what you like to do, and who is in your party. There's no point in suggesting long walks on Dartmoor if one of you has poor mobility for example.

Generally people who have done a bit of research themselves get the best answers here.

Ok thanks for tips. I will be travelling with my husband and we are both in our 60s. We are quite fit and enjoy walking and visiting quaint villages and towns and local shopping with nice restaurants. We don't really know which area would be best to be based and are open to any ideas. We would have a car. we were thinking one week but are very flexible and could stay longer depending on what there is to see. We don't mind having a few days somewhere then moving on. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

With only one week you should pick south or North coast, maybe the middle of Devon is another option.
I personally think you are going to have to look into the options a bit more. There are a million or so websites covering the many areas of the county.
This one covers the whole county.
http://www.visitdevon.co.uk/

ok, Surich, thanks - that's a huge help. Now I know where to start.

My favourite part of Devon is the north - you could either pick a place roughly in the middle and spend a whole week there, or you could pick two places and that way have more scope to see more of the countryside - your choice.

Having once owned a house in the fishing/boat building village of Appledore it has a special place in my heart, and I know from experience that using it as a base you can fill many days with day trips - going west out to Clovelly and Hartland, southwest as far as Morwenstow and Bude, south to Dartmoor [I'd head for the lovely village of Belstone and its great pub The Tors] south again to the RHS gardens at Great Torrington [with lovely walks around walls of this ancient village] north to the seaside /surfing beaches of Croyde and Woolacombe, and north-east to Coombe Martin, Exmoor, and Lyton and Lynmouth.

[also look at Instow, just across the estuary from Appledore - though not so picturesque it has the advantage of its own beach AND a view of Appledore, plus it has a sunnier aspect in the afternoons and evenings, being west facing].

if you fancy south Devon, I'd look at a few days in Salcombe [which shouldn't be too busy in June] and another few days in Dartmouth, or Topsham [great restaurants] or even Sidmouth, which would give you the opportunity of hopping over into Dorset to see the Jurassic Coast.

Why not look at a guide book and see which of these places really appeals to you?

Happy to help with further details once you've refined your ideas a bit.

With a week I'd pick two bases -- one in the north and one in South Devon. 4 days up north and 3-ish in the South. Appledore would be great for the north and Salcombe or Hope Cove area in the south.

Having the two bases means you can cover parts of the whole county on day trips. Just TONS of things to see/do in both the north and the south and much of the driving is slow so two bases would make things easier.

***Appledore would be great for the north***
Why do you choose that village? Located in a peninsula which means travelling the same roads everyday to get in and out, the older cottages along (Irsha St) are more than likely these days to be second/holiday homes.
The Quay is a treble place to find a parking spot in nice weather.
Dire spot. Second worse only to Westward Ho!

ribeirasacra: >>***Appledore would be great for the north*** Why do you choose that village?<<

I was merely seconding annhig's suggestion. There are many other good places, but Appledore would make a decent base IMO/IME.

<<***Appledore would be great for the north***
Why do you choose that village? Located in a peninsula which means travelling the same roads everyday to get in and out, the older cottages along (Irsha St) are more than likely these days to be second/holiday homes.
The Quay is a treble place to find a parking spot in nice weather.
Dire spot. Second worse only to Westward Ho!>>

Funny how we enjoyed staying there several times a year for 10 years isn't it? I never worried about the [very short] times spent on the "same roads", the holiday cottages on Irsha street [very picturesque BTW] and the "treble" parking on the Quay [perhaps you don't know about the large "scenic car park" built about 20 years ago at the end of the quay, complete with a nice new slip for boats to get into the water? ] because of the joy of being in such a beautiful place. The views across to Instow, the sound of the curlew in the morning, the pretty streets - we loved it. Which is of course why I recommended it .

With all your expert knowledge of the area, ribeirasacra, where would you suggest?

Been checking places out. We would like to visit Appledore area. We also want to visit Dartmoor area. We have been looking at hotels and there are good ones in Tavistock and Instow. Which would be a better base or do we need to spend time in both. From there we thought it might be nice to travel As suggested to the Jurassic coast. Then we would be making our way back up north.
Thanks

hi Surich - which hotel are you looking at in Instow? The Commodore is very nice [I've stayed there several times] and if you book a room with a beach view, you can awake to the lovely view of Appledore across the estuary. Good choice:

http://www.commodore-instow.co.uk

I would personally want to divide my time between there and Tavistock, rather than just stay in one or the other so as to cut down on the amount of driving - and the Hotel Bedford in Tavistock is very nice too [though very different in style from the Commodore!]

https://www.bedford-hotel.co.uk

I agree -- you will want two bases. The roads are slow and two different bases for hub and spoke day trips would make for much less time in the car each day.

Hi we saw a bed and breakfast called the Springfield in Instow. Do you know of it?

can you post a link, surich? As I've only stayed in Instow for work [in Barnstaple] I've only stayed at the hotel.

Had another look it's Springfield house looks good but just found out bathroom outside bedroom so not sure now. Looked at Commordore but very expensive for July. Any other suggestions around that area.
Thanks

I couldn't find anything else in Instow, but this one in Appledore looks nice:

http://www.torridgehouseappledore.com/Rooms.html

no views but a nice garden and room are en suite.

the other side of the Estuary, in Instow there is the Wayfarer:

http://www.thewayfarerinn.co.uk

We've eaten there a few times [absolutely fine] but not stayed, but the rooms look OK.

Further round and facing the Atlantic [or in that direction] there are a few in Northam/Bideford/Westward Ho!:

http://oldbarnbideford.co.uk

https://www.sundenehouse.com

http://www.culloden-house.co.uk [this one has sea views which might be nice!]

there are one of two others but these look the nicest to me.

Hi
Managed to get our accommodation sorted in Devon. Took your advice and splitting between Instow and Tavistock. We have just got to get somewhere to stay from Tavistock along Jurassic Coast for one night. So many nice places to visit. Your advice was great and helped a lot.
Thanks