As one of the UK’s most popular family holiday destinations, Devon is bursting with a range of unforgettable activities for the year ahead.
With miles of glorious sandy beaches, fascinating historic houses, fun-filled watersports and family attractions galore, there’s plenty to do year round, whatever the weather.
Keep reading to discover the best things to do with family in Devon this year and get ready for an adventure to remember!
Planning a few family activities before you go is a great way to maximise your time away, and makes sticking to a budget so much easier. We suggest picking a mix of interesting, relaxing, and exciting activities to enjoy during your stay. These could include a day at a historic house, a beach visit, a family theme park and an animal attraction. Don’t forget to plan something for the inevitable wet day too!
Located a stone’s throw from Dawlish Warren Beach and close to a range of excellent local family attractions, you don’t have to venture far from Hazelwood Holiday Park to enjoy all the local area has to offer. A recent Blue Flag winner Dawlish Warren Beach and Nature Reserve has everything you need for a fun-filled day out, and you can explore Dawlish’s pretty old town, the Dawlish Museum and Pirate Mini Golf.
This small but impressive family amusement park is situated on the seafront and offers plenty of rides for tots to teens (and grown-ups too!). New rides and attractions are regularly introduced, and you’ll find all the top crowd-pleasers, including roller coasters, carousels and bumper cars, perfect for filling a few hours.
Funder Park is open seasonally, so be sure to check ahead. Entry is free, and tokens can be purchased for the attractions.
Devon is jam-packed with fabulous family activities, and you’ll find plenty to suit all ages and tastes within easy distance of Hazelwood Holiday Park. Here are just a few of our favourites:
Devon’s largest theme park, Woodlands Adventure Park, features a plethora of family attractions, including a water park and zoo farm. It’s ideal for children of all ages.
Visit award-winning Crealy Theme Park for a range of thrilling rides and attractions, live shows and animals. The park is well-suited for all ages.
The Big Sheep is a popular family attraction and features rides, events, indoor and outdoor attractions, animal shows and, of course, the chance to meet the animals up close! It’s a great destination for the whole family.
Pennywell Farm is an award-winning family farm in Buckfastleigh. Famous for its miniature pigs, discover adorable farm animals, hands-on activities, rides and live shows. Suitable for all ages.
This unique attraction blends history with adventure. Explore a range of attractions including rides, a maze, the dungeons, gardens and castle. Suitable for all ages.
Located on the banks of the River Exe, Powderham Castle holds over seven centuries of fascinating history. A fun day out for all the family.
Devon is sandwiched between two coastlines and both are home to many spectacularly beautiful beaches. From soft golden sands to traditional seaside attractions and watersports, here are our top family-friendly beaches in Devon:
This award-winning beach is a firm family favourite and offers excellent facilities, including shops and cafes. Discover the impressive sand dunes and wildlife-rich ponds and explore the visitor centre and promenade attractions.
Frequently touted as one of the best beaches in not just Devon, but the UK, beautiful Blackpool Sands is famed for its clear waters and attractive pine tree forest backdrop. There’s a cafe and plenty of watersports to enjoy.
This 3-mile shingle (not sandy) beach is favoured for its calm water and wide range of watersports. Close to Slapton Ley Nature Reserve and the pretty village of Torcross, there’s plenty to keep the family busy.
If you fancy a quieter spot, Coryton Cove is a gorgeous, secluded cove that’s perfect for rockpooling and relaxing. For the ultimate treat, hire one of the brightly coloured beach huts. Coryton Cove does have parking, but it gets busy fast. You’ll need to park on the roads in nearby Dawlish and walk to this beach as it's a little off the beaten track. There are minimal facilities, so pack snacks and drinks for the day.
Teignmouth has two beaches: Teignmouth Town Beach and River Beach (Back Beach), which is a quieter, traditional fishing beach.
Visit Town Beach for the Victorian promenade, children’s play area and a range of fun-filled activities.
It wouldn’t be a true British holiday without the odd shower, but don’t let a rogue rainy day ruin your plans. There are plenty of things to do with family in Devon during a downpour:
Plymouth’s UK Conservation Aquarium is a brilliant family day out. Discover a treasure trove of ocean inhabitants from Plymouth to the reefs of Australia and marvel at the fascinating underwater world.
Walk in the footsteps of ancient humans as you journey through the extensive prehistoric labyrinth of Kents Cavern. An unforgettable experience for all ages, discover 400 million-year-old rocks and ancient tools.
Bygones is a must-see Torquay attraction including three floors of fascinating collections, and it’s a great day out for the whole family. Step into Victorian life, shop through the decades and explore the extensive wartime exhibition.
Located in the beautiful English Riviera and set in 18 acres of parkland and gardens, Torre Abbey is Torbay’s most historic building. Visit the impressive art collection and discover exhibitions and interactive displays.
Ideal for dinosaur devotees of all ages, a trip to Seaton’s Jurassic Discovery lets you walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, bringing you face-to-face with realistic, life-sized animatronic dinosaurs.
There is no shortage of things to do with family in Devon, including a range of free attractions.
