Kate W
10 January 2020
There are so many fantastic places to visit with the family in Devon it can be tricky narrowing down where to do and what to do while on a South West holiday.
You could head to the theme parks for rides and activities or hit the beach and learn to surf. Walk the exquisite moorland that covers much of this county or visit an aquarium and meet a whole load of creatures from the deep.
Are you planning a half-term break, Christmas getaway or summer holiday? There’s plenty of events throughout the year for the whole family to get involved in too - check out these top 10 easter egg hunts in Devon.
When you have decided which of these exciting attractions you simply have to visit during your family holiday, we’ve chosen a few of our top family-friendly cottages in Devon for you to investigate. See which of these wonderful cottages would be perfect for your next family trip:
Discover these wonderful things to do with the kids in Devon with your kids and make this a holiday to remember.
Where to first? Skip to section:
- The Tarka Trail
- River Dart Country Park
- The Milky Way Adventure Park
- National Marine Aquarium
- Crealy Theme Park & Resort
- Woolacombe Beach
- Woodlands Theme Park
- RHS Rosemoor
- Dartmoor National Park
- Westward Ho! beach
Take the family for a cycle ride along this flat, tarmacked trail, great for little ones still honing their cycling skills or experienced cyclists looking to take in as much of North Devon as possible during one holiday. Cycle the stretch from Instow to Fremington for a tranquil cycle along the coast before grabbing lunch down at Fremington Quay or back at one of Instow’s warm and welcoming beachside pubs.
This wonderful family attraction offers up outdoor fun with obstacle courses and low ropes wires, the Pirate Ship at the centre of a swimming lake, and there’s even the opportunity for water zorbs and canoeing. Children can explore the Adventure Playground, whoosh down the Snake Slides and you can let youngsters loose in the Toddlers Beach and Toddlers Playground.
A fantastic day out for all the family, the Milky Way Adventure Park has everything from roller coasters and dodgems down to Toddler Town for little ones. Catch the bird of prey show, have a go on the Jumping Jupiters or race each other to the centre of the maze. There’s a whole section full of sci-fi memorabilia and also a train that will take you on a ride around the park.
As the UK’s largest aquarium, this place should impress even the most stubborn of kids! There are over 4000 animals to be found here: meet turtles, sharks and manta rays as you explore this aquarium. They even have fun events and children’s activity clubs taking place throughout the year so check out what’s on before you go.
Enjoy a day out with the kids to Crealy Theme Park in South Devon, perfect for teens who want thrills and adrenaline rides, or youngsters who need an area to run about and explore freely. There are some fab outdoor attractions including rollercoasters, spinning cars and even fantastic water rides – great for summer fun! Events and shows take place throughout the year, there’s an indoor play area as well as food and drink when you and the kids are ready to refuel.
One of the UK’s top beaches with miles of golden sand and crashing waves, it’s no wonder this holiday destination has won numerous awards. Take part in the water sports - surfing is always popular and you could treat the kids to a surf lesson or go bodyboarding, kayaking or jet skiing instead.
Retreat to Woolacombe
There is so much to see and do at Woodlands Theme Park which is no surprise as it claims to be the biggest theme park in Devon! If you fancy a visit, you can expect to try the nausea-inducing Vertigo ride, the storybook land of Fantasi Forest, and the zoo farm with all kinds of wonderful animals to meet. There are plenty of events throughout the year and different zones in the park suitable for a variety of age groups to enjoy a great day out.
These beautiful, scenic gardens offer up wonderful family-friendly activities throughout the year. Due to the nature of this place, depending what time of year you go you’ll have a different experience. Enjoy blossoming spring and colourful summer gardens, visit in autumn for red and umber foliage or enjoy the Christmas lights and festivities during winter.
One of Devon’s two impressive national parks, Dartmoor is a fantastic option for a family day out in the great outdoors. This region is a walker’s paradise with undulating hills and secret natural spaces to uncover - dogs love walking here too so who not bring the family pet along on your travels?
Escape to Dartmoor
With amusements, go-karts and ice cream vans, Westward Ho! is a traditional family-friendly seaside resort which children will love! Let them loose down on the beach where there is miles of sand, shallow water and a pebble ridge to explore. Walk along the seafront to the sea pool, great for youngsters, then sit on the green to eat the classic fish and chips.
Holidays in Westward Ho!
There’s so much to do and so much to see throughout this huge county, you and the kids will be spoilt for choice during your family break!
Where will you begin? If you haven’t picked out your holiday home just yet, browse through our collection and find your perfect family holiday cottage in Devon.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.