The 10 Best Places to Buy a Holiday Home in Devon

The south-west county of Devon is a popular holiday destination for many, as it boasts stunning scenery, attractions and amenities for guests of all kinds to enjoy - making it a potentially lucrative place to buy a holiday let.

Choosing where to buy your holiday home is one of the most important decisions you will need to make along this exciting journey. To help you begin your search, we have used up-to-date performance numbers of properties signed up with Sykes to determine some of the best places to buy a holiday home in Devon.

Why buy a holiday let in Devon?

Buying a holiday home in Devon can be a great way to maximise your rental income and enjoy the benefits of holiday letting. Home to some of the best UK beaches, it could be said that Devon is one of the best places to buy a holiday let in UK.

As an Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty, Devon is the perfect location for holiday home investment, offering a base for guests to enjoy outdoor activities such as watersports and sailing expeditions, to exploring hidden coves and award-winning Blue Flag beaches.

For an estimation of earnings from holiday lets in Devon compared to other UK tourist hot spots, make use of our Holiday Let Income Calculator.

Where are the best places to buy a holiday home in Devon?

Find below our top 10 places to buy a holiday home in Devon, decided by recent booking data:

1. Woolacombe

Our data tells us that the stunning seaside resort of Woolacombe is the best place to buy a holiday home in Devon.

Home to the award-winning Woolacombe Beach in North Devon, this popular holiday destination is a great choice for investing in a potential property.

Boasting spectacular panoramic views along the geological Jurassic Coast, with an abundance of coves, beaches, dunes and headlands, buying a holiday home in Woolacombe provides a wonderful base for exploring Devon.

2. Dawlish

Situated on the scenic south coast, Dawlish is another one of Devon's most desirable places to buy a holiday home. The traditional seaside town offers a mix of tourist attractions and amenities, from award-winning clearwater beaches and sheltered sand dunes, to a host of family-friendly activities including paddle-boarding, canoeing and amusement parks.

With stretches of golden sandy beaches and close proximity to South Devon's attractions, Dawlish makes the perfect holiday destination for guests to explore, whether it's dolphin spotting or rock pooling.

Purchasing a holiday home in Dawlish can be a great investment opportunity for those looking for a base to enjoy the best South Devon has to offer.

3. Seaton

When buying holiday properties, Seaton is a could be the perfect investment option. Situated at the heart of UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, this seaside town offers a breathtaking mile-long pebble beach, and is ideal for outdoor activities from watersports to swimming in the clear waters.

Offering year-round outdoor activities and just a short drive away from Lyme Regis, Seaton makes a great choice for running a family-friendly holiday let.

Buying a holiday let in Seaton would allow holidaymakers to enjoy the wonderful natural environment of South Devon at their doorstep, with stunning panoramic scenery, from Seaton Wetlands Nature Reserve to the South West Coast Path.

4. Appledore

One of the best places to buy a holiday rental property in the UK, Appledore is a superb location for exploring North Devon.

The quaint fishing village has lots to offer holidaymakers, including a delightful 17th century pier, winding streets lined with impressive architecture, and a cosmopolitan yacht club.

Appledore has a hub of artists and craftspeople, with a dedicated arts festival and craft gallery operative. Rich in maritime history, pastel-coloured holiday homes, a bustling harbour and beaches galore, Appledore makes an excellent place to buy a holiday home.

5. Lynton and Lynmouth

The popular tourist resort of Lynton and Lynmouth is one of the best areas to buy a holiday let, with its strong cultural heritage and choice of attractions and amenities.

Lynton and Lynmouth has an eclectic mix of independent antique shops, art galleries and cafes for guests to explore. The quaint civil parish is home to the transport heritage site, Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, offering fantastic sea views over the North Devon coast and the South West Coast Path.

By buying a holiday home in Lynton and Lynmouth, it opens up opportunities to explore everything else that North Devon has to offer. From outdoor activities in the Exmoor National Park to an array of charming towns and villages boasting all manner of things to see and do, this is an excellent place to explore the area from.

6. Beer

A charming fishing village and renowned UNESCO World Heritage status, the picture-postcard village of Beer is one of the best locations to buy a holiday let in the UK.

Located in East Devon, the quaint village is a picturesque place to buy a holiday home in Devon. With its thatched holiday cottages, local shops and pubs, “Devon’s best kept secret” is popular on social media, with locals welcoming thousands of tourists every year.

If you'd like to buy a holiday home in Devon with a fascinating history and cultural heritage, then Beer is the place for you.

7. Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a great place to consider if you're thinking of buying a holiday home in Devon.

Perched on the banks of the River Dart, this vibrant harbour town hosts numerous events and festivals annually. Dartmouth has a rich maritime heritage with an array of tourist activities and attractions, including award-winning restaurants, steam trains, river cruises and a coal-fired paddle steamer. Holidaymakers seeking a more relaxing break can also enjoy this from the delights of Dartmouth. The area comes surrounded by stellar walking country and luscious scenery, which can be enjoyed in any way you please.

8. Newton Ferrers

When looking for holiday homes for sale in Devon, Newton Ferrers offers a wonderful base for holiday letting.

Nestled in stunning ancient woodland, Newton Ferrers lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it a perfect spot for a holiday let in Devon targeting outdoor lovers.

The tranquil village has a number of award-winning waterside restaurants and independent cafes, with pet-friendly holiday homes within walking distance of the town centre being a popular choice for guests.

If you're considering buying a holiday home in Devon, Newton Ferrers could be a sound property investment choice.

9. Hope Cove

The coastal village of Hope Cove is one of the region's hidden gems, and is a great place to consider when buying a holiday cottage in South Devon.

Hope Cove lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its magnificent walking trails, jagged rocks and outcrops, dotted with highland cattle and a shoreline of secluded beaches.  

It is a popular holiday destination for families, with miles of white, sandy beaches, and a selection of watersports including kayaking, paddle boarding, and wild swimming, making Hope Cove a desirable spot to buy a holiday home.

10. Ilfracombe

Boasting dramatic coastlines, the cosmopolitan seaside town of Ilfracombe is one of the best locations to buy a holiday home in Devon.

Ilfracombe is widely regarded as the new St. Ives, thanks to its world famous attractions and tourist activities, including Damien Hirst's 'Verity' sculpture, ancient harbour and a range of culinary destinations to sample the best of North Devon.

There's an abundance of beaches and coves, including the famous Tunnels Beaches, along with many independent pubs, shops, art galleries and eateries, which are important factors to consider when buying a holiday let property.

Holiday Homes for Sale in Devon

If you're thinking of buying a holiday let, why not take a look at our Holiday Homes for Sale in Devon? Or contact our team of property experts, who can tell you the best places to buy and are able to match you with the perfect holiday home.

Let Sykes help you find the perfect holiday let to buy in Devon

When running a holiday let in Devon, it's important to work with the right holiday letting agent who can help you every step of the journey.

Our local and knowledgeable team of experts within the Sykes group are here to assist our holiday homeowners.

With over 40 years’ experience in the holiday letting industry, Lyme Bay Holidays can help you find the perfect holiday home to buy in Devon.

For those looking to buy in South Devon, Coast & Country Cottages offer local and bespoke holiday home management options in the Salcombe and Dartmouth areas.

We know buying a holiday cottage in Devon is a very big step and it is important to get it right. To help aid your decision, we can provide a free income projection for any property you are considering, as well as providing potential income figures and guidance on your holiday let mortgage.