Devon is one of the prettiest parts of the UK and always seems overshadowed by its neighbour Cornwall. I think that Devon is much quieter than Cornwall during peak seasons and is arguably more affordable. Plus, there is still plenty to see and do, which is why I wrote this post on Three Days in Devon.
I have written this post with the view that you are staying in Torquay, which is quite central. We have stayed at The Somerville before and would highly recommend it. As well as this, I am also assuming that you have access to a car.
Three Days in Devon | A Short Itinerary
Day 1: Exeter, Totnes and Torquay
Start off the day by driving to the city of Exeter. This was actually a stop on our Cornish Road Trip too as it is a great place to break up the long journey to the South West and explore. I also think it is perfect for a morning coffee and a bit of breakfast, before you explore the shops. The Exeter Cathedral is also well-worth a visit, as is the Quay. Spend the morning leisurely exploring, before getting into the car and heading to Totnes.
Totnes also just so happens to be on the Cornish itinerary and is where you would stay on the second night. I think that it is worth exploring; there are some nice boutiques and cafes here. The main ones are located through the gate up the main hill/ street. I would have a quick look around, before jumping into the car and heading to Torquay.
We chose to base ourselves at the Somerville in Torquay – check out my detailed review if you are looking for accomodation! I would aim to arrive at the Somerville early-afternoon. If you can’t check-in, then leave your bags in the car and head down into Torquay. This seaside resort has plenty to see and do, depending on your interests and taste. One thing is for sure, you need to get an ice cream by the seaside and look around the quay. You could also try your hand at mini-golf or at the arcade. Either way, you will find plenty to do in the afternoon. Once you have seen enough, head back to the hotel and freshen up after a busy day.
This evening, head to Amicci – an Italian restaurant near the hotel. We ate here and really enjoyed it. It does get really busy though, so make sure you have booked a table ahead of time. Enjoy pizza or pasta with an Aperol Spritz, before heading back to the hotel and getting a good night’s sleep. A perfect start to your three days in Devon.
Day 2 – Devonshire Coast Trip
Approximately 70 miles
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You can then leave early and head towards Kingswear. Before you do, ask the hotel staff about a Ferry Pass; they may be able to lend you it and save you £5.00! There is nothing to see in Kingswear, but you will be catching the ferry over to Dartmouth. You could avoid the ferry if you wanted, but it is the easiest route and is an experience!
When you make the crossing over into Dartmouth, drive on ahead and park wherever there is a free bay. Take some time strolling around the streets and enjoy the range of boutiques. I personal favourite is Bert and Buoy; I just love the fun artwork.
Once you have explored, head back to the car and drive through the town, aiming for Blackpool Sands. This is a natural cove which is stunningly beautiful. In the summer, this is busy as you would expect, so make sure that you turn up early. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also paddleboard here and there is a shop nearby that sells all the gear.
The next destination is just a really nice drive. From Blackpool Sands, aim to Beesands. You’ll go on this glorious coastal road that really makes you feel like you are on holiday. From here, it is a short drive to the next destination, Salcombe. I’ve covered this town in my other blog posts, but just as a heads up – it is quite difficult to park here. Again, it gets busy during the summer. My advice would be to park outside of the main town and walk in. It will be hilly, so be prepared. This is where you will have lunch today and I would strongly suggest fish and chips by the seaside. What can beat that?
After you have explored Salcombe, your next stop is Buckfast Abbey. This historic site is really interesting and was once home to a highly important building before the Reformation. There is plenty to see here, plus an excellent cafe if you didn’t manage to find lunch in Salcombe. From here you can easily get back to Torquay, where you can relax in the hotel before heading out for dinner.
Day 3 – Exploring Dartmoor
There is not a major rush today, so take it leisurely and soak up the vibe that only the English riviera can provide. When you are ready, get into the car and head to Dartmoor. Along the way, stop at a local bakery or supermarket to get yourself a picnic. I would really recommend bringing sturdy walking shoes and a coat any time aside from the Summer months. If you are able to, I would also bring a map as the signal is never particularly good on the moors.
Your first stop is one of the Dartmoor National Park’s Travel Centres. These are excellent and you can find them in Princetown, Postbridge or Haytor. All of them are easily accessible by car, but make sure you are careful on the roads. There are ponies, cattle and other animals here.
From the visitor centre, the staff will be able to help you decide on the best route for you. When we were planning our experience, their website was really helpful and I would suggest it is your first port of call. Spend the entire day walking along the moors. You could also visit Lydford Gorge, Pennywell Farm or my personal favourite, the Dartmoor Otter and Buckfast Butterfly Sanctuary. You can see all of the beautiful butterflies and otters and even help out at feeding time. An otterly unforgettable experience.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you found my itinerary for three days in Devon useful. I think that this covers the main things to do and see. However, as always, if there is anything that you think I’ve missed out, let me know. I would love to hear from you.
Other posts that may help you:
- Cornwall Road Trip | Staycation Series
- Days Out in Southern England
- The Prettiest Villages in the Cotswolds
- One Week in Wales: UK Road Trip Itinerary
Thank you for reading and I hope that my post has been useful and have helped to inspire an adventure to Devon!
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your family and friends!
Happy exploring,
Love Victoria X
