10 Romantic Things to Do in Devon for a Dreamy UK Honeymoon

Wondering where to go for a UK honeymoon? Devon is one of England’s most romantic destinations. From secluded beaches and wild moorland walks to candlelit pubs and stargazing, these 10 dreamy, romantic things to do in Devon are perfect for couples celebrating the start of married life.

This blog’s author, Suzy Bennett, has been helping newly-weds enjoy honeymoons and mini-moons at Devon’s Moorland View Cottage for over 20 years.

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Start your married life surrounded by rolling Devon hills at Moorland View Cottage, a dreamy honeymoon hideaway.

1. Stay in a Traditional Devon Thatched Cottage

Enjoy all the luxury of a boutique hotel, with the space and privacy of your own home, at Moorland View, the perfect romantic Devon cottage for honeymoons or mini-moons. Nestled in an idyllic thatched village in the hills of Dartmoor National Park, Moorland View is just a short drive from a five-star spa and country club, where you can relax in the pool, sauna, or enjoy sports facilities.
🛌 Discover our luxury honeymoon cottage in Devon

2. Take to the Skies

For couples wanting a dash of adventure to their Devon honeymoon, nothing beats a hot air balloon flight at dawn or dusk over Dartmoor’s epic landscapes. Virgin Balloon Rides offer group flights from nearby Okehampton, with prices from £179 per person.. On a clear day you may see as far as Yes Tor or even High Willhays –the highest point on Dartmoor and the highest in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. You might also spot some of the famous Dartmoor ponies as they roam semi-wild across the moorland. Flights along Devon’s stunning south coast are also available.
🛌 After your sky-high adventure, return to the comfort and charm of Moorland View — book your stay now

3. Walk Along a Dartmoor Gorge

Discover one of Devon’s most romantic walks along the Teign River. This two-hour route takes you along an oak-lined gorge, past a fairytale castle, an ancient stone bridge and a traditional pub. Take Hunter’s Path for elevated views, or follow Fisherman’s Path along the wooded riverbank, spotting kingfishers, woodpeckers, trout, salmon, and even otters. Stop at Fingle Bridge Inn for a riverside drink or picnic. In spring, the woodlands here are carpeted with bluebells and daffodils.
🗝️ SECRET WALKS. Our best-kept secret walks are saved for our guests. Book a stay with us and we’ll reveal our hidden Dartmoor.

4. Bask on the Beach

Devon is home to some of the UK’s most stunning beaches, perfect for honeymooners seeking a romantic day out. Blackpool Sands has a mile-long shingle beach and charming cafe. Thurlestone is another romantic spot, complete with a rustic beach shack cafe serving delicious local food.
🗝️ SECRET BEACHES. Dreaming of your own private slice of sand? Book a stay with us and we’ll reveal hidden Devon coves that you’ll have (almost) to yourselves - even in the height of summer

Fingle Gorge

Stargazing on Hound Tor

We’ll reveal our favourite secret beaches and hidden coves when you book a stay with us!

Take a romantic hot-air balloon flight on your Devon honeymoon

5. Boat Up the River Dart

Sail along the River Dart, winding from Dartmoor to Dartmouth, for a picture-perfect Devon honeymoon experience. Choose from charming yachts, pleasure boats, or the UK’s last coal-fired paddle steamer. For ultimate privacy, hire the Banquet Boat for two, complete with bespoke menu, champagne, and stops at secluded bays.
🛌 Finish your romantic day on the water by returning to Moorland View — book your stay now

6. Take a Vineyard Tour

Sandridge Barton is a romantic must-see, offering breathtaking views of the River Dart and Capability Brown-designed hillsides. Taste sparkling and white wines, paired with local cheeses, and enjoy lunch at their stunning Roam restaurant. Pre-booking is essential for a truly indulgent Devon honeymoon experience.
🛌 After your wine-tasting adventure, retreat to the comfort of Moorland View — find out more

