Hotels in Devon

Devon is set between the English and Bristol Channels with Dartmoor National Park to the southwest and Exmoor National Park in the far north. The county is crossed by several rivers, notably the Tamar, which rises on Dartmoor and forms most of the boundary with Cornwall, before flowing into the English Channel. The Exe, which rises on Exmoor and flows southwards into its estuary at Exeter, later joins the English Channel at Exmouth.

Exeter was the only major Roman fortress in Devon, with the native Celtic population occupying most of the land until the Saxons arrived in the 7th century. The Normans entered Exeter in 1068, and the south coast suffered frequent raids by the French during the 14th century.

Wool made Devon one of the richest counties of England in the late Middle Ages, but ore mining (tin, silver, copper, and iron) became the leading source of wealth until the end of the 19th century. Exeter, Plymouth and Devonport developed as major naval ports in the late 17th century, and although Exeter is the principal administrative city of Devon, Plymouth serves as the main county port.