In addition we hope that this blogpost will provide you with even more travel inspiration and at least a few secret locations you haven’t already read about Here are our TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL & DEVON.

1. Wild camp in Dartmoor (One of my favourite things to do in Devon)

Not only is Dartmoor one of the best places to visit in Devon, but it also happens to be the ONLY place you are legally allowed to wild camp in England. And what a stunning place to take advantage of it! It’s a hikers paradise but don’t worry if hiking is not your thing. Simply driving through Dartmoor and experiencing all the free roaming wildlife already allows you to take in the landscape. And there are loads of shorter walks you can do. To find out more about where you can legally camp and read about my favourite hike to the mossy woods click here.

2. Check out Totnes’ alternative scene (Devon)

Totnes is an old market town with a thousand year old castle and Tudor houses in the historic centre. It has a buzzing highstreet of eco-supermarkets, coffee shops and vegan food places. It’s a pretty small town with a vibrant music and art scene. This New Age community even has its own currency – the Totnes Pound. I kid you not!

If you want to experience the bohemian vibe of Totnes, I recommend you to visit during market days – Friday and Saturdays. You can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, as well as antiques and cloths. We had a little wander around and enjoyed some top notch vegan food from one of the stands. On the way back to the bike we could even pick some fresh herbs grown by the community which you can help yourself to!

3. Enjoy traditional Cream Tea in Cockington (Devon)

The first thing you need to know is that cream teas in Devon and Cornwall are NOT the same! In Devon you put the cream on top of the scones, followed by the jam. If you do this in Cornwall you will genuinely offend people!

Seriously! Locals will come up to you and insist that the jam comes first. It happened to us countless times. The Queen likes it cream first and I couldn’t agree more! Furthermore I always find the cream tastes better in Devon as it has a much thicker consistency.

You can get cream tea around every corner in Devon and Cornwall. One of my all time favourite places to enjoy it is Cockington – a tiny village near Torquay with thatched roof houses. But you can of course enjoy cream teas in countless other scenic locations like St Michaels Mount.

4. Climb Trencrom Hill for unparalleled panoramic views (Cornwall)

Imagine a time long gone by before drones were the new norm. When places like Trencrom Hill were TRULY special! Trencrom Hill is an iron age hill fort and one of very few places where you can see the north and south coast of Cornwall at the same time. In addition you don’t need to be much of a hiker. From the car park it’s a mere 20 min. walk up the hill. Easy! In addition it’s really not touristy at all. So if you are looking to do something off the beaten track, then Trencrom is one of the best things to do in Cornwall. Click here for directions. It’s fairly close to St Ives too so easy to visit on the way!

5. Pick Mussels in Gwithian (Cornwall)

Eating seafood is one of the best things to do in Cornwall and Devon of course. But what about picking your own? Most seaside towns will cater for crabbing. Take a walk along the harbour and you are certain to see a place that will sell you a bucket, crab line, net and some bait. It’s a cheap and popular activity, so you’ll often spot families lining the harbour and catching crabs.

But what about mussels? I’m about to share my secret spot in Cornwall where you are guaranteed to find hundreds of mussels all year round. Gwithian beach overlooks St Ives and is a popular surfing spot. It’s essential that you visit during low-tide, when the rocks I will direct you to are fully exposed. You won’t find them during high-tide so you HAVE TO check the tide table! On Google Maps enter “Gillick Rock” and it’ll lead you straight to it. Fiona and I had picked a few dozen and cooked them up immediately on the beach – delicious!

6. Dine in a real castle (One of my favourite things to do in Cornwall)

This has got to be one of the most unique things to do in Cornwall! Carn Brea is a 14th century listed castle which is currently in private use as a restaurant. I first discovered it over 10 years ago when the restaurant was mainly run by the owner – a kind man from Jordan. It was definitely more rustic back then. There were fewer tables and the entire place was lit by candles. He has since passed away and the restaurant continues to be run by his family. There are more tables now which cater to slightly more guests and other lighting has been introduced alongside the candles. But it’s still very unique and I highly recommend it.