7. Enjoy a Tête-à-Tête in Grade-I Listed Gardens

The Endsleigh Gardens in the Tamar Valley are a fairy-tale destination for a Devon cottage honeymoon. Wander the Grade-I listed gardens, with grottos, hidden glades, and shell houses, before indulging in a Devonshire cream tea by the fireside in the grand drawing room.
🛌 After your visit, return to the privacy of your own Devon honeymoon cottage

8. Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

For a special night out, Gidleigh Park offers Michelin-starred dining in a Tudor-style country manor set in 107 acres of Dartmoor woodland. Creative menus and a 50-page wine list make it a must for honeymooners who love fine dining. A pre-dinner romantic walk around the grounds completes the experience.
🛌 After a gourmet evening out, return to your private luxury Devon cottage. Click to find out more

9. Lunch at the River Exe Café

For a quirky, unforgettable lunch, hop on a water taxi to the River Exe Café, a floating shed serving ultra-fresh seafood. Arrive via the Topsham–Exmouth cycle path for a scenic journey. Open in summer only, booking is essential.
🗝️ SECRET PLACES TO EAT. Want to know more local gems? Book a stay at Moorland View now and we’ll send you a password to unlock all our favourite places to eat that you won’t find in any guidebook

10. Stargaze
Our best idea for a gorgeous Devon cottage honeymoon is to go stargazing. With clear, dark nights, Dartmoor is a fantastic place to view the night sky, with the Milky Way often clearly visible.  
🗝️ SECRET STARGAZING SPOTS. Want to know where the best place near North Bovey to stargaze is? We’ll reveal all when you book your stay!

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8 Reasons To Honeymoon With Us

Eight reasons why you should spend your Devon honeymoon at our dreamy Devon honeymoon cottage

Moorland View is the perfect destination for honeymooners

1. Moorland View is one of the UK’s most romantic holiday cottages for honeymooners

What could be more romantic than spending your Devon honeymoon in a chocolate-box thatched cottage? Geared for lovebirds, Moorland View has sumptuous beds layered in fine linens, a vintage slipper bath for two, romantic log burning stove, wood-beamed walls and dreamy views. We’ve been named one of the UK’s most romantic cottages for honeymooners, with reviews in Tatler, Conde Naste Traveller and The Times.

2. We offer uber-gorgeous cottage honeymoon packages

St John’s Church, in our village, is a popular wedding venue

Our honeymoon package includes a bottle of champagne on ice for your arrival, rose petals for scattering on the bed and a box of delicious artisan chocolates.

3. We’re in one of Devon’s prettiest villages

North Bovey is one of Devon’s most romantic honeymoon destinations, with clusters of thatched cottages grouped around an oak-shaded village green, 13th century church, fabulous pub and fairytale views of Dartmoor.

3. We’re surrounded by wildly romantic countryside, with walks galore

Dartmoor is one of the UK’s largest wildernesses, where walks take you into a world of wuthering moors, lushly wooded glades, gushing rivers and remote thatched hamlets. Check our guide to the most romantic things to do on a Devon honeymoon or mini-moon.

4. You won’t have to cook unless you want to

Some of the UK’s most romantic restaurants and cosiest pubs are on our doorstep, including Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park. We offer a range of luxurious extras, including oven-ready meals and breakfasts, as well as the services of a private chef.

5. You’ll be near a luxury spa and country club

Swim in their beautiful pool overlooking the moor, enjoy fine dining or a cream tea in their elegant lounge or stroll around their beautiful grounds.

Your own log fire

6. You’ll have all the luxury of staying in a hotel, but with oodles more space and privacy

Your own log fire, your own sofa ... there’s no sharing with complete strangers at Moorland View.

7. You won’t be woken up by other guests, or by housekeeping knocking on your door

Moorland View is in an incredible peaceful village, where the only sounds are birdsong, distant church bells and the occasional clip-clopping of horses’ hooves. Far more romantic than hearing your neighbour’s toilet flushing, or housekeeping knocking on your door, wouldn’t you agree?

