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.

A contemporary glass-fronted eco-lodge with a hot tub and large garden.
Top Meadow
Georgeham
Devon
England
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Looking for a pet and eco-friendly holiday lodge with a hot tub in North Devon? Top Meadow is the perfect place for you! It's just a short drive from some of the area's most spectacular beaches. The lodge is spacious, bright, and stylish, with a large covered deck. You'll be able to enjoy fantastic rural views in a truly relaxing setting.

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A stone-built cottage with a first floor that forms an arch over a driveway to a courtyard.
Brook Cottage
Newton Ferrers
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

This smart, peaceful end-of-terrace holiday cottage is in Newton Ferrers, a scenic waterside village in a rural valley 1 1/2 miles from the South Devon Coast. It has three bedrooms and can sleep six people.

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A double-fronted holiday cottage exterior with a small walled front garden
Lilac Cottage
Musbury
Devon
England
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Escape to Lilac Cottage, a charming Musbury holiday let within a designated National Landscape. Ideal for families or couples, it sleeps five and has a cosy woodburner and sunny garden. Explore nearby Lyme Regis and Axmouth's coastal delights. Fully equipped for self-catering holidays in East Devon, it's close to River Cottage Farm and offers easy access to walking trails. Enjoy comfort, convenience, and natural beauty—book your stay for an unforgettable rural retreat.

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A 3-storey holiday home is surrounded by lawns and a spacious block paved parking area.
Ley Park
Welcombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Discover Ley Park, an enticing large holiday cottage in North Devon, offering a captivating blend of comfort and coastal charm. It is perched half a mile from Welcombe, a hamlet just a short stroll from Welcombe Mouth Beach. This smart retreat boasts sea-view bedrooms, a cosy wood-burning stove, and a spacious dining room. Ideal for family gatherings, the enclosed garden with a patio and grassy area provides a scenic backdrop. Explore this idyllic holiday let in North Devon for an unforgettable coastal escape.

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The Byre @ Cross Farm
Goodleigh
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

The Byre, a stunning North Devon holiday cottage in Googleigh for up to 6 people and a dog, is a great place to stay and visit beautiful beaches and the wilds of Exmoor. The cottage is light, bright, spacious and very relaxing but also benefits from being 3 miles from Barnstaple and 8 miles from the coast.

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Exterior of a terraced seafront cottage with a walled front garden.
Riversmeet
Instow
Devon
England
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Discover Riversmeet, your ideal holiday home in Instow, North Devon. This sunset-facing seafront cottage offers breathtaking views of Instow Beach and Appledore. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, it accommodates up to six guests. Enjoy the open-plan living area with modern amenities. Pet-friendly and close to local amenities, it's perfect for families. Experience coastal living at its finest. View the full description for more details.

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The rooftops of a large holiday cottage surrounded by a sloping lawn and trees with a river estuary in the distance.
Dower House, Dittisham
Dittisham
Devon
England
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Dower House is a large 18th-century Devon holiday farmhouse that sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms. It is located in the village of Dittisham, between Dartmouth and Totnes, and offers panoramic views across the Dart Estuary. It is ideal for holidays with families or small groups of friends.

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Higher Mullacott Farmhouse, Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe
Devon
England
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Dating back to the 17th-Century, Higher Mullacott Farmhouse near Ilfracombe is a large and luxurious 5-bed holiday cottage in North Devon which has been tastefully renovated for style and comfort, all set in a beautiful countryside location with sea views on the North Devon coast.

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A lighthouse holiday cottage complex on a rugged North Devon clifftop.
Siren, Mortehoe
Mortehoe
Devon
England
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Enjoy unique self-catering holidays in North Devon with a stay at Siren, one of four refurbished former lighthouse keepers’ cottages overlooking Bull Point near the village of Mortehoe, Devon, a child-friendly cottage that sleeps up to five, featuring three bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and absolutely gorgeous sea views.

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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