Best Places to Live in Devon
Devon is one of England’s most extraordinary counties, and for those willing to trade convenience for quality of life, it consistently delivers something genuinely rare: a landscape that encompasses two National Parks, thirteen Blue Flag beaches, dramatic Atlantic coastline, tranquil estuaries, rolling farmland, and ancient moorland, all within a single county boundary. It is also, despite its rural reputation, a county with a serious city at its heart, a functioning international airport, and rail connections to London.
Devon is the only county in England to have two separate coastlines — the rugged Atlantic north coast, beloved by surfers and outdoor enthusiasts, and the sheltered English Riviera to the south, with its mild microclimate, sailing harbours, and gentler character. Between them sit Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, the South Hams, the Jurassic Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and a network of medieval market towns and ancient villages that have changed little in character for centuries.
For those considering a move, an important point is worth stating clearly: Devon is a large county. Transport and connectivity vary enormously between locations. Exeter, on the M5 with direct trains to London Paddington in around two hours, is a fundamentally different proposition from a village in the South Hams or a coastal town in North Devon. Matching your location to your lifestyle and connectivity needs is the single most important decision in a Devon move, and this guide is structured to help with exactly that.
1. Best Places in Devon for Working Families
Working families in Devon typically need the same things families need anywhere: good schools, a manageable commute or sufficient broadband for home working days, green space, and a community feel that makes the effort of daily life worthwhile. Devon delivers all of this, but the specific combination varies significantly by location. The following towns represent the strongest all-round packages for families balancing work and home life.
Exeter
Exeter is Devon’s natural starting point for working families, and with good reason. It is a compact, UNESCO City of Literature-designated cathedral city that has managed to combine genuine historic character — its Roman walls, Norman castle, and medieval cathedral are all intact and central to daily life — with modern commercial and cultural infrastructure. The city has become one of the fastest-growing in England, driven by its university, expanding business parks, and its position as the gateway to the South West.
For working families, Exeter’s combination of excellent schools, strong employment in the city itself, and direct rail access to London Paddington in around two hours makes it the county’s most comprehensively practical option. The St Leonards neighbourhood — a ten-minute walk from the city centre — is particularly popular with families, offering Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces, and a Magdalen Road lined with independent shops that has been compared to Primrose Hill in character. The M5 motorway junction and Exeter Airport, which offers domestic and European flights, give additional connectivity that most Devon towns cannot match.
Schools are a particular strength. The Maynard School for Girls, Exeter School (independent co-educational), and Exeter Cathedral School are among the county’s most respected independent institutions. Outstanding-rated state primaries and secondary schools are well distributed across the city. The University of Exeter adds a cultural and intellectual energy that benefits the whole community.
Commute: London Paddington in approximately 2 hours by GWR direct service. M5 motorway junction. Exeter Airport for domestic and European connections.
Topsham
Topsham is one of Devon’s hidden gems: a small riverside town on the Exe Estuary, five miles south of Exeter, with a character entirely disproportionate to its size. Its Dutch-influenced Georgian merchant houses, independent shops, waterfront pubs, and the celebrated Strand make it one of the most sought-after addresses in the county. For working families who want Exeter’s amenities within easy reach but prefer a village atmosphere on the water, Topsham is a compelling option.
The town has strong local schools and direct rail access to Exeter on the Avocet Line, making daily commuting into the city straightforward without needing a car. The Exe Estuary provides extraordinary outdoor space for families — sailing, cycling, and walking directly from the town. The combination of period character, waterfront setting, and Exeter proximity has made Topsham property consistently among the most desirable in the county.
Commute: Direct rail to Exeter on the Avocet Line. Easy road access to M5 via Exeter. Close to Exeter Airport.
Tavistock
Tavistock is a handsome Dartmoor market town on the western edge of the National Park with a strong family identity and a genuinely thriving independent high street. Its Victorian Pannier Market, regular farmers’ market, independent shops, and quality restaurants give it a completeness that many Devon towns of similar size cannot match. Families are drawn by the combination of Dartmoor access — walking, cycling, and outdoor adventure from the doorstep — with a town centre that provides real practical amenity.
