Excellence Luxury Villas · Devon
Luxury Holiday Rentals in Devon
Estuary houses in the South Hams, surf beaches in the north and granite country on Dartmoor
As featured in
Two coasts, one moor and a great deal of clotted cream
Devon has two coastlines that never meet, with a moor between them. To the south lie deep wooded estuaries, sailing towns and red cliffs. To the north are long Atlantic beaches with proper surf. In the middle sits Dartmoor, open granite country of tors, ponies and stone villages, where the weather changes its mind several times before lunch.
Our Devon collection runs to 190+ properties: sea-view houses and apartments above the water at Salcombe and Dartmouth, barns and cottages on the edge of Dartmoor, beach houses near Woolacombe and Croyde, and manor houses large enough for a whole family gathering.
Here is how to choose your corner of the county, and when to come.
Devon at a glance
- Properties
- 190+ houses, cottages, barns and apartments, with up to 15 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £2,100 to £4,900 a week, from around £1,400
- Best areas
- Salcombe and Dartmouth in the South Hams, Woolacombe and Croyde in the north, Dartmoor and the Jurassic Coast
- Best time
- May to September for beaches and sailing; spring and autumn for walking
- Getting there
- Exeter airport, or trains from London Paddington to Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth
Browse all 190+ properties in Devonor see them on the map
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Tamar Castle United Kingdom11 bedrooms
House Wistman Dartmoor: Luxury 9-Bedroom Apartment with Hot Tub – Dartmoor National Park9 bedrooms
Landscove House and Barns | 14-Bedroom Manor in Ashburton14 bedrooms
Manor Sidbury Devon: 10-Bedroom Cottage with Hot Tub & Family Amenities – East Devon10 bedroomsWhere to stay in Devon
Salcombe and Dartmouth for estuaries and sailing, Woolacombe and Croyde for surf beaches, Dartmoor for walking and stone villages, and Sidmouth and the Jurassic Coast for a quieter east.
Estuary towns and a great deal of sailing
Salcombe sits near the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary, a sheltered stretch of clear water busy with dinghies all summer. A small ferry crosses to the sandy beaches of East Portlemouth, and the coast path runs out past Gara Rock towards Prawle Point.
Dartmouth, a few miles east, climbs steeply above the River Dart, with Britannia Royal Naval College on the hill and a castle guarding the harbour mouth. Ferries cross to Kingswear, where the steam railway runs along the coast to Paignton, and boats go upriver to Greenway, Agatha Christie's holiday home. The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, first held in 1822, fills the town at the end of August.
Browse houses in Salcombe
Atlantic surf and Exmoor cliffs
The north coast is wilder and breezier. Woolacombe has around three miles of sand facing the Atlantic, and Croyde, just round the headland, is one of the best surf beaches in England, with a village of thatched cottages behind the dunes.
Ilfracombe has a working harbour watched over by Verity, Damien Hirst's towering bronze, and summer sailings out to Lundy Island. To the east, Combe Martin marks the edge of Exmoor, where the Great Hangman rises straight from the sea in one of the highest cliffs in England.
Browse houses in Woolacombe
Tors, stannary towns and red cliffs
Dartmoor National Park covers much of the middle of the county: open moorland, granite tors such as Haytor, clapper bridges and free-roaming ponies. Chagford and Ashburton are good bases, small market towns with old pubs, delis and walks from the door.
East of Exeter, with its Gothic cathedral, the coast turns to the red and ochre cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sidmouth is a gracious Regency resort, and Seaton sits close to Lyme Regis and the fossil beaches across the Dorset border.
Browse houses on Dartmoor
Brixham crab, cream teas and a long summer
Devon eats well. Brixham is one of the great fishing ports of England, and its catch turns up on menus from Dartmouth to Exeter. Salcombe crab is a fixture of summer lunches, and the cream tea here comes with the clotted cream spread first and the jam on top, a point on which Devon and Cornwall will never agree.
The beaches and estuaries are at their best from May to September, and August is busy everywhere. Spring and autumn bring quieter lanes and the best walking on Dartmoor and the coast path. Our concierge can book restaurant tables, boat trips, surf lessons and transfers.
Ask our conciergeFeatured properties in Devon
Manor Durley Seaton: Spacious 6-Bedroom Luxury Cottage with Scenic Views – Seaton6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £8,540 a week
House Dartington Totnes: 10-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Hot Tub & Tennis Court – Totnes10 bedrooms · sleeps 18From £8,379 a week
House Uplyme LymeRegis: Luxury 6-Bedroom Apartment with Sauna & Seaview – Lyme Regis6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £8,001 a week
Colleton Hall and East Wing | 9-Bedroom Manor in Tiverton Rackenford9 bedrooms · sleeps 18From £7,877 a week
Manor Saunton Bideford: Spacious 8-Bedroom Apartment with Hot Tub & Seaviews – Bideford8 bedrooms · sleeps 16From £7,364 a week
House Gregale Bolt Head Salcombe: 7-Bedroom Luxury Apartment with Seaview – Salcombe7 bedrooms · sleeps 15From £7,273 a week
Blackdown Manor Luxury Country House Rental in the United Kingdom12 bedrooms · sleeps 24From £7,203 a week
Tregulland Barn & Cottage United Kingdom11 bedrooms · sleeps 22From £7,202 a weekWhy book your house in Devon with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
Devon's houses are spread across two coasts and a moor, and we know which are a short walk from a beach, a harbour or a decent pub, and which reward a car. With 190+ properties in Devon, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Restaurant tables in Salcombe and Dartmouth, boat trips on the Dart, surf lessons at Croyde, guided Dartmoor walks, private chefs and transfers from Exeter. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in Devon?
Salcombe and Dartmouth in the South Hams suit sailors, families and those who like a lively harbour. Woolacombe and Croyde in the north are best for surf and big beaches, Dartmoor for walkers, and Sidmouth and East Devon for the Jurassic Coast and a gentler pace.
When is the best time to visit Devon?
May to September is the main season for beaches and sailing, with the Dartmouth Regatta at the end of August. Spring and autumn are quieter and ideal for walking on Dartmoor and the South West Coast Path.
Is it cream first or jam first in Devon?
In Devon the clotted cream goes on the scone first, with the jam on top. Cornwall does it the other way round, and both counties take the matter seriously.
Can you arrange a private chef at a house in Devon?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury propertie in Devon cost?
Across our 190+ properties in Devon, weekly rates typically range from £2,100 to £4,900, with the most affordable from around £1,400 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
How do I get to Devon?
Trains run from London Paddington to Exeter, Totnes and Plymouth, and Exeter airport has domestic flights. By road, the M5 runs as far as Exeter, with the A38 continuing towards the South Hams and Plymouth. Our concierge can arrange transfers from the station or airport.
Are there houses in Devon for large groups?
Yes. Our Devon collection includes properties with up to 15 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your house in Devon
190+ houses, cottages and barns in Devon, booked direct with our concierge on hand