Your local guide

This is a county that offers history, heritage and irresistible folklore at every turn. Stories of pirates, and the region’s remarkable industrial mining past capture the imagination. 

From charming fishing villages barely touched by time to towns and cities featuring fantastic attractions, there’s a world of culture to discover, and an endless catalogue of things to see and do. And of course, a Devon holiday wouldn’t be complete without taking time to embrace the laid-back pace of life and sampling local delights like a pasty and a delicious cream tea.

Coasts and beaches

Devon is flanked by the ocean at both its northern and southern sides – and what a coastline it has. Wherever in the county you are, you’re never far from a beach. For idyllic sandy bays, there’s Woolacombe in the north, a paradise for surfers. The south offers gems like Bigbury-on-Sea, with its causeway to Burgh Island, which you can walk at low tide or traverse on a unique sea tractor when the water is in.

But the Devon coast has more than stunning sandy beaches. You’ll find countless quiet ‘secret beaches’ nestling along the coast. You’ll find sand dunes, rockpools and coves. And spectacular jagged rock cliff shorelines that tell stories of shipwrecks and pirate landings. What’s more, thanks to the South West Coast Path, you can explore all of this varied coastline on foot.

Whether you’re seeking swimming, watersports, sailing or simply somewhere to relax and take in sensational sea views with an ice cream, Devon’s coast has it all.

Towns and cities

While rural charm is what we often associate with Devon, its urban spaces have much to celebrate too. Throughout the county you’ll find towns with wildly distinctive characters and each with their own unique merits.

Tavistock, the birthplace of one of the region’s most famous sons Sir Francis Drake, is a pleasant market town filled with handsome aarchitecture. The pretty town of Totnes, with its Norman castle and Tudor features, is home to a thriving alternative scene and a fascinating collection of independent shops. Barnstaple, Ilfracombe, Dartmouth and Sidmouth are among the many towns well worth a visit on a Devon holiday, each with their own blend of history, geography, architecture, shops, pubs and restaurants.

Devon also offers a rich taste of city life. Exeter is home to a beautifully ornate cathedral, Roman walls and remains, and a vibrant mix of shops and eateries. Plymouth (pictured), Devon’s largest city, is soaked in martime history. You can visit the Mayflower Steps from which the Pilgrim Fathers set sail to establish New England in America, and explore the ancient cobbled streets of the Barbican. Plymouth has also had a resurgence of late, with the Drake Circus shopping mall, theatres, cinemas, restaurants and bars waiting to welcome, entertain and nourish.

When you arrive for your holiday in Newton Ferrers, Noss Mayo or the surrounding areas, you’ll discover a rich mix of local services to enhance your stay. From amenities in right here in the villages to services in the surrounding areas, you’ll find everything you need to sustain and entertain you during your trip.

Below, find our guide to all the places locally where you can find what you need. We’ve included essentials, such as the shops where you can find your day-to-day essentials or do a bigger supermarket shop. There’s also a rundown of the diverse cafes and restaurants where you can eat out, ideas for leisure and adventure trips and information on ways to get around, from the bus to local ferries.

Shops nearby:

Co-op, 1 Newton Hill, Newton Ferrers, PL8 1BG
Find a range of fresh, chilled and frozen foods and household goods, plus National Lottery and PayPoint services. Open Monday–Sunday (7am–10pm).

Post Office, Newton Hill, Newton Ferrers, PL8 1AA
Services include cash withdrawals and deposits, Drop & Go and Parcelforce Express services. Open Monday–Saturday (8.30am–5.30pm). Closed Sunday.

The Pharmacy (D A Tubb), Newton Hill, Newton Ferrers, PL8 1AA
A wide range of services, including prescriptions, vaccinations and testing. Open Monday–Wednesday and Friday (9am–5pm), Thursday (9am–6pm), Saturday (9am–11.30am). Closed Sunday.

The Green, Parsonage Rd, Newton Ferrers, PL8 1AT
A delicatessen serving goods that include fresh bread, baked items, sweet treats and proper coffee. Open Tuesday–Friday (8.30am–4pm), Sunday (10am–3pm). Closed Monday.