Schooling in Tavistock is well regarded, with Tavistock College serving as the main secondary school and drawing strong Ofsted ratings. The town is within reach of Plymouth for those working in the city, and the Dartmoor Line — reopened in 2021 — has improved rail connectivity in the wider area, with proposals to extend the line to Tavistock itself under active consideration. Families seeking an outdoor-first lifestyle anchored by a community-focused market town will find Tavistock genuinely exceptional.
Commute: Plymouth approximately 30 minutes by road via the A386. Broader M5 and A30 connectivity via Plymouth. Dartmoor Line extension to Tavistock under active proposal.
Newton Abbot
Newton Abbot occupies a strategic position at the meeting point of three river valleys at the head of the Teignmouth Estuary, and its practical credentials for working families are underappreciated. It is the main market town for a large rural hinterland, giving it a retail, healthcare, and services offer well above its size. Direct trains to Exeter take around 30 minutes, and London Paddington is reachable in under three hours on direct services — placing it firmly in the range of families who need occasional London days.
Property prices are considerably more accessible than Exeter or the South Hams, making Newton Abbot a genuinely practical option for families who need space. The surrounding villages — including Kingsteignton, Bovey Tracey (the so-called Gateway to Dartmoor), and Chudleigh — give families additional village options within the same catchment. Ofsted-rated schools at both primary and secondary level are solid, and the town’s position between Dartmoor and the South Devon coast gives weekends extraordinary variety.
Commute: Exeter in 30 minutes by direct train. London Paddington in under 3 hours. A38 Devon Expressway for Plymouth and the national motorway network.
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is the main hub of North Devon and the natural base for working families who want the Atlantic coast, Exmoor, and the Tarka Trail on their doorstep without compromising on practical amenities. The town has the largest retail and services offer in North Devon, a strong school catchment, and a community identity that is distinct, proud, and engaged. The recently expanded North Devon Link Road (A361) has improved connections to the M5 at Tiverton Junction, placing Exeter within around 45 minutes by road.
North Devon’s lifestyle offer — surfing at Croyde and Saunton, walking on Exmoor, cycling the Tarka Trail — is among the finest in England for outdoor-focused families. Barnstaple’s own market, Pannier Market, and independent businesses give it a strong local character. Families seeking the full North Devon experience with the support of a functioning market town will find Barnstaple the most practical base in the region.
Commute: Exeter approximately 45 minutes by road via A361/A396. Tarka Line rail service to Exeter (scenic, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). National Express coach links to Bristol and beyond.
2. Best Places in Devon for Retirement
Devon is one of England’s premier retirement destinations. Its mild climate — particularly on the south coast — excellent NHS provision through trusts in Exeter, Plymouth, and Torbay, strong community culture, and the unmatched variety of its landscape make it deeply appealing for those seeking quality of life in later years. The county’s active retirement community, from U3A branches in virtually every market town to the Devon County Show and countless arts and music festivals, means social connection is readily available across the county.
Sidmouth
Sidmouth is one of Devon’s finest retirement towns and one of the most elegant Regency seaside resorts in England. Backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs, the town’s unspoilt Esplanade, beautifully maintained seafront gardens, and labyrinth of Regency streets give it a character that has been carefully preserved over two centuries. Unlike many seaside towns that have declined, Sidmouth has retained its lustre — it was recognised in Muddy Stilettos’ best places to live rankings and consistently praised for its civic pride and community quality.
The town has a Waitrose, farmers’ market, independent shops, galleries, and a full range of restaurants and cafés. Its famous Folk Festival each August brings extraordinary musical energy to an already lively calendar. The Byes — a riverside park and community orchard running along the River Sid to Lyme Bay — provides a daily walking resource of rare beauty. Exeter is 16 miles away for hospital appointments and major retail, and Honiton station offers rail connections for those occasional longer journeys.
