Ultimate guide to Devon for families

Two gorgeous coasts, two cities packed with history and attractions, two wonderful national parks, and so many other things to do with kids in Devon that I can barely count – which is why I’ve created my ultimate guide to Devon for families to start you off.

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I’ve been visiting Devon since I was a child myself, and my daughter’s started to build her own holiday memories with multiple trips by the age of eight – so whether you’re looking for things to do in Devon with toddlers, family days out in Devon, the best beaches for rockpooling, cheap days out and things to do in Devon in the rain, I’ve got plenty of ideas for any trip.

You’ll find links to my other posts for more information – and do let me know if you find any hidden gems in Devon for families too.

**If you’d prefer a PDF version of this post to print out (or an ad-free experience), the entire content is also available to download for £1.99 – click here to buy. Includes all my tips (approx 6,000 words) with links and photos**

Some attractions may have more limited opening times and new restrictions, while many require prebooking. Always check direct before visiting.

Best family days out in Devon

If you’re looking for things to do in Devon with kids, the best place to start is with my list of the top 30 days out in Devon – whether you’re visiting Devon with a baby, a toddler or teens, there’s something to tempt.

From theme parks and attractions to museums and historic houses, zoos and aquariums, it’s a good taste of the variety of things to do in Devon for kids that you’ll find in the area.

But if you’re looking for something particular, I’ve also listed some of the best if you’re visiting on a budget, looking to get outdoors or being forced indoors by the rain, and suggestions for different areas, with days out south Devon, north Devon and east Devon.

Free days out in Devon

Travelling with kids isn’t always cheap, even on a UK staycation so while days spent on the beach might not set you back much beyond an ice cream and a spare bucket and spade, it’s always handy to have some more ideas of cheap days out in Devon.

I’ve collected some of the best free things to do in Devon in this post, including Exeter’s RAMM museum and The Box in Plymouth, some lovely outdoor spots and places to meet animals – ideal if you’re looking for things to do in Devon with a toddler.

There are also some great family walks in Devon which won’t cost a penny – you needn’t be serious hikers to find easy walks on Dartmoor with kids as well as plenty of family-friendly options along the South West Coast Path. 

Indoor activities Devon

There’s no guarantee of glorious sunshine even in the middle of the British summer so it’s always worth having a few ideas of things to do on rainy days in Devon – I’ve picked out my top 32 ideas for Devon in the rain with kids including activities like indoor rock climbing, swimming and trampolining, along with rainy day Devon attractions for families.

Check out the county’s fantastic aquariums – always a winner when it’s bad weather. We loved the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, but you can also find more sea creatures at Ilfracombe aquarium. [Living Coasts Torquay, a coastal zoo and aquarium, closed permanently in 2020].

Check out our tips for visiting the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth

Not far away, the maze of caves at Kents Cavern were once home to ancient humans and date back 2.5 million years. There are plenty of family activities, including digging for fossils and making your own cave paintings, plus activity trails.

Or for one of the quirkiest days out with kids in Devon, head to the House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey – with five different marble runs, glassblowing and a collection of games dating back to the 17th century, it beats playing yet another board game while you wait for the drizzle to stop.

And if you’re visiting Devon in winter, there are some special Christmas illuminations to watch out for, as well as one of the best places in Devon for families for a deliciously warming hot chocolate in this post.

Outdoor family activities Devon

Between coast and countryside, you’re not short of places to go with kids in Devon if you want to get outdoors – perfect for active families, with options to cycle and hike, there are also gentler options if you’re visiting Devon with a toddler.

Scroll down if you’re looking for ideas of Devon’s best beaches with kids, as well as places to go rockpooling in Devon

The South West coast path runs along both the north and south coasts, with 90 miles of trail in north Devon and 115 miles in the south.

There are ideas for family walks with lots to entertain beyond the views, including geocaching and kids’ activities: Devon doesn’t yet have specific coast path treasure trails as Cornwall does, but you can find treasure trails along some stretches of the coast, such as Exmouth to Seaton, which includes some driving as well as walking.

