• What's On
    • Big Devon Events
    • Festivals
    • Markets
    • Food & Drink Festivals Events
    • Sports Events
    • Art Events
    • Music Events
    • Monthly Events Calendar
    • Tell Us About Your Event
  • Explore
    • Areas to Visit
      • Dartmoor
      • The English Riviera
      • East Devon and Jurassic Coast
      • Mid Devon
      • North Devon
      • South Devon
      • Exeter
      • Plymouth
      • Exmoor
    • Cities, Towns & Villages
      • Ashburton
      • Axminster
      • Barnstaple
      • Beer
      • Bideford
      • Bovey Tracey
      • Brixham
      • Budleigh Salterton
      • Combe Martin
      • Crediton
      • Croyde
      • Cullompton
      • Dartmouth
      • Dawlish
      • Exeter
      • Exmouth
      • Honiton
      • Ilfracombe
      • Kingsbridge
      • Moretonhampstead
      • Newton Abbot
      • Okehampton
      • Ottery St Mary
      • Paignton
      • Plymouth
      • Salcombe
      • Seaton
      • Sidmouth
      • South Molton
      • Tavistock
      • Teignmouth
      • Tiverton
      • Torquay
      • Totnes
      • Westward Ho!
      • Woolacombe
    • Eco Friendly Devon
    • Dog Friendly Devon
    • History and Heritage
      • D Day in Devon
      • Dartmoor’s Myths and Legends
    • Webcams in Devon
  • Accommodation
    • All Hotels
      • Boutique Hotels
      • Brend Hotels
      • Country House Hotels
      • Spa Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses
    • Self Catering
      • Cottages in Devon
    • Campsites
    • Campervans & Motorhomes
    • Caravan & Holiday Parks
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Farm Stays
    • Hostels and Budget
    • Romantic Breaks
    • Dog Friendly
    • Eco Friendly
    • Serviced Apartments
  • Things To Do
    • Attractions
      • Beaches
      • Adventure, Theme & Water Parks
      • Animals & Aquariums
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Castles, Forts & Caves
      • Cinemas in Devon
      • Breweries and Micro Breweries in Devon
      • Family Friendly
      • History & Culture
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Marinas in Devon
      • Parks & Gardens
      • Stately Homes & Manors
      • Theatres in Devon
      • National Trust in Devon
    • Activities
      • Outdoor Pursuits
      • Walking & Hiking
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Cycling & Cycle Routes in Devon
      • Climbing
      • Horse Riding
      • Shooting
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Health & Fitness
      • Horse Racing
      • Cookery Schools
      • Boat Trips in Devon
    • Watersports
      • Surfing
      • Swimming
      • Sailing
      • Kayaks, Canoes and Rowing Boats
      • Scuba Diving & Snorkelling
      • Paddle Boarding
    • Shopping
      • Shopping in Devon
    • Free Days Out
    • Rainy Days
    • Ideas and Inspiration
    • Tours & Sightseeing
  • Food & Drink
    • Places to Eat & Drink
      • Restaurants
      • Cafes & Tearooms
      • Pubs & Bars
      • Fast Food & Takeaways
    • Special Requirements
      • Vegetarian & Vegan
      • Local Produce
      • Family Friendly
      • Seafood
    • Devon Cream Teas
    • Award Winning
    • Food Tours, Breweries & Vineyards
    • Cookery Schools
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Devon Gin
    • Food and Drink Events
  • Conferences
    • Conference Venues
    • Delegate Accommodation
    • Eating Out in Devon for Conference Delegates
    • Incentive Travel
    • Make an Enquiry
    • Making the most of your time
    • Team Building
    • Travelling to Devon for Conference Delegates
    • Why Devon
  • Weddings
  • Special Offers
  • Visitor Info
    • Plan Your Visit
      • Tourist Information Centres
      • Brochures & Guides
    • Getting Here
      • Great Western Railway
      • South Western Railway
    • Getting Around Devon
      • Parking in Devon
    • Competitions
      • Win a £250 voucher for Welcome Family Holiday Park
    • A guide to social distancing on the beach
    • More Information
      • Contact Us
      • Enewsletter Sign Up
      • Visit Devon News
      • Advertise With Us
      • Important information on Covid-19
    • Escape the Everyday
  • COVID-19
    • Good to Go Accommodation
    • Good to Go Things to Do

