Days out at the seaside in Devon

Devon is the only county in Britain with two separate coastlines so that there are beaches in both north and south Devon.

Some of these are completely unspolit, beaches where you can go for a quiet walk, throw pebbles into the sea and sit in solitude watching the waves wash in, or enjoy man-made attractions at livelier seaside resorts that offer piers, funfairs and entertainment.

One of the advantages of taking a self-catering holiday is that you are free to eat whenever it suits you, so that you can go for days out at will, wander the coast and explore the many bays, beaches and harbours that Devon has to offer.

The beach shown above right is at Beer, about half an hour's drive from Hembury Court Cottages. A one mile walk along the coastal path takes you to to the larger town of Seaton with its wide expanse of beach. It's a walk worth undertaking for the splendid views alone.

Or, if you would like to see some of the best sunken lanes in Devon with magnificent displays of wild flowers, visit the picturesque village of Branscombe with its quaint thatched cottages tumbling down the hillside and winding road leading down to a pebble beach. The best time to visit is in May when the wildflowers are at their best and there are fewer visitors.