The Ship Inn, Passage Road, Noss Mayo, PL8 1EW
High-quality chef-cooked pub food using seasonal ingredients. Dishes include seafood, fish and chips, Sunday roasts, steaks and pizzas. It’s also the ideal place to stop off for a coffee or ice-cream. Seating is available inside or in the waterside garden. Dogs are welcome. Food service Monday–Sunday (10am–9pm). Book a table at www.theshipinn-nossmayo.co.uk 

The Swan Inn, Pillory Hill, Noss Mayo, PL8 1EE
A range of dishes are available, including vegetarian burgers, seafood, curries and pies. Indoor and outdoor seating options. Booking not required. Dogs welcome. Food service Tuesday (1pm–3.30pm & 5pm–8.30pm), Wednesday–Saturday (Midday–3pm & 5pm–8.30pm), Sunday (Midday–3pm). Closed on Monday. Book a table at www.swaninnnossmayo.com 

The Dolphin Inn, 1 Riverside Road East, Newton Ferrers, PL8 1AE
Enjoy food that include locally sourced fish, seafood and meats, plus curries and pizzas, with indoor and outdoor riverside seating options. Locally made ice-cream is available too. Dogs are welcome. Food service Tuesday–Saturday (5.30pm–8.30pm), Sunday (Midday–3pm). Closed Monday. https://dolphininn.weebly.com 

The School House, Mothecombe, Holbeton, PL8 1LB
Mediterranean-influenced food, including hand-stretched sourdough pizzas, pasta and seafood, plus breakfasts. Restaurant and takeaway. Dogs welcome. Opening times vary by season and school holidays. See website for details: https://schoolhouse-devon.co.uk 

Rose & Crown, Market Street, Yealmpton, PL8 2EB
High-end pub food using local produce, with dishes including fish and chips, loin of venison and seafood sharers. Sunday roasts, brunch and late-night dinners available. Dogs are welcome in the bar area only. Food service Monday–Sunday (8.00pm–10.30am & Midday–9pm). Book a table at https://theroseandcrown.co.uk 

Brixton Fish and Chip Shop, 1 Horn Lane, Plymouth, PL8 2AB
The place to pick up fish and chips, burgers, sausages, chicken and pies. Takeaway only.
Open Sunday–Thursday (5pm–10pm), Friday & Saturday (5pm–10.30pm),
Sunday (5pm–8pm). Closed Monday. www.facebook.com/p/Brixton-Fish-and-Chip-Shop-100042203121687 

Ming, 35 Market St, Yealmpton, PL8 2EB
Chinese and Cantonese food to take away. Delivery available. Open Sunday–Thursday (5pm–10pm), Friday & Saturday (5pm–10.30pm). Google ‘Ming Chinese Yealmpton’ for menu.

Papa Raj, 41 Springfield Rd, Elburton, Plymouth PL9 8EJ
Indian cuisine to takeaway. Delivery available. Open Monday–Sunday (4.30pm–10pm).

Horseriding with Newton Ferrers Equus, Newton Downs Farm, Newton Ferrers PL8 1JA
Horse and pony riding lessons and activity days for riders of all levels – including the chance to ride over idyllic South Hams farmland, to the beach or even to the local pub! www.newtonferrersequus.com / 01752 872807

Cycling with Plymouth Bike Hire, Coypool Park & Ride, Plymouth, PL7 4TB
Bicycles to hire for the whole family at the start of the Plym Valley Trail, a gentle sloping offroad route through beautiful woodland and open countryside all the way to Dartmoor National Park. www.plymouthbikehire.co.uk / 07577 279928

Surfing with Bantham Surfing Academy, Bantham Beach, South Devon, TQ7 3AJ
Surf and paddleboard lessons for everyone from beginners to those with experience. You can also hire surfboards, bodyboards, kayaks, paddleboards, wetsuits and safety gear. https://banthamsurfingacademy.co.uk / 01548 853803

Surfing with Discovery Surf, Bigbury-on-Sea, South Devon, TQ7 4AS
Surf and SUP coaching for all ages and abilities, or hire equipment to go out alone – with surfboards, paddleboards, XL SUP, kayaks, wetsuits and bodyboards available. https://discoverysurf.com / 07813 639622 / 01548 810535

Cineworld Plymouth, Unit 17, 11 Bretonside, Plymouth PL4 0FE
Multiplex cinema chain showing the latest films in 2D, 3D and 4DX across 12 screens. www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/plymouth 

Vue Cinema Plymouth, Barbican Leisure Park, Plymouth, PL4 0LG
Cinema with 15 screens and recliner seats, showing 2D and 3D films. www.myvue.com/cinema/plymouth / 0345 308 4620

Stoke Beach, near Noss Mayo, PL8 1HE
A ruggedly beautiful beach of sand and shingle, with steep cliffsides and rockpools, best enjoyed at low tide. Small car park at Revelstoke Park nearby (a steep climb back from the beach) and a larger National Trust car park near Stoke Point (around a half-hour walk from the beach). Dogs allowed all year round. www.devonbeachguide.co.uk/westdevon/stoke/stoke.htm 

