The Natural Charm of Devon

Devon (/ˈdɛvən/; historically also known as Devonshire) reaches from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south, bounded by Cornwall to the west, Somerset to the northeast, and Dorset to the east.

Devon's area is 6,707 km2 (2,590 square miles), and its population is about 1.1 million. It is the only county in England to have non-continuous stretches of coastline, to the north and south. Both coastlines include cliffs and sandy shores. Devon's bays contain seaside resorts, fishing towns, and awesome surf. The county's inland terrain is rural, generally hilly, and has a low population density in comparison to many other parts of England.

Surfing

When a clean three-foot swell hits the surfing beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton and Croyde, head up to north Devon to see at the area's vibrant and ever growing surf culture.

Salcombe youth hostel is in a great location sitting above the Salcombe estuary and is an affordable place to stay in an otherwise expensive town. The hostel is in an Edwardian house and has family rooms as well as dorms. There's a beach at the end of the drive, and the South West Coast Path at the top. Nearby Salcombe gets busy in summer, but there are some great places to eat and drink.

Right on the ancient Ilfracombe's Victorian harbour, Ocean Backpackers has dormitory beds, a double room and a family room. Guests have use of a wetsuit-drying room, well-equipped kitchen and lounge with pool table.

Nearby beaches include Woolacombe, Putsborough, Croyde and Saunton. Check the reports in the morning then choose your break accordingly. Nearby Westward Ho! and Woolacombe have played host to kitesurf competitions and continue to be popular with locals.

Wet Adventures

Dartmoor, the largest open space in southern England at 954 km2 (368 square miles), is covered with wide moorland and underlying granite geology. The valleys and hills of Devon are traversed by rivers such as the Exe, the Culm, the Dart, and the Otter. These are great for wet adventure sports.