These days you can even visit the rooftop of the castle. Carn Brea has never been about fine dining. It’s always been about mediterranean food, quite average, at low prices. Although the prices have increased ever so slightly, the restaurant remains reasonably priced. You can literally eat a meal with a drink here for 25 GBP. Well worth it in my opinion. After all, you don’t get to dine in a castle every day!

7. Take a surf class in Perranporth (Cornwall)

Of course you can surf in Devon as well but I am a little biased as I moved from Devon to Cornwall specifically to surf. Newquay and Bude dominate the surf scene with Fistral Beach holding most international surf events taking place in Cornwall.

But when you are starting out you definitely want to avoid busy beach breaks. So one of my favourite places to surf has always been Perranporth – a wide flat beach with soft sand which stretches several miles. Check out Perranporth Surf School for more information!

8. Put your off-road skills to the test on the TET

The Great Western Trail is a part of the Trans European Trail (TET) which also runs through Devon & Cornwall. Any road legal vehicle which is insured and licensed is allowed to use it. If you are riding a motorcycle, then the trails are definitely more suitable for lighter two stroke dirt bikes. But if your off-road skills won’t let you down you can of course tackle it on bigger Adventure Bikes too. If you want to view and download the route click here. Fiona and I tried to take it on fully loaded on our Tiger 900 Rally Pro and boy was I out of my depth. Admittedly we didn’t make it far at all. But if you want to find out more about the route from someone who has actually ridden it then check out Julian’s photos and article.

If you are not quite ready to take it on alone and want to join a tour, it’s worth getting in touch with Big Bikes on Byways. Tim and Sean are awesome off-road riders and between them you will be travelling with a mechanic and a medic – pretty handy, right? Oh and they are also great human beings and you’ll definitely have a fun time out riding with them!

9. Taste award-winning ice cream and gin in Devon’s prettiest seaside town

Salcombe is unlike any other seaside town in Devon. Coming here provides a big contrast to some of the run-down towns dotted along the coastline that forgot to move with the times. This stunning little seaside town is lined with boutique shops, local art galleries and great seafood restaurants. It’s a popular sailing spot with some lovely stretches of golden sand beaches and award winning Devonshire ice cream from Salcombe Dairy! Don’t care much for ice cream? No worries – head to the Salcombe Gin Distillery instead

10. Discover the isles of Scilly

In order to reach the isles of Scilly you will need to jump on a plane or take a ferry from the mainland. They lie roughly 50 kilometres away from Land’s End in Cornwall. It’s possible to visit one of the five inhabited islands which are covered in heathland and fringed by sandy white beaches. What makes a visit particularly special is that the islands are completely unspoilt and compared to the mainland they don’t get crowded!

I’ve been wanting to visit this archipelago for a very long time. When I was a student living in Cornwall I could never afford to go, so I was excited to discover the islands with Fiona this summer. I was surprised that the prices for the ferry and Skybus have increased fourfold but we were still determined to go. Despite visiting in peak season the weather forecast was extremely rainy. So given the cost of the trip we didn’t splash out in the end. I hope we get to visit these islands one day as they are one of the most beautiful places you could possibly visit in Cornwall. Few people make it out to the isles of Scilly which make them a truly unique destination!

Book a ferry to the isles of Scilly

Book a Skybus to the isles of Scilly

Ready to explore Devon & Cornwall?

I hope this blogpost has provided you with some travel inspiration and perhaps highlighted a few destinations you haven’t already thought about. Questions? Feedback? Or simply want to share your favourite thing to do in Devon & Cornwall? Then please leave us a comment below. We are always happy to hear from you

Make sure you also check out my guides of the very best places to visit in Devon & Kernow!

The post 10 Awesome Things TO DO in CORNWALL & DEVON appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

1. ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT: Could it be Le Mont-Saint-Michel in Cornwall?

