Devon

If you are looking for the postcard vision of England - thatched cottages, stone churches, bobbing fishing boats and deck chairs on the beach - Devon is a good place to start. Peaceful, rural and undeniably English, the county has two scenic coastlines dotted with historic port cities and seaside resorts, separated by one of the most dramatic areas of moorland in the country. Families flock to the holiday attractions on the coast, while fans of the great outdoors test themselves against the rugged landscapes of Exmoor National Park and Dartmoor National Park. This is one of the top destinations in the country for trekking, rock-climbing and ...

If you are looking for the postcard vision of England - thatched cottages, stone churches, bobbing fishing boats and deck chairs on the beach - Devon is a good place to start. Peaceful, rural and undeniably English, the county has two scenic coastlines dotted with historic port cities and seaside resorts, separated by one of the most dramatic areas of moorland in the country. Families flock to the holiday attractions on the coast, while fans of the great outdoors test themselves against the rugged landscapes of Exmoor National Park and Dartmoor National Park. This is one of the top destinations in the country for trekking, rock-climbing and other adventurous, outdoorsy activities. The moors are criss-crossed by walking paths, cycle-tracks, bridleways, and scenic country roads, linking a string of tiny villages and historic market towns. Locals have a reputation for being old-fashioned and rather traditional, which only adds to the sense of stepping back in time. One tradition that everyone should experience is the local scrumpy - strong cider fermented from windfall apples.

About the Expert

Joe Bindloss has written more than 30 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, Time Out and other publishers, with a focus on Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and island nations.