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Help me decide where to holiday in Devon

94 replies

Rainydaysandmondays2 · 22/02/2021 08:10

Please help me decide where to go. I’m looking to spend 5-7 days later on in the year (hopefully during summer) in Devon. Would really love an old school type Enid Blyton-esque holiday. Will be and a friend and my dog. Looking for somewhere with lots of old world charm, good food and lovely beaches.

Am completely confusing myself between Torquay, Salcombe, Woolacombe, Paignton.

Any hints or tips or advice???

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whoami24601 · 22/02/2021 09:39

@chunkymenrock don't be telling people about Beer 🤫

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Desmondo2016 · 22/02/2021 09:39

Westward Ho is another option. it is your typical fish and chips, amusement arcade, rock pooling, kite flying location. I would definitely day North Coast over South Coast though.

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horridhorrid · 22/02/2021 09:37

When I saw the thread title I thought I'd come on and suggest Woolacombe, but pp's have beaten me to it!

We went there a couple of years ago and it was lovely. You're not too far from Lynton / Lynmouth and other such places, and there are some fantastic walks at Mortehoe just up the road.

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Firebird83 · 22/02/2021 09:29

I live in Devon. Avoid Torquay and Paignton!

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CoraPirbright · 22/02/2021 09:02

Go for the South Hams area! Thurlestone, Bentham, Dartmouth, Sidmouth, Salcombe etc. Stunning countryside and lovely beaches. Consider also Totnes - you can take the ferry down the Dart to Dartmouth which is a lovely trip.

Torquay and Paignton are hideous - full of slot machine arcades, graffiti and grotty shops.

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Persipan · 22/02/2021 08:46

The 'English Riviera' is the bits around Torquay, basically, so that list is inevitably going to be in that area. There are lots of nice beaches in other bits of Devon, don't worry!

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farnworth · 22/02/2021 08:40

Loved village of Mortehoe, can walk to Woolacombe for vast Sandy beach. Can walk along cliff top to village of Lee, one of best ever walks. Near pebbly coves to explore. Has village shop, pub, takeaway. Feels peaceful and charming as base.

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Rainydaysandmondays2 · 22/02/2021 08:35

Thank you. My uncle is from Sid mouth and I was thinking I need to go there too.

I’ve been reading this and so many seem to be around Torquay ...


www.englishriviera.co.uk/be-inspired/top-10-ideas/top-10-beaches

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Chunkymenrock · 22/02/2021 08:29

Sidmouth or Budleigh Salterton or Beer worth considering too.

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Rainydaysandmondays2 · 22/02/2021 08:28

Ah ok! So no to Torquay and Paignton.

What about salcombe or woolacombe?

I did go to brixham a couple of years ago for work and I think I’m slightly put off unfairly by my work association.

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SilenceIsNoLongerSuspicious · 22/02/2021 08:23

Have a look on Toad Hall cottages, anywhere in the South Hams nearish the coast would work for you, I think. You can filter by dog friendly etc:
www.toadhallcottages.co.uk/holiday-cottages/devon/south-devon/

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Persipan · 22/02/2021 08:20

Seconding Brixham and Dartmouth. Torquay and Paignton are... not that nice. There are things there worth visiting, for sure, but they aren't the jolly Blytonesque seaside settings you're seeking.

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KevinTheBird · 22/02/2021 08:18

sunflowergirl it’s better now that we have the new road from Newton Abbot. Still hellish to get around Torbay any time between Easter and October though. Piss easy on the ferry once you’re here and I don’t know why more people don’t use it.

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KevinTheBird · 22/02/2021 08:16

Not Paignton or the surrounding holiday parks unless you enjoy a good fight. I worked at several of them for years and it was fucking horrific.

What kind of place are you looking to stay in? Hotel, cottage, caravan? Have you discounted Brixham, Totnes or Dartmouth? All three much, much nicer than Torquay or Paignton but you can easily get to Torquay or Paignton by boat, steam train or bus from them.

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ivykaty44 · 22/02/2021 08:16

Id go to woolacombe as you have the beach and sea in one direction and then inland to the moor, up the coast to Ilfracombe or Lynton etc

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Rainydaysandmondays2 · 22/02/2021 08:15

Ah Im hoping to go either in June or possibly in September to avoid the school crowds and crowding.

Looking to stay in A Bnb or possibly self catering

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Rainydaysandmondays2 · 22/02/2021 08:13

I should say I love swimming so bonus points for any lovely little beaches, swimming coves. Thank you!!!

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Sunflowergirl1 · 22/02/2021 08:12

What are you looking for...a cottage or camping/caravan?

Torquay is like a mini city in mid summer we found so staying outside in smaller places is better. Also getting anywhere quickly in Devon mid summer just doesn't happen.....we were taking an hour to do 8 miles

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user1019273703 · 22/02/2021 08:12

Woolacombe is lovely, i've only ever travelled there for an afternoon or evening so not sure if you could spend a full week there but there are some lovely places surrounding such as croyde bay

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