This is The Chain Gang’s backyard. Devon is very beautiful, but as all Chain Gang regulars know, great scenery means great hills. Nothing too major, but let nobody ever say we told you that Devon was flat!
As well as a rugged and beautiful coastline, Devon has a rich history that includes Iron age settlements, tin mines, the stunning cathedral in Exeter, the Barbican in Plymouth from where the Mayflower set sail for America in 1620, and countless grand houses including the home of Sir Francis Drake at Buckland Abbey.
In between these two historic cities lies the South Hams, the most picturesque area of Devon, and of course we’ll explore them in detail including the beautiful Kingsbridge estuary and Burgh Island.
It’s a region of little streams and rivers, lush valleys, the bleak moors of Dartmoor, one of the few remaining wildernesses in the UK, and beautiful, traditional English villages with thatched roofs and ancient pubs. Ah, the pubs. Devon features some of Britain’s loveliest pubs, and I’d be proud to show them to you. We’ll even stay at some of them.
What are the highlights?
I’ve chosen three for you.
1. The Cathedral of St Peter, Exeter.
The most magnificent building in Devon. Building began in 1133, but the current building wasn’t completed until 1400. Boasts the longest unbroken Gothic ceiling in the world.
2. Dartmoor.
The last wilderness in SouthWest England. A beautiful area of ancient stone circles and beautiful woodland. We start our tour from a lovely village, Chagford, inside the National Park.
3. The entrance to the Dart estuary, Dartmouth.
Dartmouth is a quaint little fishing port which has evolved into a fashionable shopping and eating centre. But it also houses the oldest working steam engine in the world and played a part in the histories of the Spanish Armada, the voyage of the Mayflower and the D-Day landings in 1944.
More than anything else, it’s a beautiful estuary.
