# Devon

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County of England

"Devonshire" redirects here. For other uses, see [Devon (disambiguation)](/source/Devon_(disambiguation)) and [Devonshire (disambiguation)](/source/Devonshire_(disambiguation)).

Non-metropolitan and ceremonial county in England

Devon Non-metropolitan and ceremonial county Clockwise from top: the Devon coast at Combe Martin; ponies on Dartmoor; and Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth Hoe Devon within England Coordinates: 50°42′N 3°48′W / 50.7°N 3.8°W / 50.7; -3.8 Sovereign state United Kingdom Constituent country England Region South West England Established Ancient Time zone UTC+0 (GMT) • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST) UK Parliament List of MPs Police Devon and Cornwall Police Fire Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service County town Exeter Largest city Plymouth Ceremonial county Lord Lieutenant David Fursdon[1] High Sheriff Mark Picton Ansell[2] Area [3] 6,707 km2 (2,590 sq mi) • Rank 4th of 48 Population (2024)[3] 1,254,506 • Rank 11th of 48 • Density 187/km2 (480/sq mi) Non-metropolitan county County council Devon County Council Control No overall control Admin HQ Exeter Area [4] 6,564 km2 (2,534 sq mi) • Rank 1st of 21 Population (2024)[4] 842,313 • Rank 11th of 21 • Density 128/km2 (330/sq mi) ISO 3166-2 GB-DEV GSS code E10000008 ITL UKK43 Website devon.gov.uk Unitary authorities Councils Plymouth City Council Torbay Council Districts Districts of Devon Unitary district Non-metropolitan district Districts List North Devon Torridge Mid Devon East Devon Exeter West Devon Teignbridge Plymouth South Hams Torbay

**Devon** ([/ˈdɛvən/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*DEV-ən*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); historically also known as **Devonshire** [/-ʃɪər, -ʃər/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*-⁠sheer*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key), [*-⁠shər*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key)) is a [ceremonial county](/source/Ceremonial_county) in [South West England](/source/South_West_England). It is bordered by the [Bristol Channel](/source/Bristol_Channel) to the north, [Somerset](/source/Somerset) and [Dorset](/source/Dorset) to the east, the [English Channel](/source/English_Channel) to the south, and [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall) to the west. The city of [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth) is the largest settlement.

The county has an area of 2,590 mi2 (6,700 km2) and had an estimated population of 1,254,506 in 2024. The south of the county is more densely populated than the north, with Plymouth in the south-west and the city of Exeter in the south-east. The [seaside resorts](/source/Seaside_resort) of [Torquay](/source/Torquay) and [Paignton](/source/Paignton) are adjacent to each other in the south. The largest town in the north is [Barnstaple](/source/Barnstaple). For local government purposes, Devon comprises a [non-metropolitan county](/source/Non-metropolitan_county), with eight districts, and the [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authorities_of_England) areas of [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth_City_Council) and [Torbay](/source/Torbay_Council). [Devon County Council](/source/Devon_County_Council) and [Torbay Council](/source/Torbay_Council) collaborate through a [combined county authority](/source/Combined_county_authority).

Devon has a varied geography. It contains [Dartmoor](/source/Dartmoor) and part of [Exmoor](/source/Exmoor), two upland moors that are the source of most of the county's rivers, including the [Taw](/source/River_Taw), [Dart](/source/River_Dart), and [Exe](/source/River_Exe). The longest river in the county is the [Tamar](/source/River_Tamar), which forms most of the border with Cornwall and rises in Devon's northwest hills. The southeast coast is part of the [Jurassic Coast](/source/Jurassic_Coast) [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site), and characterised by tall cliffs that reveal the [Triassic](/source/Triassic), [Jurassic](/source/Jurassic) and [Cretaceous](/source/Cretaceous) geology of the region. The county gives its name to the [Devonian](/source/Devonian) geologic period, which includes the slates and sandstones of the north coast. Dartmoor and Exmoor have been designated [national parks](/source/National_parks_of_the_United_Kingdom), and the county also contains, in whole or in part, five [national landscapes](/source/National_landscape).

In the [Iron Age](/source/British_Iron_Age), [Roman](/source/Roman_Britain) and the [Sub-Roman](/source/Sub-Roman_Britain) periods, the county was the home of the [Dumnonii](/source/Dumnonii) [Celtic Britons](/source/Celtic_Britons). The [Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain](/source/Anglo-Saxon_settlement_of_Britain) resulted in the partial assimilation of Dumnonia into the kingdom of [Wessex](/source/Wessex) in the eighth and ninth centuries, and the western boundary with Cornwall was set at the Tamar by king [Æthelstan](/source/%C3%86thelstan) in 936.

## Toponymy

The name *Devon* derives from the [Dumnonii](/source/Dumnonii), which is the name of the [Brythons](/source/Brythons) who inhabited the southwestern peninsula of Britain at the time of the [Roman conquest of Britain](/source/Roman_conquest_of_Britain). [Dumnonii](/source/Dumnonii) is thought to mean 'deep valley dwellers' from [Proto-Celtic](/source/Proto-Celtic) **dubnos* 'deep'. In the [Brittonic languages](/source/Brittonic_languages), Devon is known as [Welsh](/source/Welsh_language): *Dyfnaint*, [Breton](/source/Breton_language): *Devnent* and [Cornish](/source/Cornish_language): *Dewnens*, each meaning 'deep valleys'. (For an account of Celtic *[Dumnonia](/source/Dumnonia)*, see the separate article.) Among the most common Devon placenames is *-combe*, which derives from Brittonic *cwm* meaning 'valley' usually prefixed by the name of the possessor.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

[William Camden](/source/William_Camden), in his 1607 edition of *Britannia*, described Devon as being one part of an older, wider country that once included [Cornwall](/source/Cornwall):

THAT region which, according to the Geographers, is the first of all Britaine, and, growing straiter still and narrower, shooteth out farthest into the West, [...] was in antient time inhabited by those Britans whom Solinus called Dumnonii, Ptolomee Damnonii [...] For their habitation all over this Countrey is somewhat low and in valleys, which manner of dwelling is called in the British tongue Dan-munith, in which sense also the Province next adjoyning in like respect is at this day named by the Britans Duffneit, that is to say, Low valleys. [...] But the Country of this nation is at this day divided into two parts, knowen by later names of Cornwall and Denshire, [...]

— William Camden, *Britannia*.[5]

The term *Devon* is normally used for everyday purposes (e.g., "Devon County Council"), but *Devonshire* has continued to be used in the names of the "[Devonshire and Dorset Regiment](/source/Devonshire_and_Dorset_Regiment)" (until 2007) and "[The Devonshire Association](/source/The_Devonshire_Association)". One erroneous theory is that the *shire* suffix is due to a mistake in the making of the original letters patent for the [Duke of Devonshire](/source/Duke_of_Devonshire#Earls_of_Devonshire), resident in [Derbyshire](/source/Derbyshire). There are references to both *Defnas* and *Defenasċīre* in [Anglo-Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxon) texts from before 1000 CE (the former is a name for the "people of Devon" and the latter would mean 'Shire of the Devonians'),[6] which translates to modern English as *Devonshire*. The term Devonshire may have originated around the 8th century, when it changed from *Dumnonia* ([Latin](/source/Latin)) to *Defenasċīr*.[7]

## History

Main article: [History of Devon](/source/History_of_Devon)

### Human occupation

[Menhir](/source/Menhir) at [Drizzlecombe](/source/Drizzlecombe)

[Kents Cavern](/source/Kents_Cavern) in [Torquay](/source/Torquay) had produced human remains from 30 to 40,000 years ago. [Dartmoor](/source/Dartmoor) is thought to have been occupied by [Mesolithic](/source/Mesolithic) [hunter-gatherer](/source/Hunter-gatherer) peoples from about 6000 BC. The Romans held the area under military occupation for around 350 years. Later, the area began to experience Saxon incursions from the east around 600 AD, firstly as small bands of settlers along the coasts of [Lyme Bay](/source/Lyme_Bay) and southern estuaries and later as more organised bands pushing in from the east. Devon became a frontier between [Brittonic](/source/Britons_(Celtic_people)) and [Anglo-Saxon](/source/Anglo-Saxon) Wessex, and it was largely absorbed into Wessex by the mid ninth century.

