A Stroll Through the Delights of Devon

If you’re staying at one of the cosy cottages in Devon for your next holiday, you may want to proceed to the next step - exploring the area with your family on foot. This lovely county has a lot to offer—and often, it easily exceeds the expectations of first-time visitors. Here are some of the must-visit places if you’re going out on a one-day stroll.

Start at Clovelly Village

Clovelly Village is one of those organic little communities in the country that seem to have been inspired by truly innocent ideals. Indeed, aside from being a simple cluster of cottages in Devon, the village is not only picturesque enough to deserve a place on a stamp, but the town also has a bit of history behind it—which the locals will be more than happy to share. One important thing to note is that Clovelly Village’s streets are completely pedestrian-friendly—primarily because only donkeys and sledges are the allowed means of transportation! Motorised vehicles are forbidden to enter its cobbled alleys and by-ways, so there’s no noise pollution to mar the beauty of the sights, which include flower-strewn homes and high-quality traditional crafts. What’s more, its two museums (Charles Kingsley and Fisherman’s Cottage) offer some fascinating insight into the life and times of the community.

Next: Powderham Castle

Powderham Castle—with its enlightening guided tours both inside the castle and around its gardens—is the next logical stop in your family excursion. Located not too far from some of the outlying cottages in Devon, Powderham Castle presents an exhilarating learning experience with a bit of a thrill for the children—especially when the tour guide leads them through secret ancient doors and tells them about the haunted landing inside the castle! Outside, acres of well-manicured gardens and outdoor activities await tourists: from the nature trail, to various exciting offerings such as the castle’s own play area and pets corner, as well as a rare chance to get close to the friendly resident deer. Even if you’re not up to doing anything energetic, the castle’s relaxing ambiance makes it a perfect place for a mid-day rest.

Pecorama

If you’ve never given a model train as much as a second glance, then a visit to Pecorama may change your mind. An easy stroll away from some of the best cottages in Devon, Pecorama is one of the area’s major attractions, visited by people of all ages. Here, you’ll find the now famous PECO Model Railway Exhibition and the Beer Heights Light Railway—there’s something about these installations that really excites the imagination. It is also highly educational and you and the children will learn about the principles of railway operation, or at least get on board one of its miniature steam locomotives and enjoy a little adventure through the park!

Katie Chown is a Property Consultant for Classic Cottages. We have a selection of spectacular holiday cottages in Devon as well as in Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Whether you're looking for a stunning rural retreat or a luxury cottage on the coast, we have the perfect holiday home for you to fall in love with.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.