From cream teas to paddling, not to mention my favourite things to do in Devon with kids, the county is one of my favourite places for a UK family holiday. But while you could easily fill a month without repeating the same day out, my bank balance won’t stand for that (alas) – which started me looking for free days out in Devon with kids.
It goes without saying that you can spend days on the beach in Devon without spending a single penny, while the county is home to the national parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor as well.
But if you’re looking for free things to do in Devon with kids, there’s plenty beyond the sand and scenery as well, including free museums and other family friendly attractions.
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Hit the beach
Yes, there are more free days out in Devon with kids than beaches – but who doesn’t fancy a bit of time on some of the county’s wonderful coast. Because You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to great beaches in Devon, with long stretches of golden sand and smaller secluded coves, all completely free – as long as you don’t buy too many ice creams.
To name just a few, Blackpool Sands in South Devon is a Blue Flag beach, which looks like it’s been plucked from the Mediterranean thanks to the pines and deep turquoise blue of the water.
Check out my pick of the best beaches in Devon with kids
Meanwhile coves like Bantham Beach also have rockpools as well as shallow water to paddle in, or you could watch the sea tractors from Bigbury-on-Sea.
And you can’t talk about north Devon beaches without mentioning Woolacombe Beach – regularly ranked among the top beaches to visit in the UK and Europe, there three miles of sand to play on.
Or Saunton Sands stretches for 3.5 miles, and it’s dog friendly too – for ideas of more beaches to visit with your dog, check out this post from Devon With Kids.
There’s also fossil hunting, especially in east Devon towards the Jurassic Coast, as well as crabbing and lots more fun by the coast.
For more ideas of great beaches in Devon, take a look at my ultimate guide to Devon
Letterboxing & geocaching on Dartmoor
The original geo-caching, letterboxing mixes treasure hunting and puzzle solving with orienteering as you track down over 100 ‘letterboxes’ – small pots or boxes containing a stamp.
When you’ve found them, use the stamp to mark a notebook or postcard, then sign your name or leave your own stamp in their notebook, until you get the set – each has a clue to help you find it.
Some are simple, some not so simple if you’re looking for a family challenge…
For more ideas of things to do on and around Dartmoor with kids, check out this post
You can go geocaching too – check out Visit Devon’s guide to geocaching in Devon as another great idea of something to do in Devon for free.
The wild landscapes of Dartmoor and Exmoor are perfect for a family adventure so this is a great way to encourage kids out to explore, whether you’re discovering the legends associated with the moors, or stargazing with older kids at Exmoor, one of only a few Dark Sky Reserves in the world.
Visit Berry Head, Tor Bay
Berry Head National Nature Reserve guards the southern half of Tor Bay, marking one of the gateways to the English Riviera global geopark.
Even better, you can spot dolphins, seals and basking sharks from here, as well as some incredible views, or walk the ramparts of the recently restored fortifications from the Napoleonic War. For something more adventurous, there’s rock climbing and kayaking here too.
Check out our day out exploring Berry Head reserve, plus a spot of rockpooling on the side
Haldon Forest Park, Exeter
A sprawling 3,500 acres of woodland, Haldon Forest Park is only 15 minutes outside Exeter, with options for all ages if you’re looking to get outdoors in Devon.
There’s mountain biking for older adventurers and a gentler 1 ½ mile Discovery Trail for families, among others walking routes (plus Go Ape and archery lessons among the paid attractions).
And if you’re looking for cheap days out in Devon with kids but happy with something that’s not 100% free, there’s currently the Zog Activity trail for kids as well – plus a cafe if you fancy a drink and slice of cake after your walk.
For more outdoor fun, Stover Country Park is only a short drive away from Haldon Forest Park and also has no entry fee
Geoplay Park, Paignton
This park on Paignton seafront is split into four sections, designed around the area’s geological history. Starting from toddlers up to teens, there are different experiences to try at the Geoplay Park.
For example the Devonian-period themed area for toddlers represents the time when Torbay was underwater, beneath tropical coral seas… so they can ride on a trilobite and swing over a wetpour sea (as well as a rather less geological trampoline and seesaw).