There is a beautiful rocky island with a medieval castle set on top of it in Penzance. You can walk to it during low tide across a man-made causeway of granite. The walk is particularly beautiful but it’s also possible to visit on high tide by boat. I’ve never visited the castle itself but I have walked to the island many times and had Cornish cream tea whilst soaking in the views!

The village consists of only a handful of shops. To access the subtropical gardens you’ll need to book a visit to the castle! Everyone I know who has visited really enjoyed their visit. But you don’t need to go inside the castle to enjoy a visit to St Michael’s Mount.

Top Tip

You should visit during low tide as the walk to the island is really beautiful! We also recommend that you check out the National Trust website as you may need to book in advance. There is no entrance fee! However visitor numbers are currently capped due to Covid!

2. PEDN VOUNDER BEACH: Most beautiful beach in Cornwall

I promise you that this beach will leave you speechless! You will genuinely NOT BELIEVE that you are seeing this in the U.K. If you are lucky enough to make it here on a sunny day during low tide you’ll see what I mean. Honestly, Pedn Vounder is like no other beach in the UK! It’s absolutely gorgeous to overlook from the coastal path. But you definitely need a good pair of trainers for the steep walk down to make it onto the beach!

If you don’t feel climbing down onto the beach, don’t worry. The beach is lovely but the views from the coastal line overlooking it are even better! Going for a hike and enjoying your picnic with this view alone is absolutely worth the visit.

When I lived in Cornwall Pedn was mostly known for being a nudist beach. These days it attracts a mixed crowd with nudist mostly found towards the far end. Just thought it was worth mentioning to avoid surprises

Top Tip

Remember this is a tidal beach. If you visit during high tide there might not be any beach visible. So plan your visit accordingly!

Your best bet is to park in the village of Treen. The car park charges 2 GBP for the day and the short hike to Pedn Vounder beach from there is gorgeous!

3. KYNANCE COVE: One of the best coastal walks in Cornwall!

There is no doubt that Kynance Cove is one of the most spectacular places to visit along the Cornish coastline! The colour of the turquoise sea, white sand beaches and dramatic rocks stacks are truly mesmerising.

We visited during high tide when most of the white sand beaches weren’t visible. So our pictures don’t do this magical place justice! During high tide you can still enjoy the dramatic coastline but most of the beaches completely disappear. However at low tide you can explore the towering rocks stacks and caves which make this place so unique. So I highly recommend that you check the tide table and get here as early as possible in the day to avoid the crowds!

Top Tip

You can pay 5 GBP for the National Trust car park at Kynance Cove or park for free at Lizard Point. The two mile coastal walk from Lizard – England’s most southerly point – to Kynance Cove is truly stunning! I highly recommend it if you have the time. If you are opting for the car park directly at Kynance cove though make sure to get here as early as you can. During busy summer months it can fill up rather quickly!

4. POLPERRO: Old Cornish Smugglers Village

Step back in time as you wander the cobbled streets of this idyllic old fishing village. Polperro is still a working fishing port and during high tide you might be able to spot boats unloading their catch. Needless to say that if you are looking for delicious locally caught seafood, then you are in the right place! Polperro has a small beach and natural pool but there are far more attractive options along the coast if you are looking for beach time.

The nicest thing to do in Polperro is to eat delicious fresh seafood overlooking the picturesque harbour and lose yourself in the narrow streets surrounding it. There are many charming cottages, art galleries and souvenir shops in town. Polperro has a strong art scene with a yearly art festival usually held in June. Other festivities include the Water Carnival and Furry Dance.

Top Tip

There is a huge car park located just outside the town from where you can follow the river right to the harbour of Polperro. If you want to avoid the pricey parking charges, keep going straight after the roundabout and you will find a legal parking spot alongside the road only 5 min. walk up the hill!

