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Devon

Photo: Neil Theasby  (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Holidays in Devon

Planning a holiday in Devon? You're in good company — it's one of the UK's best-loved escapes, and this guide brings the best places to stay together in one place. Two coastlines, Dartmoor and proper cream teas.

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Holiday ideas in Devon

Know what would make the week? Start from the thing that matters most.

Weather in Devon

Thu

8° -2°

💧1%

Fri

7° -3°

💧1%

Sat

10° 5°

💧5%

Sun

11° 4°

💧68%

Mon

9° 5°

💧45%

Tue

10° 4°

💧69%

Wed

9° 1°

💧7%

Forecast: Met Office

All places to stay in Devon

Must-have facilities
Seascape

Seascape

🏖️ 1.32 miles from Sidmouth Town (Excellent water quality)

Sidmouth, South West England

Sleeps 2

£427 per break

Check availability
Oakridge

Oakridge

🏖️ 0.68 miles from Mill Bay (Excellent water quality)

Salcombe, South West England

Sleeps 7

£627 per break

Check availability

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More around Devon

Itineraries

Haunted Britain

From the blog

Devon gives you two coastlines and a national park in between, which means a day out here can be a rock pool and an ice cream, or a moorland walk and a castle, or a wet morning spent happily indoors. With around 1,690 places to stay on BritStays across the county, it's worth picking your base first and planning outwards — the south coast around Torquay, Paignton and Salcombe, the east around Sidmouth, Exmouth and Dawlish, or the north around Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.

Best for families

Paignton Zoo is the obvious anchor for a full family day — it's the sort of place where you'll want most of the day rather than a quick look. For something smaller and gentler, Shaldon Zoo (Shaldon Wildlife Trust) near Dawlish suits younger children and shorter attention spans, while The Tamar Valley Donkey Park over at Looe is an easy, low-key morning.

If you're travelling with children who need to burn energy rather than look at things, Crealy Adventure Park is the big theme park option, and Mansell Raceway at Sidmouth is a good add-on for older kids. Train-mad families should look at Plym Valley Railway.

  • Full day out: Paignton Zoo
  • Half day, younger children: Shaldon Zoo (Shaldon Wildlife Trust) or The Tamar Valley Donkey Park
  • Thrills: Crealy Adventure Park, Mansell Raceway

Rainy day plans

Devon rain tends to blow through, so the trick is having a two-hour indoor plan rather than writing the day off. The Indoor Fun Pool at Exmouth is the most reliable wet-weather option with children in tow. The Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum is a happy hour or two, and the Museum of British Surfing at Woolacombe is a genuinely interesting stop even if nobody in your group surfs.

For quieter indoor browsing, there's the Cookworthy Museum at Salcombe, Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life, Braunton and District Museum, the Coldharbour Woolen Museum at Sidmouth and the Dulverton Heritage Centre. Smaller places worth knowing about include St. Lawrence Chapel, Rora House, the Monastic Way Exhibition and the Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum at Paignton.

Outdoors and coast

Dartmoor is the one to build a whole day around: open moorland, big skies and walks at every level, and it sits inland between the two coasts so it works from most bases. On the coast, Woolacombe and Ilfracombe cover the north, Exmouth and Sidmouth the east, and Salcombe the south — each gives you a beach day with somewhere to eat nearby.

For gardens with a view, Overbeck's Museum and Gardens is a National Trust property with the kind of planting that makes a slow afternoon worthwhile. Coleton Fishacre is the other garden-led National Trust day.

Heritage and old buildings

Devon's castles range from the properly ruined to the lived-in. Dartmouth Castle sits right on the water; Tiverton Castle and Hemyock Castle are smaller, more personal visits. Bradley Manor and Church House are both National Trust, and Escot House adds a stately home to the mix.

How to group them into a day

Pair one big attraction with one small one, and leave the rest to chance. A south-coast day might be Paignton Zoo in the morning, then Dartmouth Castle in the afternoon when the zoo crowds peak. An east Devon day works well as Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum followed by a long beach walk, with Mansell Raceway held in reserve. In the north, combine the Museum of British Surfing with a stretch of Woolacombe sand and a look round Ilfracombe.

Don't try to pair Dartmoor with a ticketed attraction on the same day — the moor fills the time, and you'll enjoy it more without one eye on last entry.