Or you can discover some of the National Trust land as well as Devon’s National Parks, Dartmoor and Exmoor – check out some of the family attractions on Dartmoor here as well as suggestions for different walks. Exmoor also has family events throughout the year.

If you’re planning a holiday in East Devon, it’s home to a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty too, including part of the Jurassic Coast.

And the lovely Tarka Trail is ideal for walking and cycling, inspired by the novel Tarka the Otter, and forms part of the Devon coast to coast cycle route – you can hire bikes if you don’t have your own, so it’s a lovely way to explore more of the north of the county as well as being a great option for days out with kids in Devon.

If you’re looking for Devon days out with younger kids, Haldon Forest Park features the Forestry Commission’s family trails – such as the Zog trail, the latest in a string of Julia Donaldson books made into easy activity walks.

And beautiful Berry Head Nature Reserve is a gorgeous spot for kids to run around near Brixham: you’ll find Napoleonic War fortifications and rare wildlife, but also some fabulous views and a lovely cafe. It’s also easy to visit as part of a walk along the South West Coast Path.

Check out my visit to Berry Head with a two-year-old – click here

Or there’s Paignton Geoplay park, a play area for different ages with a difference – it’s all themed around the area’s geological history.

For some of Devon’s more dramatic scenery, head to Lydford Gorge – the deepest gorge in the South West, it has a 30m waterfall.

And you could challenge yourself on a family adventure assault course on The Bear Trail at Cullompton: there’s an area for kids under 1m and more adrenaline-fuelled jumps for teens, so this has something for all ages. 

For one of Devon’s biggest adventures, it’s hard to beat a trip to Lundy Island. Famous for its puffins, you could spot dolphins on the two-hour boat ride over and there are activities once you arrive, as well as birdwatching.

Things to do with kids in north Devon

If you’re staying in and around the north coast, you might be further from some of the best-known things to see in Devon but there’s still plenty for families to enjoy.

For more ideas of the best things to do in North Devon with kids, check out my top picks

Get outdoors

With Exmoor in the northern half of the county, you can enjoy the dark skies for some stargazing, hear the legends of the moors or go walking in one of the most unspoiled parts of England.

For some gentler outdoor activities, the Tarka Trail is also one of the best things to do in north Devon with kids: the walking and cycling route is easy to adapt to different ages and a lovely way to explore.

See the animals

Head to Exmoor Zoo, with the UK’s only pair of black leopards – it’s a small zoo with the focus on conservation of smaller animals, so it’s a lovely option for a day out with a toddler as well.

Or in Ilfracombe, the aquarium focuses on the marine life around north Devon as well as offering family activities for younger visitors.

And at Combe Martin, the Wildlife and Dinosaur park has a small zoo as well as its lifesize animatronic models of dinosaurs plus a fossil museum.

Visit a theme park

North Devon is home to two of the county’s theme parks – the Big Sheep theme park at Bideford was once a working sheep farm, and still has sheep racing as well as rides and rollercoasters.

Or the Milky Way Adventure Park, not far away at Clovelly, has its own rides and attractions as well as a separate area for preschoolers.

And Watermouth Castle has its own mix of family attractions – from the dungeon labyrinths to dancing fountains, adventure playgrounds, toboggan runs and lots for younger kids as well as older siblings.

History and culture

You could travel back through time on the UK’s only steam railway where passengers use Victorian railway carriages designed in the 1890s for every journey, on the Lynton and Barnstaple railway.

Or take a ride on the historic Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway which first opened back in 1890 – the highest and steepest totally water powered railway in the world, the funicular takes you 500ft up the cliff for amazing views (and cream teas at the top if you fancy).

Discover vintage carriages at Arlington Court in Barnstaple, home to the National Trust Carriage museum as well as wild play areas and family activities in the grounds of the Regency House.

At Hartland Abbey, the emphasis is on old-fashioned fun – there’s a quiz to try inside the house, a former abbey, as well as nature trails outdoors.

