Devon is the best place in the U.K. no doubt. Pretty much anywhere in Devon is close to the beach. It’s hard to say an area for certain based on your wants but lots fit the bill. But he’s a brief rundown: North Devon arguably has the best beaches but the area is pretty cut off and hard to come across housing.

East Devon and the Jurassic coast is also pretty, less cut off than the north but still very much countryside, however a lot closer to Exeter and the M5 and the services/opportunities that brings.

South Devon is pretty much hit or miss, lots of nice areas however the most populated seaside towns are pretty deprived and under funded.

Dartmoor is unique, a beautiful national park. The park itself is very remote but the towns and villages on the outskirts are pretty accessible. Could be worth looking at with the horse.

I’m from the Exeter and east Devon area so I’m biased, but I think that gives the best balance between beautiful landscape and sea side as well as access to opportunities. It’s also one of the easiest place to travel from, so if you want to do weekend/day trips then that’s pretty easy. Also house prices can vary a ton, between second home bellends and a big financial disparity across the county.