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.
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.
Located on the beautiful South Devon coastline, Blue Flag beach, Dawlish Warren offers one of the best places to experience sea swimming in Devon. This relaxed, seaside resort sits on a long sand spit at the mouth of the Exe Estuary which means there’s a showstopping large sandy beach on one side and an estuary on the other, home to more calmer waters. This guide will recommend some of the best wild swimming spots nearby to Hazelwood, whether you’re a gentle paddler, an avid wild water swimmer or a novice wanting to experience more.
Christmas is all about spending quality time together – which means that at some point you’re going to want to get everyone outside in the fresh air. From easy seaside strolls to Boxing Day adventures, these coastal walks in Devon are perfect for the whole family. Press pause on squabbles over the TV remote, skip the Boxing Day sales (that’s why online shopping was invented) and enjoy Devon’s big skies and sea air on one of these coastline walks.
Imagine stepping out onto golden sands where the sea meets a wild stretch of dunes, with birds circling overhead and rare flowers blooming at your feet. That’s Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, a place where families, birdwatchers, and nature lovers come together to enjoy one of Devon’s most special coastal landscapes.
Devon is a tourist haven, particularly for anyone who enjoys fishing, with many people planning their fishing holidays in Devon to make the most of our county’s remarkable waters. With ample stunning backdrops for you to choose from, Devon has something for every angler - whether you enjoy sea fishing or lake fishing, you’re spoilt for choice. We’re going to help you plan your fishing holiday in Devon so you can pack your tackle and start reeling in your catch.
There’s nothing quite like getting out in nature to soothe the soul. Making time in nature all the more enchanting is the chance to see beautiful wildlife along the way, too.
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.
With miles of golden beaches, picturesque fishing towns, spectacular attractions and fabulous eateries, it’s no wonder that South Devon is one of the UK’s top holiday destinations.
Home to some of the most beautiful landscapes and the oldest course in England, Devon is undoubtedly one of the best places to go for golfing.