The best 15 free things to do in Devon with kids

From cream teas to paddling, Devon is one in every of my favorite locations for a UK household vacation – however whilst you may simply fill a month with out repeating the identical time out, my financial institution stability received’t stand for that (alas), which began me in search of free issues to do in Devon with children.

It goes with out saying which you can spend days on the seashore in Devon with out spending a single penny, whereas the county is dwelling to the nationwide parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor as effectively, fairly other than all the opposite issues to do in Devon with children which do include a price ticket.

However when you’re in search of free issues to do in Devon with children, there’s lots past the sand and surroundings as effectively, together with free museums and different household pleasant sights.

Hit the seashore

Sure, there are extra free days out in Devon with children than going to the seashore – however who doesn’t fancy a little bit of time on a number of the county’s fantastic coast.

Since you’re spoiled for alternative on the subject of nice seashores in Devon, with lengthy stretches of golden sand and smaller secluded coves, all fully free – so long as you don’t purchase too many ice lotions.

To call only a few, Blackpool Sands in South Devon is a Blue Flag seashore, which appears prefer it’s been plucked from the Mediterranean due to the pines and deep turquoise blue of the water.

In the meantime coves like Bantham Seaside even have rockpools in addition to shallow water to paddle in, or you possibly can watch the ocean tractors from Bigbury-on-Sea.

And you’ll’t discuss north Devon seashores with out mentioning Woolacombe Seaside – recurrently ranked among the many prime seashores to go to within the UK and Europe, there three miles of sand to play on.

Or Saunton Sands stretches for 3.5 miles, and it’s canine pleasant too – for concepts of extra seashores to go to along with your canine, take a look at this put up from Devon With Youngsters.

There’s additionally fossil searching, particularly in east Devon in direction of the Jurassic Coast, in addition to crabbing and much extra enjoyable by the coast.

Try my choose of the very best seashores in Devon with children

Letterboxing & geocaching on Dartmoor

The unique geo-caching, letterboxing mixes treasure searching and puzzle fixing with orienteering as you monitor down over 100 ‘letterboxes’ – small pots or containers containing a stamp.

If you’ve discovered them, use the stamp to mark a pocket book or postcard, then signal your identify or depart your personal stamp of their pocket book, till you get the set – every has a clue that will help you discover it.

Some are easy, some not so easy when you’re in search of a household problem…

For extra concepts of issues to do on and round Dartmoor with children, take a look at this put up

You’ll be able to go geocaching too – take a look at Go to Devon’s information to geocaching in Devon as one other nice concept of one thing to do in Devon at no cost.

The wild landscapes of Dartmoor and Exmoor are good for a household journey so this can be a nice method to encourage children out to discover, whether or not you’re discovering the legends related to the moors, or stargazing with older children at Exmoor, one in every of just a few Darkish Sky Reserves on the planet.

Go to Berry Head, Tor Bay

Berry Head Nationwide Nature Reserve guards the southern half of Tor Bay, marking one of many gateways to the English Riviera international geopark.

Even higher, you possibly can spot dolphins, seals and basking sharks from right here, in addition to some unbelievable views, or stroll the ramparts of the lately restored fortifications from the Napoleonic Conflict. For one thing extra adventurous, there’s mountaineering and kayaking right here too.

Try our time out exploring Berry Head reserve, plus a spot of rockpooling on the facet

Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

A sprawling 3,500 acres of woodland, Haldon Forest Park is barely quarter-hour exterior Exeter, with choices for all ages when you’re trying to get open air in Devon.

There’s mountain biking for older adventurers and a gentler 1 ½ mile Discovery Path for households, amongst others strolling routes (plus Go Ape and archery classes among the many paid sights).

And when you’re in search of low-cost days out in Devon with children however proud of one thing that’s not 100% free, there are sometimes trails themed round Julia Donaldson guide for teenagers as effectively – plus a restaurant when you fancy a drink and slice of cake after your stroll.

