Devon Group Accommodation: Best Houses, Areas & Activities in 2026

Devon is one of the UK's most varied counties for large group holidays — two coastlines, a national park, historic market towns, and some of England's finest food and drink. This guide covers everything you need to plan a Devon group house stay in 2026.

Why Devon for Large Groups?

Devon works so well for groups because it offers genuine diversity within a single county. The dramatic cliffs and surf beaches of the north coast, the gentler sailing estuary towns of the south, the wild moorland of Dartmoor — each creates a completely different kind of group experience. The accommodation quality is high, and the county has some of the UK's best self-catering properties for groups of 10–30+.

Best Areas for Group Accommodation in Devon

North Devon (Croyde, Barnstaple, Clovelly)

North Devon has some of England's best surf beaches — Croyde, Saunton, and Westward Ho! are all excellent. Croyde itself is one of the UK's most popular surf village destinations and has properties very close to the beach sleeping 10–20 guests. Barnstaple is the main market town with good transport links; Clovelly is one of Devon's most photographed villages.

South Devon (Salcombe, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge)

The south coast is more sheltered and often described as the English Riviera. Salcombe is one of the UK's most expensive and desirable coastal towns — beautiful estuaries, excellent sailing, exceptional restaurants. Dartmouth has a more historic character with a medieval castle and strong maritime heritage. Properties in this area tend to be high-spec with estuary or sea views and private gardens.

Dartmoor

If your group wants a complete escape, Dartmoor delivers it. Wild ponies, ancient stone circles, granite tors, and genuine remoteness are the draw. Properties here tend to be farmhouses and converted barns — stone-built, substantial, and with log fires and a sense of real countryside. Perfect for groups who want walking, cycling, and evenings by the fire over pub and restaurant options.

Exeter Area

Exeter is Devon's cathedral city and has excellent rail links from London (under 2 hours). The surrounding area — the Exe estuary, the Haldon Hills — has good group houses within easy reach of the city's restaurants and bars. Good choice for groups with mixed travel starting points.

Group Activities in Devon

• Surfing and surf lessons at Croyde, Saunton, and Westward Ho! (north coast)
• Sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the Salcombe, Kingsbridge, and Dart estuaries
• Coasteering along the south Devon sea cliffs near Wembury and Prawle Point
• Dartmoor hiking — Haytor, Hound Tor, and the Dartmeet gorge are all excellent group routes
• Wild swimming at Spitchwick on the River Dart — one of England's finest natural swimming spots
• Horse riding on Dartmoor — multiple stables offer moorland treks for mixed-ability groups
• Sea fishing trips from Dartmouth, Salcombe, and Brixham — some of the best day charters in the south
• Cream tea trails and Dartmoor farm visits for groups who want local food experiences

For activities delivered to your property, browse our group experiences including private chef dinners and cocktail masterclasses.

Devon Food and Drink for Groups

Devon has one of England's strongest regional food identities — clotted cream, scallops landed at Brixham, Dartmoor beef, and a craft drinks scene that rivals any rural county in England. Groups who plan around local producers will eat significantly better than those relying on supermarket shops alone.

Salcombe is Devon's most upmarket coastal destination — the Salcombe Harbour Hotel restaurant takes group bookings, and the town has excellent deli options for provisions. South Sands Beach Café is worth the short ferry ride for a group lunch.

Dartmouth has an impressive restaurant scene for a town of its size. The Seahorse on South Embankment is exceptional for fresh seafood; the Royal Castle Hotel is the main pub with good real ales and group catering. The Dart Marina Hotel also takes group dinner reservations. The Dartmouth Food Festival in late October draws food producers from across the south-west.

Barnstaple and north Devon have fewer destination restaurants, but Saunton Sands Hotel and Broomhill Sculpture Gardens and Restaurant near Barnstaple both take group bookings and deliver well for special occasions. The Lynmouth area has excellent traditional pubs.

For groups self-catering from a Dartmoor property, Riverford Farm's shop near Buckfastleigh is exceptional. For north Devon, Watergate Farm Shop near Holsworthy offers outstanding locally produced meat. A private chef who sources from Devon's excellent supply chain is a strong option for the main dinner of any group weekend.

Devon vs Cornwall: Choosing Between the Two

This is one of the most common questions for groups choosing a south-west destination. The honest answer is that Devon and Cornwall suit slightly different group types:

• Choose Devon if your group has members coming from the Midlands, north of England, or different parts of the country — Devon's transport links are notably better, and Exeter is only 2 hours from London by fast train. Dartmoor offers an entirely different experience from the coast that Cornwall can't quite match.
• Choose Cornwall if the defining priority is dramatic coastal scenery and the most spectacular beaches. The far west of Cornwall — St Ives, Porthcurno, the Lizard — has coastal beauty that Devon doesn't replicate. Cornwall's food scene, particularly around Padstow and Falmouth, is also marginally ahead.
• Choose Devon for Dartmoor, for easier logistics, and for the combination of surf north coast and sailing south coast within one county.
• For hen parties and milestone birthdays, both work well. Salcombe and south Devon suit groups who want a premium, refined experience. North Cornwall suits groups who want surf, energy, and a younger atmosphere.

Getting to Devon with a Large Group

• Car: M4/M5 or M3 depending on starting point. London to Exeter is around 3 hours; to north Devon allow 4 hours; to south Devon coastal villages allow 3.5–4.5 hours from London.
• Train: Great Western Railway runs from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids in under 2 hours — one of England's best train journeys. Connections to Barnstaple (Tarka Line) and Paignton/Torquay (Riviera Line) from Exeter. No direct train to south Devon coastal villages — taxi or car required from Totnes.
• Minibus: For groups of 12+, a hired minibus is often the most practical option for reaching rural and coastal properties.

Seasonal Guide for Devon Groups

July and August are the most popular months for coastal Devon stays but also the most expensive and crowded. May, June, and September offer excellent weather with fewer visitors — ideal for groups who want to enjoy beaches and restaurants without peak-season queues. Croyde and Saunton have good surf conditions from September through to November. Dartmoor works brilliantly year-round — the moorland is atmospheric in winter and stunning in spring.

Booking Tips

For popular coastal areas (Salcombe, Croyde, south Devon), book 6–9 months ahead for summer. Dartmoor properties are slightly easier to secure. Browse our Devon group houses or compare with our Cornwall guide if you're choosing between the two peninsulas.