Devon travel guide

Devon ( DEV-ən; historically also known as Devonshire -⁠sheer, -⁠shər) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west.

The name "Devon" derives from the Celtic people who inhabited the southwest of Britain at the time of the Roman invasion, the Dumnonii. Devon has produced tin, copper and other metals throughout its history. Tin was found in the granite of Dartmoor, and copper in the areas around the moor. In the 18th century, Devon Great Consols mine (near Tavistock) was believed to be the largest copper mine in the world.

Getting in

Exeter has two main train stations serving the city centre, St. Davids (where most long-distance services call), and Central. Central, unsurprisingly, is closer to the centre, but the two are within a short walk of one another. If visiting from Cornwall, the railway will take you across the Royal Albert Bridge from Saltash (in Cornwall) into Devon. When crossing this bridge, you will enjoy marvelous views of the River Tamar, which it crosses.

Getting around

Many roads particularly in the south such as Blackpool (not to be confused with Blackpool in the north) and around Torcross are very narrow, and can be quite long and windy. It's highly advised to plan your route particularly if travelling in a motor home or SUV, as many directions given by a satnav will direct travellers along such roads. It is quite doable in a small van, but anything bigger will likely be impossible. The Council's Travel Devon website has the most up-to-date information on buses serving Devon, or visit Traveline to plan your journey or look up timetables.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.