Devon vs Cornwall

The UK is home to a huge variety of landscapes and sights, but when it comes to planning a coastal break in the UK, Devon and Cornwall often top the list, and for good reason. With their dramatic coastlines, charming towns, and fascinating histories, these two counties are beloved by holidaymakers looking for breathtaking scenery and a slower pace of life. But being so close together, the line between Devon and Cornwall can often blur. After all, they sit side by side, share a coastline, and offer similar promises of sea air, sandy beaches, and cream teas. 

So, how do you choose between the two? Whether you’re torn between surf spots or scenic walks, seclusion or buzz, or even just deciding which makes the better staycation base, we’re here to break down the differences and help you find the perfect destination for your next escape.

Devon VS Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall sit like old friends, side by side on England’s southwestern peninsula, each offering something unique, yet often compared. Cornwall stretches out to the country’s furthest tip, surrounded by sea on three sides, while Devon wraps around it, touching both the Bristol Channel to the north and the English Channel to the south. Though Cornwall covers around 2,600 square kilometres, Devon is nearly double its size, offering greater variation in its landscapes, from wild moors and deep valleys to elegant coastlines and market towns.

There’s long been a friendly rivalry between the two counties, whether over the proper way to serve a cream tea or which has the best beaches. But underneath the banter of Devon vs Cornwall lies a rich cultural identity, culinary pride, and distinct natural beauty.

Landscapes & Coastline

When it comes to landscapes, Devon is a county of contrasts and space, boasting two separate coastlines (the north offering dramatic surf-ready shores and the south home to gentler bays and sandy beaches). It’s also the only county in England with two national parks: Dartmoor and Exmoor, offering vast moorlands, ancient woodlands, and craggy tors perfect for walkers and nature lovers alike.

Cornwall, meanwhile, leans into drama. Its rugged Atlantic cliffs, wild headlands, and picturesque coves have long captured the imagination. Around 27% of Cornwall’s land is officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with stretches of coastline that feel untamed and deeply cinematic, perfect for explorers craving remote escapes and coastal drama.

Economy & Heritage

Cornwall’s identity is deeply rooted in its mining heritage and Celtic past, with its dramatic mining landscapes now recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This proud industrial legacy is matched by a strong sense of cultural identity, with revivals of the Cornish language, festivals, and traditions that continue to shape daily life and tourism in this part of the world.

Devon, by contrast, offers a more diverse and resilient economy. While fishing and mining played a key historical role, the modern county thrives through a broader mix of agriculture, tourism, health services, and digital innovation, with institutions like the Met Office in Exeter helping position Devon on the national and global map. This diversity has supported steady growth and adaptability, with rich rural traditions still felt in its farming, food, and countryside life.

Culture & Cuisine

Devon and Cornwall may share a coastline, but their cultural flavours are unmistakably distinct. In Cornwall, the presence of bilingual road signs, Celtic-influenced place names, and the proud legacy of the Duchy of Cornwall signal a region with a strong and separate identity. Cornish traditions, festivals, and even a language revival underscore a deep-rooted sense of place in the most southern part of the UK.

Devon, while no less proud, leans into its more classically English heritage, marked by centuries of maritime history, rural agriculture, and literary links. And while there are many similarities between Cornwall vs Devon, the differences extend to the tea table. The Cornish pasty, now protected under EU law, is widely accepted as Cornwall’s culinary hallmark, though Devon lays claim to earlier versions of the recipe. And, of course, there’s the eternal cream tea debate: in Devon, it’s cream first, then jam; in Cornwall, the opposite.

These seemingly small details reveal just how rich and fiercely protected local identity is on both sides of the Tamar.

Folk Festivals & Celebrations

Both Devon and Cornwall host a variety of traditional festivals and folkloric celebrations that highlight their rich cultural heritage and community spirit. In Cornwall, ancient customs live on in events like Obby Oss Day in Padstow each May: a colourful, centuries-old May Day celebration involving dancing, costumes, and the iconic ‘oss’ parade. The Montol Festival in Penzance marks the winter solstice with fire-lit processions and traditional Cornish dress, reviving pre-Christian customs. Cornwall also celebrates St Piran’s Day (March 5th), a patriotic tribute to the county’s patron saint and mining heritage, with parades and pasties galore.

Devon embraces its own traditions, from the Widecombe Fair in Dartmoor: a classic rural celebration with livestock shows, local crafts, and folk music, to Sidmouth Folk Festival, one of the UK’s leading folk events, attracting performers from across the country each summer. Villages and towns often host seasonal fairs, wassailing events in January to bless the orchards, and bonfire nights steeped in local lore.

Things to Do: Festivities & Attractions

Devon offers a diverse and spacious playground for all kinds of travellers. You can hike across the windswept tors of Dartmoor, ride heritage railways through lush countryside, or explore the sailing towns of Salcombe and Dartmouth. Along the coast, classic English seaside resorts like Sidmouth and Torquay offer a mix of spa heritage, coastal elegance, and water sports, while the South West Coast Path links much of it with breathtaking scenery.

Cornwall, by contrast, leans into its dramatic visual appeal and cultural landmarks. Visitors can walk through the futuristic biomes of the Eden Project, wander the romantic grounds of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, or scale the myth-steeped heights of Tintagel Castle or St Michael’s Mount. With a strong arts and surf culture, Cornwall is also dotted with Poldark filming locations, art trails, and world-class beaches made for Atlantic-facing adventures.

Luxury Hotel in Devon

Just off the coast of Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon lies Burgh Island, a breathtaking tidal island reached on foot at low tide or via its iconic sea tractor as the waters rise. A place of rare beauty and historical depth, the island is home to the 14th-century Pilchard Inn, once frequented by mischievous pirates and smugglers, and the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel, which first opened its doors in 1929.

This striking island retreat has long captivated creatives, visionaries and even literary legends such as Agatha Christie, who found inspiration here for ‘And Then There Were None’ and ‘Evil Under the Sun’ while walking along the rugged shores. Today, the island continues to enchant travellers from all over the globe with its combination of timeless architecture, cinematic coastal views, and its truly unique opportunity to step back in time.

Frequently celebrated among Devon’s most distinctive destinations, Burgh Island offers a unique blend of heritage, romance, and tranquillity, making it a true icon among boutique coastal hotels in both Devon and Cornwall.