Why retire here: England’s finest Regency seaside resort, retained elegance and character, Blue Flag beach, extraordinary community events calendar, 16 miles from Exeter’s full amenities.
Budleigh Salterton
Budleigh Salterton is a traditional East Devon seaside town of exceptional quality. Within the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it sits above a wide pebble beach of striking beauty and maintains the character of an unhurried, dignified coastal community. Its handsome period villas — many with direct sea views — desirable bungalows, and retirement apartments within walking distance of local shops and cafés make it a deeply practical retirement option.
The town has a calm, low-key atmosphere that many retirees specifically seek after years of urban or suburban life. Budleigh Salterton has built a cultural reputation through its classical music and literary festivals, which give retirement life here genuine intellectual stimulation. The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital is around 30 minutes away, and Exmouth — a larger town with a full range of services — is a short drive. The town is also well connected to Exeter via the Avocet Line rail service from Exmouth.
Why retire here: AONB coastal setting, beautiful pebble beach, period architecture, cultural festivals, calm atmosphere, and straightforward access to Exeter for healthcare and services.
Totnes
Totnes is one of Devon’s most distinctive and celebrated towns. Bohemian, independent, and full of creative energy, this medieval market town on the River Dart has a high street lined with eco-shops, galleries, independent restaurants, and bookshops that is unlike anywhere else in the county. It has long attracted creative professionals, academics, and free thinkers, and the result is a retirement community that is active, engaged, and intellectually stimulating in a way that quieter coastal towns are not.
The town has a direct rail connection to Exeter and to Plymouth, making both cities accessible without a car. The River Dart and the surrounding South Devon hills provide outstanding walking and outdoor leisure. For retirees seeking genuine community engagement alongside beauty and character, Totnes is one of Devon’s most compelling options. The nearby villages of Staverton, Ashprington, and Dartington — home to the famous Dartington Estate with its arts centre and gardens — extend the retirement offer into the surrounding countryside.
Why retire here: Bohemian, creative community, beautiful medieval town on the River Dart, direct rail to Exeter and Plymouth, outstanding arts and cultural life at Dartington Estate.
Chagford
Chagford is a small Dartmoor market town of exceptional charm, sitting on the edge of the National Park with access to some of the finest moorland walking in England. For retirees seeking genuine countryside immersion alongside a functioning community, it is hard to beat. The town has a remarkable array of amenities for its size — a bakery, delicatessen, butchers, grocery shops, wine shop, bookshop, post office, pharmacy, and NHS medical practice — and its community spirit is famously strong.
Chagford has become known for an unusually high quality of independent dining, including the renowned Gidleigh Park hotel restaurant nearby. The town’s setting — surrounded by open moorland, rivers, and woodland — makes daily life here genuinely beautiful. Exeter is around 30 minutes by road, keeping healthcare and major retail within comfortable reach. For retirees who want to live in the Devon they imagined when they decided to move here, Chagford delivers it.
Why retire here: Exceptional Dartmoor setting, outstanding village amenities for its size, Gidleigh Park nearby, 30 minutes from Exeter, and a community renowned for its warmth and character.
Frinton-on-Sea’s Devon equivalent — Salcombe and Kingsbridge
The South Hams estuary towns — particularly Salcombe and the nearby market town of Kingsbridge — offer Devon’s most prestigious coastal retirement setting. Salcombe’s beautiful estuary, Devon’s best sailing water, high-end independent shops, and restaurants make it the county’s most coveted coastal address. Property prices reflect this strongly, but for those with the means, the quality of life is exceptional and the community is active, outdoor-focused, and welcoming.
Kingsbridge provides the practical counterpart — a proper market town with a hospital, good schools, supermarkets, and a full services offer — just five miles from Salcombe. Retirees who want the Salcombe lifestyle without the full Salcombe premium often choose Kingsbridge, gaining access to the same estuary landscape and community at more accessible property prices. Average property prices in Kingsbridge are around £380,000, offering the South Hams experience at a fraction of the Salcombe premium.
