Top 11 Secret Devon Spots

1. OVERBECK’S
Sharpitor, Salcombe TQ8 8LW
The seaside home of eccentric Edwardian inventor Otto Overbeck, sits in magical sub-tropical gardens overlooking the Kingsbridge estuary. In the house, discover Otto’s diverse collections of stuff, including fossils, shells and all things nautical (01548 842893, nationaltrust.org.uk/overbecks).

2. GLEN LYN GORGE
Lynmouth EX35 6ER
Where the East and West Lyn rivers rush into the sea at Lynmouth, this unusual renewable energy visitor attraction combines wooded nature trails, a hydro-electric turbine (with water jets) and a holiday cottage (with sea views and log fires) (01598 753207, theglenlyngorge.co.uk).

Photo: DJ Taylor/Shutterstock

3. CHERISTOW LAVENDAR FARM
Cheristow, Hartland EX39 6DA
This family-run lavender farm, combines plant nurseries, ‘Secret Gardens’ and an award-winning tea room – for homemade jams, dollops of Cornish clotted cream and fresh-baked lavender scones (01237 440101, cheristow.co.uk).

4. BLACKPOOL MILL COTTAGE
Hartland Abbey Estate EX39 6DT
Deliberately un-modernised and tucked away in a sheltered valley above Blackmill Cove, this remote holiday cottage was used as location for a BBC adaptation of Sense and Sensibility as well as scenes from recent drama The Night Manager starring Tom Hiddleston (01237 441496, hartlandabbey.com).

5. THE GLORIOUS OYSTER
Westward Ho! EX39 1LH
This roving oyster bar, often seen on the beach at Westward Ho!, serves fresh local seafood from a converted horse box trailer. Try Appledore oysters, devilled sprats, wild mussels, Bideford Bay lobster, crab, cockles and seaweed
(07843 278521, facebook.com/TheGloriousOyster/)

6. BRITANNIA @ THE BEACH
Beesands, Kingsbridge TQ7 2EL
Known affectionately as ‘the Shack’, Rick and Anita Hutchings’ lo-fi café, fishmonger and village store, serves the freshest Start Bay shellfish, fish from Salcombe and Dartmouth, as well as seafood platters, salads and fishy pies (01548 581168, britanniaatthebeach.co.uk).

7. THE DOCK
King Point Marina, Plymouth PL1 3EF
Even cities have secrets and in Plymouth this cool new café-bar in Millbay Dock’s Coastal Quarter is a real find thanks to the al-fresco terrace, locally-sourced food, cocktails and great views (01752 253 555, thedockplymouth.co.uk).

8. PEBBLES B&B
Fore St, Budleigh Salterton EX9 6NG
With a garden that backs right onto the shingle at Budleigh Salterton, this traditional seaside B&B offers Aga cooked breakfasts, and nautical rooms with views across crab pots and beached fishing boats to Ottermouth and the sweep of Lyme Bay (01395 442417).

Photo: Pebbles B&B

9. HELE CORN MILL
Watermouth Road, Ilfracombe EX34 9QY
By Hele beach, this 16th century watermill still produces the stone-ground flours that go into the delicious cakes, Devonshire Splits and home-made, cream-tea scones served in the award-winning tea room (01271 863185, helecornmill.com).

10. HALLSANDS RUINS
Hallsands, Muckton TQ7 2EY
After decades of erosion, the last of Hallsands’ fishing cottages collapsed into the sea during a devastating storm in the winter of 1917. From a platform on the cliff above, see the ghostly shells of this drowned village (visitsouthdevon.co.uk).

11. RIVER EXE CAFÉ
Exmouth EX8 1XA
Catch a Puffin water taxi from Exmouth Marina to reach this unique floating restaurant – on 2 flat-bed barges moored in the Exe estuary. With the help of a generator (no mains electricity), they offer local seafood and Brixham fish served with Devon’s Pebblebed wines and great sunsets (07761 116103, riverexecafe.com).

Read more online with our guide to wild swimming walks in Devon, take a peek inside the ultra-modern Kingswear Butterfly House and check out the Burgh Island Hotel as a top place to stay.