Plymouth's free-to-visit museum, gallery and archive includes a range of interesting exhibits and activities. Afterwards, enjoy exploring the bustling coastal city.
Situated in Sidmouth, on the beautiful Jurassic Coast, the Donkey Sanctuary is home to hundreds of donkeys. It’s a great day out for the family with a cafe, exhibits and walks in the pretty gardens and coast path.
Visit one of the UK’s busiest fishing harbours where you can watch the boats come and go throughout the day. There’s a huge fish market and plenty of places to eat, drink and explore.
Located in the city of Exeter, close to the centre, this beautiful museum holds displays, galleries and inspirational exhibitions.
The Plymouth Barbican is well worth a visit. You’ll find museums, gardens and plenty of places to eat and shop. Packed with history and heritage, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours.
With miles of coastal paths and cycle tracks, Devon is one of the best places for exploring on foot and two wheels.
Perfect for families staying near Dawlish Warren, this largely traffic-free trail circles the Exe Estuary. You can join the trail from several points, including Dawlish and Exmouth. There are bike hire shops in Dawlish and the surrounding areas.
The South West Coast Path offers endless walking opportunities, all framed by spectacular scenery. This fun family walk has two options. At low tide, you can walk across the beach or take the River Avon seasonal ferry to Burgh Island, or you can take the coastal path route for elevated, unforgettable views. For a unique experience, you could try the Burgh Island Sea tractor!
This scenic country park includes 114 acres of woodland, grassland and marshes. A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, this is a wonderful spot for wild walks and birdwatching.
Located by award-winning Dawlish Warren Beach, Hazelwood Holiday Park in South Devon is a leading family holiday destination in the South West. With a range of self-catering accommodation, including lodges and apartments, we cater to all budgets.
There are plenty of things to do with family in Devon. At Hazelwood, you can enjoy our heated outdoor pool, fishing lakes and fantastic facilities, including live family entertainment in the Clubhouse every evening.
Enjoy all that Devon has to offer and book a stay at Hazelwood Holiday Park. We’ve frozen our prices for 2026, so you can enjoy all our holiday park has to offer for excellent value.
The Exe Estuary brings together waterside walking, birdwatching and watersports on South Devon’s coast. Stay at Hazelwood Holiday Park in Dawlish Warren and you can start with the nearby nature reserve, follow the estuary towards Starcross or head across to Exmouth for a lesson on the water. This guide helps you choose an outing that fits your group, with practical advice on tides, transport and protecting wildlife.
From dolphins cutting through the waves to seals peering out from rocky coves, Devon’s coast gives wildlife lovers plenty of reasons to keep their eyes on the water. And recently, there have been some particularly exciting visitors too, including Atlantic bluefin tuna, whales and unusually large numbers of common octopus. Your guide to Devon sea safaris is here.
Bringing grandparents, parents, children and the wider family together for a holiday can be one of the best ways to spend proper time with each other. It can also take a little more planning. Different generations often want different things from their break, from energetic days out and swimming to peaceful walks, relaxed meals and somewhere comfortable to put your feet up.
That is why multi-generational family holidays in South Devon work so well. With beaches, countryside, coastal walks, family attractions and plenty of opportunities to take the day at your own pace, South Devon gives everyone room to enjoy their holiday their way.
Dawlish Warren is a Blue Flag beach that combines award-winning standards with everything you’d hope for from a UK coastal getaway. With its wide stretch of golden sand and beautiful setting beside the Exe Estuary, it’s easy to see why this beach has become a favourite with families, couples and nature lovers. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what makes Dawlish Warren one of the best Blue Flag beaches in Devon and why you should book your visit.
Planning a family holiday in Dawlish Warren? You’re in just the right place for beach days, seaside fun and plenty of easy activities to keep everyone smiling. This lovely South Devon seaside spot has everything close by, from a long sandy beach and traditional amusements to go-karts, mini golf and the beautiful Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve.
South Devon is packed with beautiful places to visit, from cheerful seaside resorts and colourful fishing towns to peaceful villages, sandy beaches and characterful market towns. If you’re planning a holiday in Devon, the hardest part might be choosing where to go first. Whether you’re looking for beach days, harbour views, independent shops, family attractions or quiet coastal walks, here’s how to choose the best South Devon towns and villages for your holiday.
South Devon is best placed when it comes to walking routes, and Hazelwood Holiday Park is ideally situated with easy access to numerous South Devon walks. Whether you’re a single stroller, a walking duo or simply a family wanting to enjoy a wander in the fresh air Hazelwood Holiday Park is perfectly positioned to access the best walking wonders in South Devon. Here we will guide you to various South Devon walks, from the dramatic coastal paths with stunning seaviews through to peaceful estuary routes brimming with wildlife.
Dawlish Warren is the perfect location for your next family getaway. Offering all the attractions of a traditional seaside resort in an outstanding natural environment, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Plan your family adventure in Devon with our guide to top attractions near Hazelwood Holiday Park, including the best beaches, wildlife parks, castles, and fun activities for all ages.