There’s nothing like some living history, especially in such as pretty spot as Clovelly, a working fishing village on a clifftop – and no cars in the streets, only donkeys, which will suit younger kids down to the ground.

For a great indoor activity, there’s the quirky Ilfracombe museum which has both local displays and items from around the world, including natural history and archaeology, art and photography, plus costume and domestic history.

Meanwhile the North Devon Maritime Museum in Appledore is another great place to discover the county’s seafaring and shipbuilding traditions – plus a chance to learn more about pirates and smuggers.

And the Museum of British Surfing in Braunton is equally quirky – perfect if the surf bug has bitten your kids, there are surfboards galore and exhibits on the way surfing has developed over the years.

Things to do in south Devon with kids

Get outdoors

Explore the wild open spaces of Dartmoor with kids, where you can also try your hand at letterboxing – the original geocaching. There are also plenty of child-friendly walks to discover.

For more ideas of where to walk on Dartmoor with kids, as well as cycling and family attractions nearby, check out this post.

Discover Berry Head Nature Reserve on the south coast – you can also walk part of the South West Coast Path to reach it, or enjoy the gorgeous views and spot historic fortifications in between following nature trails.

Check out our day at Berry Head Nature reserve with a toddler

There are playgrounds galore across Devon of course but for a play area with a difference, the Paignton Geopark has different areas for different ages, all themed around the area’s geological history.

See the animals

There are some great animal attractions for kids in south Devon, from smaller farms to zoos and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth – the UK’s largest aquarium

With a fascinating collection of marine animals, you can discover more about the area’s sealife as well as more exotic marine creatures from around the world.

Check out my tips for visiting the National Marine Aquarium with kids

EDIT: Torquay’s own aquarium and coastal zoo at Living Coasts has sadly now closed permanently following lockdown – the penguins, otters, seals and other inhabitants have been rehomed. And if you fancied swapping real live animals for the extinct kind, Dinosaur World in Torquay is also now permanently closed although there are plans for another attraction in the heart of the English Riviera. Jurassic Dino World is set to open on the seafront as another great option for rainy days (as well as for dinosaur-mad kids).

For more ideas of how to spend one day in Torquay, check out this post

Or head just a little further along the coast to Paignton Zoo with over 2,000 animals in six habitats, it’s also got a top trumps trail and special animal experiences including meeting the meerkats.

For younger kids, there are some lovely chances to get close to smaller animals elsewhere in Devon. Occombe Farm is a working farm with a nature trail and farm animals to meet, including alpacas.

And Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh includes the chance to cuddle with miniature pigs, try walking goats and other animal activities, as well as meeting alpacas and a pygmy hedgehog.

The Rare Breeds Farm in Totnes aims to help preserve endangered species of farm animals – you could stroke an eagle owl and feed a red squirrel, as well as meeting the other animals here.

And for another unusual combination, the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary is home to three different species of otter (including British or European otters) and an array of butterflies.

Visit a theme park

You’ll find one of Devon’s largest theme parks in south Devon – Woodlands Leisure Park has its own zoo park, but also attractions and rides to suit toddlers and to thrill teens.

History and culture

There’s history galore to discover in south Devon, whether you’re following the area’s seafaring past or its mining heritage, as well as medieval secrets and stately homes.

Start with one of the area’s museums: The Box in Plymouth was new in 2020, with galleries and exhibitions focused on Plymouth’s past, everything from a model woolly mammoth to the figureheads from ships, along with a whole host of information about the city’s seafaring history, plus trails for kids.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (or RAMM) in Exeter also tells the history of Devon from the prehistoric to the present, as well as natural history, world culture, art galleries and displays on 18th and 19th century exploration.

For more things to do in Plymouth with kids, check out my top picks

The Torquay museum focuses on local history (as well as a gallery dedicated to Agatha Christie), while Torre Abbey is now a museum of history and art with children’s activity trails, a chance to dress up and activities.

Put yourself in an explorer’s shoes in Brixham, where you can step on board the Golden Hind, a replica of the ship which Sir Francis Drake sailed around the world.