Where to eat

These all hold 5-star hygiene ratings, which is a reasonable filter when you're somewhere unfamiliar:

  • Krispies — fish and chips, for the obligatory seaside tea
  • The Deli — local produce, best for picnic supplies before a moor or beach day
  • The Dough Works and The Octagon — tea rooms, good for a mid-afternoon stop
  • The Saddlers Arms — a pub lunch after a walk

Making it a short break

Three nights is the sweet spot: one coast day, one Dartmoor day, one heritage or rainy-day reserve. Over four or five nights you can justify crossing between the north and south coasts, which otherwise eats a chunk of driving.

Book parking-friendly stays if you're planning beach days in Woolacombe, Salcombe or Exmouth, check opening seasons for smaller museums before you set off, and keep one indoor option unbooked so you've somewhere to go if the weather turns.

Frequently asked questions

Which Devon attraction is best for a full family day out?

Paignton Zoo is the best single choice for a full day with children. Crealy Adventure Park is the main theme park option if your group prefers rides to animals.

What can we do in Devon if it rains?

The Indoor Fun Pool at Exmouth is the most reliable wet-weather option with children. Indoor alternatives include the Sidmouth Toy and Model Museum, the Museum of British Surfing at Woolacombe, the Cookworthy Museum at Salcombe, Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life and Braunton and District Museum.

Are there National Trust places to visit in Devon?

Yes — four of the listed landmarks are National Trust: Overbeck's Museum and Gardens, Bradley Manor, Coleton Fishacre and Church House.

Where should we eat in Devon if we want somewhere with a good hygiene rating?

Krispies for fish and chips, The Deli for local produce and picnic supplies, The Dough Works and The Octagon for tea rooms, and The Saddlers Arms for a pub meal. All five hold 5-star hygiene ratings.

Which castles can we visit in Devon?

Dartmouth Castle sits on the water, while Tiverton Castle and Hemyock Castle are smaller heritage visits. Escot House adds a stately home if you want something grander.

How long should a short break in Devon be?

Three nights works well: one coast day, one day on Dartmoor and one day for heritage or indoor attractions. Allow four or five nights if you want to visit both the north coast around Ilfracombe and Woolacombe and the south coast around Torquay, Paignton and Salcombe.

Devon on the map

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🎭 Theatres near Devon

All UK theatres →
Pavilion

Pavilion

Exmouth · 13.9 mi

 Sheldon Open Air Theatre

Sheldon Open Air Theatre

Devon · 3.1 mi

 Blackmore Theatre

Blackmore Theatre

Exmouth · 13.9 mi

 The Performance Stage

The Performance Stage

Exmouth · 13.7 mi

🎭 Venues with something on in Devon

What's on at each, with tickets and places to stay within walking distance.

🎪 What's on in Devon

Events from SkiddleSkiddle

Greenish Day - A Tribute to Green Day - Torquay

Fri 13 Nov · 19:00

Greenish Day - A Tribute to Green Day - Torquay

The Foundry Torquay, Torquay · 18.2 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Forbidden Nights

Fri 13 Nov · 19:30

Forbidden Nights

Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay · 17.4 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 A.M.C + PHANTOM, GINO + more | 13.11.26 | Move Exeter

Fri 13 Nov · 22:00

A.M.C + PHANTOM, GINO + more | 13.11.26 | Move Exeter

Move Exeter, Exeter · 7.5 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Greenish Day

Fri 13 Nov · 19:00

Greenish Day

The Foundry Torquay, Torquay · 18.2 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Silent Drop Presents Danny Rankin

Fri 4 Dec · 19:00

Silent Drop Presents Danny Rankin

Arena Torquay, Torquay · 18.3 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 This is Floyd

Fri 4 Dec · 19:30

This is Floyd

The Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay · 17.4 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 Ibiza Anthems - 90's vs 00's - Exeter

Sat 5 Dec · 15:30

Ibiza Anthems - 90's vs 00's - Exeter

Move Exeter, Exeter · 7.5 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

 CHRISTMAS The Candlelight Concert

Sat 5 Dec · 19:30

CHRISTMAS The Candlelight Concert

Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay · 17.4 mi

Tickets on Skiddle ↗

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