Somerset or Devon?

[My123]

Hi, can anyone advise me on nice places to live in Devon or Somerset?Our new home would be for myself and uni student son and visits from my other two 'working away' children. We love the sea - swimming, surfing, walking the dogs - but also like space and countryside, and horses! So I would say semi-rural, close to pleasant village/community.....by the coast. Would also like easy link to London. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Where do the fast trains to London stop? That's a good starting point.

I only vaguely know Devon tbh. Exeter would put you on the right trains and road to London but it's not right on the coast.

North Devon near Barnstaple (train from Exeter) or Bideford. Best for surf, lovely walks, friendly.

Thanks very much..... Good advice. I will check timetables.

Ok. I have heard of Barnstaple but I will check out Bideford also. Thank you!

Hi, please can anyone advise me on nice places to live in Cornwall, Devon or Somerset? (I love Falmouth but maybe too far away from family). Starting afresh after divorce, my new home would be for myself and uni student son (and visits from my other two 'working in London' children). We love the sea, swimming, surfing, walking the dogs, countryside and horse riding. So I would say friendly village ..... by the coast. Would also like easy link to London. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you!

You could take a look at the train lines from Paddington to Exeter and from Waterloo to Exeter. That will give you the basic links and then fan out from there.
Frome in Somerset is pretty & rural, Westbury is the closest mainline station I think. Tiverton Parkway is rural Devon and good road links to north Devon. Barnstaple is coastal, perhaps have a look at Appledore or Instow on the coast. Truro is lovely but I think quite expensive.