Take the Family holiday rating 
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| Local Currency | British Pound |
You've got everything here for a perfect English family holiday. Sunny days (with exceptions!) on beautiful sandy beaches, swimming, surfing, picnicking, sailing, riding, walking, picture perfect villages and buzzing, friendly towns. All reasonably affordable and easily accessible. We think family holidays in Devon are just about as good as they get.
Like the rest of England a visit to Devon is best between Easter and October. Although July and August are busy it's generally not unbearable. Devon has a mild climate, but can be wet. Generally, in the summer months the rain doesn't last for too long. Winter can be dramatic too, especially on Dartmoor and along the coast. Be prepared for wind and rain though.
take the train
2½ – 3½ hours from London Paddington on First Great Western trains. Virgin trains run two routes into Devon from the North West, North East and Scotland. Find great deals with the UK's No 1 provider of online train tickets TheTrainline.com.
take the car
Drive – around 5 hours from London to south Devon, but the M5 provides a good, and generally fast route.
take the plane
Fly to Exeter. Check low cost airline deals from London to Exeter with Opodo.You really do need a car to explore the area though. See our Car hire page.
We recommend staying in one of the lovely cottages provided by our partners, Cottages4you. You'll find over a hundred cottages listed in South and North Devon with comprehensive information, many of which are converted farmhouses and full of character. Even better news is that Cottages4you provide TaketheFamily users with an exclusive 5% discount. Check availability at a range of delightful cottages in Devon and book for your family.
Alternatively, there are a wide range of hotels, some offering childcare and activities for children, throughout Devon that specialise in catering for the needs of families. Search hotels throughout Devon with partners Active Hotels and take a look at our very favourites in the list on the right of this page.
Pristine, sandy beaches – Visit them on the south coast. Our favourites are Bigbury on Sea, Mattiscombe (short walk – worth it), East Portlemouth (a short ferry ride from Salcombe), and Bantham. All of these are large, sandy and generally perfect for all age groups. East Portlemouth and Bigbury on Sea have cafes with organic and locally grown produce. There are plenty of other wonderful beaches worth a visit all along the south and north coasts. Most are very tidal and it is worth investing in a local tide timetable available from many newsagents – just so you can hit the beach when it is at its best.
The Coast Path runs along the south coast. We recommend the stretch between Gara Rock and Start Point (complete with lighthouse). Try and walk at least a short stretch, even if it’s just to stop off at a beach for a dip, or try Beesands for lunch. This coastline is beautiful, dramatic and if you're lucky you might even spot the seals which inhabit the rocks below. You'll definitely see buzzards and kestrels hovering overhead.
Make sure you visit Dartmoor at least once, and preferably more often, during your trip. Beautiful moorland, plenty of great walks, pubs, stone age remains and riding facilities. (Dartmoor and South Hams Riding Centre 01364 73266, Dartmoor Riding 01364 621281. There are also wonderful small streams to play in, beautiful picnic spots and wild Dartmoor ponies, cattle and sheep. If this isn’t enough visit Dartmoor’s Miniature Pony and Animal Farm and Pennywell Farm for charming animal centred children attractions. Also try River Dart Adventures for active, older kids and Becky Falls Woodland Park.
Dartmouth is not to be missed either, a small bustling town, packed with cafes and pleasant shops. Mostly though you'll want to get on the water – easy enough in Dartmouth (Dartmouth Boat Hire Centre 01803 722367) or just hop on the car or passenger ferry over to the other side of the estuary. You can take sailing lessons (01803) 631362, canoe up the Dart (01803) 865301 or take a cruise between Dartmouth and Totnes. Salcombe has become trendy recently and this is reflected in the prices, it is great though. Try East Portlemouth Beach, which faces Salcombe and is accessible to the town via a small ferry boat. There are plenty of cafes and pubs in Salcombe and of course every conceivable type of water based activity is available here.
Take a trip on the steam train on the South Devon Railway, which chugs along the River Dart between Totnes and Buckfastleigh, visit beautiful Berry Pomeroy, Dartmouth and Powderham Castles, take the estuary ferry between Kingsbridge and Salcombe (01548 853607). Try and reserve at least half a day for Paignton Zoo, and if you have any time left and your kids have energy to spare go to Woodlands leisure park or Sorley Tunnel.
Click here for an up to date family friendly events guide to Devon…
There are numerous traditional beach and country pubs and, increasingly also, gourmet restaurants in abundance in South Devon. And the vast majority welcome children. Our favourites include the Carved Angel Café and the Dart Marina in Dartmouth, the King’s Arms in Strete and the Pig Finca cafe on the quay in Kingsbridge.
You can expect to pay between £200 and £700 per week to stay in a cottage, depending on time of year, size and proximity to the coast. You'll need to budget on top for meals, transport and excursions.
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Traditional organic dairy farm with views of rolling countryside, near 34 miles of stunning Exmoor coastline More
* from £185 per tent, in low season for a midweek break
350 acre dairy farm, 6 miles from Honiton, & just 12 miles from the Jurasssic coast, with year round calves More
* from £185 per tent, in low season for a midweek break
Choice accommodations and activities and close proximity to Dartmoor National Park More
* per week for a 2 bedroom, 4 person timber holiday home.
Active Hotels
Walking distance from the long sandy beach at Dawlish Warren. More
* per room per night, reductions for longer stays
Woolacombe Bay Hotel
Strong reputation among families, 6 acres of grounds & near beach. More
* per room per night
