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.

The Byre @ Cross Farm
Goodleigh
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Byre, a stunning North Devon holiday cottage in Googleigh for up to 6 people and a dog, is a great place to stay and visit beautiful beaches and the wilds of Exmoor. The cottage is light, bright, spacious and very relaxing but also benefits from being 3 miles from Barnstaple and 8 miles from the coast.

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Exterior of a luxury thatched coastal cottage in with porch and low stone wall.
Old Maids Cottage, Lee Bay
Lee Bay
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Old Maids Cottage is a luxury holiday cottage on the spectacular North Devon coast. It has been fully restored as an open-plan holiday home for six people, with three double bedrooms (two en-suite). You’ll enjoy this picture-perfect thatched cottage, which oozes the holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

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Cecily Cottage
Westward Ho!
Devon
England
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Cecily Cottage is located in an elevated position of Westward Ho!, providing beautiful views of the ocean and the North Devon coastline. This pet-friendly Victorian holiday cottage can accommodate up to five people and features a relaxing enclosed garden, bold décor, and a wood-burning stove. It is close to the beach.

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A double fronted stone-built North Devon country cottage with arched windows
Chapel Cottage in Welcombe
Welcombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Explore the charm of Chapel Cottage in Welcombe, a delightful hamlet on the North Devon coast. Just 1½ miles from the stunning Welcombe Mouth beach, this self-catering haven offers a cosy rural retreat with a country-style kitchen, wood-burning stove, and four peaceful bedrooms. The nearby Old Smithy Inn serves excellent food, and the South West Coast Path awaits for scenic cliff-top walks. Discover the perfect blend of comfort and coastal beauty at Chapel Cottage in Welcombe for your self-catering holidays in North Devon.

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A large countryside Braunton holiday cottage with a large terrace and mature gardens.
Charlesworth
Braunton
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Charlesworth is a very impressive detached chalet bungalow perched above the village of Braunton in North Devon. The pet-friendly cottage enjoys estuary views from its lovely garden and boasts a sophisticated design, light-filled spaces, a table tennis table, a garden hammock and a summerhouse.

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A double fronted 3-storey coastal cottage in Inistow.
Cool Stone Cottage
Instow
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Cool Stone Cottage is sleek, modern and elegant. The pet-friendly cottage in Instow carries a distinct coastal vibe and lies just moments from the beach and the highlights of North Devon. Natural light floods the cottage, and the sea breeze can be enjoyed in the open-plan spaces or the lovely garden.

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Exterior of a single-storey holiday cottage overlooking a courtyard.
Diana's Cottage
Braunton
Devon
England
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
2

Explore Diana’s Cottage, a charming holiday home in Braunton. This rural cottage offers high-quality accommodation for up to 5 guests and lies within easy reach of the beach at Saunton Sands. With rustic charm and modern comforts, it features a spacious living room, a well-equipped kitchen, and a secluded garden. Pets are welcome, and key amenities are included. Experience the laid-back tranquillity of North Devon – book now for an unforgettable seaside holiday.

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A 2-storey wooden eco lodge surrounded by an open field.
No.9 The Vista
Woolacombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

 

View No.9 The Vista, an eco holiday lodge in Woolacombe. Set within the small and peaceful Willingcott holiday park, just 2 miles from Woolacombe Beach, this retreat accommodates up to 8 guests. Its open-plan layout seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and living areas flooded with natural light. The modern kitchen boasts sleek surfaces and amenities to make life easier for culinary enthusiasts. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a master king-size room with an en-suite and a twin room, there's ample space for relaxation. Enjoy outdoor living on the large decked area with a hot tub and extensive shared grounds.

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Exterior of a North Devon mill cottage surrounded by gardens in a valley floor.
Bratton Mill Cottage
Bratton Fleming
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Set amongst mature waterside gardens in a gorgeous secluded location, Bratton Mill Cottage is a pet-friendly 17th-century cottage near the medieval village of Bratton Fleming in Devon, is a pet-friendly 17th-century cottage. It has been recently redecorated yet retains much of the character and charm of the original mill.

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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