A genetic study carried out by the [University of Oxford](/source/University_of_Oxford) and [University College London](/source/University_College_London) discovered separate genetic groups in Cornwall and Devon. Not only were there differences on either side of the River Tamar—with a division almost exactly following the modern county boundary,[8] but also between Devon and the rest of Southern England. Devon's population also exhibited similarities with modern northern France, including [Brittany](/source/Brittany). This suggests the Anglo-Saxon migration into Devon was limited, rather than a mass movement of people.[9][10]

The border with Cornwall was set by King [Æthelstan](/source/%C3%86thelstan) on the east bank of the [River Tamar](/source/River_Tamar) in 936 AD. Danish raids also occurred sporadically along many coastal parts of Devon between around 800AD and just before the time of the Norman conquest, including the silver mint at *Hlidaforda* [Lydford](/source/Lydford) in 997 and Taintona (a settlement on the [Teign](/source/River_Teign) estuary) in 1001.[11]

Devon was the home of a number of [anticlerical](/source/Anticlerical) movements in the [Later Middle Ages](/source/Later_Middle_Ages). For example, the [Order of Brothelyngham](/source/Order_of_Brothelyngham)—a fake [monastic order](/source/Monastic_order) of 1348—regularly rode through Exeter, kidnapping both religious men and laymen, and extorting money from them as ransom.[12]

Devon has also featured in most of the civil conflicts in England since the [Norman conquest](/source/Norman_conquest), including the [Wars of the Roses](/source/Wars_of_the_Roses), [Perkin Warbeck](/source/Perkin_Warbeck)'s rising in 1497, the [Prayer Book Rebellion](/source/Prayer_Book_Rebellion) of 1549, and the [English Civil War](/source/English_Civil_War). The arrival of [William of Orange](/source/William_III_of_England) to launch the [Glorious Revolution](/source/Glorious_Revolution) of 1688 took place at [Brixham](/source/Brixham).[13]

Devon has produced [tin](/source/Tin), copper and other metals from ancient times. Devon's tin miners enjoyed a substantial degree of independence through [Devon's Stannary Convocation](/source/Devon's_Stannary_Convocation), which dates back to the 12th century. The last recorded sitting was in 1748.[14]

## Geography

See also: [List of hills of Devon](/source/List_of_hills_of_Devon)

[Heathland](/source/Heath_(habitat)) at [Woodbury Common](/source/Woodbury_Common%2C_Devon) in south east Devon

Cliffs in Devon

[Ilfracombe](/source/Ilfracombe), on the coast of [North Devon](/source/North_Devon)

Devon straddles [a peninsula](/source/South_West_Peninsula) and so, uniquely among English counties, has two separate coastlines: on the Bristol Channel and [Celtic Sea](/source/Celtic_Sea) in the north, and on the English Channel in the south.[15] The South West Coast Path runs along the entire length of both, around 65% of which is named as [Heritage Coast](/source/Heritage_Coast). Devon is the [third largest county](/source/Historic_counties_of_England#List_of_counties) by area and the largest of the counties not divided into county-like divisions (only Yorkshire and Lincolnshire were larger and both were sub-divided into ridings or parts, respectively).[16] It is likewise the third largest administrative county. [Ceremonially](/source/List_of_ceremonial_counties_of_England) it has ranked fourth by area since 1974 due to the creation of Cumbria, a situation which was mirrored administratively from 1974 till 2023. The island of [Lundy](/source/Lundy) and the reef of [Eddystone](/source/Eddystone_Rocks) are also in Devon. The county has more mileage of road than any other county in England.

Inland, the [Dartmoor National Park](/source/Dartmoor_National_Park) lies wholly in Devon, and the [Exmoor National Park](/source/Exmoor_National_Park) lies in both Devon and Somerset. Apart from these areas of high moorland the county has attractive rolling rural scenery and villages with [thatched](/source/Thatch) [cob](/source/Cob_(building)) cottages. All these features make Devon a popular [holiday](/source/Tourism) destination.

In [South Devon](/source/South_Devon), the landscape consists of rolling hills dotted with small towns, such as [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth%2C_England), [Ivybridge](/source/Ivybridge), [Kingsbridge](/source/Kingsbridge), [Salcombe](/source/Salcombe), and [Totnes](/source/Totnes). The towns of [Torquay](/source/Torquay) and [Paignton](/source/Paignton) are the principal seaside resorts on the south coast. East Devon has the first seaside resort to be developed in the county, [Exmouth](/source/Exmouth%2C_Devon) and the more upmarket Georgian town of [Sidmouth](/source/Sidmouth), headquarters of the East Devon District Council. Exmouth marks the western end of the Jurassic Coast [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site). Another notable feature is the [coastal railway line](/source/Exeter_to_Plymouth_Line) between Newton Abbot and the Exe Estuary: the red sandstone cliffs and sea views are very dramatic and in the resorts railway line and beaches are very near.

North Devon is very rural with few major towns except [Barnstaple](/source/Barnstaple), [Great Torrington](/source/Great_Torrington), [Bideford](/source/Bideford) and [Ilfracombe](/source/Ilfracombe). Devon's Exmoor coast has the highest cliffs in southern Britain, culminating in the [Great Hangman](/source/Great_Hangman), a 318 m (1,043 ft) "hog's-back" hill with a 250 m (820 ft) cliff-face, located near Combe Martin Bay.[17] Its sister cliff is the 218 m (715 ft) Little Hangman, which marks the western edge of coastal Exmoor. One of the features of the North Devon coast is that [Bideford Bay](/source/Bideford_Bay) and the [Hartland Point](/source/Hartland_Point) peninsula are both west-facing, Atlantic facing coastlines; so that a combination of an off-shore (east) wind and an Atlantic swell produce excellent surfing conditions. The beaches of Bideford Bay ([Woolacombe](/source/Woolacombe), [Saunton](/source/Saunton), [Westward Ho!](/source/Westward_Ho!) and [Croyde](/source/Croyde)), along with parts of North Cornwall and South Wales, are the main centres of surfing in Britain.

### Geology

See also: [Geology of Dartmoor National Park](/source/Geology_of_Dartmoor_National_Park) and [Geology of Exmoor National Park](/source/Geology_of_Exmoor_National_Park)

Geological map of Wales & Southwest England

A geological dividing line cuts across Devon roughly along the line of the [Bristol to Exeter line](/source/Bristol_to_Exeter_line) and the [M5 motorway](/source/M5_motorway) east of Tiverton and Exeter. It is a part of the [Tees–Exe line](/source/Tees%E2%80%93Exe_line) broadly dividing Britain into a southeastern lowland zone typified by gently dipping [sedimentary rocks](/source/Sedimentary_rock) and a northwestern upland zone typified by [igneous rocks](/source/Igneous_rock) and folded sedimentary and [metamorphic rocks](/source/Metamorphic_rock).

The principal geological components of Devon are i) the [Devonian](/source/Devonian) [strata](/source/Strata) of north Devon and south west Devon (and extending into Cornwall); ii) the [Culm Measures](/source/Culm_Measures) (north western Devon also extending into north Cornwall); and iii) the granite [intrusion](/source/Intrusion) of Dartmoor in central Devon, part of the [Cornubian batholith](/source/Cornubian_batholith) forming the 'spine' of the southwestern peninsula. There are [blocks](/source/Clastic_rock) of Silurian and Ordovician rocks within Devonian strata on the south Devon coast but otherwise no pre-Devonian rocks on the Devon mainland. The metamorphic rocks of Eddystone are of presumed Precambrian age.[18]

The oldest rocks that can be dated are those of the Devonian period, which are approximately 395–359 million years old. Sandstones and shales were deposited in North and South Devon beneath tropical seas. In shallower waters, limestone beds were laid down in the area now near Torquay and Plymouth.[19] This geological period was named after Devon by [Roderick Murchison](/source/Roderick_Murchison) and [Adam Sedgwick](/source/Adam_Sedgwick) in the 1840s and is the only British county whose name is used worldwide as the basis for a geological time period.[20]

Devon's second major rock system[21] is the Culm Measures, a geological formation of the [Carboniferous](/source/Carboniferous) period that occurs principally in Devon and Cornwall. The measures are so called either from the occasional presence of a soft, sooty coal, which is known in Devon as *culm*, or from the contortions commonly found in the beds.[22] This formation stretches from Bideford to [Bude](/source/Bude) in Cornwall, and contributes to a gentler, greener, more rounded landscape. It is also found on the western, north and eastern borders of Dartmoor.

The sedimentary rocks in more eastern parts of the county include [Permian](/source/Permian) and [Triassic](/source/Triassic) sandstones (giving rise to east Devon's well known fertile red soils); [Bunter pebble beds](/source/Bunter_(geology)) around Budleigh Salterton and Woodbury Common and [Jurassic](/source/Jurassic) rocks in the easternmost parts of Devon. Smaller outcrops of younger rocks also exist, such as Cretaceous [chalk](/source/Chalk) cliffs at Beer Head and gravels on Haldon, plus [Eocene](/source/Eocene) and [Oligocene](/source/Oligocene) [ball clay](/source/Ball_clay) and [lignite](/source/Lignite) deposits in the Bovey Basin, formed around 50 million years ago under tropical forest conditions.

### Climate

See also: [Dartmoor § Climate](/source/Dartmoor#Climate), and [climate of south-west England](/source/Climate_of_south-west_England)

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Devon generally has a cool oceanic climate, heavily influenced by the [North Atlantic Drift](/source/North_Atlantic_Drift). In winter, snow is relatively uncommon away from high land, although there are a few exceptions. The county has mild summers with occasional warm spells and cool rainy periods. Winters are generally cool and the county often experiences some of the mildest winters in the world for its high latitude, with average daily maximum temperatures in January at 8 °C (46 °F). Rainfall varies significantly across the county, ranging from over 2,000 mm (79 in) on parts of Dartmoor, to around 750 mm (30 in) in the [rain shadow](/source/Rain_shadow) along the coast in southeastern Devon and around Exeter. Sunshine amounts also vary widely: the moors are generally cloudy, with the uplands near Princetown receiving less than 1,400 hours of sunshine annually, but the SE coast around Brixham and Berry Head receives more than 1,800 hours annually and is one of the sunniest areas of the UK. With westerly or south-westerly winds and high pressure the area around Torbay and Teignmouth will often be warm, with long sunny spells due to shelter by high ground ([Foehn wind](/source/Foehn_wind)).

