By Emma Dodd
In this edition of Dream Destinations we’re heading to the land of sandy beaches, fossil cliffs and cream teas. Devon has been popular with watersports enthusiasts and walkers for years, and offers caravan owners all the best of a British staycation.
As a county, Devon is blessed with two coasts and each one has its own personality. In the north, you can enjoy world-class surfing and a wilder seascape, while the south is home to small, sheltered coves and picturesque harbour towns.
Step away from the main Torbay stretches of sand and discover Oddicombe Beach with its dramatic backdrop of red cliffs. Perhaps you’d prefer to paddle at Fishcombe Cove, whose small shingle shoreline often escapes the crowds.
It’s not just about beaches, however, as Devon is home to Dartmoor, with its rugged landscape, ruined castles and idyllic caravan sites. Explore on foot, by bike or on horseback to see all that the national park has to offer, or take to the water for some kayaking or wild swimming.
Take a tour of Tiverton Castle and soak up the magic of secret passageways, ghost stories and the fortification’s impressive collection of armour from the Civil War. The castle has stood on the banks of the River Esk since 1106 and has since been made into a grand country house.
Pecorama Pleasure Gardens has no fewer than five gardens and each has its own theme. As well as taking a wander around the plants and flowers, you can sit back and enjoy the surroundings from the Beer Heights Light Railway. The miniature steam and diesel locomotives operate on one mile of track around the grounds.
Devon’s rich food and drink culture means you might like to enjoy a tour of the oldest working gin distillery in the world. Plymouth gin is then used to make cocktails that are served to guests in the medieval Refectory Hall.
It would be a shame to end your caravan holiday in Devon without sampling one of its famous cream teas. Controversially, the cream must always be placed on the bottom, before the jam to differentiate it from its Cornish equivalent. Ancient manuscripts suggest monks at the Benedictine Monastery in Tavistock started the tradition back in the 10th century.
Which destinations are you taking your caravan to this summer? We’d love to know.
