As stunning as they are diverse, Devon’s must-see natural attractions are hard to do justice with words. From the county’s Jurassic coastline peppered with prehistoric fossils to its windswept moors home to ethereal moorland ponies to its azure lakes mirroring vast open skies, there is raw beauty in abundance.

To make sure you don’t miss out, we’ve put together Devon’s must-see list of natural gems ready to fill your days with adventure:

Dartmoor National Park

A real force of nature, the atmospheric Dartmoor National Park is one of Devon’s most famous attractions and is also the largest and highest upland in southern Britain. Protected for its unique habitats and fragile eco-system, the land here has called to wanderers for more than 10,000 years. Home to 945km2 of wilderness, many hours can be spent enjoying its remote tranquillity, scaling High Willhays Tor, picnicking by the beautiful Burrator Reservoir and tracing the countless trails that weave across the moors. 

Devon’s Beaches

From shingle strips to sandy swathes to cliff-lined bays, Devon’s array of beaches includes some of the most spellbinding in the UK. Perfect for blowing away the cobwebs on wintry days and topping up on Vitamin D in summer, these pockets of paradise are unmissable. For long walks, the 3-mile Woolacombe Beach is a firm favourite, as is the 3.5-mile Saunton Sands. Regularly voted as South Devon’s most picturesque beach, Blackpool Sands should also make it onto your bucket-and-spade list, surrounded by woodland and nudged by sapphire seas.

Burgh Island 

As well as being one of Devon’s most recognisable natural attractions, the dramatic Burgh Island also has many famous historical and literary connections which draw visitors from far and wide. According to reports, this is where General Dwight Eisenhower and Sir Winston Churchill met in the weeks before the fateful D-Day Landings. It has also welcomed legendary rock group, the Beatles, and is said to have inspired two of Agatha Christie’s crime novels, including And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun.

Lydford Gorge

The deepest gorge in South West England, Lydford Gorge is tucked away on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Encompassed by thick woodland, the area overflows with intrigue and drama, filled with tales of faeries and decorated with stunning waterfalls. Perhaps the most spectacular sight, though, is the Whitelady Waterfall, a natural attraction that has been drawing visitors since the Victorian times. At 30 meters high, it tumbles down steep cliffs and descends into a series of whirlpools known as the Devil’s Cauldron. 

The Jurassic Coast

Usually associated with Dorset, few realise that the colossal Jurassic Coast actually begins in Devon. For your chance to explore England’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site and perhaps find a unique marine fossil of your own, head to the Orcombe Point Geoneedle in Exmouth. Officially marking the start of the Jurassic Coast’s 95-mile stretch and 185-million-year history, this is definitely one of the must-see attractions in all of Devon and a natural-wonder that will leave you awestruck.

Exmoor National Park

If you are looking to extend your escape to retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, then you should turn your attention towards Exmoor National Park. Straddling the border of West Somerset and North Devon, Exmoor is an incredible area of upland formed almost exclusively from Devonian and Carboniferous sedimentary rocks. Basically, it’s really, really old. Strewn with open moor, blanketed with ancient woodland and pitted with gushing rivers, adventures come naturally in this stunning part of the world. Oh, and if you fancy some night-time discovery, Exmoor also boasts the title of being the first Dark Sky Reserve in Europe.