Devon Postcode Areas, Districts & Map Guide
Devon in South West England is mainly covered by three postcode areas:
- EX (Exeter postcode area) – most of Devon
- TQ (Torquay postcode area) – South Devon / English Riviera
- PL (Plymouth postcode area) – Plymouth & South West fringe
It is one of the UK counties where postcode boundaries strongly reflect geography: inland rural Devon vs coastal urban zones.
1. EX POSTCODE AREA (Exeter & Most of Devon)
The EX area covers the largest part of Devon, including Exeter and much of East, Mid, and North Devon.
EX District Breakdown
Exeter & Immediate Surroundings
- EX1 – East Exeter (Heavitree, St Leonard’s fringe)
- EX2 – South Exeter (St Thomas, Alphington)
- EX3 – Topsham, riverside eastern suburbs
- EX4 – North & central Exeter
- EX5 – Cranbrook, Broadclyst, airport areas
East Devon & Rural Zones
- EX6 – Exminster, Dawlish outskirts, Teign Valley fringe
- EX7 – Dawlish, coastal towns
- EX8 – Exmouth (major seaside town)
- EX9 – Budleigh Salterton, coastal villages
Mid Devon & Inland Areas
- EX14 – Honiton
- EX15 – Cullompton
- EX16 – Tiverton
- EX17 – Crediton & surrounding villages
🌲 North Devon (Rural & Coastal)
- EX18 – South Molton
- EX19 – Chulmleigh area
- EX20 – Okehampton
- EX21–EX23 – Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, Bude border areas
Case Insight: EX4 (Central Exeter)
Local sentiment:
“Everything is walkable—university, shops, and nightlife are all close together.”
Key insight:
- University-driven economy
- High student population
- Dense urban housing mix
Case Insight: EX8 (Exmouth)
Resident view:
“A relaxed seaside town, popular with retirees and families who want coastal living near Exeter.”
Key insight:
- Strong commuter link to Exeter
- Tourism + retirement economy
- High seasonal population change
Case Insight: EX16 (Tiverton)
Local comment:
“A quiet market town that feels central but slightly disconnected from major employment hubs.”
Key insight:
- Inland commuter settlement
- Agricultural and service economy
- Moderate housing affordability
2. TQ POSTCODE AREA (Torbay & South Devon Coast)
The TQ area covers the English Riviera and South Devon coastline.
TQ District Breakdown
Torbay Urban Area
- TQ1 – North Torquay
- TQ2 – Central Torquay
- TQ3 – Paignton (north)
- TQ4 – Paignton (south / coastal fringe)
- TQ5 – Brixham
South Devon & Inland Coastal Towns
- TQ6 – Dartmouth
- TQ7 – Kingsbridge & Salcombe area
- TQ8 – Salcombe coastal zone
- TQ9 – Totnes
- TQ10–TQ14 – Ashburton, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth fringe
Case Insight: TQ2 (Central Torquay)
Resident comment:
“Tourism dominates everything in summer, but winters feel much quieter and more local.”
Key insight:
- Tourism-heavy economy
- Seasonal employment shifts
- Coastal housing demand
Case Insight: TQ9 (Totnes)
Local view:
“A very independent town with strong arts and alternative culture.”
Key insight:
- Independent retail economy
- Cultural and creative hub
- Strong community identity
Case Insight: TQ6 (Dartmouth)
Resident sentiment:
“Beautiful but expensive—driven by tourism and second homes.”
Key insight:
- High property prices
- Maritime and tourism economy
- Seasonal population variation
3. PL POSTCODE AREA (Plymouth & South-West Devon Fringe)
The PL area covers Plymouth and surrounding Devon/Cornwall border regions.
PL District Breakdown
Plymouth Urban Zones
- PL1 – City centre, waterfront
- PL2 – North Plymouth
- PL3 – North-east Plymouth
- PL4 – East Plymouth, university area
- PL5 – North-west Plymouth
- PL6 – Northern suburbs (Estover, Derriford)
- PL7 – Plympton
- PL8 – Plymstock
- PL9 – South-east coastal Plymouth
Case Insight: PL1 (Plymouth Waterfront)
Local comment:
“The waterfront is modern and regenerated, but older industrial areas are still nearby.”
Key insight:
- Strong regeneration investment
- Port city economy
- Mixed urban development
Case Insight: PL4 (University Area)
Resident view:
“Student life dominates here—busy during term time, quieter during holidays.”
Key insight:
- High student population
- Rental-heavy housing market
- Strong academic influence
Case Insight: PL6 (Derriford)
Local sentiment:
“More suburban and family-friendly, especially around hospitals and business parks.”
Key insight:
- Healthcare employment hub
- Suburban residential growth
- Stable housing demand
SIMPLIFIED DEVON POSTCODE MAP STRUCTURE
North & Central Devon (EX)
- Exeter (EX1–EX5)
- East Devon coast (EX7–EX9)
- Mid Devon (EX14–EX17)
- North Devon (EX18–EX23)
South Devon Coast (TQ)
- Torquay, Paignton, Brixham (TQ1–TQ5)
- Dartmouth, Totnes, Salcombe (TQ6–TQ9)
- Inland South Devon (TQ10–TQ14)
Plymouth Region (PL)
- Central Plymouth (PL1–PL4)
- Suburbs (PL5–PL9)
KEY REGIONAL PATTERNS
Urban Devon
- Exeter (EX1–EX4)
- Plymouth (PL1–PL4)
- Strong education + healthcare + port economies
Coastal Devon
- Torbay (TQ1–TQ5)
- South Devon (TQ6–TQ9)
- Tourism-driven economy, seasonal shifts
Rural Devon
- EX14–EX20 regions
- Agriculture, market towns, lower density population
- Here is a Devon Postcode Areas, Districts & Map Guide with case studies and local-style comments (no sources or links).