Climate data for Devon Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 8 (46) 8 (46) 10 (50) 13 (55) 16 (61) 19 (66) 21 (70) 21 (70) 19 (66) 15 (59) 12 (54) 9 (48) 13.5 (56.3) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 4 (39) 3 (37) 5 (41) 6 (43) 8 (46) 11 (52) 13 (55) 13 (55) 12 (54) 9 (48) 7 (45) 5 (41) 8 (46) [citation needed]

Fields in south Devon after a snowfall

### Ecology

Ponies grazing on Exmoor near [Brendon](/source/Brendon%2C_Devon), [North Devon](/source/North_Devon)

The variety of habitats means that there is a wide range of wildlife (see [Dartmoor wildlife](/source/Dartmoor_wildlife), for example). A popular challenge among [birders](/source/Birders) is to find over 100 species in the county in a day.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] The county's wildlife is protected by several wildlife charities such as the [Devon Wildlife Trust](/source/Devon_Wildlife_Trust), which looks after 40 nature reserves. The Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society (founded in 1928 and known since 2005 as "Devon Birds") is a county bird society dedicated to the study and conservation of wild birds.[23] The [RSPB](/source/RSPB) has reserves in the county, and [Natural England](/source/Natural_England) is responsible for over 200 Devon [Sites of Special Scientific Interest](/source/Sites_of_Special_Scientific_Interest) and [National Nature Reserves](/source/National_nature_reserves_in_England),[24] such as [Slapton Ley](/source/Slapton_Ley). The [Devon Bat Group](/source/Devon_Bat_Group) was founded in 1984 to help conserve bats. Wildlife found in this area extend to a plethora of different kinds of insects, butterflies and moths; an interesting butterfly to take look at is the [chequered skipper](/source/Carterocephalus_palaemon).

Devon is a national hotspot for several species that are uncommon in Britain, including the [cirl bunting](/source/Cirl_bunting); [greater horseshoe bat](/source/Greater_horseshoe_bat); [Bechstein's bat](/source/Bechstein's_bat) and [Jersey tiger moth](/source/Jersey_tiger_moth). It is also the only place in mainland Britain where the sand crocus (*[Romulea columnae](/source/Romulea_columnae)*) can be found – at Dawlish Warren, and is home to all six British native land reptile species, partly as a result of some reintroductions. Another recent reintroduction is the [Eurasian beaver](/source/Eurasian_beaver), primarily on the river Otter. Other rare species recorded in Devon include seahorses and the sea daffodil.[25][26]

The botany of the county is very diverse and includes some rare species not found elsewhere in the British Isles other than Cornwall. Devon is divided into two [Watsonian vice-counties](/source/Watsonian_vice-counties): north and south, the boundary being an irregular line approximately across the higher part of Dartmoor and then along the canal eastwards. Botanical reports begin in the 17th century and there is a *Flora Devoniensis* by Jones and Kingston in 1829.[27] A general account appeared in *[The Victoria History of the County of Devon](/source/Victoria_County_History#Dormant_counties)* (1906), and a *Flora of Devon* was published in 1939 by [Keble Martin](/source/Keble_Martin) and Fraser.[28] An *Atlas of the Devon Flora* by Ivimey-Cook appeared in 1984, and *A New Flora of Devon*, based on field work undertaken between 2005 and 2014, was published in 2016.[29] Rising temperatures have led to Devon becoming the first place in modern Britain to cultivate olives commercially.[30]

In January 2024, plans were announced to plant over 100,000 trees in northern Devon to support [Celtic rainforests](/source/Celtic_rainforest), which are cherished yet at risk ecosystems in the UK. The project aims to create 50 hectares of new rainforest across three sites, planting trees near existing rainforest areas along the coast and inland. Among the tree species to be planted is the rare [Devon whitebeam](/source/Devon_whitebeam), known for its unique reproduction method and once-popular fruit. Led by the [National Trust](/source/National_Trust) and with the assistance of volunteers and community groups, the initiative will focus on locations in [Exmoor](/source/Exmoor), [Woolacombe](/source/Woolacombe), [Hartland](/source/Hartland%2C_Devon), and [Arlington Court](/source/Arlington_Court).[31]

## Demographics

In the 2021 census, the ceremonial county of Devon had a usual resident population of 1,215,661. The ceremonial county of Devon is divided between one non-metropolitan county: Devon County Council, which, in the 2021 census, had a usual resident population of 811,642, and two unitary authorities: Plymouth City Council, which, in the 2021 census, had a usual resident population of 264,695, and Torbay Council, which, in the 2021 census, had a usual resident population of 139,324.

### Ethnicity

For the overwhelming majority of Devon’s history, the population of the ceremonial county was ethnically homogeneous, with the population being of White British ethnicity. In the 2021 census, the ethnic composition of the ceremonial county of Devon comprised: 95.8% White; 1.6% Asian; 0.5% Black; 1.5% Mixed; and 0.6% Other.

- White (95.8%): English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British (91.8%); Irish (0.5%); Gypsy or Irish Traveller (0.1%); Roma (0.1%); and Other White (3.4%).

- Asian (1.6%): Indian (0.4%); Pakistani (0.1%); Bangladeshi (0.1%); Chinese (0.4%); and Other Asian (0.6%).

- Black (0.5%): African (0.3%); Caribbean (0.1%); and Other Black (0.1%).

- Mixed (1.5%): White and Asian (0.5%); White and Black African (0.2%); White and Black Caribbean (0.3%); and Other Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups (0.4%).

- Other (0.6%): Arab (0.2%) and Any other ethnic group (0.4%).

**Note:** Sub-group totals may not sum exactly to the group total due to rounding. Data for the ceremonial county are aggregated from its constituent unitary authorities.

Ethnic groups in Devon (ceremonial county) Ethnic Group 2001 Census[32] 2011 Census[33] 2021 Census[34] White 98.7% 97.3% 95.8% Asian 0.5% 1.2% 1.6% Black 0.1% 0.3% 0.5% Mixed 0.5% 1% 1.5% Other 0.1% 0.3% 0.6%

**Note:** The 2001 census figures for 'Asian' and 'Other' have been adjusted to reflect the 2011 reclassification of the Chinese ethnic group from 'Other' to 'Asian' to allow comparison across census years.

### Religion

Religion in Devon (ceremonial county) (2021 United Kingdom census)

1. [Christianity](/source/Christianity) (46.1%)

1. [No religion](/source/Irreligion) (45.3%)

1. [Islam](/source/Islam) (0.70%)

1. [Buddhism](/source/Buddhism) (0.40%)

1. [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism) (0.20%)

1. [Judaism](/source/Judaism) (0.10%)

1. [Sikhism](/source/Sikhism) (0.00%)

1. Other religion (0.60%)

1. Not stated (6.40%)

In the 2021 census, the religious composition of the ceremonial county of Devon comprised: 46.1% Christian; 45.3% No religion; 0.7% Muslim; 0.4% Buddhist; 0.2% Hindu; 0.1% Jewish; 0.0% Sikh; 0.6% Other religion; and 6.4% Not stated.

Religion in Devon (ceremonial county) Religion 2001 Census[35] 2011 Census[36] 2021 Census[37] Christianity 74.7% 61.0% 46.1% No religion 16.5% 29.4% 45.3% Islam 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% Buddhism 0.2% 0.4% 0.4% Hinduism 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% Judaism 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% Sikhism 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Other religion 0.4% 0.5% 0.6% Not stated 7.7% 8.0% 6.4%

#### Ancient and medieval history

The region of Devon was the dominion of the pre-Roman Dumnonii [Celtic tribe](/source/Celtic_tribe), known as the "Deep Valley Dwellers". The region to the west of Exeter was less Romanised than the rest of Roman Britain since it was considered a remote part of the province. After the formal Roman withdrawal from Britain in AD 410, one of the leading Dumnonii families attempted to create a dynasty and rule over Devon as the new Kings of Dumnonii.[38]

[Celtic paganism](/source/Celtic_paganism) and [Roman practices](/source/Religion_in_ancient_Rome) were the first known religions in Devon, although in the mid-fourth century AD, Christianity was introduced to Devon.[39][*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In the [Sub-Roman period](/source/Sub-Roman_Britain) the church in the [British Isles](/source/British_Isles) was characterised by some differences in practice from the [Latin Christianity](/source/Latin_Christianity) of the continent of Europe and is known as [Celtic Christianity](/source/Celtic_Christianity);[40][41][42] however it was always in communion with the wider [Roman Catholic Church](/source/Roman_Catholic_Church). Many [Cornish saints](/source/Cornish_saints) are commemorated also in Devon in legends, churches and place-names. [Western Christianity](/source/Western_Christianity) came to Devon when it was over a long period incorporated into the [Kingdom of Wessex](/source/Kingdom_of_Wessex) and the jurisdiction of the bishop of Wessex. [Saint Petroc](/source/Saint_Petroc) is said to have passed through Devon, where ancient dedications to him are even more numerous than in Cornwall: a probable seventeen (plus [Timberscombe](/source/Timberscombe) just over the border in Somerset), compared to Cornwall's five. The position of churches bearing his name, including one within the old Roman walls of Exeter, are nearly always near the coast, as in those days travelling was done mainly by sea. The Devonian villages of [Petrockstowe](/source/Petrockstowe) and [Newton St Petroc](/source/Newton_St_Petroc) are also named after Saint Petroc and the [flag of Devon](/source/Flag_of_Devon) is dedicated to him.

The history of Christianity in the South West of England remains to some degree obscure. Parts of the historic county of Devon formed part of the diocese of Wessex, while nothing is known of the church organisation of the Celtic areas. About 703 Devon and Cornwall were included in the separate diocese of Sherborne and in 900 this was again divided into two, the Devon bishop having from 905 his seat at Tawton (now [Bishop's Tawton](/source/Bishop's_Tawton)) and from 912 at [Crediton](/source/Crediton), birthplace of St Boniface. [Lyfing](/source/Lyfing%2C_Abbot_of_Tavistock) became [Bishop of Crediton](/source/Bishop_of_Crediton) in 1027 and shortly afterwards became [Bishop of Cornwall](/source/Bishop_of_Cornwall).

