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Devon is a county that usually falls under people’s radars. An excellent part of southwest England, Devon has been famous for its outstanding natural beauty, above-solid infrastructure and rich history. From the vibrant cities of Plymouth and Exeter to countless quaint towns and villages ranked not just the prettiest in the nation but the world – this county has it all. If you’ve ever travelled to Devon, you’d know its unrivalled beauty, but travel and vacations differ from living somewhere. There is a plethora of lists presenting the prettiest of Devon, but what about the best places to live in Devon?
Where To Live In Devon: 7 Best Places
These are the best places to live in Devon.
1. Topsham
Topsham is a beautiful small estuary town less than ten kilometres from Exeter on the River Exe.
This charming town is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed lifestyle and friendly community. Its history dates back to the 12th century and is still thriving today.
Some of the most popular places in Topsham are the Topsham Museum, Pebblebed Vineyards and Topsham Quay Antiques Centre.
Topsham has a vibrant high street in the town centre, with plenty of independent coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants. The architecture of Topsham is unique, with a mashup of Victorian, Georgian, Edwardian and even Dutch-style gable homes.
If you want to visit the sea, Topsham is near the seaside town of Exmouth, which has great coastal walks.
The town of Topsham is an excellent and tranquil place near one of the biggest cities in Devon, so as expected, house prices are above average but absolutely worth the cost.
2. Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge is located near the South West Coast Path of England and has a population of approximately six thousand people. The town is a popular tourist destination due to its many historical and cultural attractions.
Attractions of Kingsbridge include the St Edmund King and Martyr, Exercise Tiger Memorial and Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum.
Kingsbridge Devon is best known for its natural resources, which include waterfalls and rivers such as the Kingsbridge Estuary, Bowcombe Creek and the Kingsbridge Quay.
Other great areas of nature near Kingsbridge are the Slapton Sandy Beaches, Start Point Lighthouse and the South Devon Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which you can spend days exploring.
Kingsbridge is more than a holiday location and has a decent amount of amenities, medical, mom-and-pop shops and credible schools and academies. Most properties on sale in Kingsbridge are detached family homes, which makes sense because this is one of the best places to live in Devon for families.
3. Exeter
Exeter is a city in east Devon and the second biggest city in the whole of Devon. There’s a reason the population of Exeter has been in constant growth for the past years. Outstanding attractions, amenities and culture are what make Exeter the place to be for both families and young professionals.
Next to the River Otter is the River Exe. The city got its name from the River Exe.
Despite its modest size, Exeter is a quickly developing tech city with a busy city centre and a goal of zero emissions by 2030.
Exeter’s a great place for students and young professionals, especially with its excellent colleges and universities, such as the University of Exeter and Exeter College. Still, even young families will enjoy good education here because of primary and secondary schools such as St Michael’s Church of England Academy, which is both a preschool and primary school.
Exeter has great riverside apartments and terraced houses for those who enjoy riverside living.
4. Chagford
Located within the excellent Dartmoor National Park, Chagford is a great town for nature lovers who want to enjoy a peaceful life. There are also beautiful manmade places near Chagford, such as the castle Drogo.
Chagford is so in touch with nature, and you could spend days and even months finding all the beauties and treasures of the place.
Chagford has an open-air pool fed by the River Teign.
The pretty village square of Chagford is also quite a cultural place with annual film festivals and the prominent Chagstock music festival.
Because of how conveniently located Chagford is, it experiences less rainfall on average, and is an overall sunnier and warmer place.
Chagford is also only half an hour away from Exeter via car, making it a wonderful place for commuters.
With all these benefits, you can expect to pay more for a house in Chagford than a lot of other places in Devon, but it’s well worth it.
5. Tavistock
The ancient market town of Tavistock lies on the western edge of Dartmoor and, thus, near the border of Devon itself.
Much like Chagford, there is plenty of nature, and while it’s not as surrounded by it as Chagford, there is more than enough for all those who love it.
Tavistock is also near the Tamar Valley AONB, and the walk down the River Tavy is phenomenal.
Some of the wonderous National Trust sites involve Lydford Gorge and Buckland Abbey.
