Fishing boats on a pebble beach at Beer in East Devon.

Discover Delightful Coast and Country Holiday Cottages in Devon

Coastal, Countryside and Moorland Holiday Cottages in Devon

For many visitors, renting holiday cottages in Devon is the most enjoyable way to experience this charming County. Here are beach apartments overlooking wide sandy bays from Woolacombe in North Devon to Slapton Sands in South Devon. Discover thatched cottages in quaint coves such as Beer, Lee Bay, Blackpool Sands and Ladram Bay, with clear waters backed by lush green Devon countryside. 

Stay in a thatched Devon holiday cottage in the heart of the countryside to explore deep flower-filled lanes or the wild moorland landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor. The many picturesque and historic towns and villages from Clovelly to Budleigh Salterton scattered across Devon offer a fine choice of self-catering accommodation. 

Find quaint thatched cottages in sleepy villages, stylish barn conversions on working Devon farms or waterside apartments in converted fishing lofts and harbourside warehouses on the South Devon coast. Devon's mild climate makes the County a popular choice for self-catering cottage holidays all year round, as Christmas Day surfers on the North Devon beaches at Croyde and Saunton will testify. At the same time, wild daffodils and primroses appear in the hedgerows as early as February, adding colour to winter and early spring walks in the countryside.

A double-fronted, white rendered Ilfracombe cottage with traditional sash windows
Partridge Holiday Cottage, Ilfracombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Partridge Cottage welcomes families and their pets to this charming and beautiful coastal corner of Devon. This rural holiday cottage near Ilfracombe sleeps six on a farm where children are welcome to help feed the lambs, pigs, goats and ducks.

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A single-storey holiday cottage overlooks a courtyard with a table laid for a meal
Firm Anchor
Salcombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
9
Bedrooms
5

Discover comfort at Firm Anchor, a pet-friendly South Devon coastal cottage in Salcombe. With spacious living across three floors, a well-equipped kitchen, and estuary views from the terrace and balcony, it's a super family-friendly retreat. The property accommodates up to 5 guests, boasts a child's relaxation area, and is just a 10-minute walk from the town centre. Explore the detailed description of this inviting seaside holiday haven for more information.

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A twin-gabled holiday cottage nestles between two tall trees.
Somers Hiscott
Yarnscombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
6
In the heart of the North Devon countryside lies Somers Hiscott, a luxury six-bedroom holiday home which can comfortably accommodate up to 12. Located in Hiscott near Barnstaple, Somers Hiscott offers its guests peace and tranquillity on a large 41-acre private estate.
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Large thatched cottage overlooking a large lawn fringed with flowering shrubs.
Old Thatch
Torcross
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Old Thatch is a charming Grade II-listed coastal cottage in Torcross, Devon, with panoramic ocean views and expansive grounds. The masterfully renovated thatched-roof cottage boasts landscaped furnished gardens, a sun-drenched conservatory, a log fire, exposed beams and beach access.

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A restored country cottage overlooks a shaded courtyard.
Somers Hiscott (Sleeps 6)
Yarnscombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Squirrelled away in the North Devon countryside, less than half an hour from the coast. Somers Hiscott-6 is beautifully spacious and sits right in the middle of the private estate (40 acres). There will be more than enough room for you to spill out and make this home your own – inside and out!

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A stone-barn conversion surrounded by mature shrubs and trees.
Spring Barn in Hope Cove
Hope Cove
Devon
England
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Discover Spring Barn, a large coastal cottage offering pet-friendly self-catering holidays in Hope Cove. It sleeps ten with five ground-floor bedrooms, including a master with an en-suite. Enjoy a bright, open-plan kitchen/dining area, a spacious lounge with a wood-burning stove, and outdoor spaces for all ages. Family-friendly amenities include a travel cot and a highchair. Conveniently located a mile from Malborough, it's an ideal retreat with ample parking for four cars/boats. Explore the full description for an in-depth look at this delightful South Devon cottage.

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Beachside Waterfront Apartment
Westward Ho!
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A stunning new North Devon beach apartment for 2015 in Westward Ho! This beautiful seaside holiday apartment has a contemporary interior, high-quality spec with a balcony and fantastic sea views, directly overlooking the beach in this family-friendly resort.

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A row of 2-storey seaside holiday apartments in Brixham with seaward-facing balconies overlooking a grassy slope towards a beach below
Bayview, Brixham
Brixham
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Bayview is a sophisticated coastal apartment within The Cove complex in Brixham, Devon. Overlooking Fishcombe Cove, the apartment sleeps four and promises fantastic views, urban chic, abundant natural light, beautiful spacious grounds, a furnished balcony and a swimming pool.

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Moorparks Cottage
Beaford
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Moorparks Cottage is a traditional farm cottage offering two bedrooms, 1 King-size (Which converts to a twin) and one double bedroom. Downstairs lounge diner leading through to a kitchen with views to Exmoor. The Barn is suitable for children over six years of age. • Bathroom: with shower over

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  • Active Holidays
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Torbay Seaside Cottages

To the south of the County are the bustling Victorian seaside resorts of Torquay, Paignton, Exmouth and Teignmouth, these days offering much more than a traditional bucket and spade holiday (although buckets and spades are still essential holiday must-haves). It's a haven for superb family theme parks such as Diggerland, an adventure theme park with a real emphasis on DIGGERS! An invigorating construction experience for adults & children. It is highly recommended!