Devon Postcode Areas, Districts & Map Guide (Case Studies Included)
Devon is mainly divided into three core postcode areas:
- EX (Exeter & most of Devon)
- TQ (Torquay & South Devon coast)
- PL (Plymouth & surrounding areas)
These postcode zones strongly reflect Devon’s geography: urban hubs, coastal tourism towns, and rural inland communities.
1. EX POSTCODE AREA (Exeter & Wider Devon)
The EX area is the largest, covering Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, and North Devon.
EX District Overview
- EX1–EX5 → Exeter city & suburbs
- EX6–EX9 → East Devon coast & countryside
- EX14–EX17 → Mid Devon towns
- EX18–EX23 → North Devon & border regions
Case Study: EX1 (East Exeter)
Local-style comment:
“Everything feels fast here—students, commuters, and new developments all mix together.”
Key insights:
- High-density residential zones
- Strong commuter access
- Growing student + young professional population
Case Study: EX4 (Central/North Exeter)
Resident comment:
“Busy during the day, especially around the university and city centre, but still very walkable.”
Key insights:
- University influence is strong
- Retail + services dominate
- High rental demand
Case Study: EX8 (Exmouth – Coastal Town)
Local comment:
“A classic seaside town—busy in summer, quiet and peaceful in winter.”
Key insights:
- Tourism-driven economy
- Retiree + commuter mix
- Strong coastal housing demand
Case Study: EX16 (Tiverton – Mid Devon)
Resident view:
“Feels like proper countryside living, but still connected enough for commuting.”
Key insights:
- Market town economy
- Agricultural surroundings
- Moderate affordability compared to Exeter
Case Study: EX20 (Okehampton – North Devon Edge)
Local comment:
“It’s growing slowly, but still feels like a gateway to Dartmoor life.”
Key insights:
- Rural commuter settlement
- Tourism + outdoor economy
- Lower density population
2. TQ POSTCODE AREA (Torbay & South Devon Coast)
The TQ area covers the English Riviera and surrounding coastal towns.
TQ District Overview
- TQ1–TQ5 → Torquay, Paignton, Brixham
- TQ6–TQ9 → Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Totnes
- TQ10+ → Teignbridge inland towns (Newton Abbot, Ashburton, etc.)
Case Study: TQ2 (Central Torquay)
Resident comment:
“Summer is packed with tourists, but winters feel like a completely different town.”
Key insights:
- Seasonal tourism economy
- Hospitality-driven employment
- High fluctuation in population
Case Study: TQ5 (Brixham – Fishing Town)
Local sentiment:
“Fishing is still part of everyday life here—it hasn’t been fully taken over by tourism.”
Key insights:
- Strong fishing industry heritage
- Tourism support economy
- Tight-knit community identity
Case Study: TQ6 (Dartmouth – River Town)
Resident comment:
“Beautiful but expensive—second homes and tourism push prices up.”
Key insights:
- High property prices
- Strong tourism economy
- Seasonal population spikes
Case Study: TQ9 (Totnes – Alternative Culture Town)
Local view:
“Totnes feels different—independent shops, arts, and a strong local identity.”
Key insights:
- Independent economy
- Cultural/creative hub
- Strong community engagement
3. PL POSTCODE AREA (Plymouth & South-West Devon)
The PL area covers Plymouth and nearby Devon/Cornwall border regions.
PL District Overview
- PL1–PL4 → Plymouth city centre & university zones
- PL5–PL9 → Suburbs like Derriford, Plympton, Plymstock
Case Study: PL1 (Plymouth Waterfront)
Local comment:
“The waterfront looks modern and regenerated, but older parts are still visible nearby.”
Key insights:
- Port city economy
- Regeneration projects ongoing
- Mixed urban development
Case Study: PL4 (University Area)
Resident view:
“Student life dominates here—busy during term time and quieter during holidays.”
Key insights:
- High student population
- Rental-heavy housing market
- Education-driven economy
Case Study: PL6 (Derriford – Suburban Hub)
Local sentiment:
“Feels more like a self-contained suburb with hospitals, shops, and families.”
Key insights:
- Healthcare employment centre
- Family-friendly suburban area
- Stable housing demand
Case Study: PL9 (Plymstock – Coastal Suburb)
Resident comment:
“Quieter and more residential, with good access to the coast.”
Key insights:
- High-quality residential area
- Coastal proximity
- Strong commuter population
SIMPLIFIED DEVON POSTCODE STRUCTURE
EX AREA (Largest Coverage)
- Exeter (EX1–EX5)
- East Devon coast (EX7–EX9)
- Mid Devon towns (EX14–EX17)
- North Devon (EX18–EX23)
TQ AREA (South Devon Coast)
- Torquay / Paignton / Brixham (TQ1–TQ5)
- Dartmouth / Totnes / Salcombe (TQ6–TQ9)
- Inland South Devon towns (TQ10+)
PL AREA (Plymouth Region)
- City centre (PL1–PL4)
- Suburbs (PL5–PL9)
KEY REGIONAL PATTERNS IN DEVON
Urban Zones
- Exeter (EX1–EX4)
- Plymouth (PL1–PL4)
- Education, retail, healthcare dominate
Coastal Zones
- Torbay (TQ1–TQ5)
- South Devon (TQ6–TQ9)
- Tourism + seasonal economies
Rural Inland Devon
- Mid & North Devon (EX14–EX23)
- Agriculture, market towns, lower population density
OVERALL INSIGHT
Devon’s postcode system reflects three distinct lifestyles:
- EX → Administrative + commuter + rural mix
- TQ → Tourism + coastal living economy
- PL → Industrial + urban + naval/port economy