What do you like to discover on holiday?

Whether you’re holidaying on the moor, by the sea or in river country, there’s so much history and nature to discover on your doorstep in Devon.

If you stay at The Hayloft in Lower Cator, a hamlet in a hill-farmed valley in the heart of southern Dartmoor, you’ll find miles of lovely moorland and riverside walks amidst spectacular scenery. One of the holidaymakers who stayed here described the “riot of colour and wildlife” and there’s a wealth of archaeological sites to visit too.

It can be great fun to plot your walking route to call in at country pubs – try The Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, a popular, ‘real Dartmoor’ village world-famous for its fair. The Hayloft is an excellent, upside down cottage (one of two converted from a big barn) in a truly beautiful location; a peaceful retreat after busy days out.

In the heart of Axminster, you’ll find lovely Coombe House, big, semi-detached and Grade II listed, originally built for the local abbot in the 16th century. There’s history all around you here. Axminster is a bustling little town with 300BC Celtic origins and nearby is the imposing Jurassic Coast – miles of stunning coastline and ancient geology recording 185 million years of the Earth's evolution.

After hunting for fossils and exploring rockpools, relax in the property’s big enclosed, walled garden shaded by a lovely mature beech tree – and you’re welcome to roam the friendly owner’s garden and help yourself to seasonal fruit and veg.

In the heart of the historic fishing village of Appledore, quirky Peelers Cottage has 1732 origins and once served the village as a police station and gaol. The picturesque village is well placed at the mouth of the Taw and Torridge estuary.

Make a hearty packed lunch and head off on your bikes to explore the famous Tarka Trail (you can hire cycles in Bideford, just 2 miles away) – you’ll find an abundance of wildlife. A good route is Bideford to Torrington which takes you up the Torridge Estuary on the old railway bed. Or how about a boat trip from Bideford to breathtaking Lundy Island to see its rich and diverse flora and fauna?

For more holiday ideas, browse through the rest of our holiday cottages in Devon.

Romantic walks and cottages to match…

Relaxing walks with spectacular views and cosy cottages go hand-in-hand in the West Country, making it the ideal place for a last minute Valentine's treat or a romantic break at any time of the year.

This walk in Porlock Weir, Somerset, has an air of mystery about it, taking in Culbone Church - England's smallest complete church - and the nearby Fairytale Tunnels. Trek past Ash Farm, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge was said to be staying when he wrote Kubla Khan. Nearing the end of the walk, in the hillside above, are the ruins of Lady Lovelace's elaborate fairytale mansion. What better namesake could prepare you for your trip back to Milbanke and its lovely sea views? The coastal footpath hidden behind the cottage leads through woodlands, past former garden terraces and under old tunnels once connected to the main house. An ideal location for walkers, nature lovers and silence seekers.

A walk along the secluded coves and beaches of Lansallos, Cornwall, will take you in the footsteps of smugglers. The cart tracks where contraband was brought inland and the coastline itself are evocative scenes, while Lansalllos waterfall adds a dramatic twist. Venture back inland to Hobb Cottage on the side of a deep valley full of wildlife and flora. Perfectly private and picturesque.

The Tarka Trail cuts through the unspoilt Devon countryside by tracking old railways. It was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927. With over 30 miles of walks, you will appreciate coming home to Monks: a delightful, 300-year-old, detached, thatched cottage in Petrockstowe.

How about making your loved one feel like absolute royalty by popping the question at Castle Drogo? A walk on Dartmoor from Fingle Bridge to the castle will build a sense of occasion as the romantic scene unfolds before you. Retreat to this picture-postcard cottage in Drewsteignton and celebrate with a glass of champagne in front of the open fire.

Take a look through our cottages still available over Valentine’s to find a special place for a romantic break.

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