A scenic countryside road winds through green fields and shrubs at sunset, with a stone wall and metal gate on the left, and a colorful sky filled with clouds and sunlight.

The Best Things to Do in Devon in 2025

With wild coastlines, vast national parks, picturesque harbour towns and, of course, the famous cream tea, Devon is one of the UK’s most popular coastal holiday destinations. Featuring a rich and varied landscape, Devon boasts the UK’s narrowest street and Southern England’s largest open space, in the form of Dartmoor National Park.

From music festivals and sailing regattas to adventure parks and county shows, Devon is jam-packed with exciting events, historical places and outdoor attractions.

Come wind, rain or shine, Devon has something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to take the family to an unforgettable festival, explore Devon’s incredible national parks or sample some of the best food the region has to offer, here’s our selection of the best things to do in Devon.

A prize-winning cow with a numbered tag and decorative ribbons stands at an agricultural show, wearing a halter and lead, guided by a handler dressed in white.

The Devon County Show

The Devon County Show is certainly one of the most popular things to do in Devon, running from 15-17th May at the Westpoint Arena and Showground near Exeter this large agricultural show is one of the yearly highlights on the Devon events calendar. Ideal for all ages, the Devon County show includes impressive arena displays and parades, livestock competitions, dog shows, vintage steam engines, trade stands offering jewellery, crafts and clothing and much more.

The show is also home to Devon’s biggest food fair where you can sample delicious produce from all around the region.

You can purchase tickets for the show online.

Sailboats and a small ferry are moored at a harbor with calm blue waters, surrounded by hills covered in trees and houses, under a sunny sky with boats visible in the distance.

Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

One of the country’s oldest sailing events, the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is steeped in history. From 23-30 August, the 180th Regatta week celebrates the river and the sea. Bringing together yachts, keelboats, dinghies and sports boats, the regatta includes a range of exciting competitions set against the beautiful backdrop of the South Hams.

Come along and enjoy the family fun weekend, admire the fireworks display and watch thrilling, rowing, sailing and raft races. Shoreside, there are parades, bike displays, stalls and live music to enjoy. The regatta is free to attend.

A scenic landscape at sunset features a lone tree and rugged rock formations surrounded by green grass and ferns, with rolling hills in the background under a colorful sky.

The National Parks

If you’re looking for things to do in Devon, we certainly recommend exploring the National Parks. Devon is home to two, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Two of the UK’s last great wildernesses, these rich and dramatic open spaces are well worth exploring. Dartmoor’s wild and remote moors are peppered with rugged tors while Exmoor’s landscape is a mixture of moorland, woodland, coast and river valleys with spectacular coastal views.

The national parks are made for walking and there are hundreds of mapped walks to discover. Trek the famous Dartmoor Way, ramble along the Two Moors Way that links the parks and follow in the footsteps of the romantic poets along Exmoor’s Coleridge Way.

A funicular railway with two green and white carriages travels up and down steep parallel tracks, surrounded by greenery and hills, passing under a bridge with houses above.

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway

For a relaxing and unusual experience, take a ride in the world’s highest and steepest water-powered cliff railway.

Known locally as Little Switzerland, the picturesque, hilly town of Lynmouth is linked to the equally pretty hilltop town of Lynton by a funicular railway.

The cliff railway is powered exclusively by Exmoor river water, making it one of Devon’s most sustainable and ethical tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of Exmoor National Park, the Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway is open daily. Both towns have excellent restaurants, cafes and shops to explore.

A group of people dressed as pirates walk together, wearing detailed costumes with hats, belts, and accessories, including one with a red bandana and long dreadlocks, smiling confidently.

Brixham Pirate Festival

Arrrrrr me hearties! Looking for fun things to do in Devon in the spring time? We’ve got just the thing, from 3-5 May, it’s time to join one of the world’s largest pirate gatherings for a weekend of swashbuckling merriment and live music set in Brixham’s historic port.

This free-to-attend event includes live performances, a replica of the Nao Victoria, the first ship to circumnavigate the world, children’s entertainment, sea shanty crews and plenty of local grub.

A coastal cliff with lush green grass and pink flowers in the foreground overlooks the deep blue ocean under a clear, sunny sky.

Lundy Island

If you’re visiting North Devon, a trip to Lundy Island is a must. Lying 18km from mainland Devon, Lundy is England’s first Marine Nature Reserve.

This beautiful, unspoilt island is a haven for a diverse range of wildlife including colonies of seabirds like puffins and Manx shearwaters, the native pygmy shrew, goats, ponies, highland cattle and Sika deer. It’s also an excellent spot for diving and seal spotting.

You can access Lundy Island via the ferry which sails up to four days a week from the end of March until the end of October. Access to the island during the winter months is by helicopter.

A dimly lit cave featuring stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the floor, with formations in shades of brown and beige.

Kents Cavern

If you’re searching for things to do in Devon on a rainy day, look no further than the prehistoric show caves at Kents Cavern, Torquay.

Venture underground and travel back in time to discover how ancient humans survived, hunted and sheltered and explore the labyrinth of caverns containing 400 million-year-old rocks and spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

Kents Cavern is open daily, all cave tours are guided and must be booked in advance.

Surfboards lying on a sandy beach with gentle waves in the background, where people are swimming and enjoying the ocean on a sunny day.

Goldcoast Oceanfest

From 22-22 June, Croyde Bay comes alive with pumping beats and exhilarating beach activities. As an independent festival, there’s a strong community vibe where local bands and global superstars rub shoulders.

Ideal for families, groups of friends and couples, you can enjoy a weekend marvelling at the surfing greats, being amazed by daring BMX stunts and chilling out while listening to some of the finest sounds on one of North Devon’s best surf beaches.

Tickets can be booked here.

Unwind in idyllic Dartmoor

Situated in the heart of Devon, between the North and South coastlines and close to Dartmoor National Park, our country house hotel is the perfect base for exploring all of the best things to do in Devon.

Relax and unwind in our luxurious rooms, enjoy a special afternoon tea and delight your senses in our award-winning, gourmet restaurant, one of the finest in Devon.

Take advantage of one of our exclusive offers and book your stay at the Horn of Plenty today, we look forward to welcoming you.

Published on Monday 23rd December 2024 / By Liz Berry