Check out my review of our visit to the Golden Hind in Brixham with a toddler

Or you could head to Drake’s own former home at Buckland Abbey – the 700-year-old house near Yelverton was once a Cistercian Abbey before later passing into the hands of Sir Francis Drake – there are now regular family activities at the National Trust property.

For more historic houses and buildings, you can also discover Coleton Fishacre and the glamour of the 1920s, owned by the theatrical D’Oyly Carte family. Or step inside Greenway, near Galmpton, the home of Agatha Christie.

And the fortress of Dartmouth Castle has guarded the estuary here for 600 years – take the boat up the river before exploring the gun tower and seeing the chain which would have prevented ships from entering the waters nearby.

For more ideas of the best things to do in Dartmouth with kids, check out my top picks

On the north side of Dartmoor, you can also explore the last castle to be built in England – Castle Drogo has been undergoing a major renovation project by the National Trust, and as well as seeing the results as the scaffolding comes down, you can discover the miniature play house in the gardens, follow spotter trails and walk to the Teign Gorge.

Not far from Exeter, you can also see inside Powderham Castle, the home of the Earl of Devon, with a play area and family activities as well as the deer park to explore.

Check out my review of our visit to Powderham Castle

If you and your kids love history, there’s plenty to discover in Exeter itself, including the cathedral, one of the oldest in England – try spotting the animals decorating the inside to keep littler ones entertained.

You can also head into the city’s medieval tunnels – for over-fives and up – to hear stories of Exeter’s dramatic past.

Read more about my stay in Exeter with kids

Or at Morwhellam Quay historic port farm, discover what life was like during its Victorian heyday, riding on a copper mine train, experiencing life for miners in centuries gone by, as well as the historic port and village.

And there are also steam trains to help you explore south Devon with kids – the South Devon railway runs along the River Dart valley between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, with heritage rolling stock pulled by the steam engines.

Meanwhile the Dartmouth Steam railway has its own trains running between Paignton and Kingswear not far away – you can also combine this with a boat trip from Dartmouth, or a round trip including an open-topped bus.

Other family attractions

If you’re looking for more things to do with kids in south Devon, there are a few more quirky family attractions to keep on the list.

The House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey isn’t just for marble fans, with glassblowing and historic board games to see too. As it’s free to enter, this massive marble collection is a great place to pop into, especially on rainy days.

Here’s what we found when we visited during a day exploring Dartmoor with kids

Or just outside Torquay, head to Kents Cavern, a prehistoric cave that was once home to ancient humans – there are some very fun family activities including cave painting, riddle quests and trails, both indoor and out.

You can also discover the village of Cockington, frozen in time, with its thatched houses, water mill and forge, plus 16th century manor house Cockington Court at its heart. The old medieval deer park is now Cockington’s cricket pitch, but you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets.

In Torquay itself, get some great views on a ride on the English Riviera Wheel in the town’s Pavilion gardens – a 12 minute ride takes you almost 60m up to look out to the sea and skyline.

Check out our day in Torquay, including Kent’s Cavern, for more ideas of what to do

There are also a string of Treasure Trails available for days out in south Devon – one of my favourite ways to explore with kids, there’s a mix of murder mysteries, spy and pirate themed trails.

Check out our day in Topsham, following the treasure trail around the historic port.

Days out in east Devon with kids

If you’re staying in east Devon, you’re within easy reach of a lot of the south Devon family attractions (scroll up to check them out), including Exeter and Powderham Castle, and only around an hour’s drive from Torquay.

Start with my tips on the best things to do in Exeter with kids, including ideas for days out near the city.

Family attractions

But there are some great things to do with kids in east Devon itself – not least Crealy Theme Park and Resort, the south-west’s largest family theme park including rides and attractions as well as a zoo (and some fun places to stay).

At Seaton Jurassic, you can hop into a steampunk timeship to travel back through the centuries, accompanied by a Victorian explorer, and discover some of the secrets of the Jurassic coast.

If you’re happy with someone else at the controls, the Seaton Tramway is a lovely way to travel back in time – the electric tramway runs on a three-mile route from Seaton to Colyford and Colyton.

