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Summer Holidays in Devon: Beaches, Family Days Out & Things to Do

Are you looking for the ultimate family summer holiday in Devon? With golden beaches, fun-filled attractions, and stunning countryside, Devon offers the perfect escape for your family to unwind, explore, and make lasting memories together.

Why Choose Devon for Your Summer Holiday?

Devon is one of the UK's most beloved summer destinations, and it's easy to see why. It offers an extraordinary mix of landscapes, from wide sandy beaches and rugged sea cliffs to rolling green hills and the dramatic open moorland of Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks.

For families, Devon delivers everything a great British summer holiday should be. The beaches are clean, safe, and well-equipped, with many holding coveted Blue Flag status, and the coastal towns are full of traditional seaside charm. But Devon isn't just about the coast. Inland, you'll find ancient woodlands, river valleys perfect for paddling, and quiet country lanes built for cycling and exploring.

With a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget, from cottages and glamping sites to holiday parks and family hotels, Devon makes the perfect base for an unforgettable UK summer break.

Top Things to Do with Kids in Devon This Summer

Devon is genuinely one of the best counties in England for keeping children entertained throughout the summer holidays, and that's not marketing spin, it's geography. With two National Parks, over 200 beaches, and a coastline stretching more than 150 miles, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are almost limitless.

On the coast, kids can spend hours exploring rock pools teeming with crabs and sea anemones, try their hand at surfing on the Atlantic swells of Croyde or Saunton Sands, or join a guided coasteering session along the dramatic North Devon cliffs. Inland, Dartmoor offers wild swimming in clear moorland rivers, pony trekking across open heathland, and hiking trails suitable for even younger walkers.

Beyond the natural playground, Devon is packed with family attractions that make rainy days just as memorable. Crealy Theme Park, the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, and Paignton Zoo are firm favourites. Throughout the summer, towns and villages across Devon host outdoor theatre, beach festivals, wildlife workshops, and farmers' markets, giving you a constantly changing programme of events to dip in and out of. Whatever ages you're catering for, there's always something happening in Devon over the summer.

Beautiful Beaches Perfect for Families

Devon is home to some of the finest family beaches in the entire UK, and with a coastline facing both the English Channel to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, you get two very different beach experiences within the same county. The south Devon coast tends to offer calmer, warmer waters, ideal for younger children and confident swimmers, while North Devon's Atlantic-facing beaches deliver the kind of surf conditions that attract wave-riders from across the country.

Woolacombe, consistently rated one of Britain's best beaches, stretches for nearly three miles of golden sand and is patrolled by lifeguards throughout the summer season, making it a safe and spacious choice for families. Saunton Sands, just a few miles away, is equally impressive and backed by the largest dune system in the South West. On the south coast, Salcombe's sheltered estuary beaches are perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding, while Dawlish Warren offers a nature reserve alongside its broad sandy shoreline.

Many of Devon's most popular beaches hold Blue Flag status, meaning they meet rigorous international standards for water quality, safety, cleanliness, and environmental management. Facilities at these beaches typically include lifeguard cover, accessible toilets, cafés, and parking, giving you everything you need for a full day out with the family. Whether you're after serious surf, gentle paddling, or simply a long stretch of sand to run across, Devon's beaches consistently deliver.

Children ride in a colourful, open-top jungle-themed vehicle on a guided track, surrounded by lush greenery, conveying excitement and adventure.

Things to do in Devon

Discover the best things to do in Devon, from stunning beaches and coastal walks to historic towns, family attractions, and hidden countryside gems. Plan your perfect Devon getaway today.

SUMMER SAVINGS

From discounted days out at top Devon attractions to savings on children's meals and family dining, these participating businesses are helping you enjoy more of Devon for less. Browse below and start planning an affordable summer holiday or day out in Devon.

Family-Friendly Accommodation in Devon

Finding the right place to stay can shape a family holiday, and Devon stands out for accommodation that truly caters to families rather than simply accommodating them. From spacious self-catering cottages with enclosed gardens to well-equipped holiday parks with pools and entertainment, there are options for families of all sizes and budgets.

Self-catering is particularly popular with families visiting Devon, and for good reason. A holiday cottage gives you the freedom to eat when you like, come and go as you please, and spread out properly, something that a standard hotel room can't offer when you've got young children in tow. Devon has an enormous stock of high-quality holiday cottages, from converted barns and farmhouses on working farms to beachside chalets and character-filled village properties just a short walk from the pub.

For those who prefer the social atmosphere and on-site facilities of a holiday park, Devon delivers here too. Many of the county's caravan and holiday parks sit in spectacular coastal or countryside settings and offer amenities including heated outdoor pools, kids' clubs, playgrounds, sports courts, and evening entertainment. If you're after something a little more adventurous, Devon's campsites and glamping sites range from basic pitches under the stars to beautifully equipped bell tents and shepherd's huts with proper beds, wood-burning stoves, and private outdoor spaces.

Whatever your preference, family accommodation across Devon is concentrated in areas that give you easy access to the best of what the county offers, so you'll rarely need to spend more than 20 or 30 minutes in the car to reach a great beach, attraction, or National Park trailhead.

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Plan Your Family Summer Holiday in Devon Today

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Start planning your Devon summer holiday with the kids now – explore, relax, and reconnect in one of the UK’s most loved holiday destinations.

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