Love my devon

Love my devon top tips Our lovemydevon guide comprises over fifty tips from those in the know, well known chefs, musicians, authors and TV presenters, all experts in their individual fields, as well as Devonians who love living in their county and want to share their insider knowledge. The guide includes everything from favourite pubs, walks, views and beaches to the very best place to tuck-in to an ice cream or great spots to sit and watch the world go by. To view click onto our 'top tips' pages. 

‘Love my devon’ was born from the fact that Devonians really are proud of their county and we at Visit Devon wanted to encourage them to shout about it. The love my devon competition was launched in November 2008 with X-Factor style auditions taking part around the county to find the Devonian (whether ‘born and bred’ in the county or calling Devon their adopted home) who loves Devon the most and was willing to shout about it the loudest. Our search resulted in a great choice of eager contestants from which three individuals and groups were chosen to become ambassadors for Devon and to compete for the £10,000 prize money.

All kinds of antics ensued from fibre-glass surfing cows to Frank Sinatra singing naval officers to naked farmers –the three finalists hit the national press with gusto. The winner was finally announced in March this year as Anne Tattersall. Irish-born, Devon-loving Anne won the most publicity for Devon with some great ideas such as promoting Devon’s ‘rooms with a moo’, travelling the country in her very own customised ‘love-bug’, giving away 35 love weekends to lucky winners from all over the UK, posing on the beach with a group of scantily clad young farmers and baking a rather large –record breaking- scone.

Thank-you to all the finalists for all their time and good work:

Helen Blackman
Barney Sutton, Dick Smith & Jona Ahearn
Anne Tattersall

And to the following who generously donated and supported the lovemydevon campaign:

Braddicks Holiday Centre
Brend Hotels
Clovelly Estate Company Ltd *
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park *
Crealy Great Adventure Park *
DATA (Devon Association of Tourist Attractions) *
Devon County Council
Devon Farms
Farm & Cottage Holidays
John Fowler Holidays
Lynton & Lynmouth Railway *
Marsdens Cottage Holidays
Milky Way Adventure Park *
Miniature Pony Centre *
National Marine Aquarium *
North Devon Holiday Homes
North Devon+
Pennywell Farm *
Quince Honey Farm *
RHS Garden Rosemoor *
Stowford Country Holidays
The Big Sheep *
The World of Country Life *
Watermouth Castle
Woodlands Leisure Park *
Woolacombe Bay Leisure Park

* = member of DATA (Devon Association of Tourist Attractions)