5. MINACK THEATRE: This incredible open-air theatre is perched on the cliffs of Cornwall

The Minack is a stunning open-air theatre nestled along the dramatic Cornish coastline overlooking the Atlantic ocean. It was built by Rowena Cade, her gardener and a few more helping hands by hand and a few sticks of dynamite in 1929. How incredible is that?

To build the theatre Rowena carried sacks of sand up the cliffs and mixed it with concrete. So it’s no surprise that it took most of her life to create the masterpiece you are looking at today. I visited this magical place many years ago. Unfortunately there were no entrance tickets available on the day when Fion and I visited recently! You can pre-book a visit to see the theatre here.

But of course the best way to enjoy it, is to watch an actual play! I only visited the theatre during the day and can confirm it’s well worth a visit but I would love to watch a performance here sometimes.

Know before you go

The views of the rugged coastline from Minack theatre are breathtaking. However, it is located in such a way that you won’t be able to see it from the coastal paths. It’s also located in a no-drone zone, so if you want to see it you’ll HAVE TO book a visit!

Top Tip

You can easily combine a visit to the Minack theatre with a visit to Pedn Vounder Beach as they are close to each other and the coastal walk is simply stunning!

6. LAND’S END: The most south-westerly point of mainland Cornwall

I remember the first time I visited Land’s End and just how disappointed I felt. The main attraction should be its natural beauty. But unfortunately your first impression is a tacky tourist complex. It feels like walking through a mini amusement park with the famous landmark at the edge of the cliffs. And for 15 GBP a professional photographer will take your picture here. BUT, BEFORE YOU WRITE IT OFF …

The surrounding coastline and cliff walks are absolutely stunning and hiking to Land’s End is truly spectacular! It’s a completely different experience to reach Land’s End point this way. And yes, you can totally bypass the entire tourist complex this way.

Fiona and I walked from Porthcurno all the way to Sennen. Even though it wasn’t a sunny day, it was still absolutely stunning and spectacular! It should take you roughly 2.5 – 3 hours to reach Land’s End from Porthcurno. It took us more like 4 hours though as we kept stopping for pictures every two seconds! We aren’t the fittest but I blame the gorgeous views mostly.

Oh yes, and there was a lovely little cafe along the way that was calling out for a Cream Tea! The walk from the ‘Land’s End’ signpost to Sennen only takes 30 min. and takes you past the shipwreck as well.

Top Tip

If you want to avoid queing and paying a photographer 15 GBP for a photo at the Land’s End signpost then visit before the gates open. We rode in on our motorbike around 7.30am. You can easily get inside using the gate to the right of the main entrance!

7. BEDRUTHAN STEPS: Most dramatic beach in Cornwall

This place reminds me a little of the 12 Apostles in Australia! Or Diamond beach in Nusa Penida. It’s certainly unlike any other place in Cornwall! Along the dramatic coastline giant rock stacks dominate the beach surrounded by wide golden sand beaches. It is completely unspoilt and best viewed from the cliff tops! At low tide the beach stretches for over a mile. And on high tide, you guessed it, there is no beach at all. The shape of the rock formations continue to change all the time due to the erosion caused by the waves!

Legend has it that the line of huge rocks were stepping stones of the Cornish giant named Bedruthan. In the 18th Century there also used to be a cliff top mine called Carnewas Mine which raised thousands of tons of iron ore. Staircases were cut into the rocks allowing the miners access to the beach. The steps are constantly undergoing work by the National Trust to make them safe to use by the public now. Due to recent cliff falls the beach is not currently accessible. But don’t worry, the view from the clifftops alone is so stunning, it will make the visit worthwhile!

Top Tip

Check the tide table again because Bedruthan is a tidal beach as well. As stunning as the coastline is at any given time, come here during low tide, and I promise you’ll be left speechless!

8. ST. IVES: Most beautiful seaside town in Cornwall

Fall in love with St.Ives as you wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets and soak in the unique vibe of its art and surf scene! It has many independent shops and beautiful fisherman’s cottages and the best way to explore this picturesque town is to get lost in its narrow lanes. One of my favourite features is that it is surrounded by several beautiful beaches. No matter if you want to surf or looking for a sheltered and quiet beach, there are plenty of them wrapped around this beautiful town to choose from.