For extra out of doors enjoyable, Stover Nation Park is barely a brief drive away from Haldon Forest Park and in addition has no entry charge

Geoplay Park, Paignton

This park on Paignton seafront is cut up into 4 sections, designed across the space’s geological historical past. Ranging from toddlers as much as teenagers, there are totally different experiences to strive on the Geoplay Park.

For instance the Devonian-period themed space for toddlers represents the time when Torbay was underwater, beneath tropical coral seas… to allow them to trip on a trilobite and swing over a wetpour sea (in addition to a slightly much less geological trampoline and seesaw).

Stroll the South West Coast Path

Stretching the entire size of the English Riviera, there are miles (and miles) of the South West Coast path to discover, whether or not you desire a quick amble trying on the surroundings or an extended hike alongside the coast.

The truth is, when you’re being bold, you possibly can stroll the whole 630 miles of shoreline, making up the longest Nationwide Path within the UK, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.

Or, extra seemingly, simply choose a scenic stretch close to to your lodging – wherever you keep in Devon with children, you shouldn’t be too removed from the possibility to walk, together with routes by the South Devon and East Devon AONB (Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence).

The web site additionally permits you to seek for walks of various issue (together with ones appropriate for a mobility scooter, and subsequently a buggy) and family-friendly choices.

Tarka Path, North Devon

Impressed by the novel Tarka the Otter, the Tarka Path runs for 163 miles, and is ideal for strolling or light biking by the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.

You’ll be able to observe it from the coast, or by river valleys in addition to to woodland and moorland, in addition to discovering Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe for loads of free issues to do in north Devon.

The route consists of extra than 30 miles of path for cyclists to get pleasure from, utilizing the realm’s outdated railway strains – strive one of many picturesque sections between Braunton and Meeth. As for Tarka, it’s price maintaining your eyes open however you’ll should be very fortunate to identify an otter.

For extra concepts of the very best issues to do in North Devon with children, take a look at my prime picks

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

Hug, stroke and pet the five hundred residents of the beautiful Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth at no cost, with mules in addition to donkeys taken care of by the charity in cost.

There are additionally nature trails by the fields to wander, and common household actions – reminiscent of a Prime Trumps path dotted across the sanctuary or a spring path highlighting a number of the nature to identify.

There’s no must prebook, and there’s an excellent cafe on web site with a youngsters’s menu, in addition to some tempting meals for adults. Youthful children will love this when you’re in search of free days out in east Devon however it’s a stunning cease for the entire household.

Occombe Farm, Paignton

There’s a stunning 2km nature path at this working farm, which has cattle to identify, together with the wildlife you possibly can see on the path – and there’s free parking as effectively.

There are a string of different household sights at Occombe Farm, together with indoor and out of doors play areas, and animal encounters to get pleasure from, however all these are paid actions – price understanding earlier than you arrive, in case your children have their hearts set on the play areas impressed by native surroundings and historical past.

Should you’re saving your pennies, it’s nonetheless price testing the deli and the café which is stocked up with native meals, together with produce grown on the location. In addition to cream teas (clearly), you possibly can discover sizzling pulled pork in brioche or crab muffins on the menu.

RAMM, Exeter

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Artwork Gallery, or RAMM, is one other nice concept for a free time out in Devon when it’s raining – and there’s lots to entertain children at this Exeter museum.

In addition to shows telling the historical past of Devon from the prehistoric to the current, plus pure historical past and an Egyptian tomb, to not point out a bull elephant, suspended whale and Gerald the giraffe.

Youngsters can get palms on too, whether or not that’s dressing up as a Roman to make a mosaic or discovering life in medieval occasions with a miniature longhouse, to not point out exercise baggage for various ages, quizzes and interactive reveals.

The Field, Plymouth

This arts and cultural hub, which opened in Plymouth in 2020, has an excellent mixture of everlasting galleries and short-term exhibitions – and even higher, there’s no entry cost to The Field so it’s one other incredible free time out in Devon with children.