Don't miss

  • Thumbnail for Plymouth

    Plymouth

  • Thumbnail for The English Riviera

    The English Riviera

  • Thumbnail for South Devon

    South Devon

  • Thumbnail for North Devon

    North Devon

Menu
  • Explore

    Explore

  • Stay

  • Experience

  • What's On

    What's On in Devon

Site Search

Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

To build your own Itinerary, click Add to Excursion to add an item to your Itinerary basket.

List All My Saved Itineraries

  • Print Logo
  1. Free Days Out in Devon

You are here > Things To Do > Free Days Out

The Donkey Sanctuary

The Donkey Sanctuary

Planning a visit over the Christmas holidays? In order to safely manage visitor flow over the…

PrevPrev
  • 1The Donkey Sanctuary
NextNext

Free Days Out in Devon

Watching the pennies? Holidaying on a budget? Don’t worry – visit Devon and you’ll find an abundance of things to do…for free!

Yes, free. Devon has plenty to do and see that won’t cost you a penny, so if you’re trying to keep those holiday costs down but don’t want to skimp on the enjoyment, then Devon’s the right destination for you.

National Parks

We have two glorious National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Both have their own unique characters – while Dartmoor is a wild, wide-open place filled with mystery, towering granite Tors and dramatic scenery, Exmoor (although it too has its open spaces), is filled with secret, hidden treasures such as Tarr Steps. And if you’re into star-gazing, Exmoor is now designated as a Dark Sky Reserve (one of only two in the world) so on a clear night you’re guaranteed to see the Milky Way in all its true splendour without any light pollution masking the view!

Over on Dartmoor you’ll be able to grab the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life and stumble across Neolithic monuments, dramatic gorges and beautiful sights, such as the Dartmoor ponies. Both moors have their legends too – on Exmoor you can discover the world of Lorna Doone, while on Dartmoor be careful not to get caught in the ‘Grimpen Mire’ or chased by the dreaded Hound of the Baskervilles! 

I love to go a-wandering…

Ramble the length of Devon for free on the South West Coast Path, a fantastic route which will introduce you to some of the finest views and bring you all the way around to the Jurassic Coast, where you can hunt on the beach for fossils. Throughout Devon a network of paths and bridleways will take you off the beaten track and into the heart of the countryside – and there are plenty of local pubs on the way to grab some well-earned refreshments too.  For a free walk in the city, try one of Exeter's Red Coat Guided Tours, a must on any visit to Exeter.

Try geocaching - otherwise known as a digital treasurehunt. Hunting for hidden 'caches' using a smart phone for navigation is becoming increasingly popular, and is a great way to get children out on a walk. It's also surprisingly easy to get started; read our guide to geocaching in Devon.

Surfers are spoilt for choice, with easier peaks on the south coast and at the sandy expanse of Woolacombe beach on the North Devon coast, while more capable board-jockeys can head to Croyde for some challenging waves. If you’re not a surfer, there are lots of rock pools to discover here too.

Back on the south coast you can grab a bucket and spade for a few pennies and go crabbing at Dittisham, and if the weather is at its best then you can head to any one of the numerous Blue Flag beaches around Devon for a splash in the waves. If you don’t fancy the idea of open-sea swimming then pack your costume and head to Shoalstone Open Air Pool.

Culture vultures

If you like a bit of culture, there are plenty of freebies on offer too. Wander around west Devon’s castles at Lydford, or visit the West Devon UNESCO World Heritage. You can visit the fascinating herb gardens at Buckfast Abbey (and pick up a bottle of their famous fortified wine while you’re there) or follow the Agatha Christie Literary Trail through Torquay and Torbay for a glimpse into the Queen of Crime’s life.

No matter what you want to do, there’s plenty of choice in Devon, and it doesn’t have to cost you a penny!