And don’t miss out on the many delicious seafood restaurants in town. Just be cautious of the seagulls – they can be pretty vicious around here! If you are on a budget or just looking for a small bite to eat I recommend the Cornish Bakehouse. They sell an excellent cray, prawn and crab baguette for 5 GBP.

Top Tip

St.Ives can get super busy in the summer, especially during term holidays. The crowds can definitely kill some of its charm. It’s usually quieter around 10am and it can get pretty crowded from noon onwards. Also, if you aren’t staying in town then you might be better off catching the train in. Whereas it’s pretty easy to park your motorcycle, trying to find parking for a car here can be pretty frustrating!

9. CHAPEL PORTH: Learn about Cornwall’s past & heritage!

Cornwall has a strong heritage and you will more than likely spot the many tin mines dotted across the peninsula. I have always loved the coastal walk from Chapel Porth to the engine houses of Wheal Coates via St Agnes Beacon. The panoramic views are stunning and reach all across to Porthtowan and Portreath! And the tin mine and engine houses are really well preserved. There is so much local history to discover and I personally prefer learning about it outdoors rather than inside a museum!

The fastest way to get to the Wheal Coates Tin Mine is parking in the National Trust car park of Chapel Porth. The walk only takes about 20 minutes. However, my favourite way to reach this place is to park up at Porthtowan during low tide, walk across to Chapel Porth and make your way to the Wheal Coates Tin Mine. Watch out though and check when the tide comes back in so you don’t get caught out! Porthtowan itself has a beautiful beach and a lovely cafe located right on it.

Know before you go

Tin mines are scattered ALL OVER Cornwall and you don’t have to come to Chapel Porth just to see them. I personally just really like it here because the backdrop and coastal views are so special!

Top Tip

Cornwall is spoilt with gorgeous stretches of coastline. So if you don’t care much for tin mines and you are strapped for time then give this one a miss. But if you want to learn more about Cornwall’s culture and visit some places that aren’t already highlighted in every other travel blog then this is for you!

10. PORT ISAAC: Charming cornish fishing village

Port Isaac is a tiny, but very charming fishing village along the north coast. I particularly love the narrow, winding streets behind the harbour lined with white-washed cottages. Many of the traditional slate-fronted houses date back to the 18th century and are listed buildings. The harbour is still very much in use and you will be able to see fisherman unload their catch of crabs, fish and lobster. Needless to say there are excellent seafood restaurants in town. Sadly for us, due to Covid many of them were closed.

Know before you go

There isn’t an awful lot to do in town and there are far more beautiful beaches to explore. Port Isaac is perfect to explore by foot and feel like you got lost in time if you find yourself in this part of Cornwall. It’s quiet, unspoilt and rustic. But if you are stopping by for longer than just a bite to eat and quick stroll around town, then you should definitely hit the coastal trails. You can either hike towards Polzeath or Tintagel in the other direction and the views are simply stunning!

Port Isaac is not THE highlight of Cornwall and I wouldn’t specifically drive here if you aren’t in the area already. It made it onto this list because it’s very authentic and doesn’t get overrun by tourists. So if like us you are doing a roadtrip across all of Cornwall, this is a lovely little stop to incorporate. It provides a nice contrast to other picture-perfect, well maintained places like Polperro that get a little too busy with tourists in the peak season!

Top Tip

Port Isaac is a car-free village. You will need to park at the large car park and take a stroll into town. Just follow the steep hill leading down towards the harbour. Have fun going back up

Are you ready to visit Cornwall?

Hopefully this blogpost has given you some travel inspiration and perhaps even helped you plan your next roadtrip. Bear in mind that Cornwall gets pretty busy in the summer. And let’s face it … it’s the UK so there is no guaranteed sunshine if you come during peak summer months anyway.