Why retire here: Devon’s finest estuary setting, outstanding sailing and outdoor life, premium coastal community in Salcombe, practical market town counterpart in Kingsbridge.
3. Best Places in Devon for Families with Young Children (Schools Focus)
Devon’s educational offer is strong and varied, encompassing high-performing independent schools with national reputations, consistently Outstanding-rated state primaries, good grammar school alternatives in the independent sector, and specialist provision such as the International Baccalaureate. The county’s schools system is centred most strongly on Exeter, but quality provision extends across the county.
Exeter
Exeter’s independent school offer is among the strongest in the South West. The Maynard School is one of England’s top independent girls’ schools, regularly placing highly in national league tables at GCSE and A Level. Exeter School is a leading co-educational independent with outstanding results from Year 7 through sixth form. Exeter Cathedral School is a highly regarded prep school for younger children. At state level, the city has multiple Outstanding-rated primary schools and well-regarded secondaries, giving families genuine choice across both sectors.
Blundell’s School in nearby Tiverton — one of England’s most prestigious boarding and day schools, founded in 1604 — extends the independent school offer for families within reach of the M5 corridor. The University of Exeter’s presence gives sixth-form students access to university-level academic events and a campus environment that enriches the broader education ecosystem.
School highlight: The Maynard School (leading independent girls’ school). Exeter School (co-educational independent). Exeter Cathedral School (prep). Blundell’s School, Tiverton (one of England’s oldest and most prestigious boarding schools).
Tiverton
Tiverton is an underrated choice for school-focused families, anchored by two remarkable educational institutions. Blundell’s School — founded in 1604 and among England’s most prestigious independent boarding and day schools — is located here, offering exceptional education from Year 9 through sixth form and a boarding option that draws pupils from across the UK and internationally. The school’s campus, grounds, and academic standards are exceptional for a town of Tiverton’s size.
At state level, Tiverton has solid primary provision and a functioning secondary school. The town sits on the M5 at Junction 27, making it one of the best-connected towns in Devon for road commuters, and Tiverton Parkway station provides direct rail access to London Paddington in around two hours and to Exeter in approximately 20 minutes. Property prices are more accessible than Exeter, making Tiverton a practical option for families whose primary driver is Blundell’s School.
School highlight: Blundell’s School — one of England’s oldest and most respected independent boarding and day schools. Good state primary provision. Tiverton High School at secondary level.
Dartington and Totnes
For families seeking an alternative educational philosophy, the Totnes and Dartington area is genuinely unique in Devon. The Dartington Hall Trust — whose extraordinary 1,000-acre estate includes gardens, arts venues, and conference facilities — has long been associated with progressive education and creative thinking. The area is home to Sands School in nearby Ashburton, a democratic school where children have a genuine vote in the running of the institution, and a cluster of Steiner and alternative education provisions that draw families specifically seeking a different approach.
For families who want excellent conventional independent schooling, Totnes provides access to the wider Exeter and South Devon independent school network within reasonable driving distance. The Dartington area’s combination of educational alternatives, creative community, and outstanding natural setting makes it one of the most distinctive school-focused destinations in the South West.
School highlight: Sands School, Ashburton (UK’s most established democratic school). Access to Dartington’s progressive education network. Proximity to Exeter’s independent schools for conventional provision.
Crediton
Crediton is a small but well-connected market town eight miles north-west of Exeter with a strong local schooling offer and a growing reputation among families making the move out of the city. Queen Elizabeth’s Community College is a large, well-regarded comprehensive with strong Ofsted ratings, and the town’s primary schools are consistently well reviewed. The Dartmoor Line runs through Crediton, providing a rail connection to Exeter St Davids in around 20 minutes.
For families who want Exeter’s schools within reach but prefer a more rural market town character for daily life, Crediton offers genuine value. Property prices are considerably lower than Exeter, and the town has a good high street, independent bookshop and co-working hub, regular market, and a community that has been actively investing in its own infrastructure. The Devon Work Hub above the Bookery is a sign of a town that is forward-thinking about its future.
