With its picturesque beaches, rolling countryside and eclectic mix of tourist hotspots, Devon has been one of the most well-loved British summer boltholes for decades. With bustling ancient cities like Exeter just a short distance to some of the most serene coastlines in the world, there really is something for everyone in this seaside county.
If you’re planning a visit to Devon, it’s safe to say you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice with the number of things to do. But don’t take our word for it, here are some of the best tried-and-tested Devon activities for the whole family.
Stef Fox Adcock, Freelance Blogger and Marketing Specialist, says: “If you go on holiday to get stuck in and have fun, then you’ll love
The Milky Way Adventure Park. As locals we have season tickets, and try to visit at least once a month with the kids. Everything at the park is designed so adults and kids can have a brilliant time together – including the roller coasters, dodgems, jumping pillows and new Gravity Rider donut slide.
Even if it’s wet there’s plenty to do here, with the huge indoor play area, death slides, mini-train, archery, laser target shooting and live shows. My littlest one, Bea, absolutely loves Little Stars – which is a whole play centre designed for 0-6 year olds (and I love it because I can sit down with a decent cup of coffee while she plays!). Rufus is a Star Wars nut so he loves the Sci-Fi memorabilia collection.”
Anne Blackham, blogger at Devon’s Top Attractions, says: “The
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery has displays, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities. It’s in a spectacular Victorian building, linking the modern city centre bustle of Queen Street with the city’s past. The displays reveal Devon’s rich history and global significance, and the exotic animals of the World Cultures Gallery delight the children and display awe-inspiring artefacts from all corners of the world.
The busy programme of exhibitions and events means that, chances are, you’ll see something new each time you visit, and free entry gives everyone the freedom to discover the museum.”
Ali Williams, blogger at Mum in a Nutshell: “I thought long and hard about what I’d recommend as a great day out in Devon – being a tourist hotspot there are so many to choose from! But at a push, I’d say
bike riding from Darts Farm to Exmouth. The kids and I do this quite often, and you can either bring your own bikes or hire them from either start point. A family bike hire works out at around £35 for half a day.
We usually stop off midway for lunch – there are a couple of good pubs in Exton and Lympstone – or take a picnic. My youngest loves the playpark and animals at Darts, in fact you can easily spend a few hours there and the food’s pretty ace too! The bike route itself is predominately off-road with breathtaking views of the estuary, through picturesque villages and the marine training camp. Oh, and if your kids are into trains, the Exmouth to Exeter line runs parallel to the route too.”
Hayley McClean, blogger at Sparkles and Stretchmarks, says: “We feel so lucky to live in Torbay, which is known as the ‘English Riviera’. We have lots of beautiful beaches on our doorstop, and during the summer months the area comes alive with events aimed at the thousands of tourists who head our way for the summer, meaning there’s always something fun to do.
Our favourite place to visit here in Devon has to be
World of Country Life. This all-weather attraction near the beautiful seaside town of Exmouth is great fun for all the family. There are play areas, trampolines, bouncy pillows, coin-operated rides, plus loads of cute animals to visit.
There’s a trailer ride that takes you to meet the deer and llamas, which you can have a go at hand-feeding, as well as some bird of prey displays. If the weather’s not on your side, there’s an indoor Victorian museum and a display of old-fashioned vehicles that my boys love, as well as the biggest pirate play ship we’ve ever seen! It’s the kind of place you can easily spend an entire day, and it’s ideal for all ages too – a real traditional family day out!”
Jennifer Harris, from Exeter Babies, says: “
Exeter’s underground passages are not for the faint hearted, uncovering a whole other world beneath the busy pavements of the bustling city.
The unique passages were used for hiding in during the war, there are spooky dead ends and twists and turns, and are just a fascinating place to be in. The tour guides are full of information about the whys and whens, and can answer any question posed by an eager 6 or 66 year old. There is a visitor centre with a video and interesting things to look at and do, great if you are under 5 or don’t fancy the depths of the tunnels, but are keen to know about ancient plumbing and how they got water into Exeter....who knew it was all so interesting!”
With an endless list of things to do and see, it’s hard to find a reason not to visit Exeter and Devon! Get planning your coastal adventure with
Leonardo Hotel Exeter.