My favourite time to visit is April or October when there are few tourists and hotel prices drop. Especially very busy places like St. Ives feel so much more magical during quieter times!!

Questions? Thoughts? Or simply want to share your favourite place in Cornwall? Please leave us a comment below – we always look forward to hearing from you

The post Top 10 Beautiful Places to Explore in Cornwall appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

Our ride through Devon was a trip down memory lane for me! I moved to Devon at the age of 16 but it’s been a very long time since I’ve last visited. I knew a lot of stunning places and couldn’t wait to show Fiona round my favourite spots. But as I used to live on the south coast I didn’t know the north coast well at all. This was about to change however!!

As part of our Land’s End to John O’Groats road trip, we made our way through the south coast of Devon. And once we reached Land’s End, we travelled back up the north coast. But we didn’t just stick to the coast! We also found some off-road adventure on the Trans European Trail (TET) and visited some National Parks too!

HERE ARE 5 PLACES YOU SIMPLY CAN’T MISS WHEN VISITING!!!

1. DARTMOOR: My favourite National Park in Devon

If you love hiking and nature then you’ll be spoilt for choice across the 386 square miles of moorlands. In addition, Dartmoor is the ONLY place in England where you can legally wild camp. You can hike across the tors, tackle steep hills, go fishing or take a dip in one of the many lakes. We were very excited about wild camping. However, there are many luxurious boutique hotels and cosy B&Bs inside the National Park.

Just driving through Dartmoor alone is absolutely stunning. But it’s obviously a hiker’s paradise! My absolute favourite hike was walking to the Wistman’s Mossy Woods. Anywhere you hike you will be sure to see free roaming ponies and horses, sheep, Highland Cows and other wildlife. You’ll often find sheep asleep on the road or crossing over so there is really no point driving fast and disturbing their piece. Fiona and I spent two nights wild camping and hiking across Darmoor and absolutely loved it!

2. SALCOMBE: the prettiest seaside town in Devon

Hands down the prettiest town in Devon! Salcombe is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the coastal views are simply stunning, as well as the surrounding countryside! The crystal blue waters make it a popular sailing spot and attract many tourists for kayaking or paddle boarding. Fiona and I enjoyed our time on the golden sand beaches of East Portlemouth which has a stunning view over the town. It’s impossible to miss as you’ll be looking right onto it when walking through Salcombe. The ferry ride will only set you back 2 GBP and takes only a couple of minutes to drop you at this dead-gorgeous beach! However, remember to bring a picnic as there are no facilities on the beach.

The town itself is lined with boutique shops, local art galleries and gift shops. There are some fantastic restaurants serving locally caught fresh seafood. We may have gone crazy on crab sandwiches which are very easy to find. Two more things you should try whilst in town are Salcombe Dairy Ice-cream and the award-winning Salcombe Gin. There is a distillery right in town if you fancy a tasting!

And don’t miss out on one of the most stunning coastal walks in Devon along the South West Coast Path to Start Point Lighthouse. For detailed directions click here.

Where to stay

Fiona and I camped at the Higher Rew just out of town, but there are many fancy boutique hotels and nice B&Bs located in Salcombe as well.

3. BLACKPOOL SANDS: my favourite beach in Devon

Blackpool Sands is a crescent-shaped beach made of pebbles located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is surrounded by scented pines and my absolute favourite beach in Devon! It even has a cafe right on the beach serving local organic foods. The car park charges cars 7 GBP for the day but we could park our motorcycle here for free! If you are staying in the nearby town of Dartmouth you can also hike to Blackpool Sands. It takes around 2 hours and provides gorgeous views of the surrounding coast line.

The beach is pretty wide so although it can get pretty busy it doesn’t feel too crowded. In addition it is a blue-flag beach, which means it’s safe for swimming.