Sadly you can no longer get behind the controls of a big digger at Diggerland Devon in Cullompton, which closed in 2021 – if you are tempted, it’s one of several sites around the country, you can read our review of Diggerland in Kent here. With rides and activities for younger kids, it’s huge fun at any age.

Get outdoors

The region is also home to the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes part of the Jurassic Coast (perfect for dinosaur fans) and some gorgeous countryside to wander and walk with kids.

Or try pond dipping at Seaton Wetlands – made up of three local nature reserves, it includes walks through marshland and reedbeds as well.

For a more active outdoor family activity, you can’t beat The Bear trail at Cullompton

And for a gentler adventure, National Trust property Killerton is repeatedly voted Best Historical Attraction by families with trails on the historic estate and play areas, as well plenty of space to roam on the 6,400 acre estate.

Then play dress up – in your imagination – at the fashion collections inside the house. Check out my review of a visit to Killerton with kids.

See the animals

One of Devon’s most beloved family attractions for toddlers has to be the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth – there are also trails to wander, spotting some of the rescued donkey inhabitants who’ve made their home here, plus a play area and a maze. 

Young animal lovers will also be in heaven at Axe Valley Wildlife Park near Axminster, with everything from meerkats and chipmunks to zebras and flamingoes at this little zoo.

Where to stay in Devon for families

You’re spoiled for choice whether you’re looking for self-catering cottages in Devon, family-friendly hotels or AirBNB properties, with as many quirky places to stay in Devon as there are classic seaside family escapes.

Self-catering in Devon 

I’ve picked a few of my favourites whether you’re looking for places to stay in south Devon or the north coast, luxury properties or somewhere a bit unusual in this post.

For a spot of luxury glamping, it’s hard to beat Dittisham Hideaway, just outside Dartmouth – we stayed in one of the treehouses there for a fantastic family-friendly treat. Check out my review.

There are some other great family-friendly cottage collections too – we discovered the Baby Blue Chip collection during our family holiday in Brixham, at Sunnycroft Cottage. It was a press trip, but as you’ll see from my video, it really is a great place to stay with kids.

Or Sykes Holiday cottages also has hundreds of cottages in Devon, including child-friendly family cottages for every budget and style.

You’ll also find AirBNB properties galore – we stayed at this little gem near Topsham, called The Linhay to give one example. Have a look round in this video.

Family hotels in Devon

If you prefer a hotel and are looking for the best places to stay with kids, booking.com is always a good place to start with their list of hotels in Devon.

But for a spot of luxury, there are a few favourites which always top the lists of the most family-friendly hotels in Devon – Soar Mill Cove is right on the beach and has plenty of activities for kids in the holidays, along with its own saltwater pool. You can borrow boogie boards and crab lines too.

Or The Cary Arms at Babbacombe has self-catering cottages as well as hotel rooms so you can get the best of both worlds – and children get a bucket, spade and fishing net when they arrive, plus the beach of Babbacombe Bay on the hotel’s doorstep to test them out.

If you’re looking for a Devon hotel with toddlers or a baby-friendly Devon hotel, the Saunton Sands hotel offers two hours free childcare for kids aged six weeks to 11 years, and a host of baby equipment with its ‘baby go lightly’ option. There are also family rooms and suites, as well as luxury apartments.

And for a mix of countryside and coast, the Thurlestone Hotel has play rooms and activities during school holidays, plus family-friendly touches like a kids’ buffet at dinner, and rooms which have a mix of extra sleeping room provided by bunk beds, sofa beds, cots and extra beds, as well as pre bookable babysitting.

Camping and glamping in Devon

If you’re looking for a cheap holiday in Devon, one way to stick to your budget is to check out the many camping and glamping sites across the county. The Tinbox Traveller blog has a fantastic round-up of the best glamping sites in Devon to start you off.

Or check out the Pitch Up website for ideas of where to camp in Devon with kids.