The two dioceses of Crediton and Cornwall, covering Devon and Cornwall, were united under [Edward the Confessor](/source/Edward_the_Confessor) by Lyfing's successor [Bishop Leofric](/source/Bishop_Leofric), hitherto Bishop of Crediton, who became first Bishop of Exeter under Edward the Confessor, which was established as his cathedral city in 1050. At first, the abbey church of St Mary and St Peter, founded by Athelstan in 932 and rebuilt in 1019, served as the cathedral.

Devon came under the political influence of several different nobles during the Middle Ages, especially the Courtenays [Earl of Devon](/source/Earl_of_Devon). During the Wars of the Roses, important magnates included the Earl of Devon, [William Bonville, 1st Baron Bonville](/source/William_Bonville%2C_1st_Baron_Bonville), and [Humphrey Stafford, 1st Earl of Devon](/source/Humphrey_Stafford%2C_1st_Earl_of_Devon) whose wider influence stretched from Cornwall to Wiltshire. After 1485, one of the county's influential figures included Henry VII's courtier [Robert Willoughby, 1st Baron Willoughby de Broke](/source/Robert_Willoughby%2C_1st_Baron_Willoughby_de_Broke).[43]

#### Later history

In 1549, the [Prayer Book Rebellion](/source/Prayer_Book_Rebellion) caused the deaths of thousands of people from Devon and Cornwall. During the [English Reformation](/source/English_Reformation), churches in Devon officially became affiliated with the [Church of England](/source/Church_of_England). From the late sixteenth century onwards, zealous Protestantism – or 'puritanism' – became increasingly well-entrenched in some parts of Devon, while other districts of the county remained much more conservative. These divisions would become starkly apparent during the English Civil War of 1642–46, when the county split apart along religious and cultural lines.[44] The [Methodism](/source/Methodism) of [John Wesley](/source/John_Wesley) proved to be very popular with the working classes in Devon in the 19th century. Methodist chapels became important social centres, with male voice choirs and other church-affiliated groups playing a central role in the social lives of working class Devonians. Methodism still plays a large part in the religious life of Devon today, although the county has shared in the post-World War II decline in British religious feeling.

The [Diocese of Exeter](/source/Diocese_of_Exeter) remains the Anglican diocese including the whole of Devon. The [Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Plymouth) was established in the mid 19th century.[45]

## Governance

See also: [2025 Devon County Council election](/source/2025_Devon_County_Council_election) and [Local Government Act 2010](/source/Local_Government_Act_2010)

County Hall, Exeter. Headquarters for Devon County Council.

The administrative centre and capital of Devon is the city of Exeter. The largest city in Devon, Plymouth, and the conurbation of [Torbay](/source/Torbay) (which includes the largest town in Devon and capital of Torbay, Torquay, as well as Paignton and Brixham) have been [unitary authorities](/source/Unitary_authorities_of_England) since 1998, separate from the remainder of Devon which is administered by [Devon County Council](/source/Devon_County_Council) for the purposes of local government.

Devon County Council is under [no overall control](/source/No_overall_control), and the political representation of its 60 councillors are: 27 [Liberal Democrats](/source/Liberal_Democrats_(UK)), 16 [Reform UK](/source/Reform_UK), 7 [Conservatives](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)), 6 [Greens](/source/Green_Party_of_England_and_Wales), and 4 [Independents](/source/Independent_politician).[46]

At the [2024 general election](/source/2024_United_Kingdom_general_election), Devon returned six Liberal Democrats, four Conservatives and three Labour MPs to the [House of Commons](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom).[47]

### Hundreds

Historically Devon was divided into 32 [hundreds](/source/Hundred_(county_subdivision)):[48] [Axminster](/source/Axminster_Hundred), [Bampton](/source/Bampton_Hundred), [Black Torrington](/source/Black_Torrington_Hundred), [Braunton](/source/Braunton_Hundred), [Cliston](/source/Cliston_Hundred), [Coleridge](/source/Coleridge_Hundred), [Colyton](/source/Colyton_Hundred), [Crediton](/source/Crediton_Hundred), [East Budleigh](/source/East_Budleigh_Hundred), [Ermington](/source/Ermington_Hundred), [Exminster](/source/Exminster_Hundred), [Fremington](/source/Fremington_Hundred), [Halberton](/source/Halberton_Hundred), [Hartland](/source/Hartland_Hundred), [Hayridge](/source/Hayridge_Hundred), [Haytor](/source/Haytor_Hundred), [Hemyock](/source/Hemyock_Hundred), [Lifton](/source/Lifton_Hundred), [North Tawton and Winkleigh](/source/North_Tawton_and_Winkleigh_Hundred), [Ottery](/source/Ottery_Hundred), [Plympton](/source/Plympton_Hundred), [Roborough](/source/Roborough_Hundred), [Shebbear](/source/Shebbear_Hundred), [Shirwell](/source/Shirwell_Hundred), [South Molton](/source/South_Molton_Hundred), [Stanborough](/source/Stanborough_Hundred), [Tavistock](/source/Tavistock_Hundred), [Teignbridge](/source/Teignbridge_Hundred), [Tiverton](/source/Tiverton_Hundred), [West Budleigh](/source/West_Budleigh_Hundred), [Witheridge](/source/Witheridge_Hundred), and [Wonford](/source/Wonford_Hundred).

### Combined County Authority

Main article: [Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority](/source/Devon_and_Torbay_Combined_County_Authority)

[Devon County Council](/source/Devon_County_Council) and [Torbay Council](/source/Torbay_Council) are constituent members of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, which has devolved powers over transport, housing, skills, and support for business.[49]

The authority consists of 12 members: six constituent members with full voting rights, four non-constituent members who do not have voting powers unless extended to them by the constituent members, and two associate members who cannot vote. Devon County Council and Torbay Council each choose half of the constituent members. Two of the non-constituent members are selected collectively by the district councils of Devon to represent their interests, and one is reserved for the [Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner](/source/Devon_and_Cornwall_Police_and_Crime_Commissioner). The remaining non-constituent member and the two associate members are elected by the constituent members of the authority.[50][51]

### Proposed local government reorganisation

Main article: [Upcoming structural changes to local government in England § Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay](/source/Upcoming_structural_changes_to_local_government_in_England#Devon,_Plymouth,_and_Torbay)

As of 2026 there are five separate proposals to reorganise local government in Devon into one, three or four [unitary authorities](/source/Unitary_authorities_of_England). These would see the current structure of the county council and districts abolished. Government consultation on these five proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.[52]

## Settlements

Main articles: [List of places in Devon](/source/List_of_places_in_Devon) and [List of towns and cities in Devon by population](/source/List_of_towns_and_cities_in_Devon_by_population)

The inner harbour, [Brixham](/source/Brixham), south Devon, at low tide

The main settlements in Devon are the cities of Plymouth, a historic port now administratively independent, Exeter, the [county town](/source/County_town), and [Torbay](/source/Torbay), the county's tourist centre. Devon's coast is lined with tourist resorts, many of which grew rapidly with the arrival of the railways in the 19th century. Examples include Dawlish, [Exmouth](/source/Exmouth%2C_Devon) and Sidmouth on the south coast, and [Ilfracombe](/source/Ilfracombe) and [Lynmouth](/source/Lynmouth) on the north. The Torbay conurbation of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham on the south coast is now administratively independent of the county. Rural [market towns](/source/Market_town) in the county include Barnstaple, Bideford, [Honiton](/source/Honiton), [Newton Abbot](/source/Newton_Abbot), [Okehampton](/source/Okehampton), [Tavistock](/source/Tavistock%2C_Devon), Totnes and [Tiverton](/source/Tiverton%2C_Devon).

The boundary with Cornwall has not always been on the River Tamar as at present: until the late 19th century a few parishes in the Torpoint area were in Devon and five parishes now in north-east Cornwall were in Devon until 1974 (however, for ecclesiastical purposes these were nevertheless in the [Archdeaconry of Cornwall](/source/Archdeaconry_of_Cornwall) and in 1876 became part of the [Diocese of Truro](/source/Diocese_of_Truro)).

