Best place in Devon with a toddler

[tellermorrow]

Hi all,

We're (me and dp) looking to go to Devon early next summer . Our toddler will be 2.5 and we'll have a 6 month old too.

I love Sidmouth and Seaton as I remember them from my childhood but was wondering if there are any particular places you'd recommend to base ourselves for our group?

Also any activities/day trips would be greatly received!

Thank you

I like the Salcombe area. The town has some nice (expensive) shops and pubs. The beaches on the opposite side of the estuary, which can be reached by passenger ferry, are sandy and safe in comparison to the beaches on the coast.

I’d base yourself in Exeter. Right off the M5, a lovely city in itself but also within easy travelling distance of the sea (Sidmouth, Exmouth, Dawlish) and Dartmoor. North Devon coast is about 1.5 hours away.

Places to visit with a toddler :

• World of Country Life, Exmouth (better than Crealy for little ones)
• Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth - free entry
• Bicton near Exmouth/Budleigh Salterton
• Exeter Quay/River Exe cycle path to Double Locks
• Dartmouth/Dartmouth Steam Railway
• Seaton tram
• Pennywell Farm
• Darts Farm Shop, Topsham, Exeter and/or Greendale Farm Shop, Exeter (more animals to see at Greendale) - both free entry.

Other toddler-friendly places close to Seaton etc:
Devon Railway Centre, Bickleigh
Bear Town, Cullompton
Wildwood Escot, Ottery St Mary
The Orange Elephant Ice Cream Parlour, Exeter

Location- North Devon has better beaches; but is further away from more amenities. But lots of attractions out that way.
East Devon has less good beaches (Exmouth), more are pebbled. But you have the Jurassic Coast to explore as well as a lot of attractions plus Exeter.

Thank you for the recommendations, I will take a look at them all!

Also, if you’re going to the Orange Elephant Icecream Parlour, it’s worth combining it with a trip to Haldon Forest which is a mile or so further along the A38 - lovely forest walks, Segway and Go Ape. There’s a shorter walk for younger children.