Is Devon or Dorset really as lovely as it seems?

[PoorEileen]

Is Devon as absolutely stunning as it seems if you’ve never been?

I have developed an interest in Devon/Dorset as a place to travel to, maybe Weymouth. Are these places as lovely as they seem or am I as a tourist who lives in the north west of England romanticising it?
I love beaches and villages, especially places with painted buildings and beach huts.

Yes beautiful was there last week 🥰

Are you thinking that all the photos online are AI?

Both stunning, but Dorset is my favorite. Have a look at the North Devon coast; spectacular.

@MabelRoyds not at all. But where I live I can take some absolutely beautiful pictures but the reality isn’t always as great as some pretty parts. For reference I live near a beach and some decent woodlands but it’s not always safe and could definitely be utilised to look a lot nicer

Devon and Dorset are both gorgeous. But if I had to choose it would be Dorset... I might be a bit biased as Thomas Hardy is my favourite author and my kitchen apron has the Cerne Abbas giant on it!

@Poppy61 I shall be googling now!

@CupcakeDreams are you local to the area? I’d have to drive about 5 hours to visit

If you like fabulous scenery, lovely beaches, lovely people, great ice cream, good food, skies with reduced light pollution, a more relaxed way of life, and a few other things, then yes.

Otherwise no.

I think you'll find that Dorset and Sandbanks in particular has changed markedly over the last few years. I went a few weeks ago and was surprised it had succumbed to the scourge of the barber shops and bubble tea shops, AKA fronts.

Yes, both very lovely and definitely a great spot to visit. Popular areas can get very busy in the holidays though.

Yes! But I would say that as I’ve lived in Christchurch my whole life. Here’s some photos of Avon Beach and Mudeford Quay this lunchtime OP

Why would you visit millionaire's row though? Durdle door or Lulworth cove would be higher up on the list wouldn't they?

@PoorEileen not local, no. From Midlands. Worth the drive! Very scenic, peaceful and laid back if that's your thing.

Both lovely, yes. However, Weymouth is not my favourite place in Dorset. I prefer the quieter areas of Dorset like Studland Bay and further west, Lyme Regis. As a PP has said, try north Devon. I prefer the north coast over Torquay and Paignton.

@PoorEileen PS. Wales is really lovely too and you're closer! We have valleys and mountains, waterfalls and reservoirs, beaches and forests... come visit!

I live near Dorchester, so Dorset... I would favour Devon over Dorset, although Dorset is lovely! Weymouth is mixed, some lovely, old Victorian vibes, sweet in many ways, but a huge Country Lines drug problem, a fair bit of deprivation and poverty, but a beautiful beach and skyline.
To travel to, I'd say, why not? But if you're looking for pure escapism, I'd say you may be disappointed in Weymouth.
Bridport is super though..quite arty, lovely market, but transport links aren't great, unless you're driving.
Have fun!

Oh god. How depressing.

It depends on your view of lovely. It is quaint. When the weather is good, lovely.Dorset in particular is very overlooked.
The downsides. The roads can be very narrow. The weather can turn. Some parts of Devon are a bit run down due to local poverty.

The person i was travelling with wanted to visit their grandmother who lived there. I have no ties to Dorset. I love Devon though.

Please say Lyme Regis is still lovely!!
I spent many a childhood holiday there and went again in my 20s but that was nearly 30 years ago now.
Went to Torquay about 15 years ago and wasn’t particularly impressed then.

North Devon is lovely. Actually I loved Dorset too but didn’t rate Weymouth. Its beach is lovely but the town centre seemed a bit rough to me. That’s how I felt about Ilfracombe in North Devon too.

My favourites are Lulworth Cove and Lyme Regis in Dorset and Woolacombe in North Devon

I think you should visit both counties and enjoy it all.

We went to Durdle Door last summer. The amount of tourists was unbelievable. All the shrubbery on the way down the road was covered in white dust from the amount of cars grinding down the chalk.

I live in Devon. Yes, it's beautiful. But it's very, very busy and there is a lot of building work, solar farms etc. We have a new town plonked in the countryside near us. New roads, hedges taken out, all the houses crammed in with not a blade of grass in between them. Ex-farmers who owned the land now coining it in. New houses covering the fields all around the towns. But places such as the north coast, that haven't got the easier connections, are still lovely.

Norfolk and Suffolk are also lovely, again due to less-good connections.

Fair enough - it's just not a holiday destination is all - that part of Dorset I mean. Devon is lovely, I have great childhood memories of Clovelly (is that how you spell it?) in particular. But also my dad wanted to see Dartmoor Prison (weirdo) and we missed out on going to Pixieland. I'm over it now though. Clearly I am not and it comes up almost every Christmas!!!

They are lovely in good weather but as with where you live, can look miserable under grey skies, howling wind etc. I live adjacent to these counties so regularly travel through

Gosh I’m so sorry to hear this. I love Devon. It breaks my heart to think of it spoiled.

South Hams, all the way! Had a week there last October (most recent one of many). I grew up in that part of the world so have visited often, and all over Devon. Lots of beautiful spots, north, south east and mid. Dorset also lovely esp. Purbeck Hills(or it it Isle? Can’t remember - but stunning coast).