Number of results:

Number of results: 22

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Next
Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest
  1. The Donkey Sanctuary

    Add The Donkey Sanctuary to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 3353 review(s)from 3353 review(s)

    The Donkey Sanctuary

    Sidmouth

    Planning a visit over the Christmas holidays?

    In order to safely manage visitor flow over the Christmas holidays, all visitors planning to visit between 19 December 2020…

  2. Thelma Hulbert Gallery

    Add Thelma Hulbert Gallery to your Itinerary

    Thelma Hulbert Gallery

    Honiton

    Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) is temporarily closed following the January national lockdown. Please visit our website for online resources, culture picks and our video shorts…

  3. Devon Guild of Craftsmen

    Add Devon Guild of Craftsmen to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - from 264 review(s)from 264 review(s)

    Devon Guild of Craftsmen

    Bovey Tracey

    During Covid please check our website for opening times.

    We are a FREE admission contemporary crafts venue with a friendly café, two galleries and large shop set in a…

  4. Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve pathway

    Add Dawlish Warren Nature & Wildlife Reserve to your Itinerary

    Dawlish Warren Nature & Wildlife Reserve

    Dawlish Warren

    While Dawlish Warren is well known as a traditional holiday resort, it's most valuable ecological asset appears outside of the summer months... the descent of thousands of…

  5. Exeter Woollen Trail - cartoon image of walking sheep. Copyright: Tony Howell

    Add Exeter Woollen Trail to your Itinerary

    Exeter Woollen Trail

    Exeter

    A fascinating self-guided tour. Pick up a free leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre and explore the key sites of Exeter's most important historical industry - the…

  6. Matford Marsh landscape

    Add Matford Marsh to your Itinerary

    Matford Marsh

    Exeter

    Matford Marshes is a small, relatively new site halfway between Exeter and Exminster - just 3 miles (6 km) from the city centre. It's one of our Exe Estuary reserves.…

  7. Part of Exeter Medieval Trail

    Add Exeter Medieval Trail to your Itinerary

    Exeter Medieval Trail

    Exeter

    Discover Exeter's medieval past, find out about many of Exeter's surviving gems and the events that helped to shape this period of Exeter's past.

    Medieval Exe Bridge The…

  8. Part of the Exeter Green Circle

    Add Exeter Green Circle Walk to your Itinerary

    Exeter Green Circle Walk

    EXETER

    The Exeter Green Circle is a 12 mile walking route around Exeter city. It has something for everyone, from the toddler to the rambler - from city pavements to country…

  9. Cannington Viaduct Uplyme

    Add East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to your Itinerary

    East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    East Devon

    The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty landscape is characterised by intimate wooded combes, vast areas of heathland, fertile river valleys and breathtaking cliffs…

  10. Beer beach

    Add Beer Beach to your Itinerary

    Beer Beach

    Beer

    Set in the beautiful picturesque fishing village of Beer, Beer beach is a beautiful family friendly shingle beach surrounded by limestone cliffs. Beer Beach is close to…

  11. Exeter Custom House (c) Philip Vile Photography

    Add Custom House Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Custom House Visitor Centre

    Exeter

    The Custom House Visitor Centre is located right in the centre of Exeter's historic quayside and occupies one of the most historic buildings on the waterfront.

    It houses…

  12. Budleigh Salterton (Copyright: Tony Howell)

    Add Budleigh Salterton Beach to your Itinerary

    Budleigh Salterton Beach

    Budleigh Salterton beach is a long pebble beach extending for 2.5 miles along the Jurassic Coast, from Littleham Cove to the west, to Otterhead in the east, where the River…

  13. Ludwell Valley Park Trail

    Add Ludwell Valley Park Trail to your Itinerary

    Ludwell Valley Park Trail

    Exeter

    A self-guided trail with five information boards exploring Ludwell Valley Park.

