When traveling abroad, capital cities tend to draw the most visitors. London has Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, but it also has crowds and the bustle and traffic of a big city. To get a sense of English culture outside of London, the county of Devon has the history, the coastline, and some of the best scones with clotted cream for tea.
Plymouth is a port city that is perhaps most famous with Americans for being the location from which the pilgrims boarded the Mayflower for the New World. The city has many charming cobblestone streets and historic markers to retrace their steps.
From there you can visit Mount Edgcumbe House and Gardens in nearby Cornwall. A place of lush grounds filled with flowers and the historic home of the Edgcumbe family for 600 years. Another town worth a visit is Dartmouth which is filled with Tudor architecture, plenty of restaurants and a variety of shops overlooking the estuary of the River Dart.
The coastline of Devon is not to be missed, with many sandy beaches and don't forget the vanilla ice cream with a chocolate flake called a '99'. Salcombe is an idyllic resort town perfect for a stroll through its center. You have your choice of restaurants with a view of the water as you enjoy your fish and chips.
Devon's natural beauty is on full display at Dartmoor National Park, rich in wildlife, history, and varied terrain . Or visit Torquay, another seaside town and home of the famous mystery writer Agatha Christie. The attractions of Devon are countless and include something for the nature lover, the foodie, or the amateur historian. This family friendly county has plenty for the kids to enjoy too. Wherever you go in Devon, you will be sure to fall in love.