Further along the coast from Teignmouth is the Torbay area, where the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham gather around a natural harbour. Its mild climate and numerous leisure activities have made it a popular tourist area, from which you can head back to Exeter along the A380 or carry on along the coast to Plymouth, the site of Western Europe's biggest operational naval base.
Plymouth and Cornwall can also be reached along the A38, which skirts Dartmoor National Park. Access to the park can be gained through the towns of Bovey Tracey or Buckfastleigh. The latter is the site of Brook Manor House, inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes novel “The Hound of the Baskervilles”.
Alternatively, a trip northeast along the M5 will take you towards Tiverton, an historic town at the confluence of the rivers Exe and Lowman, and on to Barnstaple, a north-coast seaside town of architectural interest. Explore the harbour town and modern art centre of Ilfracombe, the surfing paradise of Woolacombe, or head to Lynton, the setting for the Victorian novel “Lorna Doone”.
Further west along the north coast of Devon is the super quaint, privately owned village of Clovelly, which features views over the Bristol Channel and a cobbled main street that is populated by donkeys and is so steep that deliveries have to be made by sledge!
With so much do, make sure you arrange Exeter car hire to enjoy the sights.
