Moving from London to Devon: Costs, Planning and What to Expect

Moving from London to Devon is a big change, and the distance makes the logistics different from a local move. Empire Removals is a family-run removal company based in Newton Abbot that carries out long-distance moves from London regularly. A London to Devon move is around 200 miles and takes the best part of a day with a loaded van, whether you are heading for Newton Abbot, Exeter, Torquay, or the South Devon coast. This guide covers the planning, the costs, and what tends to catch people out.

What Does Moving from London to Devon Cost?

There is no single figure, and any firm that quotes one without seeing your home first is guessing. The price depends on a few things:

•     Property size and volume: more rooms means a larger van and a bigger crew.

•     Packing needs: a full pack, fragile-only, or materials-only all differ in time and labour.

•     Access at collection: parking suspensions, narrow streets, lifts or stairs.

•     Access at delivery: steep lanes, low hedges, or a long carry at the Devon property.

•     Storage: a storage leg between completion and move-in adds to the overall quote.

At Empire Removals every job is surveyed individually before we quote. James assesses your home, your route and any access at both ends, then comes back with a clear price covering the whole house move. Book a free, no-obligation survey for an honest quote based on your actual job.

Planning a Long-Distance Move from London to Devon

Book your removal early

Devon-bound moves cluster around school holidays, bank holidays and end-of-month completions. If your date falls near any of those, book as soon as your completion date is confirmed, ideally six to eight weeks out. Leaving it to the last fortnight in a busy month means less choice and less flexibility if your date moves.

Sort parking and access before the day

Parking in London is the most common cause of delays on collection day. If your property has no driveway, check whether you need a parking suspension or dispensation for a removal van. Many inner London boroughs (such as Camden, Islington and Southwark) require one, and applications usually need several working days' notice, so apply early. At the Devon end, mention any narrow lane, low hedge or steep driveway when you book so the crew comes prepared.

Decide what is making the journey

A long-distance move is a good prompt to declutter, since anything you are unsure about costs money to move and then to dispose of. If you have items to keep but cannot take immediately, ask about storage as part of the move. Empire Removals runs a secure facility in Newton Abbot where belongings can be held short or long-term, collected from London and redelivered to your Devon address when you are ready.

What to Expect on Move Day

A typical London to Devon move runs over one or two days depending on volume and access.

1.   Collection morning (London). The crew works through each room. If you have booked packing, this may start the day before. Boxes are labelled by room and loaded in reverse order of unpacking.

2.   Travel. The drive from central London to most of Devon takes roughly three to four hours without heavy traffic.

3.   Arrival and unloading (Devon). The crew offloads directly into each room, following the labelling. Furniture is placed where you want it, and dismantling and reassembly is included as standard.

4.   Check and sign off. You walk through to confirm everything has arrived and is in the right place before the crew leaves.

Choosing Your Devon Area

Where you land in Devon affects both lifestyle and access on the day. A few of the areas people commonly move to from London:

•     Exeter: the county's main city, with the University, the M5 and mainline rail to London.

•     Torquay and Paignton: the Torbay coast, popular with families and downsizers.

•     Newton Abbot: our home town, well placed for the A380 Exeter corridor without Exeter's prices.

Whichever you choose, we cover it. See our removals to Devon page for how the long-distance service works.

Children, Pets and the First Night

Long journeys are harder on children and pets than on boxes. Plan for someone to look after them on the day if you can, keep a small bag of their essentials with you rather than in the van, and set up one room first at the Devon end so there is a calm space to retreat to. Pack a first-night box for yourselves too: kettle, mugs, chargers, medication, toiletries, bedding and a change of clothes, and keep it in the car, not the load.

A Simple London to Devon Timeline

5.   Six to eight weeks before: book your survey and confirm your removal date.

6.   Four weeks before: start decluttering and, if you need it, arrange packing and storage.

7.   Two weeks before: apply for any London parking suspension, and confirm access details at both ends.

8.   The week before: pack non-essentials, label boxes by room, and set aside a first-night box.

9.   Moving day: the crew loads in London, travels, and unloads and reassembles at your Devon home.

What People Get Wrong

•     Underestimating volume. Most people moving out of London have more than they think. A survey gives an accurate van size and crew number.

•     Assuming it runs like a local move. A London to Devon move is a full working day each way. Build buffer into your day in case completion is delayed.

•     Skipping the survey. A proper survey catches anything unusual, such as narrow access or a piano on the third floor, before the day rather than during it.

•     Leaving storage too late. If your completion and move-in dates might not align, ask about storage early.

•     Not notifying enough people. Royal Mail redirection, DVLA, HMRC, your GP, dentist and bank all need updating, along with council tax at both ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does a removal from London to Devon take?

  For most 2 to 3 bedroom homes, the collection and drive take the best part of a day. Larger or harder-access jobs may spread over two days, packing on day one and travel and delivery on day two. Your surveyor gives you a realistic timeline for your job.

• Do you collect from anywhere in London?

  Yes. We cover the London area for Devon-bound moves, whether you are in central London or the suburbs. If your street has parking restrictions, let us know early and we will advise on the permit you need.

• Can you store my belongings if there is a gap between completion and move-in?

  Yes. Our Newton Abbot facility offers short and long-term storage. We collect from your London address, hold your belongings securely, and redeliver to Devon when you have the keys. Storage is quoted as part of the overall job.

• Do you offer packing support for long-distance moves?

  Yes. You can choose full packing, partial packing, or materials only. Free boxes and packing tape come with every removal, and wardrobe cartons, bubble wrap and mattress covers are available. Tell us what you need at the survey and we price it in. See our packing service.

• What do I need to sort with the council when moving from London to Devon?

  Cancel your London borough council tax from your completion date and register with your new Devon district council (for example Teignbridge, Exeter City or South Hams). Each council has its own online process, so check their website directly. If you move mid-year you may be due a partial refund from your London borough.

Ready to Plan Your Move from London to Devon?

If you are moving from London to Devon and want an honest quote based on your actual job, get in touch for a free, no-obligation survey. For how we handle long-distance moves into the county, see our removals to Devon page.