## Symbols

### Coat of arms

The coat of arms of Devon County Council

There was no established [coat of arms](/source/Coat_of_arms) for the county until 1926: the arms of the City of Exeter were often used to represent Devon, for instance in the badge of the [Devonshire Regiment](/source/Devonshire_Regiment). During the forming of a county council by the [Local Government Act 1888](/source/Local_Government_Act_1888) adoption of a common seal was required. The seal contained three shields depicting the arms of Exeter along with those of the first chairman and vice-chairman of the council ([Lord Clinton](/source/Charles_Hepburn-Stuart-Forbes-Trefusis%2C_20th_Baron_Clinton) and the [Earl of Morley](/source/Earl_of_Morley)).[53]

On 11 October 1926, the county council received a grant of arms from the [College of Arms](/source/College_of_Arms). The main part of the shield displays a red crowned lion on a silver field, the arms of [Richard Plantagenet, Earl of Cornwall](/source/Richard_Plantagenet%2C_Earl_of_Cornwall). The *chief* or upper portion of the shield depicts an ancient ship on wavers, for Devon's seafaring traditions. The Latin motto adopted was *Auxilio Divino* (by Divine aid), that of Sir [Francis Drake](/source/Francis_Drake). The 1926 grant was of arms alone. On 6 March 1962 a further grant of crest and supporters was obtained. The crest is the head of a [Dartmoor Pony](/source/Dartmoor_Pony) rising from a "Naval Crown". This distinctive form of crown is formed from the sails and sterns of ships, and is associated with the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy). The supporters are a [Devon bull](/source/Devon_bull) and a sea lion.[54][55]

Devon County Council adopted a "ship silhouette" logo after the 1974 reorganisation, adapted from the ship emblem on the coat of arms, but following the loss in 1998 of Plymouth and Torbay re-adopted the coat of arms. In April 2006 the council unveiled a new logo which was to be used in most everyday applications, though the coat of arms will continue to be used for "various civic purposes".[56][57]

### Flag

Main article: [Flag of Devon](/source/Flag_of_Devon)

The flag of the historic county of Devon

Devon also has its own flag which has been dedicated to Saint Petroc, a local [saint](/source/Saint) with dedications throughout Devon and neighbouring counties. The flag was adopted in 2003 after a competition run by [BBC Radio Devon](/source/BBC_Radio_Devon).[58] The winning design was created by website contributor Ryan Sealey, and won 49% of the votes cast. The colours of the flag are those popularly identified with Devon, for example, the colours of the [University of Exeter](/source/University_of_Exeter), the [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) team, and the Green and White flag flown by the first [Viscount Exmouth](/source/Viscount_Exmouth) at the [Bombardment of Algiers](/source/Bombardment_of_Algiers_(1816)) (now on view at the Teign Valley Museum), as well as one of the county's [football](/source/Association_football) teams, [Plymouth Argyle](/source/Plymouth_Argyle). On 17 October 2006, the flag was hoisted for the first time outside County Hall in Exeter to mark Local Democracy Week, receiving official recognition from the county council.[59] In 2019 [Devon County Council](/source/Devon_County_Council) with the support of both the Anglican and Catholic churches in Exeter and Plymouth, officially recognised [Saint Boniface](/source/Saint_Boniface) as the Patron Saint of Devon.[60]

## Place names and customs

The beach at [Westward Ho!](/source/Westward_Ho!), North Devon, looking north towards the shared [estuary](/source/Estuary) of the rivers [Taw](/source/River_Taw) and [Torridge](/source/River_Torridge)

Devon's toponyms include many with the endings "coombe/combe" and "tor". Both 'coombe' (valley or hollow, cf. Welsh *cwm*, Cornish *komm*) and 'tor' (Old Welsh *twrr* and Scots Gaelic *tòrr* from Latin *turris*; 'tower' used for granite formations) are rare [Celtic loanwords in English](/source/List_of_English_words_of_Welsh_origin) and their frequency is greatest in Devon which shares a boundary with historically [Brittonic](/source/Brittonic_languages) speaking Cornwall. Ruined medieval settlements of [Dartmoor longhouses](/source/Dartmoor_longhouse) indicate that dispersed rural settlement (OE *tun*, now often -ton) was very similar to that found in Cornish 'tre-' settlements, however these are generally described with the local placename *-(a)cott*, from the Old English for homestead, cf. [cottage](/source/Cottage). Saxon endings in -worthy (from Anglo-Saxon *worthig*) indicate larger settlements. Several 'Bere's indicate Anglo-Saxon wood groves, as 'leighs' indicate clearings.[61]

Devon has a variety of festivals and traditional practices, including the traditional orchard-visiting [Wassail](/source/Wassail) in [Whimple](/source/Whimple) every 17 January, and the carrying of flaming tar barrels in [Ottery St. Mary](/source/Ottery_St._Mary), where people who have lived in Ottery for long enough are called upon to celebrate [Bonfire Night](/source/Guy_Fawkes_Night) by running through the village (and the gathered crowds) with flaming barrels on their backs.[62] [Berry Pomeroy](/source/Berry_Pomeroy) still celebrates [Queene's Day](/source/Queene's_Day) for [Elizabeth I](/source/Elizabeth_I).

## Economy

Main article: [Economy of Devon](/source/Economy_of_Devon)

Devon's total economic output in 2019 was over £26 billion, larger than either Manchester, or Edinburgh.[63] A 2021 report states that "health, retail and tourism account for 43.1% of employment. Agriculture, education, manufacturing, construction and real estate employment are also over-represented in Devon compared with nationally".[64]

Like neighbouring Cornwall to the west, historically Devon has been disadvantaged economically compared to other parts of [Southern England](/source/Southern_England), owing to the decline of a number of core industries, notably fishing, mining, and farming, but it is now more diverse. Agriculture has been an important industry in Devon since the 19th century. The [2001 UK foot and mouth crisis](/source/2001_UK_foot_and_mouth_crisis) harmed the farming community severely.[65] Since then some parts of the agricultural industry have begun to diversify and recover, with a strong local food sector and many artisan producers. Nonetheless, in 2015 the dairy industry was still suffering from the low prices offered for wholesale milk by major dairies, particularly by large supermarket chains.

The pandemic negatively affected the economy during 2020 and early 2021; an August 2021 report states that "the immediate economic impacts of COVID-19 for the County as a whole [was] as severe as any in living memory".[66]

Part of the seafront of [Torquay](/source/Torquay), south Devon, at high tide

Between 2014 and 2016, the attractive lifestyle of the area was drawing in new industries which were not heavily dependent upon geographical location;[67][68] Dartmoor, for instance, saw a significant rise in the percentage of its inhabitants involved in the digital and financial services sectors. The [Met Office](/source/Met_Office), the UK's national and international weather service, moved to Exeter in 2003. Plymouth hosts the head office and first ever store of [The Range](/source/The_Range_(retailer)), the only major national retail chain headquartered in Devon.

Since the rise of seaside resorts with the arrival of the railways in the 19th century, Devon's economy has been heavily reliant on tourism. The county's economy followed the declining trend of British seaside resorts since the mid-20th century, but with some recent revival and regeneration of its resorts, particularly focused around camping; sports such as surfing, cycling, sailing and heritage. This revival has been aided by the designation of much of Devon's countryside and coastline as the Dartmoor and Exmoor national parks, and the Jurassic Coast and Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Sites. In 2019 the county's visitor spend was almost £2.5 billion.[69] More successful visitor attractions are particularly concentrated on food and drink, including sea-view restaurants in North-West Devon (such as one example belonging to [Damien Hurst](/source/Damien_Hurst)), walking the [South West Coast Path](/source/South_West_Coast_Path), cycling on the [Devon Coast to Coast Cycle Route](/source/Devon_Coast_to_Coast_Cycle_Route) and other cycle routes such as the [Tarka Trail](/source/Tarka_Trail) and the Stover Trail; watersports; surfing; indoor and outdoor folk music festivals across the county and sailing in the 5-mile (8.0 km) hill-surrounded inlet ([ria](/source/Ria)) at Salcombe.

Incomes vary significantly and the average is bolstered by a high proportion of affluent retired people. Incomes in much of the South Hams and in villages surrounding Exeter and Plymouth are close to, or above the national average, but there are also areas of severe deprivation, with earnings in some places among the lowest in the UK.

The table also shows the population change in the ten years to the 2011 census by subdivision. It also shows the proportion of residents in each district reliant upon lowest income and/or joblessness benefits, the national average proportion of which was 4.5% as at August 2012, the year for which latest datasets have been published. It can be seen that the most populous district of Devon is East Devon but only if excluding [Torbay](/source/Torbay) which has marginally more residents and Plymouth which has approximately double the number of residents of either of these. West Devon has the fewest residents, having 63,839 at the time of the census.

Population from census to census. Claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Income Support (DWP)[70] Unit JSA or Inc. Supp. claimants (August 2012) % of 2011 population JSA and Income Support claimants (August 2001) % of 2001 population Population (April 2011) Population (April 2001) Devon 2.7% 6.6% 746,399 704,493 Ranked by district Exeter 3.5% 7.5% 117,773 111,076 Torridge 3.3% 7.7% 63,839 58,965 North Devon 2.8% 7.8% 93,667 87,508 Teignbridge 2.6% 6.7% 124,220 120,958 Mid Devon 2.6% 6.0% 77,750 69,774 West Devon 2.5% 5.9% 53,553 48,843 South Hams 2.1% 6.0% 83,140 81,849 East Devon 1.9% 5.4% 132,457 125,520 In historic Devon Torbay 5.3% 11.0% 130,959 129,706 Plymouth 5.1% 9.5% 256,384 240,720

## Transport

### Bus

There is a network of buses across Devon, the largest operator in Devon is [Stagecoach South West](/source/Stagecoach_South_West), having operated 93% of services in the county in 2021.[71] Smaller operators include Dartline, Country Bus and [Plymouth Citybus](/source/Plymouth_Citybus).

[Devon County Council](/source/Devon_County_Council) oversees and co-ordinates bus transport through [DevonBus](/source/DevonBus), an [Enhanced Partnership](/source/Bus_Services_Act_2017) covering the county, with the purpose of improving the network and creating a unified brand for buses in the county.[72]

### Rail

The key train operator for Devon is [Great Western Railway](/source/Great_Western_Railway_(train_operating_company)), which operates numerous regional, local and suburban services, as well as inter-city services north to [London Paddington](/source/London_Paddington) and south to [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth_railway_station) and [Penzance](/source/Penzance_railway_station). Other inter-city services are operated by [CrossCountry](/source/CrossCountry) north to [Manchester Piccadilly](/source/Manchester_Piccadilly), [Edinburgh Waverley](/source/Edinburgh_Waverley), [Glasgow Central](/source/Glasgow_Central_railway_station), [Dundee](/source/Dundee_railway_station), [Aberdeen](/source/Aberdeen_railway_station) and south to Plymouth and Penzance; and by [South Western Railway](/source/South_Western_Railway_(train_operating_company)), operating hourly services between [London Waterloo](/source/London_Waterloo) and [Exeter St Davids](/source/Exeter_St_Davids), via the [West of England Main Line](/source/West_of_England_Main_Line). All Devon services are diesel-hauled, since there are no electrified lines in the county.

