Devon Family Holidays

Whether you’re looking for a beach break, adventure-packed holiday, or both, there’s a Devon holiday cottage that’s perfect for you. And if you’re looking to bring your canines along, there are tons of pet friendly cottages in Devon that welcome four-legged family members too.

Family holidays in Devon

Devon is a little slice of perfection, a place where visitors from all around the country and globe venture each year for family-friendly holidays. Devon with its beaches, scenery and attractions seems to lump all of the good things about holidays with the kids into one beautiful package and we think it’s a dream destination for family breaks away.

Devon Seaside Towns

Seaside resorts like Torquay, Paignton, Appledore, Sidmouth and Teignmouth epitomize the quintessentially British holiday of buckets and spades, fish and chips, and walks along the seafront. You’ll also find a host of well-known attractions to keep the kids entertained like Kents Cavern in Torquay, Paignton Zoo and The Model Village in Babbacombe. The harbour town of Brixham is famed for its fish quay and includes many amazing coast path walks in the area as well as a lovely harbour, marina and breakwater where children can enjoy one of the area’s favourite pastimes – crabbing!

The South Hams offers some of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Devon with beautiful beaches, rugged coves and pretty villages crammed with good restaurants and of course outstanding views. Children will love fishing off the jetty in Stoke Gabriel or skipping stones and beachcombing at Blackpool Sands, Beesands and Slapton Sands.

Then there are the Jurassic Coast destinations of Seaton, Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth. Backed by those staggering red cliffs and lined with pebble-strewn beaches, they’re a fantastic option if you like your family holidays by the sea with a bit of fossil hunting thrown in. Sidmouth is also home to The Donkey Sanctuary which is a free fun day out. If you’d like to you can donate or sponsor a donkey on the day of your visit or online, however admission is completely gratis!

Adventure Activities in Devon

But Devon isn’t all about the sea. Further inland you’ll find Dartmoor and Exmoor; both being fantastic spots for walking and pub lunches. Children can climb tors and explore nature or see how many moorland ponies they can spot grazing in the brush. Here are characterful country towns and villages like Barnstaple, Bovey Tracey, Okehampton and Tavistock, and you’ll find a handful of lovely attractions on offer like House of Marbles and the Miniature Pony Centre.

Devon also has two historic cities – Exeter and Plymouth. Both offer museums, theatres and of course shopping! Just outside of Exeter is the 3,500 acre Haldon Forest which is a veritable outdoor lovers’ playground. There are bike tracks to enjoy, Go Ape canopy adventures to get the pulse racing, and an outdoor play area with sandpits and a climbing frame to keep little ones entertained.

And sticking with outdoor adventure. You’ll find plenty of opportunities for hiking and cycling in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty like Roadford Lake and the Tamar Valley. Or if you’re a family who like walking, there are 300 miles of The South West Coast Path to discover both in South Devon and North Devon.