The shows have hyperlinks to Plymouth’s previous – all the pieces from a mannequin woolly mammoth to the figureheads from ships, together with an entire host of details about the town’s seafaring previous, together with interactive display screen and pictures displaying a number of the most well-known journeys which began in Plymouth.

Youngsters can choose up free trails to observe as they discover, designed for all ages, with half a dozen totally different subjects, or step in entrance of a inexperienced display screen to strive their hand as a TV presenter – there’s a lot to do at this free attraction, you possibly can simply spend hours.

For extra issues to do in Plymouth with children, take a look at my prime picks

Home of Marbles, Bovey Tracey

Even the identify is intriguing – and also you don’t have to like marbles, though you’ll be in marble heaven when you do with one of many extra uncommon free days out in Devon with children.

The Home of Marbles close to Bovey Tracey additionally has glass making to look at, a museum masking the 4,000-year historical past of glass and a group boasting one in every of each marble made over time, together with video games from the early seventeenth century.

There are some incredible and big marble runs too – and it’s an excellent possibility for wet days in Devon as you possibly can shelter indoors too.

Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh

The primary abbey at Buckfast was based again in 1018, going on to turn out to be more and more vital and highly effective till Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries within the sixteenth century.

However the ruined web site was introduced again to life within the early twentieth century by a bunch of exiled French monks who rebuilt the church on the medieval foundations and re-established the monastery – at present Buckfast Abbey nonetheless dwelling to a working group of Benedictine monks.

It’s not simply an possibility for a free time out in Devon with children who love historical past both, though there’s an interactive exhibition to offer some extra background. You’ll be able to discover the gardens and grounds, together with the beautiful lavender backyard in the course of the summer time, with its 50 totally different varieties.

There’s additionally a sensory backyard and a physic backyard with its medicinal vegetation, whereas the Millennium Gardens have received awards. Half-way between Plymouth and Exeter, it’s simple to succeed in from Devon’s cities – and do save a bit of money to get a few of Buckfast Abbey’s hand-made fudge.

Observe a path

In addition to trails that will help you discover the good open air, at locations like Haldon Forest Park, you too can discover loads of enjoyable trails to find Devon’s cities with children at no cost.

Should you’re visiting Exeter, benefit from being within the metropolis by following the free medieval path or woollen path across the metropolis too for some bonus free actions in Devon.

Or in Plymouth, head to The Barbican, to identify the Mayflower Steps Memorial and the beginning level for the Mayflower Path, to find life within the metropolis in 1620. Should you’re visiting Plymouth Hoe, there’s a separate Hoe Path stroll to strive right here as effectively.

Should you’re exploring Royal William Yard with children, there’s a Geo Path winding across the web site – as soon as a victualling yard for the Royal Navy, the place ships would tackle provides – and alongside the South West Coast Path to uncover 380 million years of geological historical past.

Benefit from the views

You received’t be in need of nice views wherever you might be in Devon, whether or not that’s a reasonably harbour like Topsham, trying down from a Tor on Dartmoor, or gazing out to see.

However a number of the most memorable are from Plymouth Hoe, the massive inexperienced house overlooking Plymouth Sound (the town’s pure harbour, additionally identified merely as The Sound).

It’s right here that Sir Francis Drake was enjoying bowls when information of the advancing Spanish Armada was obtained – confidently ending his sport earlier than heading out to defeat the invading fleet. His statue stands only a few metres from the bowling inexperienced to at the present time.

The general public park is the proper spot to get pleasure from some downtime with the household and let little ones stretch their legs. You’ll be able to take a stroll alongside the promenade, hunt for the park’s many statues and monuments, get pleasure from a picnic within the solar, and discover the peaceable sensory backyard.

For extra concepts, take a look at my final information to Devon for households

PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST FREE DAYS OUT IN DEVON WITH KIDS

**First revealed 2014, final up to date 2026**

Photos: Blackpool Sands/Berry Head copyright MummyTravels, RAMM courtesy Go to Exeter, all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos

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