[Okehampton station](/source/Okehampton_station) in Devon was closed in 1972 to passenger traffic as a result of the [Beeching cuts](/source/Beeching_cuts), but regained regular passenger services run by GWR to Exeter in November 2021, funded by the UK Government's Restoring your Railway programme.

There are proposals to reopen the line from [Tavistock](/source/Tavistock_railway_station) to [Bere Alston](/source/Bere_Alston_railway_station) for a through service to Plymouth.[73] The possibility of reopening the line between Tavistock and Okehampton, to provide an alternative route between Exeter and Plymouth, has also been suggested following damage to the railway's [sea wall at Dawlish](/source/South_Devon_Railway_sea_wall) in 2014, which caused widespread disruption to trains between Exeter and Penzance. However, a study by Network Rail determined that maintaining the existing railway line would offer the best value for money[74] and work to strengthen the line at [Dawlish](/source/Dawlish) began in 2019.[75]

#### Devon Metro

Main article: [Devon Metro](/source/Devon_Metro)

Devon County Council has proposed a 'Devon Metro' scheme to improve rail services in the county and offer a realistic alternative to car travel. This includes the opening of [Cranbrook station](/source/Cranbrook_railway_station_(Devon)) in December 2015, plus four new stations to be constructed (including [Edginswell](/source/Edginswell_railway_station)) as a priority.[76] Several elements of the scheme have, or are in the process of being delivered including the building of [Marsh Barton station](/source/Marsh_Barton_station) on the edge of Exeter[77] which was opened in July 2023,[78] and a regular half hourly local rail service now extended from the [Avocet Line](/source/Avocet_Line) across Exeter to include the [Riviera Line](/source/Riviera_Line).[79]

### Air

[Exeter Airport](/source/Exeter_Airport) is the only passenger airport in Devon and in 2019 was used by over one million people. Until 2020, [Flybe](/source/Flybe_(1979-2020)) had its headquarters at the airport. Destinations include various locations within the UK ([London City](/source/London_City_Airport), Manchester, [Belfast](/source/Belfast), Edinburgh, etc.), as well as locations in [Cyprus](/source/Cyprus), Italy, Netherlands, [Lapland](/source/Lapland_(Finland)), Portugal, Spain, France, [Malta](/source/Malta), Switzerland and Turkey.[80]

## Education

Main article: [List of schools in Devon](/source/List_of_schools_in_Devon)

Devon has a mostly [comprehensive education](/source/Comprehensive_education) system. There are 37 state and 23 independent secondary schools. There are three tertiary ([FE](/source/Further_education)) colleges and an [agricultural college](/source/Agricultural_college) ([Bicton College](/source/Bicton_College), near [Budleigh Salterton](/source/Budleigh_Salterton)). Torbay has eight state (with three grammar schools) and three independent secondary schools, and Plymouth has 17 state (with three grammar schools – two all-girls and one all-boys) and one independent school, [Plymouth College](/source/Plymouth_College). East Devon and Teignbridge have the largest school populations, with West Devon the smallest (with only two schools). Only one school in Exeter, Mid Devon, Torridge and North Devon have a [sixth form](/source/Sixth_form) – the schools in other districts mostly have sixth forms, with all schools in West Devon and East Devon having a sixth form.

Three universities are located in Devon, the [University of Exeter](/source/University_of_Exeter) (split between the [Streatham Campus](/source/Streatham_Campus) and [St Luke's Campus](/source/St_Luke's_Campus), both in Exeter, and a campus in Cornwall); in Plymouth the [University of Plymouth](/source/University_of_Plymouth) in Britain is present, along with the [University of St Mark & St John](/source/University_of_St_Mark_%26_St_John) to the city's north. The universities of Exeter and Plymouth have together formed the [Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry](/source/Peninsula_College_of_Medicine_and_Dentistry) which has bases in Exeter and Plymouth. There is also [Schumacher College](/source/Schumacher_College).

## Cuisine

Main article: [Cuisine of Devon](/source/Cuisine_of_Devon)

The county has given its name to a number of culinary specialities. The Devonshire [cream tea](/source/Cream_tea), involving [scones](/source/Scone_(bread)), [jam](/source/Jam) and [clotted cream](/source/Clotted_cream), is thought to have originated in Devon (though claims have also been made for neighbouring counties); in other countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, it is known as a "Devonshire tea".[81][82][83] It has also been claimed that the [pasty](/source/Pasty) originated in Devon rather than Cornwall, with the first record of the pasty coming from Plymouth in 1509.[84]

In October 2008, Devon was awarded Fairtrade County status by the [Fairtrade Foundation](/source/Fairtrade_Foundation).[85][86]

## Sport

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Devon has been home to a number of customs, such as its own form of [Devon wrestling](/source/Devon_wrestling), similar in some ways to [Cornish wrestling](/source/Cornish_wrestling). As recently as the 19th century, a crowd of over 17,000 at Devonport, near Plymouth, attended a match between the champions of Devon and Cornwall.[87] Another Devon sport was [outhurling](/source/Cornish_hurling) which was played in some regions until the 20th century (e.g. 1922, at [Great Torrington](/source/Great_Torrington)).[88] Other ancient customs which survive include Dartmoor step dancing, and "[Crying The Neck](/source/Crying_The_Neck)".

Devon has three professional football teams, based in each of its most populous towns and cities. As of 2025, [Plymouth Argyle F.C.](/source/Plymouth_Argyle_F.C.) and [Exeter City F.C.](/source/Exeter_City_F.C.) compete in the [EFL League One](/source/EFL_League_One), whilst [Torquay United F.C.](/source/Torquay_United_F.C.) compete in the [National League South](/source/National_League_South). Plymouth's highest Football League finish was fourth in the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division), which was achieved twice, in 1932 and 1953. Torquay and Exeter have never progressed beyond the third tier of the league; Torquay finished second on [goal average](/source/Goal_average) in the [Third Division (S)](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) behind Sir [Alf Ramsey](/source/Alf_Ramsey)'s [Ipswich Town](/source/Ipswich_Town) in 1957. Exeter's highest position has been eighth in the Third Division (S). The county's biggest non-league clubs are [Plymouth Parkway F.C.](/source/Plymouth_Parkway_F.C.) and [Tiverton Town F.C.](/source/Tiverton_Town_F.C.) which compete in the [Southern Football League Premier Division](/source/Southern_Football_League_Premier_Division), and [Bideford A.F.C.](/source/Bideford_A.F.C.), [Exmouth Town F.C.](/source/Exmouth_Town_F.C.) and [Tavistock A.F.C.](/source/Tavistock_A.F.C.) which are in the [Southern Football League Division One South and West](/source/Southern_Football_League_Division_One_South_and_West).

[Rugby Union](/source/Rugby_Union) is popular in Devon with over forty clubs under the banner of the [Devon Rugby Football Union](/source/Devon_Rugby_Football_Union), many with various teams at senior, youth and junior levels. One club – [Exeter Chiefs](/source/Exeter_Chiefs) – play in the [Aviva Premiership](/source/English_Premiership_(rugby_union)), winning the title in 2017 for the first time in their history after beating [Wasps RFC](/source/Wasps_RFC) in the final 23–20. [Plymouth Albion](/source/Plymouth_Albion) who are, as of 2023[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Devon&action=edit), in the [National League 1](/source/National_League_1) (The third tier of English Professional Rugby Union).

There are five [rugby league](/source/Rugby_league) teams in Devon: [Plymouth Titans](/source/Plymouth_Titans), [Exeter Centurions](/source/Exeter_Centurions), and [Devon Sharks](/source/Devon_Sharks) from Torquay, North Devon Raiders from Barnstaple, and [East Devon Eagles](/source/East_Devon_Eagles) from [Exmouth](/source/Exmouth). They all play in the [Rugby League Conference](/source/Rugby_League_Conference).

[Plymouth City Patriots](/source/Plymouth_City_Patriots) represent Devon in the [British Basketball League](/source/British_Basketball_League). Formed in 2021, they replaced the former professional club, [Plymouth Raiders](/source/Plymouth_Raiders), after the latter team were withdrawn from competition due to venue issues.[89] [Motorcycle speedway](/source/Motorcycle_speedway) is also supported in the county, with both the [Exeter Falcons](/source/Exeter_Falcons) and [Plymouth Gladiators](/source/Plymouth_Gladiators) succeeding in the National Leagues in recent years.

The [University of Exeter Hockey Club](/source/University_of_Exeter_Hockey_Club) enter teams in both the [Men's](/source/Men's_England_Hockey_League) and [Women's England Hockey Leagues](/source/Women's_England_Hockey_League).

Horse Racing is also popular in the county, with two [National Hunt](/source/National_Hunt) racecourses (Exeter and Newton Abbot), and numerous [point to point](/source/Point_to_point_(steeplechase)) courses. There are also many successful professional racehorse trainers based in Devon.

The county is represented in [cricket](/source/Cricket) by [Devon County Cricket Club](/source/Devon_County_Cricket_Club), who play at a [Minor counties](/source/Minor_counties_of_English_and_Welsh_cricket) level.