Are you a history buff? Then you might like to check out the next beach along too. A Sherman tank on Slapton Sands commemorates the tragedy of Exercise Tiger during World War Two in which 946 American servicemen lost their lives. German E-boats surprised the troops but sadly many lives were also lost in ‘friendly fire’.

4. CLOVELLY: this ancient fishing village is a true gem!

Clovelly is one of the most picturesque fishing villages I’ve ever visited. It’s impossible not to fall in love with it as you stroll down its cobbled street along flower-strewn cottages down to the harbour. There is strictly no car traffic which adds to its charm. Donkeys transport everything from groceries to furniture.

It’s pretty unique to spend the night in Clovelly. It’s a very popular tourist destination for day visits but most people leave by 5pm. Experiencing Clovelly in the evening, away from the crowds, is a truly unique experience and will make you feel like you have stepped back in time. Fiona and I arrived here in the evening. We loved exploring the town which we had pretty much to ourselves and chatting to the locals.

After a perfect dinner we decided not to come back the next morning as we knew it wouldn’t be as special. First of all it would have been far more crowded the next day. Secondly, the Visitor Centre right next to the car park charges an entrance fee during the day. The entrance fee was definitely a bit of a surprise to us. I’m also not entirely sure if we would have been willing to pay it. In general, we avoid most attractions with an entrance fee. I am not sure if Clovelly would have had the same charm for us after paying the entrance fee on a busy day so I recommend visiting in the evening!

Clovelly’s Annual Festivals

Clovelly and the surrounding coastline were historically known for smuggling, piracy and shipwrecks. Its heritage is still very much reflected in various annual festivals like the “Lobster & Crab Feast” in September, “Hering Festival” in November, the “Seaweed Festival” in June and “Maritime Festival” in July.

Where to stay

There are only two hotels in town: the 400 year old New Inn and the C18th Red Lion on the quay. We didn’t stay in town but enjoyed delicious lobster and seafood for dinner at the New Inn. It’s a lovely traditional pub with a fabulous selection of cider which they make themselves. A double room at the New Inn will set you back 140 GBP.

Fiona and I found a friendly farmer just outside of town who was happy for us to pitch our tent in his field for the night!

5. VALLEY OF ROCKS

The Valley of Rocks is a fascinating valley running parallel to the dramatic coastline bordering Exmoor National Park on the north coast of Devon. Hike up the cliff tops for some truly stunning views of the unique coastline and mountain backdrops! You are almost certain to encounter free roaming goats wandering the rock faces. The best way to experience this rugged valley is to take in the views with a coastal hike. There is a popular circular route from the nearby town of Lynton to the Valley of Rocks. Click here for maps and directions or to find more challenging hikes in this breathtaking location.

Are you ready to explore Devon?

Hopefully this blog post has provided you with a useful overview of some of the highlights Devon has to offer. It has such a great mix of natural beauty, coastal walks, beaches and picturesque towns. No matter if you are heading to the north coast or south coast, there is an abundance of natural beauty to explore. Want to learn how to surf? Check out the Croyde Surf Academy. And if you are into off-road riding, do check out the Great Western Trail of the TET. But whatever you do, make time for some stunning hikes and plenty of stops for traditional Devon Cream Tea. And if you want to check out Devon’s alternative scene, then make sure to check out the historic market town of Totnes.

If you have any questions or simply want to tell us about YOUR favourite place in Devon then please leave us a comment below. We are always happy to hear from you

The post TOP 5 Beautiful Places You Have to Visit in Devon appeared first on ADV Travelbug.

1. Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

On the most eastern point of the Jurassic coast you will find the three famous chalk formations, called Old Harry Rocks. The only way to visit them is to hike. If you are looking for a short, easy hike of no more than half an hour I recommend parking at the Bankes Arms Inn Studland. And it’s also a very nice pub for lunch with a nice beer garden.

