My DI Charlotte Savage novels are set in Devon, a county I've lived in for thirteen years. It's an area which receives hundreds of thousands of visitors annually due to the sheer variety of what's on offer. I've selected ten of my favourite places to reflect this variety. They're spread across the county (although biased towards the south and west, where I live) and several are away from the main tourist honeypots. At one or two, if you're lucky, you may have the place to yourself. All - aside from one - are free to visit.

Mark Sennen

Mark Sennen

Burgh Island

Agatha Christie's 'Soldier Island' in And Then There Were None (recently televised, although not filmed here) and the setting for the Poirot story, Evil Under the Sun. Burgh Island and the nearby beaches are something of a tourist magnet so best visited as the sun heads for the horizon and the crowds have packed up and left. This is a tidal island so note the times of high water or else you'll have to take the weird 'sea tractor' back to the mainland or wait out the time at the Pilchard Inn (a place with mixed reviews and somewhat of a League of Gentleman feel to it). The art deco Burgh Island Hotel is for residents only and is somewhat expensive, certainly well beyond the pockets of struggling crime writers (the cheapest rooms start at £300/night and there's a helipad should guests wish to arrive by air).

Plymouth Hoe

Plymouth has probably the most spectacular sea front of any British city. Up on Plymouth Hoe, the Sound spreads out before you and there's always something to see. Stand and gaze across the water and pretend you're Francis Drake, waiting for the tide to turn so you can go and sink some Spanish ships. Then head down to the nearby Barbican area of the city and grab something from the locals' favourite snack bar, Cap'n Jaspers (http://www.capn-jaspers.co.uk/). Alternatively, and at the other end of the scale (financially, if not culinary speaking) try the nearby Quay 33 restaurant. (http://www.quay33.co.uk/).

Powderham Castle

An impressive fortified manor house dating from the fourteenth century, Powderham is situated on the banks of the Exe Estuary in extensive grounds. The seat of the Courtenay family, I wonder what the previous Earls of Devon would have made of the fact that Coldplay and Ellie Goulding will be pumping out their hits in the grounds when the castle hosts Radio 1's Big Weekend in May.

Drake's Trail

A 21 mile long cycling and walking route which links Plymouth with the market town of Tavistock. It's a mostly easy ride/walk which runs through beautiful countryside. Kids in particular will adore the two long (and creepy) tunnels and the spectacular Gem Bridge which crosses high above a wooded river valley.

The Valley of the Rocks, Lynton

Amazing views along the wild North Devon coastline, wild goats and interesting geology. What's not to like? Oh, and the setting for the romantic novel Lorna Doone too.

St Michael de Rupe Church, Brentor

A truly magical spot, this 13th Century church is set high on a rock buff, accessible only by a steep path which winds around the hillside to the tiny building. In good weather there are amazing 360 degree views. In bad weather, the wind and rain and the low cloud swirling around only add to make a trip up here a spiritual experience.

Sharp Tor, Salcombe

A rugged path from Salcombe takes you to a dramatic costal scene where cliffs plunge into the beautiful blue waters of Starehole Bay. On your way look for the bar across the mouth of the estuary, a treacherous sandbank all but concealed by the sea. The sandbank is said to have been the inspiration for Tennyson's haunting poem about death, 'Crossing the Bar.' After reflecting on your own mortality, head back into Salcombe and join the masses queuing for fish and chips or ice cream.

The Ship Inn, Noss Mayo

The twin villages of Noss Mayo and Newton Ferrers sit on the winding Yealm Estuary and the Ship Inn (http://www.nossmayo.com/) is a great place to enjoy this idyllic spot. Especially enjoyable if you've done the four mile coastal walk round the headland before hand (http://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walksdb/91/). That way you can reward yourself with a portion of the Ship's excellent sticky toffee pudding. This is the sort of location where house prices increase by £100,000 when the tide is in. Speaking of which, if you leave your vehicle in the creekside pub car park then make sure you know the state of the tide. Watching the incoming water flood some poor Londoner's expensive Chelsea Tractor has put a smile on many a local's face.

Hound Tor, Dartmoor

Hound Tor is said to have been the inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles and it's certainly a spooky place when the mist descends. According to legend the rocks are a pack of dogs turned to stone by a group of witches. Should you feel peckish the awesomely named snack van, 'The Hound of the Basket Meals' is usually parked in the car park. Alternatively drive over the moor to the Warren House Inn (http://www.warrenhouseinn.co.uk/) where there's another legend inside - the fire in the inn has supposedly been burning since 1845.

Ditsworthy Warren House, Dartmoor

No apologies for featuring another Dartmoor location (which has no connection to the similarly named Warren House Inn mentioned above). Unlike Hound Tor, which is close to the road and thus throngs with visitors in the summer, Ditsworthy Warren House is isolated and you'll have to walk a mile along a track to reach it. When you do reach the uninhabited house you'll get a feeling for what it must have been like to live on the moor in past times. A few years ago this quiet spot buzzed with actors and camera crews and a certain Steven Spielberg as filming took place for War Horse. After filming Spielberg said 'I have never before in my long and eclectic career been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.' Shush, Steven, keep it to yourself would you?

Mark Sennen's latest novel, Two Evils is published by Avon and releases on 24 March in paperback.