8. We won’t fail you

We’ve been welcoming honeymooners for over 17 years, with 100% five-star reviews on Tripadvisor. Many of our couples come back year after year for their anniversaries.

RELATED ARTICLES

Eight Ideas For A Devon Mini-Moon

8 ROMANTIC THINGS TO DO ON A DEVON MINI-MOON

Only have time for a mini-moon or short honeymoon? Here are eight romantic ideas for things to do on a UK mini-moon that are right on our doorstep.

Moorland View is the perfect mini-moon escape

1. Stay in a chocolate-box thatched cottage

With a log fire, wood-beamed walls, vintage slipper bath for two and rose garden, luxury holiday cottage, Moorland View, is one of the UK’s most romantic places to stay for a mini-moon or short honeymoon.

2. Have a spa treatment in a castle

Bovey Castle

Ok, so it’s not actually a castle, but what Bovey Castle lacks in heritage, it makes up for with fabulous facilities and sweeping views. Set on a private sporting estate just up the river from Moorland View, this luxury hotel has an 18-hole championship golf course, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, fly-fishing lake, croquet lawn and archery arena. Huge stone fireplaces, soaring ceilings, ornate panelling, squishy sofas and terraces with epic views make it one of the grandest destinations on Dartmoor. The 20-minute walk from the cottage along the river, across old stone bridges and through woodlands, is beautiful.

3. Walk a Dartmoor gorge

Fingle Gorge

Taking in a fairytale castle, oak-lined gorge, ancient stone bridge and traditional pub, this two-hour walk along the Teign River makes an ultra-romantic mini-moon destination. Hunter’s Path runs higher up the valley, offering epic views, while Fisherman’s Path traces the spectacular wooded riverbank path, where kingfishers and woodpeckers dart between shaded pools, and trout, salmon and otters frolic in deep, clear waters. The small rocky beaches are perfect places for picnics and toe-dipping. Look out for glimpses of Prestonbury Castle Iron Age hill fort on the other side of the valley. At the bottom of the gorge is the age-old Fingle bridge, which has recessed buttresses for packhorses to pass, and Fingle Bridge Inn, which serves a mean cream tea and has a pretty terrace overlooking the river. In spring, the woodlands here are carpeted with bluebells and daffodils. > More Dartmoor walks

4. Horse ride across the moor

For an adventurous mini-moon idea, book in for a canter across the moors. Shilstone Rock Stables, in Widecombe in the Moor, is the most safety conscious stable around, and offers hacks in small groups tailored to experience. > More Dartmoor activities

5. Take a road trip

There’s no better way to blow away the cobwebs on a UK mini-moon than with a drive across the high moor. Our most romantic scenic drive takes in epic moorland, pretty thatched hamlets and the remains of a Bronze Age village. 

6. Hunker down in a cosy country pub

Our friendly village pub, the Ring of Bells, has recently reopened after being destroyed in a fire, with a like-for-like restoration that has melded medieval features with a fresh, modern feel. Spend one of your mini-moon evenings next to one of the log-burning stoves and tuck into some Dartmoor-bred lamb or fresh fish landed in nearby Brixham. The sunny pub garden is one of Dartmoor’s prettiest. > More country pubs

7. Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant

Gidleigh Park is a grand Tudor-style country manor hotel, set in 107 acres of Dartmoor woodland outside Chagford. Creative menus are delivered with pin sharp accuracy, and there’s a 50-page wine list to choose from. Well worth the £100+ price tag. Work up an appetite with a walk around the grounds. > More restaurants

8. Go stargazing

Star-gazing on Hound Tor

Our last idea for your UK mini-moon is to go stargazing. With clear, dark nights, Dartmoor is a fantastic place to view the night sky, with the Milky Way often clearly visible.  Grab a picnic rug from the cottage, a torch, blanket and bottle of wine and head to the top of Hound Tor, one of the most atmospheric and easily accessible spots to stargaze. You’ll find full details in the cottage.
> Guided tours