It is home to a World Heritage Site, bustling market towns, ancient woodland and lush farmland. West Devon includes the stunning and world-renowned Dartmoor National Park with its impressive tors and wild roaming ponies.
There are plenty of National Trust and English Heritage properties right on the doorstep. Dotted between them are chocolate-boxed thatched cottages and historic buildings in our towns and villages.
The Challenges
Like other parts of the country, the Borough has its challenges. The lack of affordable housing creates is an issue for residents and has an impact on the local economy. We have an ageing population with all the care and support needs that entails. There are pockets of deprivation as well as issues of rural isolation and the challenges of delivering rural services. The effects of climate change and biodiversity loss are also starting to be seen. These are all issues that are being tackled by West Devon Borough Council so we can help the communities we serve.
Our People
West Devon is the least densely populated local authority in the South West. That’s perhaps not surprising as it includes the largest open moorland in Southern England: Dartmoor is a place of incredible remoteness and tranquillity. There are 57,100 people in the 1,161km2 area which equates to just 0.4 people per football-pitch-sized piece of land!
Transport Links
There is a network of road routes and regional airports. Trains run frequently from national destinations, as do national coaches.
- London is less than four hours away by train.
- Exeter is around an hour away by car.
- Bristol is around one and a half hours away by train.
Find out more at Visit West Devon