The best Devon beaches

One of the biggest Devon attractions is the miles and miles of sand on both coasts – the north Devon beaches are sometimes wilder, but you’ll find plenty of beaches for toddlers, with gentle stretches of sand to paddle on, as well as surf beaches for older kids, and everything in between.

Whatever you fancy, check out my guide to the best beaches in Devon with kids as well as some of my favourites below.

Scroll down for more ideas on beach activities for kids, my favourite beach towels and activity books.

Best beaches in north Devon

You can’t talk about north Devon beaches without mentioning Woolacombe beach – regularly ranked among the top beaches to visit in the UK and Europe, there are miles of sand stretching out to play on.

If you’re looking for surf you’ll find it here, along with a lifeguard station manned in the summer, facilities including cafes and toilets nearby, and it’s even dog-friendly (although there are restrictions in some areas during the summer months).

Nearby Putsborough Beach is far less well-known but it’s got the bonus of being quieter as a result, and is another popular one for families – you’ll find essentials like toilets and cafe, plus you can paddle in the shallows or clamber on some of the rocks sticking out from the sand.

Check out Combe Martin beach too, which has won a Seaside award, and has wide flat sands at low tide – there are also nature trails nearby to discover, and toilets, parking and cafes here too.

Saunton Sands, with their classic beach huts and dunes, are a great taste of the seaside stretching for 3.5 miles and it’s a dog-friendly beach if you’re travelling with pets.

Or Croyde Beach is another great one if you’re looking for sand and surf. It’s an award-winning beach and also has its own lifeguard station.

For one of the most unusual beaches, it’s hard to beat Tunnels beach at Ilfracombe – there’s a charge for this beach but it’s worth the small fee to explore this unusual cove with a Victorian tidal pool.

You walk through hand carved tunnels in the rock to reach Tunnels at Ilfracombe, and you’ll find information about the history – it was opened in 1823 – plus smugglers’ caves, rock pools and a family-restaurant and play hut. Even the toilets have won awards!

And if you’re willing to put in the effort to have one corner of Devon’s coast almost to yourself, Broad Sands is worth it – there are 200 steps down to this wild pebble beach, with caves and an island to explore. Head down at low tide, and older kids will love exploring one of the top 10 wild swimming beaches in the UK.

For more days on the sand, check out my pick of the best beaches in Devon with kids

Best beaches in south Devon

There are some great Blue Flag beaches in south Devon including Blackpool Sands with its gorgeously clear water – although despite the name, it’s actually a shingle beach rather than sandy.

Or Dawlish Warren is another Blue Flag beach which often hosts open-air events during the summer, plus sand dunes and space for sandcastles, as well as clear shallow water – there are dog-friendly areas year-round too.

For another sandy spot, Salcombe North Sands could be straight from the Mediterranean with tree-lined cliffs around the cove, and is also a dog-friendly option.

Younger kids will love Bantham Beach near Kingsbridge which has shallow waters for paddling, sand and dunes – it also looks out to Burgh Island, and there’s somewhere to get snacks near the parking (both need cash). 

You can watch the sea tractor (or head over to Burgh Island) from nearby Bigbury on Sea beach too, although with shallow shelving water and perfect sand for sandcastles, you might not want to move. One that’s best when the tide is low though.

For another dog-friendly option with calm waters and watersports, Slapton Sands also has lifeguards in the summer plus you’ve got the nature reserve of Slapton Ley nearby with its wildlife if you can persuade kids away from the beach.

If you’re staying near Torquay and Paignton, there are some great beaches in these classic seaside spots as well.

Torre Abbey Sands at Torquay is a soft sandy beach, and if you want to do more than paddle, you can rent pedalos – plus there are toilets, a shop and cafes or snack stalls for the obligatory ice creams.

On the outskirts of Paignton, Goodrington Sands is also sandy but with rock pools at low tide and plenty of actvities from crazy golf to water sports, including pedalo and kayak hire. You can even spot steam trains from the beach and dogs are allowed on North Sands year-round (though not South Sands).

