A stone vault stretches 96 metres across Exeter Cathedral: from the west end of the nave to the east wall above the high altar. It is the longest continuous medieval stone vault in the world. Its precise length and the named endpoints give the architecture a tangible sense of scale – here, a single architectural feature becomes an impressive discovery.
Cathedrals, Collections and Castles
Exeter Cathedral has been at the heart of Devon for nearly a thousand years. Guided tours explore its architecture and hidden areas; audio tours are also available. The availability of tours may vary. The Treasures exhibition displays the Exeter Book and treasures from the old cathedral library; exhibition arrangements may change. Families can enjoy the Cathedral Cat Trail and interactive craft activities, whose seasonal programme may vary.
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery offers a different way to explore history: its collections comprise more than one million individual objects and specimens in eight main categories. The scale and the structure are two distinct points of reference – the number shows the collection’s size, while the categories organise it.
Totnes Castle is a classic Norman motte-and-bailey castle. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest at the highest point of the hilltop town of Totnes. At Okehampton Castle, you can explore the ruins and use an audio guide; some visitor facilities may change. In Devon, history can be encountered through buildings and collections as well as by exploring ruins.
Gardens and Trails at Your Own Pace
The Dartington Estate has Grade II listed gardens. Its footpaths and walking trails are open from sunrise to sunset; trail conditions may vary. An audio guide by the visitor guide focuses on the historic buildings. The garden, trails and audio guide offer different ways to experience the estate, without prescribing a set route for your visit.
RHS Garden Rosemoor also offers a variety of impressions: the visitor garden lies in a Devon valley and combines formal and informal planting. It can be reached without a car by bus, train, bicycle or on foot; check operational details before travelling. When planning your trip, the choice of ways to get there is a practical consideration alongside the garden’s design.
Coasts, Geology and Cycle Routes
Dartmoor National Park has 450 miles of public rights of way. The national park also has more than 350 kilometres of bridleways and byways, as well as quiet roads and designated cycle routes. These figures describe different networks and activities: the miles refer to public rights of way, while the kilometres refer to bridleways and byways. For cycling plans, the designated routes and quiet roads are also relevant. The Tarka Trail, meanwhile, is one of Britain’s longest continuous traffic-free walking and cycling routes and forms part of the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route.
The coast also offers a variety of themes for a visit: Devon’s coastline provides opportunities for surfing sessions and walks on the South West Coast Path. Its South Devon section passes through the English Riviera. At Bantham Beach, a surfing lesson with a local surf school is an option; availability depends on the season and the provider. When the sea is calm, stand-up paddleboard tours along the coast or on the River Avon Creek may be another possibility. They depend on sea conditions and provider availability.
The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark covers more than 100 square kilometres and tells a geological story spanning more than 400 million years. At the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, the exhibits range from the local waters of Plymouth Sound Marine Park to the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The aquarium is the United Kingdom’s national aquarium and comprises four main zones. Its Atlantic Ocean habitat is the deepest aquarium habitat in the United Kingdom and holds 2.5 million litres of water. Coastal landscapes and marine worlds each offer their own sense of scale: vast geological timescales on the one hand, and clearly defined habitats on the other.
A Regional Serving Tradition
A culinary custom is also part of Devon’s character: with a Devon cream tea, clotted cream traditionally goes on the scone first, followed by jam. The order is a small but distinctive detail that gives a glimpse of regional tradition.
Discover more destinations: Cornworthy, Ipplepen, Littleham, Marldon, Broadclyst, Bradworthy, Broadhempston, Appledore, Axminster, Bideford, Torquay, Outer Hope, Yelverton, Yarcombe, Wick, Ware, Two Bridges, Totnes, Thorverton, Teignmouth, Tavistock, Stoke Rivers, Staverton, South Molton, Sidmouth, Shaugh Prior, Salcombe, Plympton, Parracombe, Okehampton, Newton Abbot, Mortehoe, Moretonhampstead, Lynmouth, Lifton, Kingsteignton, Kingsbridge, Ilfracombe, Horrabridge, Honiton, Holsworthy, Holbeton, Hawkchurch, Exmouth, Exeter, Dunkeswell, Dittisham, Devonport, Dawlish, Dartmouth, Clovelly, Chulmleigh, Chagford, Buckfastleigh, Braunton, Bovey Tracey, Barnstaple, Ashburton, Alston, Wotter, Cheriton Bishop, Budleigh Salterton, Ilsington, Woolacombe, North Molton, Beaworthy, Georgeham, Combe Martin, Chittlehampton, Northam, Kings Nympton, Colebrooke, Copplestone, Cullompton, Sampford Peverell, Parkham, Branscombe, Beer, Woodbury, Drewsteignton, Westward Ho, West Buckland, Berrynarbor, Bradninch, Brixton, Whitchurch, Tiverton, Instow, Lydford, Lynton, Seaton, Exminster, South Brent, Martinhoe, Umberleigh, Torrington, Molland, Chapelton, Cove, Postbridge, Croyde, Hartland, Woody Bay, Meshaw, Rackenford, Stoke Canon, Ottery Saint Mary, Shaldon, Crediton, Kenton, Harberton, Sparkwell, Colyton, Virginstowe, Manaton, Whimple, Morebath, Bratton Fleming, Hollacombe, Bampton, Swimbridge, Ashwater, Witheridge, Princetown, Ivybridge, Modbury, Westleigh, Chittlehamholt, Noss Mayo, Winkleigh, Holne, Exebridge, Woolfardisworthy, Sutcombe, Stoke Gabriel, Dalwood, Washfield, Uplyme, Tawstock, Slapton, Shirwell, Plymtree, Otterton, North Tawton, North Huish, Lympstone, Little Torrington, Lapford, Halberton, Exbourne, East Putford, Dunsford, Cornwood, Chudleigh, Buckland Brewer, Broadwoodwidger, Broadhembury, Blackawton, Bishop's Tawton, Ashreigney, Burrington, Burlescombe, Rockbeare, Newton Saint Petrock, Hemyock, Buckland Monachorum, Black Torrington, Milton Abbot, Kingskerswell, North Bovey, Lamerton, Hatherleigh, Uffculme, Stokeinteignhead, Yealmpton, Upottery, Spreyton, Culmstock, Bridgerule, Abbotsham, Clyst Saint Mary, East Portlemouth, Southleigh, Sampford Courtenay, Moreleigh, Liverton, Hennock, Coffinswell, Abbotskerswell, Newton Poppleford, Throwleigh, Sampford Spiney, Meavy, Starcross, Longdown, Talaton, Bigbury-on-Sea, Woodleigh, Upton Pyne, Tipton Saint John, South Pool, Payhembury, Luppitt, Frithelstock, Bere Alston, Ashprington, Pennymoor, Saint Giles in the Wood, Bottreaux Mill.
For the broader travel overview: South West England.
