Devon Coast

Devon has two very different coastlines and both reward exploration by van. The north coast between the Somerset border and Hartland Point is the more dramatic of the two – Atlantic-facing cliffs drop steeply to the sea, the beaches at low tide are wide and often deserted, and the villages like Clovelly, Lynton and Croyde have a character that the busier south coast resorts sometimes lack.

The south coast from Torbay to Plymouth and beyond into the South Hams is more sheltered and more varied in a different way – deep river estuaries at Dartmouth, Salcombe and Kingsbridge cut far inland, the towns of Totnes and Dartmouth are architecturally distinctive, and the beaches at Slapton Sands, Bantham and Bigbury are among the finest in England.

In summer the coastal car parks fill quickly on the main beaches, and arriving early – before 9am at popular spots – or staying for the evening makes an enormous difference. Many car parks operate pay-and-display that stops in the afternoon, creating a useful window for overnight parking at quieter spots.

The South West Coast Path runs the length of both coastlines and provides excellent walking from an overnight van stop. The northern section between Lynton and Combe Martin is particularly dramatic, with steep climbs and descents that give the path its reputation as one of the most challenging long-distance routes in England.