Fishing Lodges & Glamping – Devon’s Best Fishing Holidays
Fishing Breaks in Devon
Sunshine and Beaches are a lot nearer than you think.
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Popular Lodges in Devon
Devon really does have it all. A holiday to one of England’s largest counties will leave a lifetime of memories. Lodges are available across the county, from idyllic spots on the coast to places where you can truly get away from the hustle and bustle of life.
The lodges below are independently ranked, based on ratings across various criteria.
Our Top 5 Fishing Lodges in Devon
1 - Clovelly Lakes - Best for fishing - Clovelly, North Devon
What we love about Clovelly Lakes
- Set in the most stunning of surroundings
- Lots to see and do
- The perfect spot for fishing
What you'll love about Clovelly Lakes Lodges
Clovelly Lakes Fishing Guide
From my experience of fishing holidays Clovelly lakes looks like a great place for some fishing as part of a family holiday to Devon. It is on my list of places to stay a next time I head down to Devon.
It is worth checking out the site map before you book as a couple of the lodges are not directly on the lakes. This would be good for those with younger children where safety around water is a concern. The lodges go from 2 bedrooms to 4 bedrooms that sleep 8, great for larger families and groups.
On-site you’ll find 5 fishing lakes with a range of fish in them. Most lakes have carp to the upper doubles. As a lodge guest you can fish all the lakes, excluding the exculve hire. The Larch lake is the specimen lake for guests, there are not any lodges around it currently though.
On the website you’ll find the rules for the lakes, these are all very sensible and excacly as I would expect to find at any decsnt fishery.
2 - Otter Falls - Best for peace and quiet - Blackdown Hills, East Devon
What we love about Otter Falls
- The stunning views of the famous Otter Valley
- Relaxing evenings under the stars in a hot tub
- Fishing, leisurely strolls and much more
Reasons why you'll love a lodge at Otter Falls
3 - Finlake - Best for families - Chudleigh, Devon
What we love about Finlake
- Conveniently placed off major transport routes
- Fun for all the family
- Beautiful relaxing surroundings
What You will Find at Finlake
Book Your Lodge Break in Devon Now
Lodge and cabin breaks in the South West are often sought after. Couples, families, and groups will find lodges across Devon but they soon get booked up. Decide your group size, choose what type of location you want and make sure you book asap to avoid disappointment.
Other Lodges In Devon
If you’re looking for a base on Devon to go sea fishing or visit some day ticket waters here are a couple of lodge options for you.
Churchwood Valley - Best for beaches - Wembury Bay, South Devon
What we love about Churchwood Valley
- A short walk to the beach
- Peaceful and secluded spot
- No bars or pubs just nature with breathtaking views
Why we think you'll love Churchwood Valley
2 - Woodbury Wood - Best for the great outdoors - Woodbury, East Devon
What we love about Woodbury Wood
- Set on the idyllic Woodbury common in East Devon
- Stunning woodland walks
- Simple yet stylish accomodation
Things to see and do at Woodbury Wood
Why Visit Devon?
Beaches
Something Devon is well known for is its huge number of beaches. The type of beach differs also, depending on where you are. To the north, you’ll find huge sprawling golden sandy beaches, whilst in the East, the beaches form part of the world-famous Jurassic coast and are pebble instead of sand.
Wherever your holiday lodge is, the beach is never far away and you’ll be able to enjoy surfing and other sea sports, fishing, or just a restful and relaxing sun bath.
History
Devon is rich in history. Visitors, wanting a relaxing look at the past, will find endless opportunities from castles to defence forts, museums to regency houses.
The Vikings settled in Devon with some villages dating back to the Saxon age.
Devon is home to many National Trust properties with huge sprawling gardens and perhaps one of Devon’s most popular landmarks, Buckfast Abbey, is an incredible monastery built in 1018.
Seaside towns
Many of the town’s around Devon’s beaches are traditionally fishing points, harbours and marinas.
There are countless small and quaint villages that sit by these coastal spots and are a real treat to visit.
Visitors will find traditional tea rooms, local bakeries, cafe bars and pubs catering for everyone. Why not take a stroll down the esplanade in Sidmouth or watch the mackerel fishermen push their boats out in Beer. In North Devon, Clovelly village is as idyllic and picturesque as anywhere in the world. Clovelly is a true gem and is a must for anyone holidaying in Devon.
