Places to Stay With Kids' Clubs in Devon

What the ten stays have in common

BritStays currently lists 10 places to stay in Devon with children's entertainment. All ten have a swimming pool and a bar. Nine have a restaurant and eight run evening entertainment, so most of them are built around a full family day with something laid on after tea. Six have a playground, six list parking and six are pet friendly. That means a few of them don't list those three, so check before you book if any of them matter to you.

The set includes 4 hotels, 3 holiday parks and 3 caravanning stays. A kids' club means different things at each. A hotel might run a supervised session while you have a quiet lunch. A holiday park usually builds a whole programme around the clubhouse. Ask each place what ages their activities cover and whether sessions need booking ahead, as that detail varies from stay to stay.

Choosing an area

Dawlish has the most choice. Lady's Mile Holiday Park, Cofton Holidays, Langstone Cliff Hotel and Welcome Family Holiday Park at Dawlish Warren are all listed around Dawlish. That's handy if you want to compare a few options side by side, or if you're booking alongside friends who'd rather stay somewhere slightly different.

Woolacombe has two: Saunton Sands Hotel and Bideford Bay Holiday Park. Further options are spread out singly. These are Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth, Barnstaple Hotel in Barnstaple, Challaborough Bay Holiday Park near Salcombe, and Combe Martin Beach. Every stay in this set is tied to a town or seaside area rather than deep countryside. If you want moorland walks, plan them as days out rather than expecting to find them on the doorstep.

Hotel, holiday park or caravan?

The facility lists give you a good steer on the feel of each place:

• For parents who want some downtime: Barnstaple Hotel and Saunton Sands Hotel both list a spa and a gym alongside the pool. Victoria Hotel, Lady's Mile Holiday Park and Cofton Holidays list a hot tub and a gym.
• For busy evenings: Welcome Family Holiday Park, Challaborough Bay Holiday Park, Bideford Bay Holiday Park and Langstone Cliff Hotel all list evening entertainment. Langstone Cliff is the hotel option if you want shows without a holiday park.
• For big groups: Combe Martin Beach sleeps 12 and has a pool, clubhouse and bar. It's worth a look for extended families or two households travelling together.

Dog owners and couples

Six of the ten stays are listed as pet friendly, but don't assume a particular one is. Rules often differ between hotel rooms, caravans and lodges, and some places limit dogs to certain units. Confirm with the stay before you pay a deposit.

Couples should know these places are designed around children. Pools and bars will be busy with families, especially in the school holidays. If you're travelling without children but like the lively atmosphere, the hotels with a spa are probably the most comfortable fit. If you want peace and quiet, a stay built around a kids' club may not be right for you.

Days out beyond the kids' club

Even the best entertainment programme starts to repeat after a few days, so plan an outing or two.

• Paignton Zoo in Paignton is the obvious pick for younger children.
• Dartmouth Castle and Tiverton Castle suit children who like exploring old walls.
• Hemyock Castle and Escot House are worth adding if you're building a few heritage days.
• National Trust fans can choose from Overbeck's Museum and Gardens, Coleton Fishacre and Bradley Manor.
• Dartmoor is the place for a wilder day with big skies and open walking.

Check opening days before you set off, as smaller attractions don't always open every day. Allow plenty of time for travel, because some are a fair way from the coastal stays.

When to book and what to check

Stays with pools and kids' clubs are most in demand during the school holidays. The choice narrows quickly once dates are announced, so book early if you're tied to those weeks and want somewhere specific in Dawlish or Woolacombe. Outside the holidays you'll usually have more flexibility. Do check, though, whether the children's entertainment runs all year or only in peak weeks, as some programmes are reduced in quieter periods.

Before you confirm, ask these questions:

• What ages does the kids' club cover?
• Is it supervised, so you can leave your children, or do parents need to stay?
• Are pool sessions timed or need booking?
• Is parking included?
• Are dogs allowed in your type of accommodation?

Write the answers down. It saves a lot of disappointment on arrival day.