Where is Devon?
Devon is a county in the west of England. It borders Cornwall to the southwest, Somerset to the south and east, and Dorset to the northeast. The county has an area of 6,707 km2 (2,590 square miles).
Devon was one of three counties that split from the Duchy of Cornwall in 1973. It was created by splitting off Cornwall County Council’s six southernmost parishes: East Devon (including Teignbridge) North Devon, West Devon, Mid Devon, South Hams and Torridge Taw Vale.
Areas in Devon
Devon offers a range of places to live, from seaside towns to rural villages. The most popular places for people to live in Devon are:
Torquay – the town of Torquay is the most popular in all of Devon. Torquay has a population of around 50,000 people and is situated about an hour southwest of Exeter along the A30 road. The town itself offers beaches, beautiful coastal walks and stunning views across Lyme Bay towards Dorset to the South West.
Plymouth – Plymouth is another very popular place to live in Devon. Plymouth is the largest city in Devon with a population of around 250,000 people. The city has a lot to offer including maritime history, shopping, nightlife and restaurants.
Exeter – Exeter is the county town of Devon and offers everything you would expect from a large city including universities, theatres, museums, shopping and nightlife.
Paignton – Paignton is a popular seaside resort town with great beaches, bars and restaurants, that’s perfect for seaside living.
Teignmouth – Teignmouth has many beaches of golden sand that are perfect for sunbathing or exploring tidal pools. The area also offers fantastic coastal walks including the South West Coast Path which goes all the way to Dorset.
Universities in Devon
There are three universities located in Devon: the University of Exeter, Plymouth Marjon University and Plymouth University.
The University of Exeter – is located in the city of Exeter and is a Russell Group university, which means it’s one of the 24 most prestigious universities in the UK. It offers a wide range of courses across arts, humanities, business, law, sciences, health and social sciences.
University of Plymouth – Plymouth University is one of the top universities located in Devon and it’s known for its excellent student satisfaction ratings.
Plymouth Marjon University – Plymouth Marjon University is a university that focuses on teacher training, sport and education. It’s located in the city of Plymouth and offers a wide range of courses.
Top Schools in Devon
The schools listed below are the best performing and most popular schools for parents looking to buy a house within commuting distance. Some perform better than others depending on state testing scores, which can vary from year-to-year.
Torquay Boys Grammar School – Torquay Grammar is one of the most popular boarding schools in Devon and it’s known for its high academic standards.
Plymouth High School For Girls – Plymouth High is a top-performing all-girls school located just outside of the city centre.
Exeter School – Exeter School is one of the most selective schools in Devon and it regularly features near the top of UK school rankings.
Kingsbridge Community College – Kingsbridge Community is a well-respected school that’s known for its small class sizes as well as its excellent facilities.
Population of Devon
The population of Devon is just over 700,000 people, making it one of the least populous counties in England. The majority of Devon’s residents live in the southwest of the county, near Plymouth and Torbay.
