Did you know? Devon is widely regarded as one of the most popular holiday spots in the UK and it is easy to see why. With the diverse scenery and many attractions, Devon really is the perfect destination for you to enjoy over and over again. How can you tire of visiting here when there is always something new for you to discover – whether it be a secluded cove, a new walking route, or the best cream tea yet (well…until the next one)! With so much on offer, you will be sure to spend your days filled with fun and wonder as you get to know this exciting county. To help you on your way here are some interesting facts about Devon:
• Devon Invented the Cornish Pasty. Yes, you read that right! In 2006 an archivist in Plymouth discovered a record of an ingredient list for a pasty dated 1510 which superseded the previous oldest recipe held by the Cornwall Records Office of 1746! The origin of the pasty is still a subject of debate between the two counties.
• Famous Navel figures Sir Frances Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh were born in Devon. There has been a full-size replica of Drake’s ship – one of the most famous from the age of exploration – in Brixham Harbour for over half a century.
• Stone that was quarried from Beer has been used to build some of the country’s capital cities’ most iconic architecture including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London.
• Devon is home to Westward Ho! which is the only village in the UK to have an exclamation point in its moniker. They adopted the punctuation mark after Charles Kingsley wrote a book called Westward Ho! which centered around Bideford Quay in North Devon. The idea was to increase tourism in the area. Today Westward Ho! is a thriving hotspot attracting many holidaymakers and surfers to the award-winning blue flag beach
• Jacka Bakery in Plymouth is the oldest operating commercial bakery in the country and has been baking since 1597! At over 400 years old and set in a grade II listed building this family-run bakery has got to be worth a visit.