Things to do in Devon

[CommonCrisis]

We're off to south Devon in a few weeks and looking for recommendations, we've been a couple of times before so have done the zoo, model village and caverns, just after a bit of inspiration for something new, kids are 7 & 2 but don't want just child based activities as it mostly adults

Anyone?

Well obviously there are fantastic beaches (although I always avoid the Torbay part of the south coast, basically from dawlish, teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton and brixham etc). Go further south. Blackpool sands near Dartmouth is amazing.
Also what about Dartmoor zoo, Canonteign Falls, Becky Falls. All beautiful and likely to please children and adults alike. For a rainy day I suppose Plymouth aquarium is good.
I don’t think Living Coasts in torbay is that good, but maybe that’s just me.

Buckland Abbey is nice as is Saltram House. Pretty sure both are National Trust but I went as a kid and remember gardens to run around in and at Saltram House they have volunteers in dress etc. If you wanted to venture a little into Cornwall there is always the Eden Project. I agree Plymouth Aquarium is quite nice :)

Climb Haytor or Houndtor (or both)
Widecombe has a great pub called the Ruddlestobe.
Walk from Manaton to Lustleigh and back (stopping for a cream tea in the middle obviously).
Picnic and swim at Spitchwick.
Totnes is good for a nose
Get the ferry from Teignmouth to Shaldon then go through the Smugglers tunnel to the Ness Beach.
Underground tunnels in Exeter.
Train from Paignton to Dartmouth then a bit trip.
Walk from Exeter to Double Locks pub.
Can you tell that I love the area!!!

Where are you staying? We come every holiday (kids are 8, 6 and 3) and we love Salcombe, beaches around, Beesands, Woodlands adventure park, Dartmoor. Mostly they just want to be on the beach tbh!

Edcumbe country park is also good for picnics and things. You can get a little ferry across from Fort Williams yard in Plymouth...which is a nice place in itself. I think its renovated army barracks and they do cream tea etc!

We're staying in Dartmouth this year, have got the steam train and a boat trip planned, we were hoping to do a couple but they don't seem to be doing the jubilee pass anymore so have a few extra days to fill!

Beaches and the south west coast path.

You could visit the donkey sanctuary in sidmouth. It is free entry so we always indulge in the gift shop!

A visit to dawlish is nice. There is a river that runs through the high street with black swans.

North devon beaches are stunning. Weve just come back from ilfracombe and loved it

You must do Pennywell farm. Lots animal petting - if carlsberg did animal farms, this would be one! They just do it right.

Burgh Island is good, beach and a cafe/pub on the island that you can walk to or if the tide is in you can get the sea tractor over.

Wembury has a nice beach with lots of rock pools.

Loads to do in and around Exeter which is close enough to drive to or get the train.

I like Teignmouth, especially the pier.

Oh and fingle Bridge is lovely. Walk along the river bank and a paddle in the river and then a picnic in the meadow or a pint and meal in Feb pub.

Eden project if you fancy a drive
woodlands is good for kids and adults

DrCorday it's good to hear that Pennywell Farm is still good. My two are 18 and 14 now but they loved going there when they were little.

I live here so have lots of suggestions if you want. But butterfly and otter sanctuary at Buckfast is great

Train from Buckfadtlieh to Totnes then the small breads farm

River Dart country park
Crabbing and kayaking at Stoke Dameral
Boat up to Totnes on market day
Geocaching on Dartmoor
Horseriding on the moors
Surf lesson at Bigbury
Tidal road and lunch at the Oyster Shack at Bantham
Sunday lunch at Riverford organic restaurant

Buckland Abbey is nice - and nice woodland walks around there. But Cothele (just over the river in Cornwall) is nicer.
Agree that Plymouth Aquarium is well done, or if it's a nicer day, you could get Torpoint/the ferry over to Mountedgecombe/Whitsand Bay/Cawsand and Kingsand. Nice walks round the headland there.
Pennywell is awesome for kids. Not so much for grown-ups.
My PIL and kids loved the bloody House Of Marbles, but I suspect it's a slight acquired taste (aka I didn't)
On the moors
Buckfastleigh for the otters/steamtrain/butterfly stuff? And the booze, obv.
Two Bridges for a walk followed by Afternoon Tea
Castel Drogo and the walks around there are good for a day trip
I love the Cardover Bridge/Dewerstone walk (& lots of cool - imo - industrial archaeology)
Look for a riding stables and go for a moorland ride (I don't know any stables that direction, I'm afraid.

Miniature pony centre on Dartmoor

River Dart Country Park! Take wetsuits and old trainers for fun playing in the lake. They also have high ropes and canoeing. Spend 5 days camping there. Fantastic!

Sidmouth and Buddleigh Salterton for nice pebble beaches. And Beer - a lovely little village. And obviously a cream tea - with the cream first.

Although the road at slapton is still shut ( nightmare storms earlier this year) there are loads of lovely places to visit further south ( albeit with a bit of a detour)

There are some lovely little villages beesands, Hallsands, south pool etc just so pretty and lovely views over south Devon village pubs or beaches with restaurants
East portlemouth or Salcombe

If you are around on the 1st of September there is Kingsbridge Show

For the kids woodlands theme park is fantastic, loads of National Trust places, activity places Stand up paddle board, surfing etc or just beaches and headland walks!

Enjoy!

I think its renovated army barracks and they do cream tea etc! Nothing to do with the army - Royal William Yard is the old RN victualling yard.

Poking round the Barbican in Plymouth is good , boat trip round the dockyard, walking on the Hoe. Cotehele is good, and there is the Tamar Valley Donkey park nearby www.donkeypark.com, and Kit Hill to walk up as well and see Devon and parts of Cornwall from there.

Buckland Abbey has extensive grounds, and Milton Combe is nearby with great food at the Who'd Have Thought It.

Beer, Seaton, Sidmouth etc are all in a completely different part of Devon to where the OP is. Thats East Devon, Dartmouth is South Devon (about an hour and a half apart so not unreachable).

Morwelham Quay near Tavistock is good. The train down the mine is fun but cold - take a hoody to wear down there

www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home

Blatant Placemarking