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Devon: Dartmoor & the English Riviera – Route Guide

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Dartmoor Haytor ponies — Devon: Dartmoor & the English Riviera
Photo: Colin Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

One county, two Englands: Dartmoor's granite tors and wild ponies in the morning, then over the hills to sailing-town Salcombe and the palm-fringed English Riviera by tea. Plymouth adds the Mayflower Steps and a gin distillery in a medieval friary. The crab sandwiches justify the drive by themselves.

Devon: Dartmoor & the English Riviera is a 155 km one-way journey (self-drive). It works best as 3–5 days; the plan below is the 4-day version for June, built from 200 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

3–5
days
155km
distance
5
Stops
200
curated stops

Plan your own version → 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go

The route

Exeter→ 35 kmDartmoor→ 37 kmPlymouth→ 35 kmSalcombe→ 45 kmTorquay

What you'll see

Met Office open days
Join a tour including the National Meteorological Library and historic artifacts.
Exeter
Brent Tor
You will see a small hill topped with a church, offering panoramic views.
Dartmoor
The Minster Church of St Andrew
See the resilient church that stood amid the ruins of the blitzed city centre.
Plymouth
Overbeck's
Explore the seaside home of inventor Otto Overbeck and his scientific legacy.
Salcombe
Cockington Court and Country Park
Explore historic rooms and wander lush gardens filled with vibrant roses and contemporary art.
Torquay
Exeter Cathedral
Admire the Gothic architecture and the longest unbroken stone roof beam in the world.
Exeter
Castle Drogo
You will see a grand, imposing castle with intricate stonework and towering turrets.
Dartmoor
Plymouth Hoe
Take in waterfront views and historic legends from this iconic park.
Plymouth

Choose your length

3-day plan18 stops · 7.7 h transit6 stops/day · 2.6 h transit/daySee the full plan →4-day plan21 stops · 6.9 h transit5.2 stops/day · 1.7 h transit/daySee the full plan →5-day plan27 stops · 7.6 h transit5.4 stops/day · 1.5 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: May, June, July, August, September

Dartmoor's tors dry out for walkers, Salcombe's estuary turns Mediterranean-blue, and the crab boats land daily — June before the school holidays is the sweet spot.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →