WHILE most might beeline for the coast of Cornwall in this weather, it is no lie that the locals don’t like visitors too much, with a lot of NIMBYism (‘not in my backyard’) behaviour.

Yet as someone who grew up just next door in Devon, I think more people should come our way instead – if not just for a bit of a warmer welcome.

A woman and a black dog standing next to a large ice cream cone sculpture outside the Princess Theatre.Devon is a great county for a staycation Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding

Not only that but it is the only county in the UK with two coastlines, and some amazing beaches along the way.

Having lived there for over two decades, here are my top recommendations for visiting the county – and why it trumps Cornwall in every way.

Beaches

Devon is home to the beautiful , where you can find

There’s Elberry Cove, for example, between and Brixham, which has a pebble beach and crystal clear water, making it feel as if you are sitting on a beach on some

At the end of the beach there is even a historic Victorian ruin that allowed the local Earl to swim directly into the sea.

For a more family friendly spot, head to, also in Paignton.

Here you will find the (more on this later), as well as crazy golf, karts and pedalos.

For golden sand and waves ideal for surfing, there’s , while the best sunsets are found in North Devon .

The neighbouring beach, is then another great spot for families with a number of cheap holiday parks within walking distance.

Here is some more on the best English Riviera beaches

A woman with sunglasses stands in front of a white building with "Fish & Chips" written on it and a pier extending into the sea on a sunny day.On the English Riviera, you can head to 25 beaches Credit: Cyann Fielding Elberry Cove with turquoise water, a pebble beach, and a small stone building nestled at the base of a forested hill.Including one spot that looks more like Greece Credit: English Riviera Tourist Board

Attractions

Devon is home to SIX ; The Milky Way Adventure, Woodlands, Crealy, The Big Sheep, Diggerland and Watermouth Family Theme Park & Castle.

Growing up, I spent many days – especially during the summer – at a number of them.

At Crealy, there’s the train-themed rollercoaster Maximus which is the ideal introductory ride for children.

Visit the park in the spring and you’ll get to see loads of lambs that visitors can even feed.

Make sure to go on the too as it’s still the best I have been on, and I’ve been on a fair few (just make it the last thing you do as you WILL get soaked).

Tickets to Crealy cost from £23.25 per person (free for children under 90cm tall).

People riding the Pirates' Plummet attraction at Crealy.The county also has six theme parks Credit: Crealy Aerial view of Splashdown Quaywest waterpark, with numerous light blue water slides and pools, next to a railway line and green areas.And the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark Credit: Google maps

Over at Woodlands (tickets from £22.31), you’ll find the county’s with drop slides, ball pits, climbing frames and obstacle course sections.

As a child, my family knew they wouldn’t see me for hours on end and the only time they would is when I was worn out or wanting a drink after running around.

Another one for the kids is with around 20 rides, drives and experiences to try out including ones where kids can operate actual diggers.

Tickets to Diggerland cost from £25.95 per person (free for children under 90cm tall) – but if you want

In all this hot weather, definitely head to Splashdown Quaywest at Goodrington Beach (tickets from £22.75).

This is the UK’s largest outdoor with 18 waterslides, a children’s splash play area and a pool.

A large thatched-roof building with outdoor seating, picnic tables, and lush green landscaping.Across Devon, you will find quaint towns and villages including Cockington Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding Outdoor patio seating with picnic tables and red umbrellas in front of a stone building.In Cockington, you’ll find loads of thatched cottages Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding

Cities, towns and villages

Across the entire county you’ll find gorgeous towns and but here are a few of my favourites.

In South Devon village you’ll find near Torquay, which feels like stepping into a Bridgerton-esque fairytale.

The village is full of gorgeous cottages, all with thatched roofs and painted in pastel colours.

One of my fave spots in the village is Weavers Cottage Tea Garden, which is a must-visit for lovers (after all, you are in Devon).

There are a lot of walks you can head on around the village too, which are best followed by a trip to The Drum Inn after for a refreshing tipple.

(Here’s my longer

Another quaint town is Totnes – which has historically been referred to as the hippie capital of the UK due to being devoid of chain stores.

The town is home to a (or the remains of), as well as a plethora of exciting independent shops and boutiques that quite literally feel like finding treasure.

Don’t miss the market on a Friday and Saturday either – it brings the town to life with antiques stalls, rug makers, food vendors and more.

You can read more about my

A narrow street in Exeter, lined with brick buildings housing shops like Floren Flowers and Chococo.In the city of Exeter, head to Gandy Street – believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding A young woman in a leather and shearling jacket smiling in front of Exeter Cathedral.Exeter is also home to a grand cathedral Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding

For a city spot, head to and explore the breathtaking Cathedral with intricately carved figures across its exterior.