Sleepy East Devon Cottages

To the southeast corner of Devon are the charming and genteel Edwardian resorts and villages of Sidmouth, Beer, Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton. Here, a perfect day can be spent chuntering around Lyme Bay in a self-hire boat, and catching mackerel to BBQ back at your holiday cottage in the evening. For delightful views of the River Ax estuary - and the chance of a Devonshire Cream Tea in Colyton, enjoy a sedate ride on restored trams at The Seaton Tramway that runs from Seaton along the estuary to Colyton. 

Idyllic North Devon Holiday Cottages

North Devon is much wilder and quieter than the south but just as welcoming to visitors. Here are the extensive sandy surfing beaches of Croyde, Woolacombe, Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands (perfect for beach cricket and sandcastle building when the tide is out). Tiny coast-hugging villages such as Lee Bay or Clovelly delight visitors at any time of the year. The principal coastal towns of Barnstaple and Bideford provide all the services and supplies you need to enjoy a self-catering holiday in a rural or seaside holiday cottage. North Devon also has the occasional geographical claim to fame, such as the biggest village in England (Braunton) and the longest High Street in England (Combe Martin). For visiting walkers and cyclists, the superb Tarka Trail offers more than 40 miles of level cycling on old North Devon railway lines that follow the river valleys and estuaries of the Taw and Torridge. There are plenty of bike hire shops along its route if you don't have space to bring your bikes.

Coastal, Countryside and Moorland Holiday Cottages in Devon

For many visitors, renting holiday cottages in Devon is the most enjoyable way to experience this charming County. Here are beach apartments overlooking wide sandy bays from Woolacombe in North Devon to Slapton Sands in the South Hams. Discover thatched cottages in quaint coves such as Beer, Lee Bay, Blackpool Sands and Ladram Bay, with clear waters backed by lush green Devon countryside. 

Stay in a thatched Devon holiday cottage in the heart of the countryside to explore deep flower-filled lanes or the wild moorland landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor. The many picturesque and historic towns and villages from Clovelly to Budleigh Salterton scattered across Devon offer a fine choice of self-catering accommodation. 

Find quaint thatched cottages in sleepy villages, stylish barn conversions on working Devon farms or waterside apartments in converted fishing lofts and harbourside warehouses on the South Devon coast. Devon's mild climate makes the County a popular choice for self-catering cottage holidays all year round, as Christmas Day surfers on the North Devon beaches at Croyde and Saunton will testify. At the same time, wild daffodils and primroses appear in the hedgerows as early as February, adding colour to winter and early spring walks in the countryside.

Find Cottages in Dartmoor and the Heart of Devon

Inland Devon is equally inviting to visitors. Quiet thatched villages such as Broadhembury, Coleford, Sampford Courtenay or Chittlehampton can be found at the end of slow drives down deep Devon lanes (all replete with excellent pubs and idyllic holiday cottages). Exeter's city centre is well worth at least one day's visit to see the magnificent Cathedral (picnic on Cathedral Green) followed by a trip down to Exeter Quay on the River Exe, full of craft shops, bars and restaurants. Hire a bike and follow the ship canal towpath through Starcross to the coast. Make it past the enticing pubs such as the Twin Locks, and you'll find yourselves collecting sea shells and nibbling seaside candy floss on the beach at Dawlish Warren before a leisurely ride home to your holiday accommodation.

Devon's centre is the wonderful Dartmoor National Park - offering picturesque wild walks and drives across the moors. Visit Widecombe and Princetown - the latter now earning a reputation as an artistic centre as well as being the location of the famous prison. Above all, find and climb a tor - there are hundreds from which visitors can choose. Dartmoor is also home to England's 'newest castle'. Now wonderfully restored by the National Trust, Castle Drogo, designed by Edward Luytens just outside Drewsteignton, was built in the early 20th Century and is a fascinating place to visit.

South Devon Coast and Countryside Cottages

Devon's maritime heritage and traditions can be discovered in the south coast ports of Dartmouth. Taking an Edwardian paddle steamer upriver to Dittisham past Greenaway, Agatha Christie's house, is now open to the public. Discover more of Devon's scenic heritage by water at Salcombe or Plymouth, where a boat trip visiting all the historic maritime naval yards along Plymouth Sound will provide an entertaining history lesson.

For steam train lovers, occasional mainline rail excursions to and from Exeter, steam a-plenty can be found within an easy drive of many holiday cottages. In the popular (and idyllic) South Hams region in Devon's southern corner, ride the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes or from Paignton to Kingswear (and then by ferry to Dartmouth). In North Devon, discover the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, which operates a mile or so of scenic track from Woody Bay Station - combine this with a clifftop walk along the South West Coast Path between Woody Bay and Martinhoe and you have the perfect day out!

Family-Loving Devon

With so much on offer in Devon and, it's not just the large attractions that appeal to visitors. In North Devon, visit The Gnome Reserve, where over a thousand gnomes add colour and enchantment to a woodland walk. The Reserve was once nominated for a Turner Prize. If not Gnomes, they try sheep: The Big Sheep in Bideford has everything from baby lambs to feed to roller coaster rides - all year round! It is no wonder that many of Devon's self-catering holiday cottages and seaside apartments welcome the same visitors year after year!

Devon Destinations