Top places to stay for a spring break in South Devon

With a host of activities and attractions, South Devon is a great option for a spring getaway. This region of Devon has everything from stunning coastal towns to rural countryside hideaways and some of the best food and drink options anywhere in the country, so no matter whether you’re looking forward to immersing yourself in nature and watching the spring flowers bloom or you want to visit the beach before the peak season, there’s something for everyone here.

Whether you’re coming with the whole family, a solo trip or a romantic break there are plenty of options to choose from. From holiday parks to cottages to hotels, to sea views to secret rural hideaways, you’ll find the perfect home from home for you in South Devon. To help you narrow down the search, here are some suggestions from across the region.

For the active

Whether you’re visiting with kids, someone who wants access to a host of facilities and activities or someone who wants everything a hotel has to offer with the freedom of self catering, check out some of the region’s holiday parks.

Staying at a holiday park full of facilities and entertainment means you don’t have to travel too far if you don’t want to – you don’t even need to leave the site, but if you do, you’ll find that you are well placed for exploring South Devon’s beaches and attractions.

Image: Hazelwood Holiday Park

In Dawlish Warren, close to the English Riviera, is Hazelwood Holiday Park. Set in a 38 acre, award winning site, this park has a friendly, village feel to it and has everything you need for a relaxing beach holiday in South Devon. Dawlish Warren beach is just a short walk away, as is the nature reserve – both great places to visit in spring. Hazelwood Holiday Park has a range of self-catering accommodation, so you can easily find something that suits your budget and your needs, whether you want something for the whole family or just the two of you. The site has regular evening entertainment and plenty of space for you to explore, as well as swimming pools so you can keep active while you’re away.

Also in Dawlish is Cofton Holidays, a multi award winning family run park set within 80 acres of stunning South Devon countryside. Cofton has a huge selection of holiday homes, cottages and apartments and being just 12 miles from Exeter and the Blue Flag beaches of the South Devon area, making it a great option for all kinds of visitors. The two and three bed holiday homes come with all the home comforts you could need, and there are several dog friendly options too – perfect considering the number of dog walking routes that can be found in the region. This is also good for those that love being active, as there are a host of activities for guests to join in with from high ropes, to fishing, to swimming and more.

One of the most popular areas of South Devon is the English Riviera. With streets lined with palm trees and glorious beaches, this region has long been a favourite of holiday makers. Within the English Riviera is South Bay Holiday Park, which is located in the town of Brixham. The site sits alongside the South West Coast Path and has a series of activity sessions for kids, as well as a kids’ club, themed weekends for the whole family to enjoy and plenty of chances to get in the pool!

What about those of you who want the convenience of a hotel stay while also having access to a range of facilities like arcades, games, pools and leisure facilities, check out TLH Leisure. This resort in Torquay has several hotels within one resort and a range of leisure facilities, plus year round nightly entertainment, all just yards from Torquay’s beach and town centre. Regardless of what hotel you choose to stay in, you can use all the facilities and eateries throughout the complex, so you can choose the perfect accommodation option for your needs and budget without having to miss out.

For those that want everything taken care of

For many of you, if you’re going on holiday, you want a chance to rest and not worry about having to cook, clean or anything else. If that’s the case, you’re in luck as there are an array of fabulous hotels across South Devon.

In the delightful village of Kingsbridge, which is close to Salcombe is the Thurlestone Hotel, a four star luxury establishment with 19 acres of land surrounding it. There are luxury spa and leisure facilities, as well as a coastal golf course all for guests’ use. With comfortable rooms, including some dog friendly options, and exceptional hospitality, you can certainly rest and recharge here.

If you’d rather be closer to the English Riviera, The Palace Hotel and Spa puts you in the centre of the action right on Paignton’s Esplanade, just a short walk away from the town centre, beach and a host of attractions. Guests have use of the onsite Genisis Health Suite, with a range of beauty treatments and spa facilities and can choose from a series of tastefully decorated ensuite rooms, many of which have sea views. During the school holidays, like Easter, there are special themed breaks running and you can often find holiday offers for families – so if you’re looking for a town centre hotel break this spring, this is a great option.

South Devon is a place that is deeply proud of its heritage and you’ll notice that many of the seafront hotels still retain their Georgian architecture. Throughout the county there are incredible historic hotels with amazing atmosphere that will really make your spring stay special. For example, Bovey Castle is a sprawling country estate with 275 acres, including its own golf course, that you can explore at your leisure. As you might expect from somewhere so grand, the accommodation is luxurious and comfortable without being stuffy – families are welcome to stay and the kids are allowed to enjoy themselves as they would at home.