The city’s main high street is great for a shopping spree, but there is also a hidden gem towards the lower end of the city.

Gandy Street is a narrow street with cute boutique shops thought to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Diagon Alley in .

Despite refuting this, I have always seen – and felt – the resemblance, thanks to the cobbles and overhanging buildings.

You can read more about

This list also wouldn’t be complete without mentioning some of Devon’s standout .

In North Devon, head to Ilfracombe – a pretty seaside resort known for its dramatic cliffs as well as a medieval harbour.

Add a visit to Verity to your list which is s 20-metre sculpture of a pregnant woman.

Or there is – the only place name in the UK to have an exclamation mark – where you can walk two-mile stretch of golden sand before venturing along the

Drone view of the Salcombe coastline with colorful homes and boats in the water.Salcombe is also worth visiting with quaint shops Credit: Getty View of the Esplanade and beachfront in Sidmouth, East Devon, South West England.And in Sidmouth you’ll find 200million-year-old dramatic cliffs Credit: Alamy

Then in South Devon, make sure to visit Sidmouth and

More than just a pretty seaside town, is home to the free-to-visit Donkey Sanctuary that has over 100 donkeys as well as dramatic towering cliffs dating back 200 million years.

Then over in Salcombe – which has always felt more like a Cornish town to me – you will find cosy as well as a vibrant seafront with small boutiques selling everything from handmade candles to local produce.

Dartmoor National Park

In my opinion, is one of the most underrated places in the UK.

While most people head to the or the Peak District, I believe Dartmoor is far more accessible and quieter, but just as stunning.

Spanning 368-square-miles, the park has an abundance of different spots to explore including – a granite tor which towers to 457 metres.

If you happen to visit in the winter, you’ll most likely experience snow on the moors making it feel more like being in the

Across the entire National Park, you’ll find loads of historic sites including Bronze Age settlements that look like small versions of

A person in a red jacket and a black dog stand on a rocky, grassy hill overlooking a valley with trees and a long line of parked cars in the distance.Dartmoor National Park spans across 368-square-miles Credit: Cyann Fielding The Nine Maidens stone circle on Belstone Common in Northern Dartmoor.You can head to a number of tors as well as wild camp Credit: Alamy

Wherever you walk on the moors it is pretty (and keep an eye out for as well).

What makes Dartmoor even more special is that recently the Supreme Court ruled that Brits can making it the only place in England you can do so without landowner’s permission.

If isn’t your thing though, you can stay at The Moorland Hotel which sits right by Haytor.

If you want to discover more spots to explore on Dartmoor,

Hotels

If you are spending more than a day in the county – which I would totally recommend – then you will obviously need somewhere to stay.

If exploring the English Riviera, book into – it is the newest kid on the block and kind of looks like a cruise ship docked just metres from the beach.

Inside it is sleek and modern with Art Deco touches and has a beautiful restaurant as well as a rooftop bar, ideal for soaking up the sunset views.

A bedroom in the new Hotel Indigo Torquay by IHG with a blue upholstered headboard, white bed with orange throw, and framed art on the wall.One of the newest hotels on the English Riviera is Hotel Indigo, which is right by the beach Credit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding Harford Bridge Park with caravans and tents next to the River Tavy.In Tavistock, head to Harford Bridge Park campsite where you can camp by the river Credit: Campsites.co.uk

Rooms cost from £130 per night and

If you are exploring Dartmoor, book into The Moorland, which is just a short walk from

This cosy hotel has pretty gardens to wander around, is dog friendly and serves some of the best hotel food I have ever eaten.

Rooms cost from £80 per night.

Love camping? Try Harford Bridge Park campsite and caravan park in

You can pitch your tent right next to the River Tavy – which runs through the and is gentle and shallow.

When I used to visit the campsite as a child along with my family, we would always pitch next to river and then, in the blazing sun, my sister and I would put up ourchairs directly in the river and sit with our feet in the water.

Make sure to book a ‘grass riverside’ pitch, which costs £24 per night for two people without electricity, working out at just £12 per person.

In North Devon, you’ll find my favourite Devon holiday park – Golden Coast Holiday Park.

Just five minutes from the beach, the holiday park has loads for families to do including a high ropes course, a , adventure golf, go-karts and a whole host of other activities.

A two-night stay in August for a family of four costs from £265.

For a more comprehensive guide on the county, with all my recommendations as a born-and-bred Devonian,