15 fascinating Devon facts that you should know
Devon’s a county filled with legend and lore, where seafaring history has shaped the land and where the wilds of Dartmoor run off into the rolling countryside.
Being such a vast, diverse county, it’s unsurprising that there are plenty of fascinating facts about Devon that you should know!
Here are some of the best.
1. Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping is legal
Unlike the rest of England, Dartmoor allows wild camping without needing landowner permission—a right that was temporarily challenged in court but later reinstated.
The challenges are ongoing, and this could change in the future – but as of 2024 wild camping is still permitted on Dartmoor!
2. The oldest working gin distillery in England is in Devon
Plymouth Gin Distillery has been producing gin since 1793, making it the oldest continuously operating gin distillery in England.
It was the gin of choice for the British Navy, with bottles even featuring a marked line indicating the level at which officers had to dilute it to avoid explosions on ships.
Click here to learn more about Plymouth Gin and the distillery.
3. The Jurassic Coast starts in Devon
The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that begins at Exmouth and runs along 185 million years of geological history.
Fossils dating back to the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods are frequently found along the coastline!
Here’s my blog post about the Devon Jurassic Coast.
4. Devon is home to England’s youngest castle
Castle Drogo, which was built between 1911 and 1930, is England’s most modern castle!
Designed by architect Edwin Lutyens for millionaire Julius Drewe, it sits high above the Teign Gorge on Dartmoor.
Though it looks medieval, it was built with 20th-century materials and technology.
5. Agatha Christie was born in Devon, and her holiday home is open to visitors
The Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, was born in Torquay and kept a holiday home called Greenway on the River Dart.
The house is now managed by the National Trust and still contains many of her personal belongings. It’s open to the public!
6. England’s first lighthouse on a sea rock was built in Devon
The Eddystone Lighthouse was first built in 1698 and was the first lighthouse ever constructed on an offshore rock in open water.
The modern version was built in 1882, still protects ships from the dangerous Eddystone Reef (near Plymouth).
7. Sir Francis Drake spotted the Spanish Armada from Plymouth
Sir Francis Drake, who was born in Tavistock, was playing bowls on Plymouth Hoe in 1588 when news arrived that the Spanish Armada was approaching.
Legend says he refused to leave until he finished his game, believing there was still time to defeat the fleet.
8. Plymouth was the departure point for the Mayflower
In 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth with the Pilgrims heading to the New World.
The voyage led to the founding of Plymouth Colony in modern-day Massachusetts – which was one of the first English settlements in North America. (Apparently though, it wasn’t actually named after the British city, and the name similarity is just a coincidence).
The Mayflower Steps in Plymouth’s Barbican mark the historic departure point.
9. The man who brought tobacco to England was from Devon
Born in East Budleigh (near Budleigh Salterton), Sir Walter Raleigh was one of England’s most famous explorers.
He is credited with introducing tobacco to England after his voyages to the Americas. His family home, Hayes Barton, still stands in Devon today.
10. Devon is home to the “Galapagos of the UK”
Lundy Island lies 12 miles off the North Devon coast and boasts a unique ecosystem that has earned it this nickname.
It was the first Marine Conservation Zone in Britain and is home to puffins, grey seals and a rare breed of pygmy sheep!
The island is also a popular diving site with submerged shipwrecks.
Click here to read more about Lundy Island.
11. Devon is home to the largest aquarium in the UK
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is the biggest in the country, housing over 4,000 sea creatures.
Here, you’ll find the UK’s deepest tank, with sharks, rays and giant sea turtles. The aquarium is also a hub for marine conservation and education.
12. Devon has the biggest naval base in Western Europe
HMNB Devonport in Plymouth is the largest naval base in Western Europe – it covers over 650 acres.
It has been a crucial Royal Navy stronghold since the 17th century and remains home to the UK’s Trident nuclear submarines and amphibious assault ships.
13. The UK’s narrowest street is in Devon
Parliament Street in Exeter holds the record for the narrowest street in the UK.
At just 64 centimetres wide at its narrowest point, it was originally called “Small Lane” before being renamed – perhaps ironically – after the government.
Click here to read more about Parliament Street.
14. Jack Russell dogs come from Devon
The Jack Russell Terrier was first bred in the 19th century by Reverend John Russell, a hunting enthusiast from Dartmouth.
His aim was to create a small, energetic fox-hunting dog. Today, the breed is one of the most popular terriers worldwide.
Maybe this is why my partner’s parents Jack Russell loves visiting us in Devon!
15. The pasty maaaay have originated in Devon
This is hard for me to type, given my Cornish heritage (and the fact that my granny would never say a pasty outside of Cornwall was proper) – but they may have actually originated over the border.
16th-century documents mention “pastes” being consumed in Plymouth, and there haven’t been older mentions in Cornwall. In both Devon and Cornwall, they were popularised in the mines, as they were a transportable, easy snack.
However, as Cornwall had many more mines (I’ve got information about them in my Cornwall facts post!), they became more synonymous with Cornwall, and now have Geographic Indicator status.
Got any more fun facts about Devon? Follow me on Facebook and let me know them!
