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Devon events summer 2014: kids and families

6th June 2014

Categories: Visitor News

Devon’s known for being a great family holiday destination, so throughout the year you’ll find events that the kids and whole family will love – but in the summer, everything moves up a gear. With carnivals, wildlife campouts, hot air balloon festivals, ‘knights and dragons’ days, there’s so much going on in Devon this June, July and August. Read on to find the event that your kids will love – plus suggestions for great family hotels to stay in nearby.

Coming soon: more news on what’s on in Devon this summer, including free events, ‘don’t miss’ events, and August Bank Holiday events

Find more events around Devon including festivals, music festivals, food festivals and sports events
Find attractions across Devon

Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
Torquay was recently named the UK’s top seaside destination, and it’s easy to see why: its combination of great beaches and lively towns makes it great for families, and there’s always something going on for holidaymakers.
This year sees the return of Torbay Children’s Week (August 18-23): five days of activities and entertainment on Paignton Green. Expect a packed programme of performances, workshops and events which are mostly free of charge, culminating on August 23 with a Family Fun Day and evening fireworks display. Heard of Babbacombe Model Village? Most people have, as this charming Torbay attraction has been a family favourite for many years. But this summer (July 1-September 9) it has a great dusk display, when all the tiny buildings – and even cars – will be lit by thousands of mini lightbulbs.
More events in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham
Great family hotel nearby TLH Leisure Resort

Plymouth
Combining the amenities of a city with beautiful coast and countryside on the doorstep, Plymouth is a great place to head to in the school holidays.
The annual Lord Mayor’s Day (June 14) welcomes the new Lord Mayor in style, and this year there’ll be an entertainment stage in the Piazza, community stalls on New George Street and Armada Way, a children’s play area on Guildhall Square and a spectacular walking parade through the city centre. Then on July 24 & 31 and August 7 Plymouth will host Family Films on the Big Screen: a selection of kid’s films on the outdoor City Centre Big Screen in the summer sun. There’s lots more going on in Plymouth this summer – follow the link below for details.
More events in Plymouth
Great family hotel nearby The Duke of Cornwall Hotel

Exeter and surrounds
Exeter is a perfectly compact and historic city, with lots to do for families and within minutes of even more, thanks to it being surrounded by Devon countryside and coast.
The nearby village of East Budleigh will be holding its annual Scarecrow Festival (June 13-15) – expect the usual delights of a good village fete, plus the slightly surreal experience of a fabulous display of scarecrows throughout the village and some Devon humour and creativity! Another great whole family event is The Big Wild Sleep Out (June 21-22): organised by the RSPB, you’ll be taken on a guided walk to the campsite on RSPB Aylesbeare Common, then spend a day building an iron age roundhouse to sleep in, and the evening looking for bats, moths, glow worms and the mysterious nightjar. The Tiverton Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival (July 11-13) is an exciting event thanks to the breathtaking sight of the huge balloons, plus the entertainment on the side: live music, comedy and the ‘Night Glow’ where balloons will give a fire and light show choreographed to music alongside fire jugglers and a lantern procession. Then Knights and Dragons at Powerham Castle (sessions during the week of July 27-August 1) in nearby Kenton invites you to join the brave knight Sir Drew P Drawers as he meets dragons and other magical folk on his quest in this medieval fairytale in a fantastic setting.
Great family hotel nearby The Bulstone

South Devon
Lovely towns and villages, stunning countryside and beautiful coves and beaches, South Devon is an area that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and explored over and over again.
The friendly close-knit towns of south Devon love a good carnival, and two of the best are Teignmouth Carnival week (July 26-August 2) and Dawlish Carnival week (August 9-16). Both involve a colourful procession through town of course, and Teignmouth also has live music, skating competitions and an It’s a Knockout challenge, whilst one of the highlights at Dawlish will be the Carnival Air Show – a spectacular display of aircraft you can watch from the seafront.
More events in South Devon
Great family hotels nearby Langstone Cliff Hotel, Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Ilsington Country House Hotel, Port Light Hotel

Dartmoor
With open space as far as the eye can see, and an air of both mystery and history, Dartmoor is a fabulous place to let children’s imaginations run wild. It’s full of natural beauty – but with plenty going on too.
Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh is always hugely popular with families, for obvious reasons: with lots of cute animals to pet, farm rides, falconry displays and of course the famous miniature pigs, it’s a great place to spend the day. And this Father’s Day (June 15) it gets even better for dads too – each one gets a free pint and a pasty, plus a a blast on the Red Rocket or a hands-on falconry experience.
More events in Dartmoor
Great family hotel nearby Bovey Castle

North Devon and Exmoor
With the wild beauty of Exmoor and soft sandy beaches of North Devon, this area is a playground for the whole family, and a very popular summer holiday destination.
The Big Sheep near Bideford has lots of sheepy fun at the best of times (rides, animals and award-winning shows) and on July 6 it will also be giving little ones the chance to meet Fireman Sam – he’ll be appearing at intervals throughout the day. Then Clovelly Maritime Festival (July 20) is a must-visit if only for the fact that you’ll simply not experience anything like this anywhere outside of Devon: music, seafood cookery, fancy dress, crafts and family activities, in the amazing setting of this historic cliffside village. Then Ilfracombe Carnival (August 21) will be attracting crowds to see its colourful procession, music and entertainment.
Great family hotel nearby Saunton Sands Hotel