School highlight: Queen Elizabeth’s Community College (large, well-regarded state comprehensive). Good state primary provision. Rail access to Exeter’s independent school network in 20 minutes.
South Brent and Ivybridge
For families on the southern edge of Dartmoor, Ivybridge provides the main secondary school provision for a wide area. Ivybridge Community College is one of Devon’s largest and most highly regarded state secondaries, with a broad curriculum, excellent sports provision, and consistent Ofsted recognition. The town sits on the A38 Devon Expressway with direct rail access to Plymouth and Exeter, making it practical for families with one or both parents working in either city.
Nearby South Brent offers a village alternative with a well-regarded primary school and immediate Dartmoor access. The combination of Dartmoor National Park on the doorstep, strong state secondary provision, and dual-city rail access makes this corridor a genuinely practical option for families who want countryside living with educational quality.
School highlight: Ivybridge Community College — one of Devon’s largest and most highly regarded state secondaries. Good A38 and rail links to Plymouth and Exeter for independent school access.
4. Best Places in Devon for Working from Home
Devon has become one of England’s most actively embraced counties for remote and hybrid workers, a trend that accelerated significantly after 2020 and has shown no signs of reversing. The county’s Devon Work Hubs network — with co-working spaces across Exeter, Totnes, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Tiverton, Tavistock, Braunton, Crediton, and Barnstaple — reflects a county that has deliberately invested in infrastructure for the new way of working. Broadband coverage has improved considerably across most of Devon, with full fibre established in all major towns and Starlink satellite broadband now providing a viable solution for the most rural locations. One important note: always verify specific postcode broadband availability before committing to a rural Devon property.
Totnes
Totnes has become one of Devon’s most celebrated destinations for remote workers, and the Devon Work Hub at the Dartington Estate just outside the town reflects a co-working infrastructure that has grown organically from the town’s creative and independent professional community. The town’s combination of bohemian character, River Dart setting, artisan food and drink scene, and direct rail connection to Exeter and Plymouth gives home workers a daily environment that genuinely enriches working life rather than merely tolerating it.
The Dartington Estate itself — a 1,000-acre arts and education campus with walking routes, gardens, a restaurant, and regular cultural events — is one of the most extraordinary amenity assets available to any home worker in England. Working from Totnes with Dartington on the doorstep for afternoon walks, evening concerts, and weekend events is a lifestyle offer that is genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere in the county. Broadband provision in the town is well established.
WFH advantage: Vibrant creative community, Devon Work Hub and Dartington Estate co-working, direct rail to Exeter and Plymouth, River Dart walking, and one of Devon’s most characterful towns.
Crediton
Crediton is an increasingly popular choice for home workers who want countryside character, a functioning market town, and proximity to Exeter without Exeter’s price tag. The Devon Work Hub above the Bookery — a community-owned co-working space in a Grade II listed independent bookshop — is a remarkable local asset and a sign of a town that is actively supporting its remote working community. The Dartmoor Line provides rail access to Exeter in approximately 20 minutes, useful for hybrid workers who need to attend city offices or meetings occasionally.
Property prices in Crediton are considerably lower than Exeter, making it possible to access more space — and therefore a better home office — for a comparable budget. The surrounding North Devon countryside, the Tarka Trail, and easy access to Dartmoor provide excellent outdoor breaks. Broadband in the town centre is well served, and rural properties in the surrounding area increasingly benefit from full fibre or Starlink alternatives.
WFH advantage: Community-owned bookshop co-working hub, rail to Exeter in 20 minutes, affordable property with space, strong local character, and good outdoor access.
Chagford and the Dartmoor Villages
For home workers who can work with a reliable broadband connection and have made a deliberate choice to prioritise environment above all else, the Dartmoor villages — Chagford, Moretonhampstead, Lustleigh, and Widecombe in the Moor among them — represent some of the most beautiful working environments in England. The combination of open moorland, river valleys, ancient woodland, and a genuinely timeless landscape makes working from home here an experience that is profoundly different from working in any town or suburb.
