Best places to stay in Devon for a kid-friendly holiday

Planning a family holiday to Devon? From quintessential seaside resorts and pretty harbour towns to breath-taking scenery. Devon has something for everyone to enjoy.

Devon is a stunning county with two very diverse seashores and over 300 miles of sandy beaches. It is also the only county in England boasting two National Parks.

North Devon is renowned for its spectacular coastline, countryside, water sports and incredible ice creams. The south of the county is famous for its coastal resorts, golden beaches, mild climate and leisure attractions. Nevertheless, you can always have a Devonshire cream tea no matter where you are in Devon.

Deciding where to take the family with so much on offer can be a challenge. We've put together this handy guide to our top, family-friendly top hotels, cottages, lodges and holiday parks, as recommended by Mumsnetters, to help you decide where to stay for an unforgettable holiday in Devon.

Looking for a holiday park break? We've got handy guides to the best holiday parks in Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight as well as a roundup of the best sites throughout the UK, all featuring recommendations from Mumsnet users.

At a glance: the best family-friendly places to stay in Devon

• Best for entertainment: Devon Cliffs, Exmouth | Book now

• Best for toddlers: Cofton Holidays, Dawlish | Book now

• Best for family-friendly rooms: Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe | Book now

• Best for thrill-seekers: Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter | Book now

• Best for older children: Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park | Book now

• Best for glamping: Feather Down, Billingsmoor farm, Butterleigh | Book now

• Best self-catering: Little Dunley Cottages, Newton Abbot | Book now

1. Best for entertainment: Haven Devon Cliffs, Exmouth

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What Mumsnet users say

"If you go, go to Devon Cliffs! I had low expectations but it was great, the DC really enjoyed it. Agree with book the very best accommodation that you can." TokyoSushi

Our verdict

The Devon Cliffs Caravan Holiday Park has fantastic brand-new facilities following a million-pound renovation. When it comes to keeping the kids entertained, everything is covered. There is an indoor entertainment centre, three outdoor play areas, evening entertainment, a late-night cabaret, and a disco. It also boasts an indoor and outdoor heated swimming complex with waterslides.

There are a variety of activities for toddlers at Devon Cliffs including Sensory Tots, Learn to Scoot, Gym Tots, Dance Tots, and Arty Tots.

Close by are Crealy Adventure Park and the Woodlands Family Theme Park at Dartmouth. It is ideally situated on the Blue Flag, Sandy Bay beach, which you can directly access from the park.

2. Best toddler-friendly stay: Cofton Holidays, Dawlish

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What Mumsnet users say

"Cofton holiday park at Dawlish Warren is lovely. We'll cared for newish vans all replaced within the last 6 years, (we watched lots being delivered). They have also had lots of investment within the last few years." LunaLoveFood

Our verdict

Cofton Holidays is a family-friendly 5-star holiday park with plenty of facilities and activities to keep babies and toddlers occupied. There’s an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, soft play, three playgrounds, and entertainment. There’s something for everyone in this stunning part of Devon.

There is a huge variety of baby and toddler-friendly accommodation including cottages and holiday homes equipped with highchairs and travel cots. There are also lodges, apartments, caravans, and an award-winning campsite to choose from. So, you can choose what will best suit your family.

3. Best for family-friendly rooms: Soar Mill Cove, Salcombe

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Our verdict

Soar Mill Cove is a relaxed family-friendly hotel near Salcombe, an iconic seaside town and one of the county's best-loved holiday destinations.

Spacious family rooms and suites offer stunning sea views, and if you want the use of hotel facilities but a little more flexibility, then book one of the self-catering units, which also comes with a private hot tub! Rooms have patio doors onto a terrace where you can enjoy a drink after the kids have drifted off to sleep. Or if you are staying with a baby or toddler, you can request a complimentary cot and baby listener. Everyone is welcome at Soar Mill Cove; you can even bring your furry friend.

4. Best for thrill-seeking families: Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter

Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"I personally think Crealy is more fun. There's also near Crealy a lovely farm shop called Greendale and they have a big inflatable park you can book too (Bounce South West)." WonderingWanda

Our verdict

Looking for an action-packed holiday in Devon? Look no further than Crealy Theme Park & Resort located in the heart of the East Devon countryside. The award-winning theme park provides the ideal location for families searching for a fun-filled baby and toddler-friendly place to stay in Devon.

