Travelling to Devon
Your Guide to Getting To and Around Devon
At Original Cottages, we’re with you every step of the way, from your pre-holiday planning to the second you leave one of our homes and ensuring you get to your destination smoothly and safely is part of that process. That’s why we’ve created these travel guides, detailing how to effectively reach each of our regions. When it comes to Devon, we’ve included aeroplane links as well as the usual car, train and coach links, as we know that getting to this southerly point is often cheaper and quicker for many.
Remember that all of our properties come with details on how to reach your cottage, including information on parking and nearby transport links. If you are travelling by car, we recommend using a SatNav or map at all times.
By Car
The M5 motorway goes to Exeter and begins in West Bromwich, so those travelling from Scotland, the North, North Wales and the Midlands will most likely use this route. If you’re travelling to North Devon, leave the M5 at Bridgewater and follow the A39 that takes you to Branstaple, Lynton, Bideford and Hartland. For those travelling from South Wales and Bristol, use the M4. If you’re travelling from London and the South East, take the M4 westbound from London for North Devon, or follow the M3 for South Devon.
By Coach/Bus
National Express and Megabus coach services are often a more affordable way to travel across the UK, especially if you’re travelling quite far. Exeter and Plymouth both have major coach stations, from which you can easily access localised bus routes. To find out more about bus services across the county, visit Traveline’s journey planner.
By Plane
Exeter airport welcomes domestic flights every day from:
- Aberdeen
- Belfast
- Guernsey
- Edinburgh
- Glasgow
- Jersey
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Norwich
Flying is often a more cost-effective and speedier way of travelling from afar in the British Isles, so do visit the Exeter Airport website to see if flying is a viable option for you before you make your way to Devon.
By Train
There are many train routes across Devon, with some beautifully scenic routes and heritage steam journeys too. To plan your train journey from your home to your cottage, we recommend using the Trainline Journey Planner, which will accurately plan every step of your journey, including changes. Once you’ve arrived at your Devon Holiday Cottage, there are plenty of ways to get around Devon via train, so you should never feel restricted if you don't have a car. Even if you have a car, you may want to make a day of a train ride in Devon, as the views from the carriage are some of the best in the country.
The Tarka Line travels from Barnstaple to Exeter St Davids via Chapelton, Umberleigh, Portsmouth Arms, Kings Nympton, Eggesford, Lapford, Morchard Road, Copplestone, Yeoford, Crediton and Newton St Cyres.
The Riviera Line runs between Paignton and Exeter St Davids, calling at Torquay, Torre, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Starcross and Exeter St Thomas.
The Avocet Line calls at Exmouth, Lympstone, Lympstone Commando, Exton, Topsham, Newcourt Digby, Sawton, Polsloe Bridge and Pinhoe.
Trains from Birmingham, Taunton, Bristol and London Paddington arrive in Devon at Tiverton Parkway, so if you are travelling from further afield, you will probably catch a train to Tiverton or Exeter and then change.
There are also a number of heritage steam railways in Devon. Our local experts highly recommend a journey on the South Devon Railway. Running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes Riverside, the South Devon Railway recreates the golden era of the Great Western railway on a beautiful steam train. With picturesque, vintage stations and views of the glorious Devon countryside, a trip on the South Devon Railway is a lovely way to spend a day.
