Bucketlist Destination| 11 Surprising Places in South Devon

South Devon is home to the picturesque English Rivera located in the Southwest, separating Cornwall from the rest of England. It is a region filled with sandy beaches, medieval towns, towering cliffs as well as the Jurassic coast. Devon is the only county blessed with two coastlines as well as two national parks. We found these 11 surprising places in South Devon.

We had an amazing time exploring South Devon, a 2019 Bucketlist Destination I had been wanting to explore for the longest time. Devon unlike other counties across England has more to offer than tourist attractions. We visited these 11 surprising places in South Devon that we love and know everyone would love too. If you’ve ever been to South Devon, what else would you include?

11 Suprising Places in South Devon

Our visit to Devon was prompted by a collaboration we had secured to stay at Langstone Cliff Hotel. This was our main base during our visit to South Devon and we highly recommend it specifically for its location. Most of the destinations we visited were maximum 1hr drive and closest was 20 minutes away.

Our trip to South Devon started early Saturday morning, we drove through the snow for 3-hours. We were greeted with sunny spells and warmer weather in Devon than in Oxford. Our home for the night was the lovely Caravan Lodge on the blue site in Dawlish Warren called The Lady May.

The Lodge is run and managed by Ruth who welcomed us warming and made us feel at home. For the Saturday adventures, The Lady May was our base of operations. We were able to visit places near; Dawlish beach and afar as Exmouth. It was a jam packed weekend and we can’t recommend visiting Devon enough.

1. Dawlish Warren

Both our stays at Langstone Cliff Hotel and The Lady May Lodge were a mere 15 minutes walk to Dawlish Warren Beach. The weather was just perfect, very unlike winter but we weren’t complaining and were able to enjoy the sea breeze. Being a seaside resort town, Dawlish Warren consists almost entirely of holiday accommodations.

2. Brixham

Brixham is a small fishing town in Torbay and is home to the Greenway House, a National Trust property. On our drive to the small town were wondered over to the Berry Head where the best views can be experienced. The Golden Hind Museum dock near the city centre is hard to miss and a point of great interest for tourists.

3. Cockington Village

Cockington is a small picturesque village located about half a mile from Torquay. Because it is so small, it is so easily overlooked but at great pearl from those who do so. Parking can be tricky but once found, you can walk the entirety of the village in a few hours. Of the 11 surprising places in South Devon, Cockington Village absolutely surprised us by its quirkness.

4. Dartington Hall Estate

Dartington Hall Estate is more than just a country house but headquarters to the charitable works of Dartington Hall Trust. Our visit to this impressive estate was definitely one to remember. The post code often always leads you to a 25-minute walk parking lot from the Dartington Hall.

5. Torre Abbey

Our research on this historic building and art gallery located in Torquay was pretty vague but we were expectant. Though it is one of the the best-preserved medieval monastery, we were slightly disappointed. From the images we had seen online, we were very expectant and though delivered in some parts, it was lacking.

6. Buckfast Abbey

The Buckfast Abbey was founded back in 1018 and recently (in 2018) celebrated a millennium. Our drive to Buckfast from Torquay was met with many a bendy roads but somehow still smooth. The abbey attracts people from all faiths and walks of life, it is a sight to behold and a must see.

7. Teignmouth

Teignmouth is another popular and large city in Devon located the north bank of the estuary mouth of the River Teign. The town is not only a seaside town popular with holidaymakers but a port town too. Though our visit to this incredible town was short, it is one we would love to return to.

8. Our Lady, Help of Christians & St Denis’ Catholic Church

Whilst in Babbacombe, we made a pit stop to the model village where we happened to see Our Lady, Help of Christians & St Denis’ Catholic Church. We knew that we wanted to stop and check it out, I have an obsession with places of worshp especially churches.

9. Babbacombe Bay

Our drive to see the model village led us along the path to this incredible view, the Babbacombe Bay. We had to make a pit stop and take in the view plus a few pictures for our memories. The weather was perfect and the bay which feeds into the Engligh channel was a gorgeous sky blue shed.

10. Babbacombe Model Village

The Babbacombe Model Village was opened back in 1963 and is a miniature village and railway. We were absolutely taken in by how realistic it all looked and how we felt like giants. Definitely worth spend a hour or two just absorbing this model village.

11. Labrador Bay

Labrador Bay is another by accident pit stop, the view was too magnificent to miss out on. It is such an overwhelming experience standing on a beautiful cliff at Labrador Bay looking out at see. I can not recommend it enough.

These 11 surprising places in South Devon certainly took us by surprise and we couldn’t wait to share.