Top 7 things to do in Devon
Hi, we’re the Fox Family from the Northwest. We’re a family of 5. We have 3 children, two boys (8 and 12) and a girl (14). We all love being outdoors and Devon is our favourite place to go on holiday. In fact, we’ve been so many times we’ve lost count.
For us, Devon has a bit of everything. It’s like the perfect location. In the summer the weather has never let us down and there is always something different to do. We particularly love staying in lodges by the beach, but that’s not all there is on offer. We had a family discussion and chose our favourite parts of our holidays.
#1 Find a beach
Find a towel, grab the suncream and choose from one of the many beaches Devon has to offer.
The Jurassic Coast in East Devon will leave you breathless with its stunning coastline. The famous red rock of the cliffs and pebbled beaches are some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer.
If your lodge is in North Devon, you’ll find huge expanses of sandy beaches and the Atlantic Ocean waves are perfect for surfers and those that like kite surfing or sea kayaking.
Here are our best beaches in Devon to visit whilst staying in your lodge.
- Beer Beach.
Beer is a small fishing village in East Devon. The pebble beach sits below some stunning cliffs and forms its own cove. The beach can be serene first thing in the morning as the fisherman goes about their day. Beer beach has a few eateries, conveniently placed on the beach, with easy walkway access.
- Saunton Sands
A sandy beach in North Devon, Saunton is a favourite amongst tourists. This beach has nearly 4 miles of sand and is famous for its spectacular dunes. Saunton sands have good access for wheelchair users and the town has some lovely restaurants and cafes.
- Exmouth Beach
Exmouth is not exactly what you’d call a classic British seaside town. You won’t find many kiss me quick hats or sticks of rock. What you will find is a beautiful beach, with crystal-clear water. Holidaymakers visiting Exmouth beach will find water sports aplenty and even the opportunity to eat a delicious BBQ out on the water with many excursions available daily. Be sure to take a short walk away from the beach to find a fish and chip shop called Krispies. Here they offer battered chips, which are every bit as good as they sound. Not in the slightest bit healthy, but it’s the holidays!
If you just want to see the sea, read Matt’s guide to the best seaside towns in Devon.
#2 Visit Dartmoor
With rolling hills, wild horses, rugged rock faces and stunning views, Dartmoor is a favourite of many visitors to Devon. Whether you’re looking for a historical visit to a castle or keen to get the children exploring the great outdoors, Dartmoor national park is the perfect location to visit when you’re staying in a lodge in Devon.
#3 Explore Devon’s history
Devon’s two famous cities Exeter and Plymouth are steeped in very different histories. The Exeter museum is well worth a visit and showcases an incredibly preserved Roman wall. The city also has a huge 14th-century cathedral, which sits on a stunning green surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
Plymouth on the other hand is well known for its naval history and is proud to show off its dockyards. Visitors can take in the world-famous Smeaton tower and enjoy some stunning coastal views.
#4 Walk the coast
The Jurassic coast of East Devon is every bit as spectacular as you’d imagine. It is beautiful at any time of the year, however on a hot summer day, with a warm breeze, you could be anywhere in the Mediterranean.
This coastal walk spans nearly 100 miles and actually includes Dorset, but for lodge holidaymakers in Devon, it is an ideal spot for those looking for a breathtaking meander. There are many places to access the walk, Sidmouth offers ample parking to gain access and regular stops at Beer, Branscombe and Seaton mean you can always stop for refreshments.
#5 See a castle
Devon is home to a wide variety of castles that are spread all over the county. Castles can be enjoyed by the whole family and often come with some interesting stories.
Powderham castle on the outskirts of Exeter often plays host to music shows, but there are many more that offer art galleries and museum-type visits for a more peaceful day out.
In fact, Devon has 11 castles. In the south Launceston has an 11th-century motte and Bailey castle, in mid-Devon Tiverton has a medieval castle whilst in the north Watermouth castle in Ilfracombe is situated in a theme park.
#6 Go fossil hunting
The coastline along East Devon is famously known as the Jurassic Coast. Fossil hunters are often found exploring the rocks and cliffs as well as the pebbled beach looking for remnants of a period that existed over a 200million years ago.
For dinosaur lovers, Seaton Jurassic has a wonderful exhibition and there are many museums around Devon at Torquay and Coombe Martin that offer dinosaur experiences. We love fossil hunting so much that we wrote a beginner’s guide for you! See our fossil hunting tips here.