## Notable Devonians

Main article: [Notable people from Devon](/source/Notable_people_from_Devon)

		- [Chris Martin](/source/Chris_Martin), lead singer of [Coldplay](/source/Coldplay)

		- [Roger Deakins](/source/Roger_Deakins), multi-award winning cinematographer

		- [Ollie Watkins](/source/Ollie_Watkins), plays football for [England](/source/England_national_football_team)

Devon is known for its [mariners](/source/Mariner), such as [Sir Francis Drake](/source/Sir_Francis_Drake), [Sir Humphrey Gilbert](/source/Sir_Humphrey_Gilbert), [Sir Richard Grenville](/source/Sir_Richard_Grenville), [Sir Walter Raleigh](/source/Sir_Walter_Raleigh), [Sir Francis Chichester](/source/Sir_Francis_Chichester) and [Sir William Robert Patrick Knox-Johnston](/source/Sir_William_Robert_Patrick_Knox-Johnston).[90] [Henry Every](/source/Henry_Every), described as the most notorious pirate of the late 17th century, was probably born in the village of [Newton Ferrers](/source/Newton_Ferrers).[91] [John Oxenham](/source/John_Oxenham) (1536–1580) was a lieutenant of Drake but considered a pirate by the Spanish. [Thomas Morton](/source/Thomas_Morton_(colonist)) (1576–1647) was an avid Elizabethan outdoorsman probably born in Devon who became an attorney for The Council For New England, and built the New England fur-trading-plantation called Ma-Re Mount or Merrymount around a West Country-style Maypole, much to the displeasure of Pilgrim and Puritan colonists. Morton wrote a 1637 book *New English Canaan* about his experiences, partly in verse, and may have thereby become America's first poet to write in English.[92] Another famous mariner and Devonian was [Robert Falcon Scott](/source/Robert_Falcon_Scott), the leader of the unfortunate [Terra Nova Expedition](/source/Terra_Nova_Expedition) to reach the geographical South Pole.[93]

The actor [Matthew Goode](/source/Matthew_Goode) was raised in Devon, and [Bradley James](/source/Bradley_James), also an actor, was born there. The singer [Joss Stone](/source/Joss_Stone) was brought up in Devon and frontman [Chris Martin](/source/Chris_Martin) from the British rock group [Coldplay](/source/Coldplay) was born there. [Matt Bellamy](/source/Matt_Bellamy), [Dominic Howard](/source/Dominic_Howard) and [Chris Wolstenholme](/source/Chris_Wolstenholme) from the English group [Muse](/source/Muse_(band)) all grew up in Devon and formed the band there. Dave Hill of rock band [Slade](/source/Slade) was born in [Flete House](/source/Flete_House) which is in the South Hams district of Devon. Singer-songwriter [Ben Howard](/source/Ben_Howard) grew up in Totnes, a small town in Devon. Another famous Devonian is the model and actress [Rosie Huntington-Whiteley](/source/Rosie_Huntington-Whiteley), who was born in [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth) and raised in [Tavistock](/source/Tavistock). The singer and songwriter [Rebecca Newman](/source/Rebecca_Newman) was born and raised in Exmouth.[94] [Roger Deakins](/source/Roger_Deakins), called "the pre-eminent [cinematographer](/source/Cinematographer) of our time", was born and lives in Devon.[95]

[Ollie Watkins](/source/Ollie_Watkins), professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) was born in Devon.[96] Similarly, footballer [Trevor Francis](/source/Trevor_Francis) was raised in Devon.[97] Swimmer [Sharron Davies](/source/Sharron_Davies)[98] and diver [Tom Daley](/source/Tom_Daley)[99] were born in Plymouth. The Olympic runner [Jo Pavey](/source/Jo_Pavey) was born in Honiton. [Peter Cook](/source/Peter_Cook) the satirist, writer and comedian was born in Torquay, Devon. [Leicester Tigers](/source/Leicester_Tigers) and [British and Irish Lions](/source/British_and_Irish_Lions) Rugby player [Julian White](/source/Julian_White) was born and raised in Devon and now farms a herd of pedigree South Devon beef cattle. The dog breeder [John "Jack" Russell](/source/John_%22Jack%22_Russell) was also from Devon. [Jane McGrath](/source/Jane_McGrath), who married Australian cricketer [Glenn McGrath](/source/Glenn_McGrath) was born in Paignton, her long battle with and subsequent death from breast cancer inspired the formation of the [McGrath Foundation](/source/McGrath_Foundation), which is one of Australia's leading charities.

Devon has also been the home, inspiration or base for a number of notable writers, artists, [entrepreneurs](/source/Entrepreneur) and politicians. The poet [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](/source/Samuel_Taylor_Coleridge), the crime writers [Agatha Christie](/source/Agatha_Christie) and [Bertram Fletcher Robinson](/source/Bertram_Fletcher_Robinson), the Irish writer [William Trevor](/source/William_Trevor), and the poet [Ted Hughes](/source/Ted_Hughes) each lived in Devon. The painter and founder of the [Royal Academy](/source/Royal_Academy), [Sir Joshua Reynolds](/source/Sir_Joshua_Reynolds), was born in Devon. [Chris Dawson](/source/Chris_Dawson_(businessman)), the billionaire owner of retailer [The Range](/source/The_Range_(retailer)) was born in Devon, where his business retains its head office in [Plymouth](/source/Plymouth). Devon has also been represented in the [House of Commons](/source/House_of_Commons_of_the_United_Kingdom) by notable [Members of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(United_Kingdom)) (MPs) such as [Nancy Astor](/source/Nancy_Astor), [Gwyneth Dunwoody](/source/Gwyneth_Dunwoody), [Michael Foot](/source/Michael_Foot) and [David Owen](/source/David_Owen) and the Prime Ministers [Lord John Russell](/source/Lord_John_Russell) and [Lord Palmerston](/source/Lord_Palmerston).

## See also

- [Category:Rivers of Devon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Rivers_of_Devon)

- [Circular linhay](/source/Circular_linhay)

- [Custos Rotulorum of Devon](/source/Custos_Rotulorum_of_Devon) – Keepers of the Rolls

- [Duchy of Cornwall](/source/Duchy_of_Cornwall)

- [Healthcare in Devon](/source/Healthcare_in_Devon)

- [List of High Sheriffs of Devon](/source/List_of_High_Sheriffs_of_Devon)

- [List of English and Welsh endowed schools (19th century)#Devon](/source/List_of_English_and_Welsh_endowed_schools_(19th_century)#Devon)

- [List of hills of Devon](/source/List_of_hills_of_Devon)

- [List of Lord Lieutenants of Devon](/source/List_of_Lord_Lieutenants_of_Devon)

- [List of monastic houses in Devon](/source/List_of_monastic_houses_in_Devon)

- [List of MPs for Devon constituency](/source/Devon_(UK_Parliament_constituency))

- [List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Devon](/source/List_of_Sites_of_Special_Scientific_Interest_in_Devon)

- [North Devon Coast](/source/North_Devon_Coast)

- [Tamar Valley AONB](/source/Tamar_Valley_AONB)

- [West Country English](/source/West_Country_English)

## References

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["High Sheriffs"](https://privycouncil.independent.gov.uk/high-sheriffs/). *The Privy Council Office*. Retrieved 1 April 2026.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Who do you think you really are? The first fine-scale genetic map of the British Isles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150321213121/http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2015/WTP058941.htm). wellcome.ac.uk. Archived from [the original](http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2015/WTP058941.htm) on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Callawa, Ewen (18 March 2015). ["UK mapped out by genetic ancestry"](http://www.nature.com/news/uk-mapped-out-by-genetic-ancestry-1.17136). *Nature*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1038/nature.2015.17136](https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fnature.2015.17136). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [88369661](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:88369661). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161110165750/http://www.nature.com/news/uk-mapped-out-by-genetic-ancestry-1.17136) from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2016.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Ackroyd, Peter (2014). [*Rebellion: The History of England from James I to the Glorious Revolution*](https://books.google.com/books?id=kbVzAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA465). Macmillan. p. 465. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4668-5599-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4668-5599-1).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Smith, R.; Hodgson, B.; Ison, J. (2016). *A New Flora of Devon*. Exeter: The Devonshire Association. p. 1. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-5272-0525-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5272-0525-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Paul Simons (14 May 2007). ["Britain warms to the taste for home-grown olives"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080706181106/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article1785059.ece). *The Times*. UK. Archived from [the original](http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article1785059.ece) on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 20 September 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Morris, Steven (29 January 2024). ["More than 100,000 trees to be planted in Devon to boost Celtic rainforest"](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/29/more-than-100000-trees-to-be-planted-in-devon-to-boost-celtic-rainforest). *The Guardian*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240129061306/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/29/more-than-100000-trees-to-be-planted-in-devon-to-boost-celtic-rainforest) from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** Bowen, E. G. (1977) *Saints, Seaways and Settlements in the Celtic Lands*. Cardiff: University of Wales Press [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-900768-30-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-900768-30-4)

