Fishing boats on a pebble beach at Beer in East Devon. View Coast and Countryside Holiday Cottages in Devon

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in Devon

Coastal, Countryside and Moorland Holiday Cottages in Devon

For many visitors, renting holiday cottages in Devon is the most enjoyable way to experience this charming County. Here are beach apartments overlooking wide sandy bays from Woolacombe in North Devon to Slapton Sands in South Devon. Discover thatched cottages in quaint coves such as Beer, Lee Bay, Blackpool Sands and Ladram Bay, with clear waters backed by lush green Devon countryside. 

Stay in a thatched Devon holiday cottage in the heart of the countryside to explore deep flower-filled lanes or the wild moorland landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor. The many picturesque and historic towns and villages from Clovelly to Budleigh Salterton scattered across Devon offer a fine choice of self-catering accommodation. 

Find quaint thatched cottages in sleepy villages, stylish barn conversions on working Devon farms or waterside apartments in converted fishing lofts and harbourside warehouses on the South Devon coast. Devon's mild climate makes the County a popular choice for self-catering cottage holidays all year round, as Christmas Day surfers on the North Devon beaches at Croyde and Saunton will testify. At the same time, wild daffodils and primroses appear in the hedgerows as early as February, adding colour to winter and early spring walks in the countryside.

Exterior of a two-storey Devon holiday cottage with rendered walls and a slate roof overlooking a lawn.
Whincroft, Dartmoor Cottage in Mary Tavy
Mary Tavy
Devon
England
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Overlooking a peaceful country lane with a handful of other pretty cottages and the neighbouring parish church, this beautifully updated chocolate box detached Dartmoor holiday cottage in Mary Tavy is a 4-bedroom home from home for families, friends and family pets looking for a base in the Devon countryside to explore and unwind.

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An open air swimming pool with park benches on its terrace surrounded by a tall hedge.
The Bowline, Salcombe
Salcombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Bowline enjoys an enviable location in the heart of Salcombe and treats guests to subtle elegance. The coastal cottage in Devon with a heated swimming pool offers an open-plan living space which catches the sunlight and ensures comfort and relaxation, plus lovely views of the surrounding area.

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A stone-built, 2-storey courtyard cottage with foxgloves flowering in its garden.
Cherry Cottage Near Dartmouth
Dartmouth
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Cherry Cottage near Slapton Sands in South Devon was built at Buckland Court in 2001. This large rural holiday cottage sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms. It is furnished to a high standard, including Wi-Fi. Central heating and modern insulation ensure this cottage is ideal for off-season use. Pets welcome

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Apple Barn, Salcombe
Salcombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

Apple Barn is a sophisticated modern coastal cottage sitting just moments from the Devon coast in East Portlemouth. The impressive pet-friendly cottage promises beautiful countryside views, contemporary comforts, and multiple relaxation areas both inside and outside. Savour the serenity.

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A sprawling Dartmoor Manor house ovrlooks a sweeping, tree-lined lawn.
Great Bidlake Manor, Luxury Holiday Home On Dartmoor
Bridestowe
Devon
England
Sleeps
12
Bedrooms
8

This extraordinary manor house is nestled in the idyllic countryside, a mere mile from the village of Bridestowe, situated on the periphery of the Dartmoor National Park. A living testament to history, dating back to the 13th century, it stands as a truly exceptional Grade II* listed haven, ideally suited for families and large groups of friends seeking resplendent gathering spaces.

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A view of Dartmouth estuary seen from the covered terrace of a waterside holiday let
Bight Boathouse
Dartmouth
Devon
England
Sleeps
11
Bedrooms
4

Bights Boathouse is a luxurious waterside holiday home with fabulous views across up and down the Dart estuary in Dartmouth. This pet-friendly property is located in the enchanting South Hams area of South Devon, offering its guests easy access to various coastal attractions. The property is surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants, and local events such as the Dart Music Festival. Guests can enjoy scenic cycling and walking routes or take a trip on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The nearby beaches like Blackpool Sands are waiting to be explored.

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Exterior of a thatched cottage with porch and low stone wall.
Old Maids Cottage, Lee Bay
Lee Bay
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Old Maids Cottage is a luxury holiday cottage on the spectacular North Devon coast. It has been fully restored as an open-plan holiday home for six people, with three double bedrooms (two en-suite). You’ll enjoy this picture-perfect thatched cottage, which oozes the holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

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Spacious, open-Plan interior of a modern seaside holiday apartment.
5 Putsborough
Woolacombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

A modern luxury apartment home in a brand-new North Devon coastal complex, 5 Putsborough in the heart of the seaside resort village of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a family-friendly holiday stay, a pet-friendly home with a master bedroom having a  king-sized bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, private balcony, and access to indoor pool and gym.

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A two storey brick house with a large gable end overlooks a lawn and spacious parking area.
Apple Mill
Tipton St John
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Apple Mill is a delightful Grade II listed holiday cottage in East Devon, accessed via its own driveway. This large rural retreat near Tipton St John sleeping 8 has a secluded, private garden, hot tub and courtyard.

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Torbay Seaside Cottages

To the south of the County are the bustling Victorian seaside resorts of Torquay, Paignton, Exmouth and Teignmouth, these days offering much more than a traditional bucket and spade holiday (although buckets and spades are still essential holiday must-haves). It's a haven for superb family theme parks such as Diggerland, an adventure theme park with a real emphasis on DIGGERS! An invigorating construction experience for adults & children. It is highly recommended!

