Devon’s top 10 prettiest towns and villages

Devon is characterised by its lovely villages and towns. Whether they are located on the north coast, the south coast or on Exmoor or Dartmoor, Devon’s prettiest settlements make for brilliant holiday destinations; all relaxing and beautiful alternatives to the county’s many interesting towns, cities and visitor attractions.

We have curated this helpful guide to ten pretty Devon villages, which includes delightful fishing villages and hidden moorland treasures. There are many others to discover too, but these are just a few of our favourites.

Why not stay at one of our lovely holiday cottages? We have a variety of enchanting properties all across the county in pretty Devon villages and towns galore. Click the button below to browse our full collection.

Devon cottages

1. Appledore

Appledore is an ancient maritime shipbuilding village at the confluence of the River Torridge and Taw. The village has always had a shipyard and it’s also home to a small fishing fleet.

The houses cluster around a hilly headland at the corner of the Torridge and the estuary, and there’s also a long quay where you’ll find a few of the village’s cosy pubs and cafes. It's a lovely spot for a Devon river walk before visiting one of the popular pubs or cafes - and you can't leave without trying a Hocking's ice cream. Appledore is a bustling Devon village, very pretty and sure to give you a memorable time.  

Appledore cottages

2. Clovelly

Clovelly may well be Devon’s most famous village and one of the prettiest in the entire UK. Images of its emblematic, white-washed stone houses and iconic harbour adorn tea towels, biscuit tins and fancy goods all around the world.

It’s a picture-perfect place for a day trip, where the steep traffic-free cobbled streets lead down to the Atlantic Ocean, with scenic coastal walks aplenty and photo opportunities galore. Look out for donkeys which can also carry tired visitors down or up the hill back to the visitor centre.

Clovelly cottages

3. Brixham

Brixham is a town rich with Devon’s culture and countryside trappings. It’s a splendid place to spend a week or two for a fully immersive experience in one of Devon’s most attractive, popular holiday destinations. Sitting on the coast at the base of Berry Head, situated at the southern end of Torbay, you can see the lights of Torquay across the bay at night.

Down in the village, you can enjoy several beaches including Breakwater Beach, Shoalstone Beach (with its seawater pool), St Mary’s Bay, Churston Beach, and Elberry Cove (which is 2.5 miles from the centre of the village). Find out what else you can do with our guide to scenic South Devon. 

Brixham cottages

4. Croyde

The lush village of Croyde is beauty personified. It unfurls its way around a sandy bay with dunes between the headlands of Down End and Baggy Point. Privately owned by a holiday park, the well-managed beach is a draw for surfers. Many cite Croyde’s beach as one of the very best surfing locations in the world, and it's easy to see why. The Atlantic-facing, narrow bay draws in a succession of sturdy rollers.

Croyde seems like a world away from the rest of North Devon because it’s hemmed in by tall hills and the Cridda Valley. It’s a superb choice of holiday location, as you won’t have to go further than Braunton for extra amenities.

Croyde cottages

5. Hartland

At Devon’s border with North Cornwall, the pretty village of Hartland is the focal point of a vast, rural area. The main road cuts this corner of Devon off, so Hartland remains a secluded choice for those that love an undiluted trip to pure North Devon. The village is quite spread out and is made up of Hartland Village, Hartland Point and Hartland Quay. You’ll also see signs for Hartland Abbey and Stoke.

Hartland Quay offers exceptional views south down the craggy, black, cliff-lined coast. On a clear day, you can see Tintagel Castle in Cornwall in the far distance. There is an ancient harbour and a rocky, primaeval beach to discover. The South West Coast Path walk past Speke’s Mill Mouth waterfall to the lighthouse at Hartland Point is dramatic and wild here.

Hartland cottages

6. Beer

Beer is a fond favourite on the South Devon coast. Once your family discovers Beer, it’s highly likely that you’ll return year on year. Close to the gorgeous Northleigh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Beer is just a few miles along the coast from Seaton (East Devon).

The beach at Beer sits at the base of a tall cliff, making it a great place for fossil hunting and rock pooling. The local fishing fleet hauls out here too, so you’ll see a handful of large boats on the beach.

Beer cottages

7. Branscombe

Branscombe is a painterly holiday vision in South Devon close to the beach. Less than 1 mile from the heart of the village is Branscombe Beach which is a lovely spot to spend a hot afternoon, paddling and sunbathing.

There is an interesting selection of family and historical attractions in the area to check out. Holyford Woods is a lovely place to go for a shady wander, and at Hooken Cliffs, you can walk amongst the remnants of a colossal landslide, now overgrown with trees and foliage.

Branscombe cottages

8. Mortehoe

Mortehoe is a pretty North Devon village close to the last headland before the Bristol Channel opens out into the wider Atlantic Ocean. Just up the road from the very busy Woolacombe, this quiet village is a cute prospect for those that like clifftop walks, hidden lighthouses and the rolling Devon countryside.

Mortehoe is memorable for the trails around the peculiar rock formations all along Morte Point and the supreme views across Bideford Bay towards Lundy and Hartland Point.

Mortehoe cottages

9. Dittisham 

Upriver from Dartmouth, and close to the popular South Devon resort of Brixham, Dittisham is a welcoming, handsome yachting village. Known to locals as ‘Ditsum’, it’s been a Devonshire favourite of budding sailors, fishermen and artists for decades. The village location is surrounded by charming rolling green hills, farmland and forests. In the heart of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it’s a perfect choice if you have a boat or would like to hire one. The calm waterways are a brilliant part of Devon to master sailing.

Dittisham offers many opportunities to walk through the area via some fantastic trails; the area is characterised by pretty country lanes lined with bucolic cottages with thatched roofs and flower-laden gardens.

Dittisham cottages

10. Lustleigh, Dartmoor National Park

At the south-eastern corner of Dartmoor National Park, a few miles north of Bovey Tracey, is the alluring East Devon village of Lustleigh. The Lustleigh Show, which takes place every August Bank Holiday, is a popular draw for those staying in the village at that time of year.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the best that Devon has to offer in respect of local food, drink and customs. May Day is also a big date on the calendar for visitors and locals alike.

Dartmoor cottages

Holidays in Devon

We hope we have inspired you with our list of Devon’s prettiest villages. Of course, beauty is the eye of the beholder and there are many more villages that could be included – we have a large collection of self-catering holiday cottages all across Devon in and close to each of the county’s prettiest villages. Where will you stay?

Devon cottages