Holidays in the South West - Cornwall or Devon?

For holidays in the UK, Devon and Cornwall are excellent choices. Which one is recommended to you will depend on who you ask, and the two counties themselves have a long established rivalry (don't ask for directions to Bude when you stop over in Barnstaple), but which one's really the best? Devon holidays or Cornwall holidays?

Cream teas or pasties?

Cornish pasties and Devonshire cream teas have become the iconic food of each region. The only problem is that both of these are now sold all around the country. You can get a Cornish pasty in Plymouth or a Devonshire cream tea in Tintagel.

Yet it still seems that the best pasties are found in Cornwall (no carrots in the filling!) and the best cream teas in Devon (clotted cream then jam!). So, for these it comes down to whether you prefer sweet or savoury. Both are delicious.

Exeter or Truro?

There's no doubt about it; Exeter is bigger, livelier and more of an urban centre, whereas Truro is smaller, quieter and more relaxed. That doesn't mean one's better than the other; many people coming to the South West are here for the peace and quiet, in which case Truro will be much more appealing. Some will value having a larger city close at hand though, in which case Exeter would be a better choice.

Both have rich histories and beautiful buildings, and either is a good place to spend a day leisurely strolling around making use of the cafes and shops.

Bodmin Moor, Exmoor or Dartmoor?

Cornwall hosts Bodmin Moor, a dramatic, rolling landscape spiked with granite tors. Dozmary Pool resides in the south of the moor, and there are three reservoir-formed lakes as well. Each of these plays host to a variety of wildlife. Dozmary Pool may even hold the Lady of the Lake.

Devon, though, has Dartmoor and Exmoor. Dartmoor is similar to Bodmin in many respects, but far, far larger. Exmoor, in addition to moor land, has fifty-five miles of beautiful coast to its name. The north-western areas are enchantingly forested, secreting away Lynton and Lynmouth.

Lovely beaches or lovely beaches?

You can't talk about Devon or Cornwall without mentioning the beaches, but both Devon and Cornwall have excellent beaches, so we'll move on.

Cornwall or Devon?

The conclusion seems to be either. Each have beautiful areas and wonderful attractions, and that's without even mentioning the Eden Project, the Jurassic Coast or St. Ives.

You have to remember though, part of the advantage of the two counties is that you can easily visit one whilst holidaying in the other, so why choose just one at all?

This article was written by Tom Sangers on behalf of John Fowler Holiday Parks who offer perfect accommodation for a Caravan Holiday Devon or Caravan Holiday Cornwall