Family Friendly Devon

6th February 2020

Categories: Visitor News

If you’re planning a trip to Devon for half term, you’ll most likely have a list of all the things you want to see and do while in the county and all the best places to stay. If however you’re still looking for inspiration, we’ve put together some of the best family friendly places to stay and visit, take a look at our suggestions below.

For accommodation

First things first, you can’t plan a stay without having somewhere to sleep, so here are a few family friendly options for you. One of the most family friendly accommodation providers are holiday parks and luckily enough you can find these all over the county, particularly in the coastal areas.
Holiday Parks are a great option because they often have a range of facilities on site too, so you don’t need to go too far to enjoy swimming, games and other family friendly activities. Some of them also provide creche facilities, so the adults can have a bit of a rest too.

Welcome Family Holiday Park in Dawlish, which is in the Torbay area, is just a few minutes’ walk from the award winning beach and being in the heart of the English Riviera, means you’re not too far from the region’s popular attractions. Dawlish also has its own mainline train station, so you can easily access the rest of the county!

Image: Welcome Family Holiday Park.

Dawlish is also home to Hazelwood Holiday Park which is not only set in 38 acres of peaceful, David Bellamy Award-winning landscape, it is also just a few minutes walk to Dawlish Warren’s Beach resort.

Cofton Holidays is another award winning holiday park in this region where you can choose from a range of accommodation options and even take part in mermaid swimming! The site has a huge number of fun things to see and do without having to go too far but being based here means that you’ll have easy access to a whole host of outside attractions too.

Image: Cofton Holidays.

The Torbay/ English Riviera region is full of wonderful attractions and so naturally there are a whole host of great accommodation options. Another park for you is Beverley Holidays in Paignton. This park has a multitude of onsite facilities, activities and entertainment for all ages and has an array of accommodation options for you to choose from. You can also find Whitehill Country Park in Paignton, this park was once home to the famous Primley Shire Horses and these days you have a wealth of onsite facilities within the former farm buildings, plus the onsite shop sells locally brewed cider, so the adults have something to relax with in the evenings once the kids are in bed!

Image: Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park.

If you’re someone who wants to be near the coast, but also have a city on hand for attractions and shopping opportunities, look to Bovisand Lodge Holiday Park.  Located just seven miles from the city centre, it is set in countryside with easy access to the south west coast path, so there are plenty of options for you.

For those of you who want to get out on the water over half term, take a look at the accommodation in the north of the county. As far as holiday parks go, there are a fair few along the coast and as this area of coastline has perfect conditions for water sports, it’s the ideal place to base yourself.

Golden Bay Holiday Village has direct access to the award winning blue flag beach at Westward Ho! and with a range of accommodation options on site and some spectacular views, this is a great choice for the kids and the parents alike.

If your kids like to get back to nature and find out more about the region’s history alongside the usual half term antics, take a trip to the east of Devon and go rockpooling along the Jurassic Coast. Andrewshayes Holiday Park is one of the parks in the area that gives you easy access to the beaches and attractions of Seaton, Sidmouth and Beer as well as making it easy to follow the coast around into neighbouring Dorset.

Image: Andrewhayes.

Not far from the city of Exeter and with a whole host of towns and villages along the Jurassic Coast to explore, Castle Brake is another choice for those looking for a base in the east of the county. Not only can you spend time in a range of premium accommodation, but you can also make use of their camping pitches, to really get back to nature.

 It isn’t just holiday parks that make ideal accommodation providers for family holidays. For a real home from home experience, book a traditional Devon cottage and enjoy life at your own pace. The cottages available for hire in the county are fully equipped and allow for plenty of space and privacy for the whole family. Plus, it gives you the chance to eat in or eat out and you can head out to different attractions and activities whenever you want without the pressure of hotel meal times or holiday park timings.

Coast and Country Cottages ​​​​​​​have a wide range of accommodation all across the county so you can pick the best location that suits you, whether that is country or coast or a bit of both! Another option is Holidaycottages.co.uk​​​​​​​ who have an award winning selection of properties across Devon, as does Boutique Retreats  who specialise in unique properties that really reflect the character of the area. Or there is Sweetcombe Cottage Holidays​​​​​​​ who specialise in properties in the east of the county.

