"Pointing away from England into the Atlantic, the dangling limb of land holding Britain's westernmost counties of Devon and Cornwall has long wielded a powerful attraction for holiday-makers - not to mention second-homers, retirees, artists, writers and anyone keen on rugged landscape and ever-changing coastal scenery.
The two counties have a markedly different look and feel: Devon's rolling swards of pasture, narrow lanes and picturesque thatched cottages are a striking contrast to the craggy charms of Cornwall, imbued with a strong sense of Celtic culture.
The essential elements, however, are shared: first and foremost the sea - a constant theme and the strongest lure of the place - whether experienced as a restless force raging against rocks and reefs, or as a more serene presence, bathed in rich colours more readily associated with sultry southern Mediterranean shores."