Chagford in particular has developed a reputation as a base for creative professionals and remote workers, drawn by its remarkable independent amenity offer, the presence of Gidleigh Park, and a community that is small but intellectually alive. Full fibre broadband is increasingly available in the town itself, though rural properties should always be checked by postcode. Starlink has transformed connectivity for the most isolated properties on the moor.
WFH advantage: England’s finest moorland landscape as a daily backdrop, improving broadband in major villages, strong creative community in Chagford, and outstanding outdoor wellbeing resources. Always verify rural broadband by specific postcode.
Tavistock
Tavistock offers home workers a particularly well-rounded proposition: a proper market town with a strong independent character, immediate Dartmoor access, a Devon Work Hub, and a growing community of remote professionals who have made the move specifically for the lifestyle. The River Tamar, Tamar Trails walking and cycling routes, and Tree Surfers outdoor adventure activities provide the kind of active outdoor infrastructure that makes long working days more sustainable.
The town’s Victorian Pannier Market, regular farmers’ market, and independent food and drink scene give home workers a midday break culture that is genuinely pleasurable. Plymouth is approximately 30 minutes by road, useful for those occasional in-person meetings or travel days. Broadband provision in Tavistock itself is good, and the town is well served by 5G coverage.
WFH advantage: Functioning market town, Devon Work Hub, direct Dartmoor access, River Tamar outdoor activities, improving connectivity, and Plymouth accessible for hybrid work days.
Exmouth
Exmouth is an increasingly popular choice for home workers seeking coastal living without the premium of Salcombe or the isolation of North Devon. The town has a two-mile sandy beach, a thriving independent food and coffee scene, a strong watersports community, and direct rail access to Exeter on the Avocet Line — making it one of very few Devon coastal towns where London is reachable the same day without significant planning.
Broadband provision in Exmouth is well established across the town. The Exe Estuary cycling and walking trail provides extraordinary outdoor access for morning and lunchtime breaks. The town has a genuinely diverse population — young families, creative professionals, and established retirees living alongside each other — that gives it a community energy more varied and vibrant than most Devon coastal towns.
WFH advantage: Sandy beach and Exe Estuary directly accessible, direct rail to Exeter on the Avocet Line, strong broadband, growing independent café culture, and a lively mixed community.
5. Best Places in Devon for Those Who Travel for Work
Devon’s transport infrastructure requires honest assessment for frequent travellers. The county is well served by rail and road to Exeter and Plymouth, and Exeter Airport provides domestic and European connections. However, Devon is not Surrey or Essex: London is two to three hours by the fastest trains, and rural parts of the county can involve significant additional journey time before you even reach a mainline station. The locations below are chosen specifically for their transport credentials, and each is frank about what is and is not possible.
Exeter — Best All-Round Transport
For frequent travellers, Exeter is simply Devon’s best-positioned city. Direct GWR high-speed trains from Exeter St Davids reach London Paddington in approximately two hours — genuinely manageable for day trips to the capital. CrossCountry services connect directly to Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Edinburgh without requiring a change in London, making Exeter one of very few locations in Devon where national travel feels straightforward. South Western Railway services run to London Waterloo via Salisbury, providing a second capital route.
Exeter Airport, 25 minutes from the city centre, offers domestic services to Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Jersey, and Glasgow, with international connectivity via Amsterdam Schiphol and other European hubs. The M5 motorway junction gives fast road access to Bristol (approximately 75 minutes), the national motorway network, and both Taunton and Plymouth. For professionals who need regular London days alongside occasional domestic and international travel, Exeter is the only Devon location that covers all these bases with genuine confidence.
Transport facts: London Paddington in approximately 2 hours (GWR direct). CrossCountry to Bristol, Birmingham, and Edinburgh direct. M5 junction for national road network. Exeter Airport with domestic and European services.