Although the viewpoint looking straight across the Old Harry Rocks is gorgeous, the highlight for me really was the coastal walk overlooking the dramatic white chalk cliffs. The hike from Old Harry Rocks to Swanage is simply gorgeous so if you have more time, pop on your hiking boots and start your hike in Swanage Bay instead. It’s about 10.5km (6.5 miles) so factor in about 3 hours round-trip with breaks.

2. Corfe Castle, Dorset

Corfe Castle is a cute little village in Dorset and the site of a ruined castle which sits on top of a hill. Driving into the historic village is really beautiful with stone houses lining the streets and the backdrop of the isle of Purbeck which the castle ruins stand on. Even without paying to go inside, it’s really lovely to drive through the village. The central point of this historic town is a little square with an old church, some independent shops, taverns and inns. If you have visited the Old Harry Rocks and heading further east, you will naturally pass it. It’s definitely worth a quick stop!

3. Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a pebble beach, particularly popular at low tide when it forms beautiful little rock pools. The beach itself is not the main draw (for me personally) so much as the surrounding countryside and coastal walks. There is a great big car park in Lulworth Cove and the tiny village has a few lovely Inns and restaurants serving seafood. It’s very cute and perfect for lunch! But the highlight, without a shadow of a doubt, is to hike across to Durdle Door!

4. DURDLE DOOR: Dorset’s most iconic and photographed landmark

The most popular destination in Dorset is this natural limestone arch which stands about 200 feet above sea level. There is a huge car park from where you can hike to it. It takes about 15-20 min. to reach the point from where you can overlook Durdle Door. The downhill path isn’t very steep but if you add the further 143 steps to reach the beach, it can be a little exhausting on the way back up. Don’t worry though – it’s worth every step! Durdle Door is absolutely gorgeous but on a hot summer’s day (especially during half term!) this place can get somewhat overrun with visitors, killing a little of its charm. So it definitely pays off to time your visit outside of school holidays and ideally mid week! Durdle Door is magnificent but so are the surrounding coastal walks so I wouldn’t rush your visit here!

5. Chesil Beach

Chesil Beach is a 29 kilometre (18 miles) long beach running from West Bay to the isle of Portland. It is up to 15 meters high and 200 meters wide. It looks especially unique from above as it runs parallel to the coast so bring your drone if you have one! Contrary to other beaches you don’t find any facilities here. No deckchairs, no pastel painted beach huts, no ice-cream stand. If you prefer wild, rugged and quieter places all to yourself then THIS IS IT! And if you happen to enjoy fishing then you are in for a treat. Bexington is a fantastic spot to catch mackerel!

The pebbles on Chesil beach around Portland are roughly the size of a potato. But around Bridport you’ll find smaller pea-sized pebbles. Legend has it that smugglers landing on the beach could judge their position just by picking up the pebbles and feel their size. These days, the pebble sizes might help you decide where your camping chair is less likely to topple over!

Chesil Beach is NOT great for swimming due to strong undercurrents. It’s best visited by people who like to get away from the crowds, appreciate rugged nature, a quiet fishing spot or explore the wildlife around!

Looking for a safer beach for swimming?

If you are looking for a beach more suited to swimming, try Westbay. West Bay is a little harbour village with two main beaches. East Beach is a sloping shingle beach with a gorgeous backdrop of the surrounding sandstone cliffs. The cliffs rise 50 meter vertically above the beach and from atop you can enjoy breathtaking views over Chesil Beach. West Bay is a smaller, quieter and more sheltered beach with shallow water. If you are looking for a good swimming beach and coastal walks for fossil hunting close to a town with facilities, then this is a good option!

Are you ready to explore Dorset?

We definitely found that Dorset had more to offer than expected! I’ll remember it mostly for stunning cliff walks overlooking the white chalk cliffs. And secondly for the absolutely fantastic views across the coastline riding down the A35 on our motorbike!

Any questions or simply want to share your thoughts on this blogpost? Please comment below. I’m always happy to hear from you

The post DORSET JURASSIC COAST: Do not miss these amazing stops! appeared first on ADV Travelbug.