Famous for its cream tea, pasties — both of which are a subject of hot debate with neighbouring Cornwall — Scrumpy Cider and beautiful coastline, Devon is one of the UK’s top holiday regions.
Stay near the harbour in Torquay or a Victorian terrace townhouse in a stately street in Exeter. Then again, why not opt for a traditional lodge near Exeter University where you can enjoy a stroll around the grounds?
At Situ, we have a wealth of serviced apartments in Devon to choose from, and we’re confident you’ll find somewhere great to stay. Our apartments are all fully modernised with smart TVs and super-fast broadband, as well as fully-equipped kitchens for those who wish to stay in self-catering accommodation. Many also have washing machines and dishwashers.
If you’re concerned about parking, most of our serviced apartments in Devon have on-site space available for guests. All our short-term serviced apartments have domestic cleaning as standard and some offer dry cleaning amenities. So popular is our serviced accommodation that guests regularly return year after year to the same spot. And for that reason, we would always advise you to book well in advance of your date of travel to avoid disappointment.
Devon is straddled by three Celtic nations: Cornwall to the west, Wales to the north, and Brittany to the south. At one time it was a Celtic region itself — until the Anglo-Saxons appeared on the scene. Its name is, in fact, Gaelic in origin and means ‘defender’ — a tribute to the numerous occupations and raids that the town has been subjected to throughout history. A charming, rural county in the heart of southwest England, Devon is home to two cities: Exeter, in central-east Devon, and Plymouth, on the southwest border of Cornwall. Devon has a population of just over 800,000.
The M5 connects central England to the region, stretching from Bristol to Exeter, where Plymouth is accessible on the A38 and Torquay on the A380. The A30 reaches all the way down into Cornwall. Despite being one of the most rural and southern parts of the country, Devon is relatively well connected in terms of public transport.
Roughly 470,000 Devon residents are in the 16-64 age bracket, meaning that the town has a large population of ageing residents. About 78% are economically active, with most residents (20%) classifying themselves as being in a professional occupation. Another 13% say they are either in a skilled trade occupation or they are managers, directors, or senior officials. Around 11% classify themselves as working in the care, and other service occupations.
While Devon’s economy used to be based on the mining of tin and copper, it now largely rests on tourism, with 17% working in the sector. However, like much of the UK, the leading employment sector in Devon is retail. Next is human health and social work at 14%, then accommodation and food service at 10.5%. Around 10% of the population work in education. There are roughly 38,000 active businesses in Devon, most of which are micro firms with 0-9 employees. Devon also has one of the highest rates of self-employment in England, at nearly 16%.
The city of Exeter is the county’s centre for business and tourism and is packed with cultural sights and fun things to do. A couple of worthwhile visits include the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, filled with all the Devonshire history you could want. In addition, Exeter Cathedral boasts beautiful Medieval Gothic architecture and has the longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulting in the world.
Plymouth is also called ‘Britain’s Ocean City’, and is Devon’s largest municipality. A port city on the south border of Cornwall, Plymouth is rich in maritime history and boasts the UK’s largest aquarium, home to over 4,000 animals. Plymouth is also famous for its gin distillery, which is the oldest in England, having been around since 1793.
Another of Devon’s main attractions is, of course, its beautiful beach resorts. Torquay (in the south), Westward Ho!, Croyde, as well as Woolacombe and Saunton Sands (both in north Devon) are all long, golden, sand-filled beaches boasting fun attractions and waves from a surfer’s dream.
Aside from its cities and beach resorts, Devon is filled with historic market towns such as Axminster, famous for its carpets; and Tavistock, with its Goose Fair.
The region has two national parks. There is Dartmoor — the largest open space in Southern England — with its wide moorlands, deep river valleys, and rolling green hills. Then there is Exmoor, which has a vast stretch of moorland, woodlands with ancient oaks, and some of the most dramatic coastal vistas in England.
Devon has its own airport, located in Exeter, with direct flights to and from national destinations, as well as connecting flights to Alicante, Cyprus, New York, and Dalaman. Bristol airport is also relatively accessible and is one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Exeter.
National Express coaches run to several destinations across the country, including Bristol, London Central, Stansted, Gatwick, and Heathrow Airports.
Devon’s main train services are First Great Western and Cross Country, with most of their routes passing through Exeter. Their destinations include London Paddington, Manchester Piccadilly, Aberdeen, and Penzance.
A wide range of town services and region services cover Devon, with routes from Tiverton, Newton Abbot, and Honiton to and from Exeter; and Tavistock, Dartmouth, and Bude to and from Plymouth.
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