Devon is England's third biggest county (2,588 sq miles) and possesses a feeling of space that is rarely felt elsewhere in southern England.

As a Peninsula surrounded by Gulf stream warmed waters, its climate is mild with typically little frost and as such is a paradise for gardeners who can often grow sub-tropical plants. Amongst its many publicly open gardens is the wonderful RHS Rosemoor at Great Torrington and the world renowned Eden project is an hour away in Cornwall.

It contains two national parks (Exmoor and Dartmoor), hundreds of miles of rugged coastline and fabulous sandy beaches. Much of the county is rolling green hills that provide grazing for the cows that produce its delicous clotted cream.

Exmoor in the north of the county is a national park of 268 square miles (693 square km) in extent that rises to 1703 feet at Dunkery beacon. It is characterised by misty moors and dramatic wooded valleys, or coombs, that tumble down to the sea. The moors remain grazing grounds for hardy Exmoor ponies and Exmoor horned sheep, and wild red deer are still hunted there. Dartmoor to the south of the county is bigger and higher and dramatically remote. Famed for the gothic adventures of Sherlock Holmes, its centre is occupied by the impressively forboding prison of Prince town made by Napoleonic prisoners of war.

Both these national parks, as well as the peaceful lanes of Devon make for excellent cycling and the many footpaths in the area give good access to walkers. An abundance of wildlife reserves makes Devon an obvious choice for twitchers too.

The Tarka trail runs along a disused railway line from Barnstaple in the north to Meeth halt is free from traffic and passes through rolling Devon countryside alongside meandering streams, fast flowing rivers and ancient woodlands. Bike hire is available at Bideford, Great Torrington and Barnstaple.

To the west of Winkleigh on the coast is Hartland point and the lovely fishing village of Clovelly that falls abruptly to the sea. The coastal footpath covers the entire south-west peninsula, hugging dramatic cliffs, rolling countryside and passing along both sand and pebble beaches.

Almost all sporting activities are catered for in the county with a wealth of golf courses, horse riding stables and for the more active, surfing / sea kayaking lessons are available in centres such as Bude (just inside Cornwall) and Croyde (just north of Barnstaple).