Devon and Cornwall share England’s far south-west, but they are not interchangeable. Between them lie two coastlines, wild moorland, fishing harbours, old seaside resorts, a celebrated food culture and a border that still carries questions of language, identity and belonging.

Why visit Devon and Cornwall?

Come for the Atlantic scenery and you may find yourself staying for the details: a footpath climbing above a hidden cove, a pub serving the day’s catch, the galleries of St Ives, a granite tor on Dartmoor or a cream tea assembled according to fiercely local rules.

Cornwall has the more immediately recognisable identity. Its black-and-white flag is everywhere, the Cornish language is being revived, and the landscape is tied to stories of mining, fishing, migration and Celtic heritage. Devon is broader and often lower-key, stretching from the surf beaches of the north coast to Dartmoor, Exeter, the Exe estuary and the resorts of the English Riviera.

Start with the coast

The South West Coast Path is the thread joining the region together. England’s longest National Trail runs for 630 miles from Minehead in Somerset, around the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, and on to Poole in Dorset. There is no need to walk all of it. A single stretch between neighbouring towns can reveal cliffs, coves and fishing villages that drivers miss entirely.

In Cornwall, St Ives combines beaches with one of Britain’s great modern-art stories, while Padstow, Falmouth, Looe and the villages of the Lizard Peninsula each offer a different version of the coast. In Devon, look beyond the best-known resorts to the Exe estuary, the South Hams, Tor Bay and the long beaches of North Devon.

Then head inland

Devon and Cornwall are not simply beach destinations. Dartmoor brings open moorland, granite tors and deep river valleys. Cornwall’s old mining country tells a story that travelled around the world with the Cornish diaspora. The far west around Penwith preserves an ancient field pattern that makes the landscape itself feel like an archive.

Food worth crossing a border for

The cream-tea argument is real, if cheerfully theatrical. Devon traditionally puts clotted cream on the scone before the jam; Cornwall reverses the order. Cornish pasties are the other famous essential, but the wider food scene deserves more attention. Look for local seafood, crab, mackerel, mussels, farmhouse cheese, regional ales and pubs that buy directly from nearby boats and farms.

Padstow and Rock have high-profile restaurants, but some of the most memorable meals are found in smaller harbours and village pubs, without the celebrity price tag.

When to go

July and August bring the warmest weather, the largest crowds and the greatest pressure on roads, parking and popular towns. Spring and early autumn are often the better compromise: long enough days for walking, more room to breathe and a better chance of seeing places as working communities rather than seasonal attractions.

Winter can be wonderfully atmospheric on a crisp day, but Atlantic weather deserves respect. Check forecasts and path conditions before coastal or moorland walks, and build indoor options into the plan.

How long do you need?

A long weekend works for one carefully chosen area. A week allows a satisfying Devon or Cornwall trip, or a selective combination of both. Trying to collect every famous town usually means spending too much of the holiday in the car.

Rail reaches major towns and scenic branch lines add character to the journey. The Night Riviera sleeper connects London with Cornwall. Buses make a car-free trip possible, particularly in and around the better-connected coastal towns, but rural travel rewards patience and advance planning. A car offers the greatest flexibility for remote beaches, moorland and small villages.

The border beneath the holiday

The River Tamar marks much of the historic boundary between Devon and Cornwall. Cross it and the change is not merely administrative. Cornwall’s distinct identity, language revival and political traditions make the border a useful place to ask what divides one region from another, and what still binds them together.

Listen: Devon and Cornwall with Richard Collett

Travel journalist Richard Collett joins Daniel Edward to explore both counties through coast, food, tourism and identity. The conversation also introduces Richard’s book Along the Borders: In Search of What Divides and Unites Us, a journey through the borderlands of the British Isles.

Plan your trip

Compare places to stay in Devon or places to stay in Cornwall, and browse tours and experiences across the South West. Affiliate links may earn Destination Unlocked a commission at no extra cost to you.

Useful official resources

Visit Devon · Visit Cornwall · South West Coast Path National Trail