Devon is home to many beautiful towns and villages and is one of the most sought-after locations to live in the UK. In addition to its picturesque views, it also has great culture, excellent shops, restaurants and cafes and its location makes it very easy to get to London.
If you’re considering moving to Devon, then you should find this article very helpful. Not only are we going to cover some of the best areas to live in Devon but we’ll also be looking at its cultural highlights as well as the pros and cons of living there.
Devon cultural highlights
Exeter Cathedral
Devon has a lot to offer in the way of culture. There are plenty of excellent parks in the county as well as theme parks, museums and art galleries. Below are some of the main highlights.
- Crealy Theme Park – Crealy Theme Park might not be as well known as some of the theme parks in the UK but it makes for an excellent day out, particularly if you have kids. In addition to having more than 60 rides and attractions, there are also many shows throughout the year as well as a Christmas event that takes place from late November up to the 23rd December.
- The Milky Way Adventure Park – The Milky Way Adventure Park is another highly recommended attraction in Devon and makes a perfect day out for families. There are many great rides there and the Christmas event is a particular highlight.
- Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery – The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery has a huge amount to see and do, with many stunning pieces of art as well as events and exhibitions.
- Exeter Cathedral – Exeter Cathedral is an incredible looking building and one of the most historic in the county. As well as being a beautiful place to explore, there are also events held throughout the year, including a Christmas market.
- Paignton Zoo Environmental Park – Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has a huge number of animals for you to see, including meerkats, tortoises, flamingos and alligators. There are also plenty of events that take place, so it’s an excellent place to visit if you have kids.
- Quince Honey Farm – Quince Honey Farm is an excellent working honey farm in South Molton. It’s a great day out for the family, with affordable admission prices and plenty to see and do.
- Hartland Abbey and Gardens – Hartland Abbey and Gardens is another excellent cultural highlight in Devon and there’s always a lot going on there, with an outdoor theatre and BBQ.
- Bicton Park Botanical Gardens – Bicton Park Botanical Gardens is a great place to learn about the history of Devon, with a large collection of machinery and restored artefacts. There are also children’s activities available, so it’s a great place to visit if you have kids.
- Pennywell Farm – Pennywell Farm is a superb hands-on farm that has a range of activities available. Some of the animals there include pigs, miniature donkeys, goats and mice. There are also places to eat and shop as well as rides, so it’s perfect for families.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
Topsham
Topsham combines a beautiful location with many excellent shops and restaurants as well as great amenities. You can enjoy beautiful views from most places in Topsham and it’s just 5 miles from Exeter, making it very convenient if you need to commute.
Because it’s one of the poshest areas in Devon, the property prices in Topsham are pretty steep.
Tavistock
Tavistock is another great area in Devon. It’s a historic town that’s home to many great parks as well as a leisure centre. There’s also a number of shops and restaurants there, so you’ll always have plenty to do.
The property prices in Tavistock are considerably cheaper than Topsham on average and it’d make a great place to live for both families and young professionals.
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is a beautiful market town that has some incredible views. It also has some great primary and high schools, so if you have kids, it’d be an ideal place to live.
Kingsbridge has many beautiful houses and as you might expect, the average price for them is pretty high.
Ashburton
Ashburton is a great place to live if you want to be close to the action, with many great shops and delis and a vibrant community. There are also a lot of activities for kids, with several playgrounds, so it’s perfect for families.
The property prices are very reasonable in the area too, with the average prices being below those in many other parts of the county.
Cockington
Cockington is in a beautiful setting and there are many thatched properties in the area. With a great country park and many excellent works, it’d be a perfect choice if you want to live in a calm and relaxing environment.
Property prices in the area are very high due to it being a desirable and upmarket area.
Pros and cons of Devon
Before making a final decision on whether or not you should move to Devon, it’s a good idea to be aware of its pros and cons. Let’s start by looking at some of the best aspects of the county.
Pros
- Affordable property prices – The property prices in Devon are reasonably affordable, especially when compared to a lot of nearby areas, such as Surrey and London. There are many different types of property available throughout the county too, from terraced houses to bungalows, flats and apartment complexes.
- Beautiful surroundings – There are an abundance of great parks and beautiful natural spaces throughout Devon. This makes it an ideal place to move if you love nature and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Great culture – There are also a lot of excellent cultural spots in the county. It’s home to highlights such as Pennywell Farm, Powderham Castle and Becky Falls.
- Good weather – Although you’ll rarely see people commenting about how good the weather is in the UK, Devon is one part that has very nice summers thanks to its southern location. The fact that there are plenty of beaches makes it a great place to live during the summer too.
- Good quality of life – Another thing Devon has in its favour is that it provides residents with a good quality of life. There are many affluent areas throughout the county that have beautiful views and lots to see and do.
- Friendly people – How friendly the people are in the area when you’re moving is a very important factor to consider. People in Devon tend to be friendly on the whole, so it’s an excellent place to move for families and individuals alike.
- Good place to raise kids – Because of the great schools, beautiful environment and many great properties, Devon makes a very good place to raise a family.
Cons
Of course, it’s not all perfect in Devon and there are some downsides too. These include –
- Lack of good schools – It has to be said that Devon doesn’t have an abundance of great schools. If you have kids, then this might be a deal breaker for you.
- Transportation options can be limited – Another downside of living in Devon is that the transportation options can be quite limited. It’s not particularly well connected, making it quite difficult to get to other parts of the UK. This might be an issue if you need to commute each day.
Conclusion
You should now have a clearer idea if Devon is right for you. Whether you’re a young professional or want to move to Devon with your family, the county has a huge amount to offer and it’s clear to see why it’s one of the most desirable areas to live in the UK
I’m Paul Smith, Founder and Director of HouseMoveHelper. I have a great love of business, marketing, the wilderness and love to travel. You can learn more about me here.