By Andy, founder
Winter in Devon is wet and dark, but it has its own charm: frosty mornings on the moor, stormy seas along the coast and a warm welcome by the fire. If you've been waiting for the right moment to meet someone, the quieter months are a good time to start.
Out in the weather
Take a frosty walk along Exeter Quay
A bright, cold morning beside the river is one of the best things about a Devon winter. Walking side by side takes the pressure off, and it's easy to extend if it's going well.
Blow away the cobwebs on the coast
A walk along the seafront at Exmouth or Sidmouth on a clear winter's day is bracing, with the waves rolling in. Follow it with a hot drink somewhere warm. Check the weather first, and wrap up well.
Try the edge of Dartmoor
A short walk on the edge of the moor in crisp weather is beautiful. Stick to the paths, check the forecast and be back before the light goes. It gets dark early and the weather can turn quickly.
Warm and cosy
Find a fireside pub
From Exeter to the villages on the edge of Dartmoor, there are plenty of old pubs with a fire and a quiet corner. For a first date, a weekday afternoon is ideal: calm, unhurried and easy to leave after one drink if you'd like to.
Visit a museum
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter is a good place to spend a cold afternoon. Talking about what you're looking at is a natural icebreaker, and it's warm and dry inside. Check opening times before you go.
Share a cream tea
A tearoom on a cold afternoon is hard to beat. Add a scone, and you've got something to talk about straight away.
Festive and seasonal
Each winter, towns and cities across Devon light up for Christmas. Check this year's listings for what's on before you plan around it. A stroll with a hot chocolate makes a lovely early date, and it's busy enough to feel relaxed.
A few winter tips
- Check opening times. Many places keep shorter hours in winter, so check before you go.
- Plan for the dark. It's dark by four o'clock in December, so a lunchtime date is often easier.
- Check the roads. Icy weather can disrupt trains and buses, and Devon lanes can flood, so have a plan B.
- Dress for the weather. Nobody is at their best cold and soaked.
- Stay safe. Meet somewhere public and make your own way there. Our guide to dating safely has more.
Looking for more ideas? Our first date ideas in Devon work all year round.
- date-ideas
- winter
- devon