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Monasticism – The Heart of Celtic Christianity – Northumbria Community"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170117005904/http://www.northumbriacommunity.org/articles/monasticism-the-heart-of-celtic-christianity/). *Northumbria Community*. Archived from [the original](https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/articles/monasticism-the-heart-of-celtic-christianity/) on 17 January 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-43)** Stansfield-Cudworth, R. E. (2009). *Political Elites in South-West England, 1450–1500: Politics, Governance, and the Wars of the Roses*. [Lewiston](/source/Lewiston%2C_New_York), New York: [Edwin Mellen Press](/source/Edwin_Mellen_Press). pp. 165–73, 206–13, 321–29. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-77344-714-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-77344-714-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** Stoyle, Mark (1994). *Loyalty and Locality: Popular Allegiance in Devon During the English Civil War*. Exeter, UK: University of Exeter Press. p. passim. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85989-428-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85989-428-9).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-81)** Mason, Laura; Brown, Catherine (1999) From Bath Chaps to Bara Brith. Totnes: Prospect Books

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-83)** Fitzgibbon, Theodora (1972) A Taste of England: the West Country. London: J. M. Dent

1. **[^](#cite_ref-84)** [BBC News, "Devon invented the Cornish pasty", 13 November 2006](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6144460.stm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200504203005/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/6144460.stm) 4 May 2020 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Retrieved 27 January 2020

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-87)** ["Devon Wrestling"](http://creditonhistory.org.uk/history-society/read-our-online-articles/wrestling.aspx). Crediton Museum. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200926141128/http://creditonhistory.org.uk/history-society/read-our-online-articles/wrestling.aspx) from the original on 26 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-88)** ["Out Hurling"](https://football-origins.com/13-celtic-art-ball-games-of-the-ancient-celts/). Football origins. 20 June 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230509110420/https://football-origins.com/13-celtic-art-ball-games-of-the-ancient-celts/) from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-89)** ["Plymouth Raiders replaced in BBL by new basketball team Plymouth Patriots"](https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-raiders-replaced-bbl-new-5763248). *[Plymouth Herald](/source/Plymouth_Herald)*. 9 August 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220128154030/https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/plymouth-raiders-replaced-bbl-new-5763248) from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-90)** ["Sailing legend crosses the line"](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6623703.stm). *BBC News*. 4 May 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-91)** Marley, David F. (2010). [*Pirates of the Americas*](https://archive.org/details/piratesamericasv00marl). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. [589](https://archive.org/details/piratesamericasv00marl/page/n609). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-59884-201-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-201-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-92)** *New English Canaan or New Canaan. Containing an abstract of New England, composed in three bookes. The first booke setting forth the originall of the natives, their manners and customes, together with their tractable nature and love towards the English. The second booke setting forth the naturall indowments of the country, and what staple commodities it yealdeth. The third booke setting forth, what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their tenents and practise of their church*. Written by Thomas Morton of Cliffords Inne gent, upon tenne yeares knowledge and experiment of the country. Amsterdam: Jacob Stam

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-95)** ["Cinematographer Roger Deakins Takes Visceral Approach To His Craft"](https://variety.com/2015/film/features/cinematographer-roger-deakins-takes-visceral-approach-to-his-craft-1201593464/). *Variety*. 4 October 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171211164026/http://variety.com/2015/film/features/cinematographer-roger-deakins-takes-visceral-approach-to-his-craft-1201593464/) from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-Telegraph_obit_97-0)** ["Trevor Francis, Nottingham Forest and England striker who became Britain's first £1 million player – obituary"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2023/07/24/trevor-francis-birmingham-european-cup-nottingham-forest/). *The Daily Telegraph*. London. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-99)** ["tom daley olympic hero goes back to school, Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth, Devon"](http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Olympic-hero-Tom-Daley-goes-school/story-11240535-detail/story.html). This is Bristol. 3 September 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

## Further reading

- [Oliver, George](/source/George_Oliver_(historian)) (1846–1889). [*Monasticon Dioecesis Exoniensis: being a collection of records and instruments illustrating the ancient conventual, collegiate, and eleemosynary foundations, in the Counties of Cornwall and Devon, with historical notices, and a supplement, comprising a list of the dedications of churches in the Diocese, an amended edition of the taxation of Pope Nicholas, and an abstract of the Chantry Rolls (with supplement and index)*](https://books.google.com/books?id=_6U_AQAAMAAJ). Exeter: P. A. Hannaford.

- [Pevsner, Nikolaus](/source/Nikolaus_Pevsner) (1952). *North Devon*. Buildings of England. London: Penguin Books.

- [Pevsner, Nikolaus](/source/Nikolaus_Pevsner) (1952). *South Devon*. Buildings of England. London: Penguin Books.

- Stabb, John (1908–1916). *Some Old Devon Churches: Their Rood Screens, Pulpits, Fonts, Etc*. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. [Vol. I](https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101067698538&seq=1), [Vol. II](https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101067698546&seq=1),

and [Vol. III](https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433065874566&seq=1).

- Stansfield-Cudworth, R. E. (2009). *Political Elites in South-West England, 1450–1500: Politics, Governance, and the Wars of the Roses*. [Lewiston](/source/Lewiston%2C_New_York), New York: [Edwin Mellen Press](/source/Edwin_Mellen_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-77344-714-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-77344-714-1).

- Stansfield-Cudworth, R.E. (2013). "The Duchy of Cornwall and the Wars of the Roses: Patronage, Politics, and Power, 1453–1502". *Cornish Studies*. 2nd Series. **21**: 104–50. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1386/corn.21.1.104_1](https://doi.org/10.1386%2Fcorn.21.1.104_1) (inactive 11 July 2025).{{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of July 2025 ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_DOI_inactive_as_of_July_2025))

## External links

[Wikimedia Commons](/source/Wikimedia_Commons) has media related to:

[Devon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Devon) ([category](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Devon))

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Devon](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Devon#Q23156)***.

[Wikisource](/source/Wikisource) has the text of the *[Encyclopædia Britannica](/source/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica)* (9th ed.) article  ***[Devonshire](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica,_Ninth_Edition/Devonshire)***.

- [Devon County Council](http://www.devon.gov.uk)

- [BBC Devon](https://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090815141014/http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/) 15 August 2009 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

- [Genuki Devon](http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/genuki/DEV/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20030401173044/http://www.cs.ncl.ac.uk/genuki/DEV/) 1 April 2003 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Historical, geographical and genealogical information

- [The Devonshire Association](http://www.devonassoc.org.uk), a Devon-centric equivalent of the [British Association](/source/British_Association)

- [Images of Devon](https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042248/http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/results.aspx?index=0&mainQuery=&searchType=all&form=basic&theme=&county=DEVON&district=&placeName=) at the [English Heritage Archive](/source/English_Heritage_Archive)

- [*Dartmoor Step Dancing and Broom Dance at South Tawton*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7AFJ-wqrjY). 5PY Heritage. 30 September 2025 [1971].

Neighbouring counties Bristol Channel Bristol Channel Somerset Cornwall Devon Dorset Cornwall English Channel English Channel English Channel

v t e Geology of England Counties Bedfordshire Berkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cornwall County Durham Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset East Sussex Essex Gloucestershire Greater Manchester Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Rutland Shropshire Somerset Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Tyne and Wear West Sussex Warwickshire West Midlands (County) Wiltshire Worcestershire Yorkshire

v t e Districts of South West England Devon East Devon Exeter Mid Devon North Devon South Hams Teignbridge Torridge West Devon Gloucestershire Cheltenham Cotswold Forest of Dean Gloucester Stroud Tewkesbury Unitary authorities Bath and North East Somerset Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Bristol Cornwall Isles of Scilly Dorset North Somerset Plymouth Somerset South Gloucestershire Borough of Swindon Torbay Wiltshire

v t e 1974–1996 ← Ceremonial counties of England → current Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Cornwall Cumbria Derbyshire Devon Dorset Durham East Riding of Yorkshire East Sussex Essex Gloucestershire Greater London Greater Manchester Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Kent Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire City of London Merseyside Norfolk Northamptonshire Northumberland North Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Rutland Shropshire Somerset South Yorkshire Staffordshire Suffolk Surrey Tyne and Wear Warwickshire West Midlands West Sussex West Yorkshire Wiltshire Worcestershire

v t e Ceremonial county of Devon Devon Portal Unitary authorities Plymouth Torbay Boroughs or districts East Devon Exeter Mid Devon North Devon South Hams Teignbridge Torridge West Devon Major settlements (cities in italics) Ashburton Axminster Bampton Barnstaple Bideford Bovey Tracey Brixham Buckfastleigh Budleigh Salterton Chagford Chudleigh Chulmleigh Colyton Crediton Cullompton Dartmouth Dawlish Exeter Exmouth Great Torrington Hatherleigh Holsworthy Honiton Ilfracombe Ivybridge Kingsbridge Kingsteignton Lynton Moretonhampstead Newton Abbot North Tawton Northam Okehampton Ottery St Mary Paignton Plymouth Plympton Plymstock Salcombe Seaton Sidmouth South Molton Tavistock Teignmouth Tiverton Topsham Torquay Totnes See also: List of civil parishes in Devon Rivers Ashburn Avon Axe Barle Bovey Bray Burn Clyst Creedy Culm Dart East Dart West Dart Erme Exe Heddon Lemon Lew Lumburn Lyd East Lyn West Lyn Meavy Mole Okement East Okement West Okement Otter Plym Sid Swincombe Tamar Tavy Taw Teign Thrushel Torridge Walkham Wallabrooke East Webburn West Webburn Wolf Yealm Topics Flag Devon County Council Parliamentary constituencies Economy Places Towns by population SSSIs Country houses Grade I listed buildings Grade II* listed buildings Scheduled monuments Bridges History Schools Museums Lord Lieutenants High Sheriffs Notable people Dartmoor Exmoor South Devon AONB Tamar Valley AONB Jurassic Coast South West Coast Path Two Moors Way North Devon's Biosphere Reserve

Authority control databases International GND National Czech Republic Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Devon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.