5 challenges of visiting rural Devon
Rural Devon… I love it, but it can have its drawbacks!
From wild stretches of Dartmoor to rugged coastlines and tiny fishing villages, it feels a long way from city life.
But if you’re planning a trip, be prepared, as travelling around the county isn’t always straightforward!
Here are five of the biggest challenges you might run into.
1. Infrequent bus timetables
Outside of the cities and big towns, Devon is not well known for its reliable public transport.
In rural areas, you’ll often find that buses only run a handful of times a day, and sometimes not at all on Sundays!
This can make it hard to get to villages, beaches or walking trails unless you’re prepared to wait for hours between services!
Planning is essential: always check timetables in advance, and don’t assume a return bus will automatically be available later in the day.
2. Mobile service can drop out
Large parts of rural Devon don’t have reliable mobile signal.
On Dartmoor, it’s common to lose service entirely for long stretches.
The same goes for Exmoor, North Devon, and even some coastal valleys. When I drive from Exmouth to Sidmouth, I’m without signal for most of the time!
If you need to stay connected, download maps in advance (do this before starting any drive) and keep key information offline.
WiFi networks in pubs, cafés or guesthouses are often unsecured. Using a VPN provider is a good way to protect your data when logging onto public or shared connections.
3. Narrow country roads
Driving in Devon is a unique experience, to say the least!
Many lanes are only wide enough for one car, with high hedgerows that make it impossible to see what’s coming. But they are very much two-way roads!
Passing places are common, but it takes patience and confidence to reverse into them if you meet another vehicle.
This is particularly true in summer, when holiday traffic clogs up the smaller roads.
If you’re not used to it, allow extra time for journeys and avoid rushing. Don’t take them too fast, and if you can avoid taking a large car down them, do.
4. May need to carry cash
This is becoming less and less common, but recently I visited a car park in Hope Cove that was cash only!
Some rural spots still operate on a cash-only basis. Village shops, farm cafés and car parks don’t always accept cards.
It’s worth keeping a small amount of cash (including small change) on you, especially if you’re heading out to more remote areas.
ATMs can be few and far between in the most rural spots!
5. Seasonal closures
Tourism is highly seasonal in parts of Devon, and once summer ends, a lot of smaller businesses shut their doors until Easter.
Rural bus routes may reduce in frequency, pubs might close mid-week and attractions like heritage railways or gardens often limit opening days.
This can catch visitors out if you’re travelling in late autumn or winter. Always double-check opening times, and have a back-up plan in case your chosen spot isn’t open.
That’s the reality of travelling in rural Devon! You’ll see breathtaking scenery, but there are a few hurdles to overcome if you want to make the most of it. Just be prepared, take your time and expect a few hiccups on the way!