Sleepy East Devon Cottages

To the south-east corner of Devon are the charming and genteel Edwardian resorts and villages of Sidmouth, Beer, Branscombe and Budleigh Salterton. Here, a perfect day can be had chuntering around Lyme Bay in a self-hire boat catching mackerel to BBQ back at your holiday cottage in the evening. For delightful views of the River Ax estuary - and the chance of a Devonshire Cream Tea in Colyton, enjoy a sedate ride on restored trams at The Seaton Tramway that runs from Seaton along the estuary to Colyton. 

Idyllic North Devon Holiday Cottages

North Devon is much wilder and quieter than the south but just as welcoming to visitors. Here are the big sandy surfing beaches of Croyde, Woolacombe, Westward Ho! and Saunton Sands (perfect for beach cricket and sandcastle building when the tide is out). Tiny coast-hugging villages such as Lee Bay or Clovelly delight visitors at any time of the year. The principal coastal towns of Barnstaple and Bideford provide all the services and supplies you need to enjoy a self-catering holiday in a rural or seaside holiday cottage. North Devon also has the occasional geographical claim to fame, such as the biggest village in England (Braunton) and the longest High Street in England (Combe Martin). For visiting walkers and cyclists, the superb Tarka Trail offers more than 40 miles of level cycling on old North Devon railway lines that follow the river valleys and estuaries of the Taw and Torridge. There are plenty of bike hire shops along its route if you don't have space to bring your bikes.

Coastal, Countryside and Moorland Holiday Cottages in Devon

For many visitors, renting holiday cottages in Devon is the most enjoyable way to experience this charming County. Here are beach apartments overlooking wide sandy bays from Woolacombe in North Devon to Slapton Sands in the South Hams. Discover thatched cottages in quaint coves such as Beer, Lee Bay, Blackpool Sands and Ladram Bay, with clear waters backed by lush green Devon countryside. 

Stay in a thatched Devon holiday cottage in the heart of the countryside to explore deep flower-filled lanes or the wild moorland landscapes of Exmoor and Dartmoor. The many picturesque and historic towns and villages from Clovelly to Budleigh Salterton scattered across Devon offer a fine choice of self-catering accommodation. 

Find quaint thatched cottages in sleepy villages, stylish barn conversions on working Devon farms or waterside apartments in converted fishing lofts and harbourside warehouses on the South Devon coast. Devon's mild climate makes the County a popular choice for self-catering cottage holidays all year round, as Christmas Day surfers on the North Devon beaches at Croyde and Saunton will testify. At the same time, wild daffodils and primroses appear in the hedgerows as early as February, adding colour to winter and early spring walks in the countryside.

Find Cottages in Dartmoor and the Heart of Devon

Inland Devon is equally inviting to visitors. Quiet thatched villages such as Broadhembury, Coleford, Sampford Courtenay or Chittlehampton can be found at the end of slow drives down deep Devon lanes (all replete with excellent pubs and idyllic holiday cottages). Exeter's city centre is well worth at least one day's visit to see the magnificent Cathedral (picnic on Cathedral Green) followed by a trip down to Exeter Quay on the River Exe, full of craft shops, bars and restaurants. Hire a bike and follow the ship canal towpath through Starcross to the coast. Make it past the enticing pubs such as the Twin Locks, and you'll find yourselves collecting sea shells and nibbling seaside candy floss on the beach at Dawlish Warren before a leisurely ride home to your holiday accommodation.

Devon's centre is the wonderful Dartmoor National Park - offering picturesque wild walks and drives across the moors. Visit Widecombe and Princetown - the latter now earning a reputation as an artistic centre as well as being the location of the famous prison. Above all, find and climb a tor - there are hundreds from which visitors can choose. Dartmoor is also home to England's 'newest castle'. Now wonderfully restored by the National Trust, Castle Drogo, designed y Edward Luytens just outside Drewsteignton, was built in the early 20th Century and is a fascinating place to visit.

South Devon Coast and Countryside Cottages

Devon's maritime heritage and traditions can be discovered in the south coast ports of Dartmouth. Taking an Edwardian paddle steamer up-river trip to Dittisham past Greenaway, Agatha Christie's house is now open to the public. Discover more of Devon's scenic heritage by water at Salcombe or Plymouth, where a boat trip visiting all the historic maritime naval yards along Plymouth Sound will provide an entertaining history lesson.

For steam train lovers, occasional mainline rail excursions to and from Exeter, steam a-plenty can be found within an easy drive of many holiday cottages. In the popular (and idyllic) South Hams region in Devon's southern corner, ride the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes or from Paignton to Kingswear (and then by ferry to Dartmouth). In North Devon, discover the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, which operates a mile or so of scenic track from Woody Bay Station - combine this with a clifftop walk along the South West Coast Path between Woody Bay and Martinhoe and you have the perfect day out!

Family-Loving Devon

With so much on offer in Devon and it's not just the large attractions that appeal to visitors. In North Devon, visit The Gnome Reserve, where over a thousand gnomes add colour and enchantment to a woodland walk. The Reserve was once nominated for a Turner Prize. If not Gnomes, they try sheep: The Big Sheep in Bideford has everything from baby lambs to feed to roller coaster rides - all year round! It is no wonder that many of Devon's self-catering holiday cottages and seaside apartments welcome the same visitors year after year!

Devon Destinations