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Devon cuts through great sceneries of nature, historic areas, and escapes toward the sea, contrasting with the urban beauty of Denmark. While Copenhagen contains iconic cityscapes, such as Nyhavn and Amager Strandpark, Devon is all about rugged coasts, ancient villages, and vast moorlands.
The following guide covers 6 of the best destinations in Devon, comparing each with some favourite places to visit in Copenhagen.
The English Riviera: Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham
Image: Torquay
The English Riviera boasts sunny beaches, iconic Victorian architecture, and an unexpected oasis of palm trees that evoke the tropics. Each of the three main towns - Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham - has something different to offer. Torquay boasts its association with Agatha Christie and a walking trail known as the Agatha Christie Mile, while Brixham still has a working fishing harbour steeped in maritime heritage.
For visitors from Copenhagen, the English Riviera is an extended Nyhavn but with a relaxed, beach-town volume. Where Nyhavn's row houses are brightly coloured and side directly onto that city's canal, the Riviera towns face harbours with colourful water activity and old-town charm.
Torquay offers the same opportunities as travelling in Amsterdam. The palm-lined waterfront of Torquay may evoke the idea of Amager Strandpark in Copenhagen but with a whole lot more Britishness about it. You could change the cycling along the urban beach in Amager to leisurely walks around Torquay cliffs and beaches.
Clovelly
Image: Clovelly
Clovelly is a privately-owned village in North Devon, with steep cobbled streets that tumble down towards the sea. Its history can almost be smelled with the old stone cottages and donkeys still used for carrying goods up and down the car-free village.
If you like historic Dragør, part of Copenhagen, with its yellow cottages, cobbled streets, and harbour, then you would be charmed further by Clovelly's quaintness, pushing the car-free existence up a notch. Both promise a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of modern city life, and the more dramatic coastal views and steep hills make Clovelly all the more rugged and rural.
Exmoor National Park
Image: Scenery around Lynton and Lynmouth, on Exmoor
Exmoor offers the widest and most varied landscape of all national parks: the moorlands, woods, and coastal cliffs. It offers such a rich mix that it is perfect for hiking, wildlife spotting, or simply taking in panoramic views. Exmoor, with its wide-open spaces and sometimes misty, mysterious atmosphere, is ideal for travellers wishing to reconnect with nature. Home to wild Exmoor ponies, it adds to the untamed charm of this place.
Compared to the nice, manicured grounds of the parks in Copenhagen, like Kongens Have and Dyrehaven, Exmoor is wilder and much larger. Whereas the parks in Copenhagen propose nice, orderly nature that is fitting for the city, Exmoor offers a place where one can get lost in nature's stunning roughness. It is the perfect destination for those who want to swap manicured lawns for windswept hills.
Burgh Island
Image: View of Burgh Island across Bigbury on Sea
A visit to Burgh Island off the coast of South Devon is equally unique. The small, tidal island is perhaps best known for its Art Deco hotel, which has accommodated famous authors such as Agatha Christie. At low tide, it is accessible, while a sea tractor assures access at high tide, adding adventure to your visit.
For locals in Copenhagen, the name Burgh Island may evoke Flakfortet, the Øresund's small island fortress. Though Flakfortet features picnic areas and historical ruins, Burgh Island has an Art Deco hotel and a connection with the literary world. The two islands provide a bit of escapism, but their tidal access and historic luxury turn it singular.
Woolacombe Beach
Image: Woolacombe Beach
Woolacombe Beach is one of the top beaches in the UK, consisting of a wide golden sand strip. Recognised for its good surfing conditions, it is equally pleasant to visit for families and anyone who wants to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. In fact, it is considered among the top beaches in Britain, ranking frequently for its clean waters and wide shore that attract both locals and tourists.
By contrast, Amager Strandpark in Copenhagen is more of a city beach that facilitates biking, walking, and sunbathing, along with artificial lagoons right near the centre of town. Woolacombe presents a more natural environment: rugged cliffs and wild waves present another kind of beach experience - ideal for those desirous of trying their hand at surfing.
Totnes
Image: Totnes, credit: Visit Totnes
Totnes is a market town on the River Dart, well-noted for its alternative culture and medieval history. The town has independent shops, local markets, and historical sites like Totnes Castle and the 16th-century Tudor Merchant's House. It certainly brings an eco-conscious vibe to travellers who are interested in sustainability.
For the inhabitants of Copenhagen, Totnes might remind one of a countryside Torvehallerne, where the focus has been on local and high-quality products. While Torvehallerne is an energetic marketplace in the city, Totnes provides a quieter and more historical setting in which you can meander through the local goods. The beautiful scenery of the River Dart also allows for a slower pace, indeed urging visitors to take their time and experience the atmosphere.
Devon really does offer the Danish visitor a wealth of experiences, from its wild coastline and charming villages to its areas of outstanding natural beauty and historical interest. Whether it is strolling along Clovelly's cobblestone streets, indulging in surfing at Woolacombe, or taking in the mind-blowing scenery of Exmoor, Devon is one place that certainly will not disappoint any adventuring, relaxation-seeking, or both-after individual.
Post from Vanessa Friedman