Image: Hemphaye at Littlecourt Cottages

Speaking of east Devon, along the Jurassic Coast and just a short walk from Sidmouth Town Centre, Hemphaye is the ideal property for a family holiday on Devon’s east coast. It’s set in the Littlecourt complex with a peaceful atmosphere and plenty of space for the kids to enjoy.

In the English Riviera, you’ll find plenty of lovely holiday cottages, one option is to stay at the cottages based at the Cary Arms. Staying here also gives you access to the spa and restaurant at the hotel and as they are sea facing and have their own outdoor dining terraces, you can really get into the spirit of the place. Jenny Wren Holidays  have a collection of cosy and well equipped chalet bungalows on the Torbay/South Hams border which are all within easy reach of key attractions in both regions making it ideal for those who want to explore as much of the area as possible.
For those of you wanting to base yourself in North Devon, Pickwell Barton Cottages are nestled above the popular beaches of Putsborough and Woolacombe and is just a stone’s throw from Croyde, all of which are great for watersports and coastal walks as well as half term fun.

Image: Ilsington Country House Hotel.

Alternatively, why not book a hotel and enjoy a break that is fully catered for? For a hotel that caters to children of all ages and offers spa treatments for the older family members, book a stay at the Ilsington Country House hotel and Spa near Bovey Tracey. With Dartmoor on the doorstep, there is plenty of scope for wearing the kids out in the wilderness!
For a family stay with spa treatments and the chance to get out on the greens in between the half term fun, take a look at what is on offer at Highbullen Hotel Golf and Country Club in Umberleigh towards the North of Devon.

If you liked the sound of being in a city centre but would rather a hotel stay over a cottage or holiday park, the New Continental Hotel in Plymouth is right in the heart of the city and a wide range of activities and attractions can be easily accessed without having to travel too far. 

For somewhere a bit out of the way with heritage all around and organised activities such as canoeing and fishing, the Northgate House Hotel is on the edge of the Dartmoor National Park and on the banks of the River Dart, plus is just a stone’s throw from Buckfast Abbey, so there are a whole host of things to see and do. The site also has a number of self catering houses offering additional flexibility for family groups, so be sure to take a look.

Image: Northgate House Hotel. 

The ultimate heritage venue in south Devon has to be Dartington Hall, this medieval manor house is a unique location with cosy accommodation, glamping options, onsite cinemas, activities and so much more, this is a great option for anyone who likes to be busy, while still having peace and tranquillity. The site is near the quirky town of Totnes which is a haven for arts and crafts activities and has a mainline train station that can connect you to the rest of the county.

Speaking of glamping, why not try something new for your accommodation this half term? Devon has several wonderful glamping sites where you can stay in all manner of properties from safari tents to tree houses! Take a look at glamping options here or if you prefer some good old fashioned camping, there are a whole host of camping and caravanning sites in the county too, check them out here.

Want more accommodation ideas? See here.

Things to do

Now you’ve got a bit of inspiration for places to stay for a family trip to Devon, let’s take a look at some of the things you can do in between all that half term fun.

Image: Pennywell Farm

If you have kids that are into animals, make sure to take a look at what half term activities are taking place at Devon’s animal attractions. One option is Pennywell Farm  near Buckfastleigh which has a variety of hands in displays and activities as well as the chance to meet a host of friendly farm animals. Famous for its sheep racing, The Big Sheep combines a small petting zoo with a theme park with rides, farm animals and more on offer. Typically with it being half term, you can expect additional entries and activities throughout February. If you’re not heading to North Devon, you don’t have to miss out on the animal/theme park combo as Wildwood Escot ​​​​​​​in Ottery St Mary is another option for you. The site has a range of adventure activities including zip lines and climbing walls as well as the chance to meet lots of fun creatures, including otters and wolves. World of Country Life​​​​​​​ in the Exmouth area also offers activities, rides and of course, animals to meet. You can even hand feed deer and llama and take in displays from birds of prey.
Sidmouth is the place to go if you want to get up close and personal with donkeys. The Donkey Sanctuary is home to hundreds of friendly donkeys as well as a pretty spectacular brunch menu!

Image: Donkey Sanctuary. 

