The best 15 free things to do in Devon with kids

From cream teas to paddling, devon is certainly one of my favorite locations for a UK household vacation – however when you may simply fill a month with out repeating the identical day trip, my financial institution stability gained’t stand for that (alas), which began me searching for free issues to do in Devon with youngsters.

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

However if you happen to’re searching for free issues to do in Devon with youngsters, there’s loads past the sand and surroundings as properly, together with free museums and different household pleasant sights.

Hit the seaside

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

Since you’re spoiled for alternative in the case 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 seaside, which appears to be like prefer it’s been plucked from the Mediterranean because of 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 might watch the ocean tractors from Bigbury-on-Sea.

And you may’t speak about north Devon seashores with out mentioning Woolacombe Seaside – often 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 together with your canine, try this publish from Devon With Children.

There’s additionally fossil looking, 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 perfect seashores in Devon with youngsters

Letterboxing & geocaching on Dartmoor

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

Once you’ve discovered them, use the stamp to mark a pocket book or postcard, then signal your title or go away your personal stamp of their pocket book, till you get the set – every has a clue that can assist you discover it.

Some are easy, some not so easy if you happen to’re searching for a household problem…

For extra concepts of issues to do on and round Dartmoor with youngsters, try this publish

You’ll be able to go geocaching too – try 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 excellent for a household journey so it is a nice method to encourage youngsters out to discover, whether or not you’re discovering the legends related to the moors, or stargazing with older youngsters at Exmoor, certainly one of only some 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 world geopark.

Even higher, you’ll be able to spot dolphins, seals and basking sharks from right here, in addition to some unimaginable views, or stroll the ramparts of the not too long ago restored fortifications from the Napoleonic Struggle. For one thing extra adventurous, there’s mountaineering and kayaking right here too.

Try our day trip exploring Berry Head reserve, plus a spot of rockpooling on the aspect

Haldon Forest Park, Exeter

A sprawling 3,500 acres of woodland, Haldon Forest Park is just quarter-hour outdoors Exeter, with choices for all ages if you happen to’re seeking to get outside 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 if you happen to’re searching for low-cost days out in Devon with youngsters however proud of one thing that’s not 100% free, there are sometimes trails themed round Julia Donaldson guide for teenagers as properly – plus a restaurant if you happen to fancy a drink and slice of cake after your stroll.

For extra outside enjoyable, Stover Nation Park is just a brief drive away from Haldon Forest Park and in addition has no entry price

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 completely 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 journey on a trilobite and swing over a wetpour sea (in addition to a reasonably 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 brief amble trying on the surroundings or an extended hike alongside the coast.

In actual fact, if you happen to’re being formidable, you might 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 probably, simply choose a scenic stretch close to to your lodging – wherever you keep in Devon with youngsters, you shouldn’t be too removed from the possibility to walk, together with routes by way of the South Devon and East Devon AONB (Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence).

The web site additionally helps you to seek for walks of various problem (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 mild biking by way of the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.

You’ll be able to observe it from the coast, or by way of 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 world’s outdated railway traces – strive one of many picturesque sections between Braunton and Meeth. As for Tarka, it’s price protecting your eyes open however you’ll must be very fortunate to identify an otter.

For extra concepts of the perfect issues to do in North Devon with youngsters, try my prime picks

The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth

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

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

There’s no have to prebook, and there’s an incredible cafe on website with a youngsters’s menu, in addition to some tempting meals for adults. Youthful youngsters will love this if you happen to’re searching for free days out in east Devon however it’s a beautiful cease for the entire household.

Occombe Farm, Paignton

There’s a beautiful 2km nature path at this working farm, which has livestock to identify, together with the wildlife you’ll be able to see on the path – and there’s free parking as properly.

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

When you’re saving your pennies, it’s nonetheless price trying out the deli and the café which is stocked up with native meals, together with produce grown on the positioning. In addition to cream teas (clearly), you might discover scorching 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 day trip in Devon when it’s raining – and there’s loads to entertain youngsters 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.

Children can get arms 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 luggage for various ages, quizzes and interactive reveals.

The Field, Plymouth

This arts and cultural hub, which opened in Plymouth in 2020, has an incredible mixture of everlasting galleries and momentary exhibitions – and even higher, there’s no entry cost to The Field so it’s one other unbelievable free day trip in Devon with youngsters.

The shows have hyperlinks to Plymouth’s previous – every little thing 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 among the most well-known journeys which began in Plymouth.

Children can choose up free trails to observe as they discover, designed for all ages, with half a dozen completely different matters, 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’ll be able to simply spend hours.

For extra issues to do in Plymouth with youngsters, try my prime picks

Home of Marbles, Bovey Tracey

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

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

There are some unbelievable and big marble runs too – and it’s an incredible choice for wet days in Devon as you’ll be able to shelter indoors too.

Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh

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

However the ruined website was introduced again to life within the early twentieth century by a gaggle of exiled French monks who rebuilt the church on the medieval foundations and re-established the monastery – right now Buckfast Abbey nonetheless dwelling to a working neighborhood of Benedictine monks.

It’s not simply an choice for a free day trip in Devon with youngsters who love historical past both, though there’s an interactive exhibition to provide some extra background. You’ll be able to discover the gardens and grounds, together with the attractive lavender backyard in the course of the summer time, with its 50 completely different varieties.

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

Comply with a path

In addition to trails that can assist you discover the good outside, at locations like Haldon Forest Park, you may also discover loads of enjoyable trails to find Devon’s cities with youngsters at no cost.

When 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. When you’re visiting Plymouth Hoe, there’s a separate Hoe Path stroll to strive right here as properly.

When you’re exploring Royal William Yard with youngsters, there’s a Geo Path winding across the website – 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 gained’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 among the most memorable are from Plymouth Hoe, the big 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 acquired – 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, try my final information to Devon for households

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

**First printed 2014, final up to date 2023**

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

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