With its famous undulating landscapes, beautiful coastlines and historic towns, Devon has plenty to discover. Even those of us lucky enough to call this county home continue to uncover new secrets in Devon’s diverse history and rich culture.
Whether you’re looking for places to stay in Chagford or venturing further afield, you’ll never be too far away from discovering something full of wonder. To illustrate that, here are some of our favourite facts, showcasing what makes Devon such a unique place to visit.
Devon is the Only English County with Two Seperate Coastlines
It’s fair to say that Devon is pretty big; the third-largest county in England, in fact. It also has the longest road network of any English county – you might need a few trips if you want to see it all!
Because of its size, Devon is divided into various smaller regions – from North Devon and Torridge in the north to South Hams and Teignbridge in the south and plenty in between. Each of these regions has its own sights and character to discover.
Devon’s variations are further highlighted by its two distinct coastlines, a unique feature in English counties. North Devon (pictured) is famous for its rugged coastlines, popular with surfers, while South Devon is much softer and more undulating, favouring a wider range of watersports.
The Jack Russell was Born in Devon
Devon is a county of dog lovers. With so much open countryside to explore, it’s also the perfect place to visit with your four-legged friend!
Our county also has a proud connection to one of Britain’s favourite dog breeds. The Jack Russell is named after the man who first developed the breed, who bred his favourite dog, called Trump, to have stamina and courage for fox hunting.
Some 30 years later, in the 1850s, the Jack Russell Terrier was seen as a distinct breed highly regarded by those into fox hunting. All Jack Russells today can trace their lineage back to this period.
The Last Official Witch Execution Took Place in Devon
Devonshire folklore is filled with mysterious stories, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the region saw lots of witch trials at the time when they were rife across England.
The most famous is the Bideford Witch Trial, named after the North Devon town that was home to the three accused women. All were found guilty at an Exeter court, primarily due to hearsay, and were hanged on 25 August 1682, making it the latest fully-recorded witch execution in England.
The city of Exeter is not only the place where the last official witch execution took place, there are also suggestions that the first executions took place there in the mid-16th century. In fact, Exeter may have been one of the most prolific places for witchcraft trials and executions, highlighting the paranoia across the county during the time.
The Devonian Period is Named After the County
Geology fans will know the lifespan of the Earth is divided into various periods, such as the Jurassic and Triassic periods. One of these, the Devonian period, derives its name from our county!
After its rolling hills and beautiful coastlines, Devon is also renowned for its jagged, rocky terrain. It is this abundance of exposed rock that allowed geologists to study the Earth’s history, and from which the Devonian period was coined.
Rocks from the Devonian period were also known as Old Red Sandstone and can still be seen prominently along both the northern and southern coastlines of the county.
London Was Built with Devonshire Stone
Devon’s stone wasn’t just crucial for geologists – it also helped build many of the country’s iconic landmarks, especially in the capital.
Since the Middle Ages, Devon has been home to one of the most prized limestones in the world. Beer Stone – named after the village near the mining complex – was mined extensively until the early 20th century and was famed for its colour and workability for carving.
Beer Stone was exported across much of the world, including the USA, but it is most prominent today in London. St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge and Windsor Castle are all buildings featuring the limestone mined in East Devon.
The Last Castle was Built in Devon
Castles stopped being built as military defences during the 16th century as technology surpassed their strengths. However, that didn’t stop people from loving how they looked, even into the 20th century!
Rich businessman Julius Drewe wished for a castle to call his own and, after purchasing land in Devon, paid an architect to create what is now called Castle Drogo. Built between 1911 and 1930, delayed by the First World War and only a third of its intended size, it stands as the latest-built castle in England and a popular National Trust landmark in Dartmoor.
Devon Played a Role in the Creation of the USA
There are a few links between Devon and the United States of America, including the Beer Stone mentioned above, which can still be seen in Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis, Missouri. However, the most famous link is perhaps the Mayflower.
The Mayflower is one of the most famous early European ships that took people, known as Pilgrims, to the New World. The ship’s journey is now seen as one of the crucial moments in the early creation of the USA, and its Pilgrims are responsible for the American celebration of Thanksgiving.
While not originally from Devon, the Mayflower made a final stop in Plymouth for repairs before setting off on its journey. The legacy of this stop can still be felt today in Plymouth, Massachusetts and the Devon Plymouth’s football team, which uses the Mayflower as its crest and the Pilgrim as its mascot.
Devon’s Flag Didn’t Exist Until 2003
Wherever you visit in Devon, chances are you’ll see our distinct green and white flag on your travels. However, despite being rooted in history, the flag itself is quite a new development.
While our neighbours Cornwall have a black and white-crossed flag dating back to the 19th century, Devon’s flag was only created in 2003. Part of a competition run by BBC Devon and decided by poll, the winning entry is inspired by the Devonshire landscape of hills (green), rocks (black) and sea (white).
Despite the flag being a relatively new phenomenon, green and white have been the defining colours of Devon for many centuries. It has historically been used by sports teams and universities in the region, while a 19th century flag by Lord Exmouth was dark green with white spots.
Dartmoor is a Giant Field of Granite
Dartmoor is one of Devon’s defining landmarks, over 350 square miles of beautiful natural scenery, almost untouched by human hands.
Those who haven’t visited might expect, like the rest of Devon, a flowing landscape of endless green hills. However, Dartmoor is actually a very rugged place.
Dartmoor is a moorland predominantly made up of granite. Estimates suggest around 65% of Dartmoor is made of this single rock, including its many famous tors – tall granite outcrops formed over hundreds of millions of years.
Devon Has A Proud Literary History
With so much inspiring nature and spooky folklore, it’s unsurprising that Devon is something of a melting pot for England’s literary greats.
Arguably, Devon’s most famous writer is Agatha Christie. One of the world’s most successful writers, Christie was born in Torquay and lived in various residences across the county, including Haytor, where she finished her first novel.
Many more famous writers visited Devon and used it as inspiration for their stories. Jane Austen holidayed in Devon and used it as the setting for her first novel, Sense and Sensibility, while Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired by Dartmoor’s ghost stories to write The Hound of the Baskervilles.
There are many landmarks in Devon that are named after books, including Westward Ho! (the only place in Britain with an exclamation mark in its official name) and the Tarka Trail, named after Henry Williamson’s Tarka the Otter. Exeter, the unofficial capital of Devon, is also a UNESCO City of Literature.
These are just some of our facts that showcase the wonderful vibrancy and culture of our part of the world! If you have others you’d like to share, join us on social media. Or, experience these discoveries for yourself by staying with us in the heart of Devon.