While not exactly the cuddly kind of animal, there are few places as interesting as Quince Honey Farm​​​​​​​  in South Molton. The whole family is welcome to come along and learn more about honey production and of course, meet the bees that live there! Of course, Devon also has its fair share of zoos with Living Coasts in Torquay and Paignton Zoo, both of which are in the English Riviera and are great places to spend a few hours. Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium not only gives you a chance to enjoy the region’s under water world, but you can also enjoy knowing that by supporting the aquarium, you’re also helping with their conservation efforts.

If you’re in the east of the county and you’ve exhausted the rock pooling opportunities, head to Pecorama which is located above the village of Beer and is world famous for its model railway track manufacturing. Kids will love being a train driver for a day and the adults will love the nostalgia of the model railway.

Image: Pecorama.

For more heritage attractions, take a look at Torquay’s Dinosaur World ​​​​​​​where you can get up close and personal with animatronic dinosaurs. Visiting during half term will give you chance to get involved with additional activities too.

If the weather is good, you’ll obviously want to be outside enjoying the wonderful and diverse landscape that can be found in Devon. In Tavistock, you’ll find Tree Surfers ​​​​​​​where you can climb trees, cross rope bridges, go on zip lines and much, much more! Also in Tavistock is Tamar Trails ​​​​​​, an all day attraction for those that love being outdoors, there are over 25km of walking trails and off road mountain bike trails plus there are the chances to enjoy guided family canoe trips on the river Tamar. 

Sticking with the mid-Devon region for a moment, if you want to get out on the water and explore a different side to Devon, hire a boat from Devon Canoe and Rowing Boat Hire and head along the Grand Canal in Tiverton. There are loads of family friendly activities to enjoy around the canal, including a chance to ride one of the remaining horse drawn barges ​​​​​​​and there is the Ducks Ditty Bar ​​​​​​​, which the adults will love and which welcomes families. 

That’s not all for outdoor fun, Skern Lodge ​​​​​​​has been taking advantage of the wonderful natural landscape since the 1970s and offers the chance to go surfing, kayaking, climbing… Just about everything really! Find it near the charming town of Appledore in North Devon and enjoy the additional activities that are put on for the school holidays.

Roadford Lake ​​​​​​​is another great option for anyone wanting to get outside. Located between Okehampton and Launceston, the lake can be found in the beautiful Wolf Valley and has a surprising amount of activities for the whole family to get involved with. From den building to getting out on the water, whatever your child’s age, they’ll be captivated by what they can do here.

Image: Roadford Lake. 

Or why not take on the wake park in Bideford? The aqua park offers a unique adventure for those aged five and up and the instructors are well versed in teaching you how to navigate the water on a wake board or paddle board. Find out more about North Devon Wake Park here.​​​​​​​

If climbing, rather than being on the water, piqued your interest, you’ll love Crag 2 Mountain  who specialise in climbing, mountaineering and navigation skills with activities taking place on Dartmoor. The activities are suitable for all ages and you can create a bespoke activity day for you, so you can really cover the skills you want to learn.

Image: Crag 2 Mountain

If you’ve opted to stay in the English Riviera, you too have access to the wonderful outdoor activities we’ve mentioned. Get in touch with Reach Outdoors ​​​​​​​in Paignton who are the masters of family adventure in this area. With top of the range equipment and skilled instructors, the whole family can experience a host of top activities around the Torbay coast.

Heritage attractions are ideal to visit during half term, especially for the curious among you. Devon is full of attractions that are rooted in history, with everything from castles to Victorian railways. Take a unique trip on a Victorian era rail by visiting Babbacombe Cliff Railway​​​​​​​ and behold the incredible views across the bay from the top of the cliff or click here to find out more about what properties are being managed by the National Trust.

Image: Babbacombe Cliff Railway. 

If the weather isn’t kind to us during your half term trip, you might not be all that keen on wandering around castles or going surfing. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered. Take on an indoor climbing wall, like the one at Clip and Climb Plymouth​​​​​​​ who hold public sessions every day during the school holidays and even offer SEN sessions at various points in the year, check their site for more details.

Whatever the weather, don’t miss out on sight seeing by booking a ride with Stuart Line Cruises. With trips going all year and with a number of them themed, you can experience everything from bird watching to the sights of the coast.

Looking for things to do this half term? Here’s where you can find all the half term events going on in Devon. Want to find out what else you can do in Devon? Click here.