Famed places in Tavistock include the Pannier Market, Merrivale Monuments and St Eustachius’ Parish Church.
Despite its size, Tavistock has everything, from a preschool to its own Tavistock College, making it an ideal location for everyone.
Tavistock has all sorts of properties on offer, especially if you want your own home on a detached piece of land, and the prices are surprisingly fair, making this a great place to live.
6. Ashburton
Ashburton is a popular and affluent town on the eastern edge of Dartmoor park, not far from the River Dart itself.
Other than excellent fishing spots and natural sights, Ashburton has St Andrew’s Church, the Ashburton Museum and plenty of independent shops, businesses, bars and eateries.
Among its bountiful amenities, Ashburton has every sort of school, including its own Community College, excellent hospitals and other healthcare facilities, post office, open-air swimming pool and even a skatepark.
Ashburton has a higher cost of living than the Devon average. Buying a barnhouse conversion where you could fit a car can cost you more than a hundred thousand quid.
So yes, Ashburton is quite expensive, but seeing how beautiful and full of amenities it is and how it’s not too far from Exeter and Plymouth, as well as the towns on the south coast, that is to be expected. Nonetheless, we wholeheartedly recommend Ashburton if you can afford it.
7. Thorverton
Thorverton is a village with a perfect location. Like Ashburton, Thorverton is near multiple towns and villages, the biggest among which is Exeter, less than fifteen kilometres away.
Thorverton is a picturesque village with a nice stream running through it, beautiful houses everywhere, and even the Thorverton Village Town Hall looks stunning.
The Thorverton church, St Thomas of Canterbury, was built with the rich materials of the surrounding countryside of Thorverton. You can still find some of these rare materials, among which is gold, around the village.
Even though Thorverton has some bases covered, such as having doctors, stores, pubs and even a post office along with a preschool and primary school, Thorverton’s true strength lies in its location.
Thorverton isn’t insanely costly, which is quite a surprise. That being said, rarely do you have a property on sale in Thorverton, but that just means it would make a great investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Places To Live In Devon By The Sea?
The best places to live in Devon by the sea are:
- Topsham
- Plymouth
- Budleigh Salterton
- Paignton
- Torquay
All of these are great options, but our clear favourite is Topsham. If you’re fine with the place being near the sea instead of the seaside, the places like Exeter and Ashburton are amazing options.
What Are The Best Villages In Devon?
The best villages in Devon are:
- Thorverton
- Hartland
- Beer
- Mortehoe
- Appledore
- Clovelly
- Lustleigh
There are plenty more villages that are near making it onto the list. Places such as Instow, Croyde and Lee are all great Devon villages, but the ones on the list are those we can absolutely recommend.
What Are The Best Places To Live In North Devon?
The best places to live in North Devon are:
- Mortehoe
- Clovelly
- Appledore
- Braunton
- Umberleigh
- Ilfracombe
- Lynton and Lynmouth
These are some of the prettiest and most welcoming villages in North Devon, and it will surely make you happy to live there or just visit them. Some other recommendations for great villages in North Devon include Chittlehampton and Woolacombe.
What Are The Best Places To Live In South Devon?
The best places to live in South Devon are:
- Thorverton
- Topsham
- Exeter
- Kingsbridge
- Ashburton
- Tavistock
- Chagford
Quite coincidentally, all the best places to live in South Devon are the best places to live in Devon, period. All of these places in South Devon provide amenities, beauty sites and are more than worth the price.
What Are The Best Places To Live In Exeter?
The best places to live in Exeter are:
- Topsham
- St Leonards
- Pennsylvania
- Alphington
- Heavitree
- Countess Wear
- Exeter Quayside
If you’re moving to Exeter as a student, we’d recommend Newton. If you want a quiet city area, then Alphington and Marsh Barton is the perfect place. For a village vibe, the northeast of Pinhoe, Whipton and Monkerton are perfect.
Conclusion
Moving to Devon requires good knowledge of what places to target. Luckily, you now know all about the best places to live in Devon. Everything from priceless and outstanding nature to bustling and vibrant cities, there is something for everyone in Devon county. Best of luck with your home search!