Tiverton Parkway — Best for Fast London Rail
Tiverton Parkway station, on the main GWR line between Exeter and Bristol, offers one of the fastest rail connections to London of any Devon station. Direct services to London Paddington take approximately two hours, with multiple services per day in both directions. The station is located at Junction 27 of the M5, making it one of the best-combined rail-and-road interchange points in the South West — professionals can drive to the station from across North Devon and mid-Devon in a reasonable time, avoiding Exeter’s increasingly congested approaches.
The nearby town of Tiverton is home to Blundell’s School, making Tiverton Parkway an excellent base for families combining frequent London travel with independent schooling. For road-based travellers, Junction 27 provides access to the M5 north to Bristol and the M4, or south to Exeter and the A38.
Transport facts: London Paddington in approximately 2 hours by GWR direct. M5 Junction 27 for national road access north and south. Good car parking at station. Central Devon’s best-positioned rail-road interchange.
Newton Abbot — Best for South Devon Connectivity
Newton Abbot is the key rail junction for South Devon, with direct services to Exeter, Plymouth, and London Paddington. The station sits on the main GWR line, with additional connections to the Torquay and Paignton branch. For professionals based anywhere in the South Devon area — from the South Hams to the Torbay coast — Newton Abbot provides the most practical mainline railhead, with London Paddington reachable in under three hours on direct services.
The town’s position on the A38 Devon Expressway gives straightforward road access to Plymouth (approximately 30 minutes) and Exeter (approximately 30 minutes), and the M5 is reachable via either city. For South Devon professionals who need regular travel to London, Bristol, or further north, Newton Abbot is the practical answer to the county’s otherwise challenging transport geography.
Transport facts: London Paddington under 3 hours direct. Exeter 30 minutes, Plymouth 30 minutes by road or rail. A38 Devon Expressway access. South Devon’s main rail interchange.
Okehampton — Best for Improving Connectivity
Okehampton is worth particular mention for those planning a longer-term move, as its transport credentials are improving significantly. The Dartmoor Line — reopened in 2021 after nearly 50 years — now provides hourly services to Exeter St Davids in around 40 minutes. A new West Devon Transport Hub station east of the town is under construction as of early 2025, due to open in 2026, adding improved cycle and EV charging facilities. Proposals to extend the line onward to Tavistock are under active consideration.
For professionals who want Dartmoor access and a genuinely affordable West Devon market town alongside improving rail connectivity, Okehampton represents one of Devon’s most interesting medium-term transport investment stories. It is also one of the more affordable places to buy property in the county, with house prices considerably below Exeter or the South Hams.
Transport facts: Dartmoor Line to Exeter in 40 minutes (hourly). New West Devon Transport Hub station opening 2026. A30 road access to Exeter and beyond. One of Devon’s best transport improvement stories.
Exmouth — Best for Coastal Commuters Needing Exeter Access
Exmouth’s Avocet Line rail service to Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids — with services running frequently throughout the day — makes it one of Devon’s best-connected coastal towns for those working in or through Exeter. The journey takes around 30–35 minutes and feeds directly into Exeter’s mainline connections. For coastal-living professionals who need Exeter several days a week, Exmouth is a practical and beautiful option that avoids the compromise of living inland.
The Exe Estuary Ferry provides an additional connection to Starcross on the opposite bank, giving Exmouth residents flexible options for accessing the mainline at Dawlish and beyond. The town’s improving infrastructure, strong community, and excellent beach make it one of Devon’s most liveable coastal bases for the travelling professional.
Transport facts: Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids in 30–35 minutes on Avocet Line, frequent services. Exeter Airport approximately 30 minutes by road. Exe Estuary Ferry to Starcross for Dawlish mainline access.
Devon is a large and varied county. Transport times, broadband availability, and property prices vary significantly between locations. All figures quoted are approximate and based on publicly available data at time of writing. Prospective buyers and renters should verify transport connections, broadband provision by specific postcode, school catchment areas, and property values independently before making any move decisions. For rural properties in particular, broadband verification before exchange is strongly advised.
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