Families have the choice of glamping, camping, caravans, or lodges. The resort also has an exclusive bar and restaurant with live entertainment during peak season.

Guests benefit from discounted access to Crealy Theme Park, which has over 200 animals, adventure play, adventure golf and over 60 family rides and attractions.

5. Best for families with older children: Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park

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What Mumsnet users say

"Another vote for Bovey Castle. Love the place. It might not be “castle” enough but the staff are great, food is lovely and rooms super comfortable." Allthehorsesintheworld

Our verdict

Families who love the great outdoors can try a variety of different experiences at Bovey Castle, which is situated on 275 acres of Dartmoor National Park. You can have a go at archery, clay pigeon shooting and even 4x4 off-road driving. There are falconry shows, egg collecting, den building and visits to the estate’s ferrets!

Bovey Castle’s menus include the finest ingredients from Devon and the Southwest. Where there’s an adult menu there’s also one for the kids, including a children’s afternoon tea.

Families of four can stay within the manor house with interconnecting rooms to accommodate larger families. In the Bovey Castle estate three-bedroom, self-catering lodges sleep up to eight people. Lodge guests have full use of the hotel’s facilities. You can also take the hassle out of catering for yourself by ordering food packs and breakfast packs to be delivered to your door. The hotel and lodges welcome dogs.

6. Best for glamping: Feather Down Billingsmoor Farm, Butterleigh

Feather Down, Billingsmoor Farm | Check availability

Our verdict

Feather Down is the ideal place to kick back & enjoy total peace & quiet in the countryside. It offers guests a simpler way of life, without electricity and wi-fi. The surroundings of this picturesque organic dairy farm encapsulate what a family holiday in Devon is all about.

A magical woodland provides children of all ages with hours of entertainment. Being on a working farm you can help feed the calves or take part in the milking. The glamping tents all have hot tubs and offer stunning views for miles.

7. Best stay for children of all ages: Little Dunley Cottages, Newton Abbot

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Our verdict

If you're looking for a self-catering stay, Little Dunley Cottages set within 24 acres of unspoilt Devonshire countryside could be a suitable choice. Plus Mumsnet users get an exclusive  7% off booking with Cottages.com visit here for more details.

If you're travelling with teenagers, tweens, toddlers, or tiny babies, the spacious cottages are well-appointed for families, with activities to keep everyone entertained. An indoor heated pool is a favourite that can be used all year. The indoor games room is a fun place for older children to play pool or table tennis.

For those who prefer to get out and explore, just 20 minutes from the cottages you can find beautiful sandy beaches at Teignmouth, with the grand pier. Alternatively, you can visit the English Riviera at Torbay.

Is Devon a good family holiday destination?

Devon is a very popular destination for a family holiday. It has stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and a wide range of activities for children of all ages.

There are endless amounts of family-friendly attractions, something to suit everyone. Plus, wherever you choose to stay you are never too far from the hundreds of local beaches. This means you can let the kids loose with sandcastle building, crabbing, shell collecting, or even surfing!

Devon has some of the finest weather the UK has to offer, meaning you and your family can make the most of getting outdoors.

What’s the best way to travel to Devon with kids?

By car

Devon is easy to reach by road - the M5 runs into Exeter and has excellent links with other major motorways including the M4 which can be joined at Bristol.

By coach or bus

National Express services arrive from all over the country. The main National Express stations in the northern half of Devon are Bideford, Barnstaple, Westward Ho! And Ilfracombe. In the southern half of Devon, stops are Exeter, Tiverton, and Plymouth.

By train

Devon is well-connected by rail from all over the country. If you're planning to travel throughout Devon it is recommended to buy a Freedom of Devon ticket to get unlimited off-peak rail travel on Southwestern Railway, GWR and Cross Country services.

By air

There are flights from many UK airports to Exeter International Airport.

When is the best time to go to Devon?

Devon is beautiful during all seasons. It can be very busy in the spring and summer months due to the warm weather. Autumn is quieter and a pleasant time to visit, as the crowds have disappeared. Overall, the best time to visit Devon is from June until October when you will have a warmer temperature and limited rainfall.

How we chose our recommendations

Our philosophy is that word of mouth speaks volumes. Based on our extensive research from real parents, we use a combination of Mumsnet forums, customer testimonials, and review sites to make our recommendations.

We feel there's something here for every family to enjoy. It's an informative guide to help you get started with booking the best family hotels in Devon.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.