Plan the perfect family getaway

24th July 2019

Categories: Visitor News

We know that trying to find the perfect break for the whole family can be stressful, especially when you have children of different ages that you need to occupy at the same time or a large group of you or you’re on a budget… There are endless difficulties, but we’re here to take the stress out of it all.

Looking for accommodation can be a tricky one, how much room will you need, is it going to be child friendly? Luckily, Devon is full of places that are suitable for families of all ages, so you’re sure to find the best property in the best location for you.

A good choice of accommodation is a holiday park, these sites have multiple accommodation options and plenty of facilities, like play areas, swimming pools and even creches and child clubs to keep the kids entertained.
In the popular English Riviera region you’ll find the Welcome Family Holiday Park based just a few minutes from the Blue Flag winning beach at Dawlish Warren. It’s the ideal spot for a family seaside holiday, with four pools, entertainment and play areas for the children. Being in this part of Devon will put you in the right area for loads of top family friendly attractions as well as more interesting cultural tours, like boat trips with Stuart Line Cruises.

Image: Welcome Family Holiday Park. 

Families love the chance to take part in activities together, so see make sure to visit the nearby Paint Hub, a pottery painting café where you can customise your own piece of pottery and relax over a cup of tea or two. Cofton Holidays is nestled in a secluded valley and is an award-winning family run park, where you can choose from a selection of accommodation including homes, cottages or apartments, just twelve miles from Exeter, one of Devon’s cities and just a short stroll from Dawlish Warren’s beach. There are plenty of things to do without having to leave the grounds, but if you fancy a bit of an adventure, World of Country Life is nearby and will give the kids a chance to get up close and personal with a number of animals as well as enjoy their activity centres.

Image: World of Country Life.

For a holiday park with views of the beautiful north Devon coast, Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park is right on the beach and has a superb selection of entertainment for all ages. North Devon is popular for water sports and has some incredible award-winning beaches so naturally there are a whole host of family friendly activities and attractions for you to take advantage of like the Big Sheep, the best location for watching the famous animal racing!

Self-catering properties are ideal for families, they give you ample space, plus you have the flexibility of coming and going when you like and the opportunity to have separate meal times so the younger family members don’t have to stay up too far past their bedtimes. Plus having your own kitchen areas makes it easier to cater for the fussier members of your brood!
Take a look at a holiday cottage or serviced apartment for a real home from home experience. Jean Bartlett Cottage Holidays have a whole range of cottages in East Devon right on the Jurassic Coast which is great for adventurous children who want to be out and about hunting for fossils and searching for rockpools.

Image: Jean Bartlett Holiday Cottages.

Active families will also love that many self-catering properties allow you to store bikes, surfing and even horse riding equipment onsite, which is handy if you’re near the moors or walking trails, like you are when staying at Blindwell Bunkhouse. The bunkhouse is on a charming farm with stunning views across Devon and has the added joy of red deer, Exmoor ponies and other wildlife dropping by for visits! Staying here will put you in the northern part of Devon where there are great surfing opportunities and many family friendly attractions and beaches to choose from! Westward Living is another collection of holiday cottages that are perfect for active families, the site is just five minutes from the South West Coast Path and is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty so there are plenty of opportunities for leaving the tablets behind and getting out into the sunshine.  Coast and Country Cottages have over 400 self-catering holidays in Salcombe, Dartmouth and the south Devon coast, where there are loads of places for keeping the family entertained.

Image: Westward Living. 

If you want something in between a self-catering cottage and a holiday park, take a look at Beyond Escapes, where there are a several properties to choose from, some of which are pet friendly, plus there is a spa and a popular restaurant on site. If you want a bit of extra help in planning and booking your family friendly holiday, Michael Paul Holidays are an online travel agent whose goal is to provide holiday makers with great choice, competitive prices and a range of self-catering properties all across Devon including cottages, logs cabins and lodges. Their team are also able to offer advice for interesting attractions and things to do around each of their properties, so don’t be afraid to ask them for a list of their recommendations. 

Camping holidays are a great way to take the family away without going too over budget. Many camping and caravanning sites have options for static caravans and holiday lodges as well as pitches for hire, so you can decide just how close to nature you want to get. They’re also a wonderful way to introduce the little ones to the world around them and there is nothing quite like going to sleep under the stars and waking up with the birds while under canvas. There are loads of great family friendly campsites around the county, head to Beverley Holidays in Paignton for a site with stunning views and a multitude of onsite facilities for all ages. In the English Riviera is Galmpton Touring Park, so if you want to bring your own caravan or motorhome, you can set up overlooking the sea and take full advantage of this site which is conveniently located for exploring the wider area. For something more alternative, Yurtcamp Devon offers all the charm of a camping holiday with some added glamour, perfect for those that love their home comforts. This site on the doorstep of Dartmoor has a number of larger yurts ideal for families and all of them are complete with proper beds! Onsite you’ll find an assault course, zip wire and more to keep the little ones entertained. Nearby is Trago Mills where you can indulge in some retail therapy while the kids make use of the play areas. Alternatively, Devon Guild of Craftsmen is a free to enter contemporary arts and crafts venue with two galleries and a café for refreshments. Beara Lodge is another excellent glamping site for families, their accommodation even has hot running water! Plus, the team include child friendly books and games in your lodge for you to help the kids feel at home.

Image: Galmpton Touring Park. 

If you want a more traditional hotel stay, the Cary Arms and Spa has all the personality of a traditional English inn with the added style of a luxury boutique hotel, plus it is ideally located for exploring the Torbay and its wide range of family friendly attractions. The hotel overlooks Babbacombe Bay where you’ll find the popular Babbacombe Model Village and can enjoy a trip on the Babbcombe cliff railway. If you have an adventurous family, Sea Kayak Torbay and Jet Set Go! Jet Ski Safari are both nearby and give you even more of a chance to see the glorious coastline of south Devon.

Image: Babbacombe Cliff Railway. 

Why not amaze the kids by booking a room in a castle? Pentillie Castle has accommodation that is every bit as exquisite as you might expect from a castle. Guests are able to explore the castle grounds and in case of bad weather, there are several facilities for children including DVDs and a play area so you can rest easy. This area of Devon is famous for its mining industry, visit Morwellham Quay to find out more about history of the region and get involved in interactive educational displays and workshops.

Are you coming to Devon for a family holiday? If you need any more inspiration of things to do or places to visit, click the links to see a whole host of family friendly organisations and attractions and don’t forget to get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!