    The information boards each show a different aspect of the valley park including its…

  14. Branscombe Beach

    Add Branscombe Beach to your Itinerary

    Branscombe Beach

    Branscombe

    Branscombe beach is a long shingle beach, an ideal place to relax and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery. The beach is set below the beautiful village of Branscombe, and…

  15. Burgh Island - Unique Devon Tours

    Add Burgh Island to your Itinerary

    Burgh Island

    Kingsbridge

    Burgh Island is an iconic landmark on the South Devon coast, located directly opposite Bigbury on Sea beach. Burgh Island is separated from the mainland by a tidal beach,…

  16. Blackdown Hills Culmstock Beacon (c) Diana Elliott

    Add Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to your Itinerary

    Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

    Cullompton

    The Blackdown Hills is an unspoilt rural landscape of great beauty with an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna to discover. The Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding…

  17. Seaton Wetlands

    Add Seaton Wetlands to your Itinerary

    Seaton Wetlands

    Seaton

    Nearly 4km of level trails and boardwalk through beautiful marshland and reed beds alongside the river Axe, home to an abundance of wildlife.

    Seaton Wetlands are made up…

  18. Exe Estuary

    Exmouth Local Nature Reserve

    Exmouth

    Exmouth Local Nature Reserve is a massive area of tidal sand and mud at the southern end of the Exe estuary – in fact, it’s one of the biggest Local Nature Reserves in Devon.…

  19. City Wall Trail at the bottom of South Street

    Add Exeter City Wall Trail to your Itinerary

    Exeter City Wall Trail

    Exeter

    A fascinating self-guided tour. Pick up a free leaflet from Exeter Visitor Information & Tickets and discover the exciting history of Exeter's City Wall.

    The oldest parts…

  20. Exmouth Beach & seafront

    Add Exmouth Beach to your Itinerary

    Exmouth Beach

    Exmouth

    Exmouth Beach is well celebrated for its two miles of golden sand, rare on this coast and fascinating rock pools it's a paradise for children and adults alike.

    Exmouth…

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Next

Search Accommodation

Check Availability
When are you planning to visit?
Add Another Room
Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:

Search Things to Do

Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:

Search What's On

Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:
Dates

Search Food & Drink

Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:

Search Shopping

Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:

Search Accommodation

Search Things to Do

Type:
Area:
Or type a Location:
Within miles
Name / Keyword:

Search What's On

Search Food & Drink

Search Shopping

Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..Loading..
Loading..Loading..Loading..
Contact Us

Contact Us

Request a Guide

Request a Guide

E-newsletter

E-newsletter

Travel Info

Travel Info

  • Email Page
  • Print Page
  • Devon
  • North Devon
  • Sidmouth
What's On
Big Devon Events
Festivals
Markets
Food & Drink Festivals Events
Sports Events
Art Events
Music Events
Monthly Events Calendar
Tell Us About Your Event
Explore
Areas to Visit
Cities, Towns & Villages
Eco Friendly Devon
Dog Friendly Devon
History and Heritage
Accommodation
Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
Romantic Breaks
All Hotels
Bed & Breakfasts and Guest Houses
Self Catering
Campsites
Caravan & Holiday Parks
Farm Stays
Serviced Apartments
Dog Friendly
Things To Do
Attractions
Activities
Watersports
Shopping
Free Days Out
Rainy Days
Ideas and Inspiration
Tours & Sightseeing
Food & Drink
Places to Eat & Drink
Special Requirements
Devon Cream Teas
Award Winning
Food Tours, Breweries & Vineyards
Cookery Schools
Celebrity Chefs
Food and Drink Events
Special Offers
Attraction & Activity Offers
B&B and Guest House Offers
Food and Drink Offers
Holiday Park Offers
Hotel Offers
Seasonal Offers
Conference and Wedding Offers
Self Catering Offers
Visitor Info
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here
Getting Around Devon
Competitions
More Information
Escape the Everyday
COVID-19
Member's Area
Advertise With Us
Devon Tourism Awards
Member's News
About Visit Devon
Visit Devon Business Plan 2017/18
Visit Devon Annual Report and Unaudited Financial

© Visit Devon Community Interest Company

  • Advertise With Us
  • Enewsletter Sign Up
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Tell Us About Your Event
  • Terms and Conditions
Made by Simpleview Logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By