West Devon occupies the wilder, western edge of Devon, much of it rolling farmland and the granite moorland of Dartmoor. The landscape is defined by tors, river valleys such as the Tamar, and a scattering of small market towns and villages that feel a long way from big-city bustle.
The area has a strong industrial past - the old mines form part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape - alongside medieval centres like Tavistock and the austere presence of Princetown with its famous prison. Today agriculture, tourism and niche food and craft businesses underpin the local economy, while many residents commute to larger employment centres such as Plymouth.
Community life is lively for a rural area: pannier markets, music and arts events in market towns, and a large outdoor culture centred on walking, cycling and wild-country pursuits on the moor. At the same time local councils and conservation bodies wrestle with typical rural issues - affordable housing, an ageing population and balancing visitor pressure with landscape protection.
West Devon postcode districts
Most populated places in West Devon
Places in West Devon
- Beaworthy Parish
- Belstone Parish
- Bere Alston Built-up area
- Bere Ferrers Parish
- Bondleigh Parish
- Bradstone Parish
- Bratton Clovelly Parish
- Brentor Parish
- Bridestowe Parish
- Broadwoodkelly Parish
- Buckland Monachorum Built-up area
- Burrator Ward
- Chagford Built-up area
- Coryton Parish
- Crapstone Built-up area
- Dartmoor Ward
- Dartmoor Forest Parish
- Dousland Built-up area
- Exbourne Parish
- Hatherleigh Built-up area
- Horrabridge Built-up area
- Lamerton Built-up area
- Lifton Built-up area
- Mary Tavy Built-up area
- North Tawton Built-up area
- Okehampton Built-up area
- Okehampton Hamlets Parish
- Princetown Built-up area
- South Zeal Built-up area
- Tavistock Built-up area
- Yelverton Built-up area
- … See all