Best family things to do in Devon in 2025

With lush valleys, fabulous festivals and bustling towns just waiting to be explored, Devon is the perfect place for a family holiday. Our picturesque county is brimming with fun and fantastic family things to do throughout the year.

Devon has a long history of family friendly fun. Whether you have toddlers or teenagers in tow, whether you love thrilling theme parks or wild nature parks, our diverse county has something for you. Here’s our pick of the best family things to do in the south-west.

A wide sandy beach with people walking and relaxing stretches along a coastline backed by green rolling hills and cliffs under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Head for the beach

If there’s one thing that Devon is famous for (other than cream teas), it’s beautiful beaches. And they are stunning all year round! Venture out for windswept walks in winter or a spot of sunbathing in summer. Here are a few to choose from:

Woolacombe Beach - often included in the best beaches in the UK, this award-winning beach is 3 miles of sandy shores. Edged with sand dunes and good facilities, it’s a great spot for families.

Bantham Beach - looking out over Bigbury and Burgh Island, Bantham has all the sand dunes, wildlife and rock pools that any family dreams of. Set within the rolling hills of South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, older families will enjoy exploring the surrounding area too.

Dawlish Warren Beach - offering a classic seaside experience of natural beauty and traditional family entertainment, our local beach is a perfect spot for families. Go-karts, mini-golf and open-air events are on hand alongside the sun, sand and sea.

A group of four smiling cyclists, including children and adults, ride mountain bikes along a winding gravel trail surrounded by lush green ferns and rolling hills.

Explore by bicycle

There’s no better way to explore Devon’s stunning scenery than on two wheels. Pedal out through picturesque villages and wild moorlands on nearly 150 miles of National Cycle Network routes. Family-friendly cycle routes cover everything from 3 to 30 miles past a range of scenery coast, countryside and canal.

As family things to do for older children go, the Exe Estuary Trail is a must. 20 miles of stunning coastal scenery between Dawlish and Exmouth along largely level cycle routes. It runs around the entire Exe Estuary - a Site of Special Scientific Interest - through riverside towns and villages, with plenty of birdlife to spot along the way.

A small black-and-white bird, possibly a coal tit, perches on a twig among fallen leaves and branches. The background is a soft, blurred green, highlighting the bird.

Go wildlife spotting

Talking of wildlife spotting, if you’d prefer to do this on two feet rather than two wheels, head for Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve. A recurring favourite of BBC’s Springwatch, this area of freshwater pools, mudflats, herb-rich grasslands, woodland and reedbeds is an essential place for wildfowl and wading birds.

And that’s not all. The grasslands hold over 600 types of flowering plants to enjoy. With a particularly warm and sunny climate, some of Europe’s most threatened plants. such as Sand Crocus and Southern Marsh Orchids are able to grow here. Our dedicated blog on Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve holds more details.

Silhouetted spectators watch a vibrant fireworks display light up the night sky with bursts of red, gold, and orange, creating a dazzling celebration scene.

Find a Festival

There’s an abundance of amazing family-friendly festivals across Devon. If you’re looking for family things to do, it doesn’t get much better than these highlight events.

Brixham Pirate Festival 3rd - 5th May - If your little ones love pirates or dressing up, they’ll have a barrel of laughs at the Brixham Pirate Festival. This free event has everything a keen pirate would want, sea shanty singing, live history reenactments and pirate parades. More info.

British Fireworks Championships 13th - 14th August - Start your holiday off with a bang! Six teams from across the UK will be competing at the British Fireworks Championships in Plymouth. Each team will put on a 10 minute display in an effort to wow the crowds - and the judges. There’ll be live music and a fun fair to boot. More info.

Gone Wild Festival 21st – 24th August - Over at Powderham Castle, Bear Grylls is a mission to get families into the great outdoors. By day, dive into kayaking, conquer the climbing walls or learn essential survival skills. By night, head to the family rave or music stage for acts like Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Clean Bandit. There’s an epic adventure and unforgettable family memories waiting. More info.

A hand holds white dice over a colorful space-themed board game. Game pieces are scattered across the board, with warm sunlight casting a glow over the scene.

Indoor Games

Let’s face it, Devon gets a lot of rain. It’s how everything stays so lush and green. If you encounter a sudden downpour and you don’t feel like braving the elements, turn this to your advantage.

Keep a stock of well-loved and brand new board games. While Monopoly has been known to create family rifts, there are plenty of games that bring families together. Try Ticket to Ride, Codenames or speedy Pass The Pigs.

A vintage steam train with a black engine and red trim sits at a rural station, reflecting in the window of a passing train. Greenery and wildflowers line the platform.

And an honourable mention for...

There are so many family things to do in Devon, it’s hard to fit all the options in. If you love exploring new towns, a Treasure Trail is the perfect way to see the sights and uncover hidden gems.

For young and old with a passion for steam trains, Devon boasts two incredible heritage railways. The South Devon Railway runs a scenic route between Totnes and Buckfast, and the Dartmouth Steam Railway has a brilliant round robin trip that includes a river boat and bus.

And finally, for any dinosaur-obsessed little ones, Jurassic Discovery in Seaton is perfect. Immersive exhibitions, animatronic dinosaurs and a Jurassic soft play - everything a mini dinosaur fan could ever want.

The best family holidays in Devon start at Hazelwood

Hazelwood Park is known for family holidays. Creating a safe, peaceful atmosphere is what we do best and, as this article demonstrates, there are so many family things to do close by. Make the most of our amazing deals - we’re currently offering 10% off any 2025 holiday or if you’re looking for Easter holiday, get 9 nights for the price of 7.