At the start of the new year, after the busyness of Christmas, we wanted a quiet few days away. South Devon felt like a good choice: close enough to explore without turning the trip into a long-haul mission, but varied enough for sea air, familiar places and a bit of time outdoors.
We based ourselves at Dartmoor Shepards Huts for a three-day break, using it as a relaxed base for visiting the coast, nearby towns and the edge of Dartmoor.
Staying at Dartmoor Shepards Huts
Our accommodation for the trip was Dartmoor Shepards Huts, tucked into the Devon countryside. It gave us the kind of quiet base we were after, with enough space and comfort to feel settled after a day out.
The cabin had an open-plan kitchen and dining area, plus a side room with a double bed and bunk beds. It was described as sleeping eight, although in practice I think that would feel tight. For a smaller group or family, it worked well.
The decor was modern and comfortable, and while the cleanliness was not completely spotless, it was still acceptable. It felt more like a practical countryside stay than a polished hotel-style break, which suited the mood of the trip.
For anyone travelling by car, van or campervan, this kind of fixed base can make a winter trip easier. You still get the freedom to explore by road during the day, but without needing to think about overnight stopping places, late arrivals or packing everything away each morning.
An evening in Paignton
On our first evening, we headed to Paignton for a gentle walk around town. It was a simple start to the trip rather than a packed itinerary, which was exactly what we needed after the Christmas period.
Paignton has that familiar South Devon seaside feel, with Victorian buildings, the seafront, and Tor Bay close by. In the evening it made for an easy place to wander without needing much planning.
For road-trippers, it is the sort of stop that works well as a low-effort first evening: stretch your legs, get a sense of the coast, and ease into the trip. If you are travelling in a larger van or campervan, it is worth thinking about town access and parking before arriving, especially if you are heading in later in the day.
A South Devon road trip day
The next day was more of a travelling day. We covered a good mix of South Devon, taking in Plymouth, Slapton Sands, Torquay and Teignmouth.
It was a busy route rather than a slow one, but it worked well for revisiting places I had not seen since my teenage years. Each stop had a different feel: Plymouth brought the city element, Slapton Sands gave us open beach space, Torquay added a livelier seaside town, and Teignmouth gave us a calm end to the day by the sea wall.
That kind of day suits travellers who like variety and do not mind spending time moving between places. For families, couples or walkers, it would be easy to slow the route down and spend longer at one or two stops instead. For van and campervan travellers, it is also the sort of day where route planning matters more than the map first suggests. Coastal towns can be easier in a car than in a larger vehicle, so it helps to think about where you want to stop before you reach the busier parts.
Teignmouth was a good place to finish. Watching the light drop from the sea wall gave the day a natural ending, without needing to add another stop for the sake of it.
Walking at Avon Dam
Our final day was set aside for getting outside properly. We went to Avon Dam for a walk, with greenery around us and the sound of the river nearby.
Although it was January, the weather was warmer and sunnier than expected, which made the walk feel much easier than a winter outing might usually suggest. It was a good reminder that South Devon can still work well outside the main summer season, as long as you stay flexible with plans.
Avon Dam was a slower, quieter contrast to the previous day on the road. It suited the final day well: less driving between places, more time moving at walking pace, and a chance to end the trip with some proper fresh air.
For walkers and dog walkers, this kind of stop is often the most useful part of a short break. For van and campervan travellers, it is also where access and parking become worth checking carefully before setting off, particularly if you are in a larger vehicle or visiting in poor weather.
A short winter break in South Devon
This trip became a bit of a journey down memory lane. I was revisiting places I had not seen since I was a teenager, and there was something reassuring about finding them still familiar.
The beaches were the highlight for me. They had the same pull I remembered, even in January, and the quieter winter atmosphere suited the kind of reset we were looking for.
Looking back, it was a simple but restorative few days: a countryside base, a run along the South Devon coast, a few familiar towns, and a final walk near Dartmoor. It was not a heavily planned trip, and that was part of why it worked.
If you are planning a short South Devon break, this kind of trip suits a flexible traveller more than someone trying to tick off every major sight. Pick a comfortable base, choose a few places that connect well by road, and leave enough space for the weather, daylight and your own energy levels.
I would happily return in summer to see how different the same places feel in a busier season.