There’s also Preston Sands which has more soft sand and rock pools (plus crazy golf and toilets), as well as deckchairs to rent and colourful beach huts ranged along the back.

For one of south Devon’s most unusual beaches, head through the smugglers’ tunnel to Ness Cove at Shaldon – emerging from the dark passageway onto the shingle and sand is half the fun, but there are great rockpools once you arrive as well. Shaldon Zoo is right next door to the beach as well, as an added bonus.

Discover what we thought during our day out in Shaldon and Teignmouth

Rockpooling Devon

If you’re looking for some of the best beaches to go rockpooling in Devon, you’ll find plenty of choice on both coasts.

Check out the best beaches in north Devon and south Devon above, as some are also good spots for rockpooling, including Goodrington Sands near Paignton, Bantham Beach and Ness Cove in the south plus Combe Martin in the north.

We also loved Shoalstone beach near Brixham, where you can clamber over the rocks to discover marine creatures galore including crabs and tiny sea snails – there’s also a big sea water pool for swimming.

Check out my review of a morning clambering among the rock pools with a toddler.

Or Wembury Bay is a National Trust site which also has its own education centre as well as some of the country’s best rockpooling – not too far from Plymouth, it’s one for the list if you’re staying in south Devon.

Further along the south coast in east Devon, check out Maer rocks near Exmouth too for another rockpooling spot.

On the north coast, Hartland Quay is a great place to go rockpooling in north Devon – if you’re lucky, you might even see falcons nesting on the cliffs above this rocky beach.

Or not far from popular Woolacombe beach, Combesgate Beach has lots of family-friendly rockpools – during the summer months, they sometimes have rockpool rambles with the beach rangers too.

And nearby Barricane beach is famous for exotic seashells which get washed up from the Caribbean – and also for the Sri Lankan beach shack serving curry in summer. Even if you don’t find either of those on your visit, there are some lovely rock pools between the wide expanses of sand here too.

For tips on how to get the most out of rockpooling with kids and staying safe, click here…

Planning a trip to Devon for families

Chances are, if you’re visiting Devon with kids you’ll have a car journey to get you there – even from London, it’s usually a minimum of three and a half hours for us. On previous trips, we’ve broken the journey at Stourhead in Wiltshire and Stonehenge although there are more great places to explore on the Great West Way too.

For some more of my best motorway stop-offs in the UK, check out this post.

And if you’re looking for ways to survive the road trip with kids, I’ve got ideas on how to entertain them along the way, as well as how to make the journey go more smoothly.

If they don’t get car sick, the pocket sized I Spy books include I Spy on a car journey to keep them occupied during the drive.

Audiobooks are another favourite – ideal if reading or tablets do cause car sickness as well. We’ve signed up to Audible which has an amazing range of child-friendly audio books but this collection of Roald Dahl audiobooks on CD is another great buy, as is the complete Paddington collection.

Once you arrive, no trip to Devon is complete without at least one trip to the beach – almost certainly a lot more. And while sandcastles and rockpooling are always favourites (don’t forget the bucket, spade and net), I’ve got a few other ideas of beach activities for kids too.

You can see some of my other travel essentials to pack, including my favourite hammam towels and SPF, on this list, as well as this I Spy at the Seaside book and an I Spy at the Seaside activity book.

Devon guide books to buy

Footprint guides has a book of ideas for Devon with kids while this Wild Guide: Devon, Cornwall and the South West has great suggestions to find the less explored side of the country.

For more ways to get outdoors, Devon – 40 Coast and Country Walks includes everything from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. Or there are 50 ideas of buggy-friendly walks across the UK in Beautiful Buggy Walks which is ideal for visiting Devon with a baby or toddler.

Find even more tips on things to do in Devon with kids in Lonely Planet’s Devon and Cornwall guide or the Rough Guide to Devon and Cornwall

And if you are combining a trip to Devon with a visit to neighbouring Cornwall, here are my top 20 things to do in Cornwall with kids, as well as free things to do in Cornwall and ideas of what to do in Cornwall in the rain.

 

PIN FOR LATER: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DEVON FOR FAMILIES

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