Image: Bovey Castle

Similarly, South Devon is also home to Boringdon Hall and Spa near Plymouth. This Elizabethan style manor house has all the drama of the period with arrow slits and secret archways throughout while also offering all the mod cons you would expect from a hotel stay. The award winning onsite spa is perfect for relaxing, while their monthly special edition cream teas bring people from miles around – really, where else would be better to sample one of Devon’s greatest exports than this awe-inspiring setting?

For those who like their space

There is something very special about staying in a traditional Devon cottage – you can experience life like a local and enjoy your break at your own pace. There are no curfews, no set meal times and you are free to come and go as you please.

Self catering is the perfect option for those who want to go on a foodie adventure around Devon or have children or dogs with them that need to stick with their routines. In South Devon, there are a host of properties, from castles to apartments to cottages and just about everything else you can think of with both coastal and countryside views.

Near Salcombe is the hamlet of Bolberry, a National Trust managed area of open countryside full of coastal walks. Here is where you’ll find Bolberry Farm Cottages, a series of traditional barn conversions that each have their own private gardens. These cottages are great for big get togethers or family holidays as you can sleep up to 16 people across all three. Pets are welcome and stay free of charge and there is WiFi throughout so you can stay up to date with your favourite shows, keep gaming and stay in touch with friends and family back home.

Nestled in a hidden valley on the outskirts of Dartmouth are Nethway Farm Cottages – these traditional stone cottages are surrounded by beautiful gardens and are ideal for family holidays. Dogs are also welcome and there are enclosed outdoor spaces, so even if you choose to spend a day relaxing on site, your four legged friends can still get out in nature. Guests are welcome to explore the farm, feed the animals or just rest and relax. The farm also welcome families with additional needs and there are facilities onsite to ensure that everyone has a wonderful short break in South Devon. Despite being hidden away, you’re close to all the major attractions – ideal for the upcoming school holidays.

If you want to combine a countryside getaway with a city break, there are plenty of options close to Plymouth, including Bovisand Lodge Heritage Apartments. Bovisand Lodge is a Grade 2 listed country house which features a series of beautifully furnished Heritage Apartments. Staying here gives you access to the beach and the South West Coast Path as well as only being a short journey from Plymouth itself. Guests have use of the indoor heated pool and sauna, while also having the freedom of a self-catering holiday. 

Image: Bovisand Lodge Heritage Apartments

For the campers and glampers

You might think it’s still a bit cold for a camping holiday but with South Devon’s warm micro-climate, the whole region is actually warmer than you might think. There are lots of lovely campsites that are family and dog friendly and can be a good choice if you’re on a budget.

One family friendly camp site is Camp Dartington, which is located on the grounds of the Dartington Estate on the outskirts of Totnes. There are few other places where you can camp on the grounds of a medieval hall with listed historic gardens and a stay here is certainly a very different experience to the camping holidays you might remember from childhood! Not only are there your usual camping pitches, but also a range of glamping options like bell tents and pods. Booking a stay here means you get to explore the 1,200 acres of grounds, enjoy uninterrupted views across to Dartmoor, loads of walks around the River Dart and the chance to visit the nearby town of Totnes. 

If you still think spring is a little too cold for camping, then check out glamping. Glamping takes all the good bits of camping and makes it better by including heating, running water and proper beds! Near the stunning town of Dartmouth is Dittisham Hideaway where there are a selection of treehouses and Shepherd’s Lodges.

Image: Dittisham Hideaway

Each of the treehouses sleep up to two adults and three children and feature their own private, furnished deck and wood-fired hot tub, some of them are also dog friendly, so your furry friends can come along with you. As you might expect from a glamping holiday, there is plenty of luxury to enjoy here, like sumptuous Egyptian cotton linen, power showers and underfloor heating. The Shepherds Lodges are all hand crafted and have lovely views. Each one has their own wood-fired spa bath and private terrace, as well as king sized beds and power showers!
If you can drag yourself away from Dittisham, you are well placed to explore the lovely town of Dartmouth and all guests staying here get a complimentary journey to Greenway House where you can learn more about one of South Devon’s best known residents – Agatha Christie!

 For a quiet stay, check out Langstone Manor Park which is famed for its peaceful atmosphere and sits right on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park. The whole site prides itself on not having traffic noise and uninterrupted starry skies, so if you want to visit South Devon to relax, this is the place for you. The site has everything from manor house apartments, static caravans, pitches for tents and glamping pods, which are complete with your own toilets, TVs and sofas to relax on.

Being close to Dartmoor allows you to see a different side of South Devon, allowing you to be near the coast but also explore the wilds of the moor and experience the region’s beautiful countryside.

Feeling inspired to plan your own spring get away to South Devon? You can find more information about the region, as well as places to stay and things to do here.