#7 Have a Devon Cream Tea or something a little stronger
Perhaps Devon’s most famous cuisine is the cream tea. Often replicated, nothing quite beats the real thing. A fresh warm scone straight from the oven, smothered in Devonshire clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, this is one of life’s indulgences. Many hotels welcome visitors for such a treat and looking over the sea whilst having a cream tea is an easy pleasure.
Due to the climate, Devon is able to produce wine. Vineyards are often open to visitors to taste their wine and they are proud to show off their range. The Lyme Bay winery is an excellent stop-off for anyone looking to see how wine is made and more importantly see how it tastes!
#8 Go Fishing!
Why not try out some other lakes while you are visiting, here are a few to check out!
- Simpson Valley Coarse Fishery – Holsworthy
- Jennetts Reservoir – Bideford
- Stafford Moor Fishery – Dolton
- Wistlandpound Reservoir – Blackmoor Gate
- Bellbrook Valley Trout Fishery – Oakford
- Argyll Fishery – Hatherleigh
- Bake Fishing Lakes – South Molton
- Anglers Paradise – Halwill Junction
- Furzebray Carp Lakes – South Molton
- Roadford Lake – Lifton
- Kerswell Fishery – Tiverton
- Four Ponds Fishery – Bovey Tracey
- Bickleigh Mill Fishery – Tiverton
- Exeter and District Angling Association – Exeter
- Angling Unlimited – Ivybridge
Posts from our Devon holiday blog
Our favourite places to go in Devon
A few hidden gems
As Devon is our favourite place to go on holiday and because we have been several times, we have certain places that we revisit.
We have holidayed all over Devon and without doubt, the East has made us want to go back more times than any. Perhaps the coastline or the general vibe of the seaside towns is different to those in the north.
Best Pub in Devon
Our favourite pub, without a doubt, is the Hare and Hounds. Located just outside of Ottery St Mary, the Hare and Hounds is great for all of the family. A spacious outside has glorious views over Sidmouth and children are free to use the pirate ship climbing frame and swings.
One huge plus was that we got to taste their Sunday Carvery; apparently famous in the area. The Hare and Hounds serve local ale from the Otter Brewery and the meal we had was delicious. We were all that full we had to be rolled back to our holiday lodge.
Best Ice Cream in Devon
A real treat for the family is a visit to a small hamlet just outside of Honiton called Monkton. Nestled in the Devonshire countryside is the Otter Valley ice cream and field kitchen. Although they serve some delicious pizzas, it was the ice cream we would recommend.
The kids loved the huge choice and we had to try some of the interesting flavours. You can then sit beneath Dumpdon Hill which is an impressive iron age hill fort.
Best Cafe in Devon
We especially like spending time at the beach. Branscombe is perhaps a little bit more off the beaten track and a little less busy than some other close by beaches. Branscombe beach has a convenient car park and sat overlooking the sea is the Sea Shanty Beach cafe.
Great coffee and even better cake. The apple crumble flapjack smothered in real Devonshire clotted cream, was a real memory after a day spent swimming in the glorious sea.
Best event
Devon plays host to many local events. We were lucky enough to catch a couple of days of the Sidmouth folk festival. The festival is an annual event of live music, market stalls, street entertainment and plenty of alcohol.
Of course, as we had the children with us we were careful not to drink too much of their local scrumpy cider, but the atmosphere was electric. The streets were packed and everyone seemed to be having a great time. We are looking forward to visiting Sidmouth again to see this festival.
Travelling to the southwest
If you’re visiting Devon by road, you’ll find major routes available.
Holiday makers entering the county from the north have access via the M5 motorway, whilst visitors from the East will have a choice of the A303, which passes Stonehenge, or the A35 which hugs the coast.
Devon has major access routes via train. Exeter has to stations, St Davids and Central. There are rail links to main towns in the county.
A more budget-friendly approach is perhaps via national bus services. Although time-consuming this could be the preferred choice for those looking for a cheaper alternative.
It is well known that Devon’s roads can succumb to the sheer volume of traffic. Jams can be a problem. A good way to avoid this is traveling early or later to avoid congestion.
Devon Weather
How To Select The Right lodge break For You
A few helpful tips to help you find the right hoiliday cabin
In summary
- Decide on your group size
- Choose your location
- Think about time of year
- Decide whats important, pooll/hot tub/ fishing etc.
- Shop around for best prices