Mothecombe Beach, PL8 1LB
Stunning golden sand, a sheltered position and shallow waters make this a highly popular seaside spot. Dogs allowed only from October to April. Accessed via a path through a field. www.devonbeachguide.co.uk/westdevon/mothecombe/mothecombe.htm 

Wonwell Beach, Kingston, TQ7 4EY
A small but lovely beach on the Erme Valley estuary and with a large area of sand (which joins up with Mothecombe opposite) at low tide. Dogs allowed all-year round. Parking is limited and the access road to the beach via Kingston is narrow. Beware of fast currents as the tide is going out and risk of getting cutting off as the tide comes in. www.devonbeachguide.co.uk/westdevon/wonwell/wonwell.htm

Revelstoke Drive and Noss Mayo
You could stroll around a section of this, or for the full experience, walk the full four-mile circular route in all its glory – a long but mainly level journey. This route passes through coastal paths, with spectacular views along the rocky shores of Devon and Cornwall and through ancient woodland, rolling countryside and the quaint lanes of Noss Mayo village. You can see the full route here (it recommends starting at Warren National Trust car park but if staying in Noss Mayo or Newton Ferrers, you might want to set off straight from your holiday let, in either direction): www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/wembury/revelstoke-drive-and-noss-mayo 

South West Coast Path
The walk detailed above includes part of this – but there’s so much more of the coast path to explore. In fact, the whole of the Westcountry’s coastline is one connected 630-mile walking route (making it the longest waymarked footpath in England). The route includes dramatic coastal scenery, fascinating maritime history and abundant wildlife. So why not pick a spot anywhere on the coast and discover one of the UK’s most wonderful walking routes. Find out more at www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/south-west-coast-path 

Shorter journeys:

Royal William Yard, Plymouth, PL1 3RP
An imposing collection of Grade I Listed former naval buildings, transformed into an upmarket visitor destination. Discover restaurants, bars, boutique shops, art galleries, watersports and special events throughout the year. Plus, there are stunning views over Plymouth Sound and across to the Cornish coast. Visit https://royalwilliamyard.com 

Saltram, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 1UH
A magnificent National Trust-owned Georgian mansion house set in a landscaped park, overlooking the River Plym on the edge of Plymouth. The property was one of the filming locations for Sense and Sensibility, starring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant. Wander the grounds, take riverside and woodland walks, enjoy tea and cake in the cafe, and explore the house’s opulent décor and fine art collection. Get the details at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/saltram 

Plymouth Barbican and Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, PL1 2JZ
Wander around Plymouth’s historic maritime district, with its atmospheric cobbled streets, quaint lanes and numerous Tudor and Jacobean buildings. You’ll find countless cafes, restaurants and pubs, the National Marine Aquarium (with its sharks and seahorses), the Plymouth Gin Distillery, and the culturally important Mayflower Steps, the site from which the Pilgrims set off for America in 1620. Find out more at www.visitplymouth.co.uk/explore/areas-to-visit/the-barbican-and-sutton-harbour 

Plymouth city centre, PL1 2AA
Spend a day exploring the heart of Devon’s biggest city. There are hundreds of shops to check out in the city’s grid of pedestrianised thoroughfares, from the independent establishments of the West End and Pannier Market to the glossy chain stores of Drake Circus. There are restaurants and cafes to suit every taste. Plus, you’ll find loads to do, from catching a film to mini-golf, axe-throwing or retro gaming. The Box, Plymouth’s recently refurbished and expanded museum, is well worth a visit for its wealth of historic artefacts, interactive features and art exhibitions. See www.visitplymouth.co.uk/things-to-do/plymouth-city-centre-p1692993 

Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell, Plymouth, PL7 5DG
See a diverse range of animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, tapirs, wallabies, meerkats, ostriches and iguanas. This is the zoo on which the film We Bought a Zoo, featuring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, was based. Find out more at www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk 

River Yealm Water Taxi
A service running between Warren Point (Wembury), Yealm Steps (Newton Ferrers) and Wide Slip (Noss Mayo), operating between 10am-4pm daily (dependent on weather and demand), with extended hours during the summer months. Bookings can be made by calling 07399 067942.
https://www.ycet.co.uk 

Buses from Newton, Noss and Yealmpton
Tally Ho run a bus service that connect villages in the Yealm valley with Plymstock and Plymouth, running from Monday to Saturday.
www.tallyhoholidays.co.uk/timetable-94 

Explore Devon
Ideas for places where you can walk, cycle, ride a horse around Devon in areas with history, natural beauty and wildlife.
www.exploredevon.info 

Visit South Devon
Details on things to do, visitor attractions, places to eat and events to visit in South Devon.
www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk 

Visit Devon
Inspiration for activities and places to see across the county, including dog friendly and eco friendly options.
www.visitdevon.co.uk