Devon is a fantastic location to plan a holiday or staycation trip, the wide range of accommodation options, from budget friendly caravan parks up to luxury holiday parks, mean that all budgets and needs can be met.
When staying at a holiday park in Devon, the vast expanse of facilities in the complexes mean there is little to no reason to leave, however if you decide that one evening you would like an extra special treat, Devon is also home to some of the best fine dining restaurants in the country.
Gidleigh Park
On the very edge of Dartmoor National Park, situated right next to the upper reaches of the River Teign, Gidleigh Park is a Tudor-style country house amongst 107 acres of grounds. Also home to a stunning hotel, Gidleigh Park is famous for the award winning on site restaurant. With an intimate dining area boasting views of the gardens, eating at Gidleigh Park is sure to be a memorable experience. The modern British menu has been awarded a Michelin Star and 3 AA Rosettes meaning you are guaranteed a dining experience to remember.
The Seahorse
Another Devon restaurant worth venturing from your holiday park for is the Seahorse, as the name suggests, this restaurant’s menu focuses on seafood and shellfish. Nestled in Dartmouth, fish is delivered to the Seahorse twice a day from neighbouring Brixham, meaning all the produce is exceptionally fresh and the menu evolves with the availability of the day. Grilling the fish over charcoal fires has been a long standing speciality at the restaurant and is a firm favourite with both locals and visitors, winning it a number of prestigious awards including ‘Good Food Guide Best Seafood Restaurant in the UK’.
The Riverford Field Kitchen
For a completely unique dining experience, The River Field Kitchen offers a delicious vegetarian and 100% organic menu. Based at the heart of Riverford farm, every dish is made entirely from ingredients grown just a stone’s throw away, giving you a truly authentic farm to fork experience. Menus change daily to make the most of the fresh and seasonal produce grown at the farm and even the restaurant is decorated with dried flowers grown in the fields. Based in Buckfastleigh in the South of Devon, the farm has a large car park for visitors making it easily accessible to travel from your holiday park.
The Elephant
If you fancy fine dining food without the formalities then the Elephant is a relaxed and informal seaside restaurant situated next to Torquay harbour. Don’t be fooled by the chilled out atmosphere, the Elephant was the first ever Torquay restaurant to be awarded a Michelin Star and has since maintained it for the past 15 years. The Elephants menu is frequently changing to match the seasonality of local produce and even has a children’s menu available for under 10’s during the day.
When deciding on a holiday in Devon, it is important to consider the onsite facilities. However, to truly appreciate all of Devon’s beauty and the local culture, a great way to get out and explore is to start with some of the great restaurants covering the county.