South West Coast Path
Stretching the whole length of the English Riviera, there are miles (and miles) of the South West Coast path to explore, whether you want a short amble looking at the scenery or a longer hike along the coast.
In fact, if you’re being ambitious, you could walk the complete 630 miles of coastline, making up the longest National Trail in the UK, from Minehead in Somerset to Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Or, more likely, just pick a scenic stretch near to your accommodation – wherever you stay in Devon with kids, you shouldn’t be too far from the chance to stroll, including routes through the South Devon and East Devon AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).
The website also lets you search for walks of different difficulty (including ones suitable for a mobility scooter, and therefore a buggy) and family-friendly options.
Tarka Trail, North Devon
Inspired by the novel Tarka the Otter, the Tarka Trail runs for 163 miles, and is perfect for walking or gentle cycling through the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.
You can follow it from the coast, or through river valleys as well as to woodland and moorland, as well as discovering Lynmouth, Barnstaple, Bideford, Torrington, Okehampton and Ilfracombe for plenty of free things to do in north Devon.
The route includes more than 30 miles of trail for cyclists to enjoy, using the area’s old railway lines – try one of the picturesque sections between Braunton and Meeth. As for Tarka, it’s worth keeping your eyes open but you’ll have to be very lucky to spot an otter.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
Hug, stroke and pet the 500 residents of the lovely Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth for free, with mules as well as donkeys looked after by the charity in charge.
There are also nature trails through the fields to wander, and regular family activities – such as a Top Trumps trail dotted around the sanctuary or a spring trail highlighting some of the nature to spot.
There’s no need to prebook, and there’s a great cafe on site with a children’s menu, as well as some tempting food for adults. Younger kids will love this if you’re looking for free days out in east Devon but it’s a lovely stop for the whole family.
Occombe Farm, Paignton
There’s a lovely 2km nature trail at this working farm, which has farm animals to spot, along with the wildlife you can see on the trail – and there’s free parking as well.
There are a string of other family attractions at Occombe Farm, including indoor and outdoor play areas, and animal encounters to enjoy, but all these are paid activities – worth knowing before you arrive, in case your kids have their hearts set on the play areas inspired by local scenery and history.
If you’re saving your pennies, it’s still worth checking out the deli and the café which is stocked up with local food, including produce grown on the site. As well as cream teas (obviously), you could find hot pulled pork in brioche or crab cakes on the menu.
RAMM, Exeter
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, or RAMM, is another great idea for a free day out in Devon when it’s raining – and there’s plenty to entertain kids.
As well as displays telling the history of Devon from the prehistoric to the present, plus natural history and an Egyptian tomb, not to mention a bull elephant, suspended whale and Gerald the giraffe.
Kids can get hands on too, whether that’s dressing up as a Roman to make a mosaic or discovering life in medieval times with a miniature longhouse, not to mention activity bags for different ages, quizzes and interactive exhibits.
The Box, Plymouth
This arts and cultural hub, which opened in 2020, has a great mix of permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions – and even better, there’s no entry charge to The Box so it’s another fantastic free day out in Devon with kids.
The displays have links to Plymouth’s past – everything from a model woolly mammoth to the figureheads from ships, along with a whole host of information about the city’s seafaring past, including interactive screen and images showing some of the most famous journeys which started in Plymouth.
Kids can pick up free trails to follow as they explore, designed for all ages, with half a dozen different topics, or step in front of a green screen to try their hand as a TV presenter – there’s so much to do at this free attraction, you can easily spend hours.
For more things to do in Plymouth with kids, check out my top picks
House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey
Even the name is intriguing – and you don’t have to love marbles, although you’ll be in marble heaven if you do with one of the more unusual free days out in Devon with kids.
The attraction near Bovey Tracey also has glass making to watch, a museum covering the 4,000-year history of glass and a collection boasting one of every marble made over the years, along with games from the early 17th century.
There are some fantastic and huge marble runs too – and it’s a great option for rainy days in Devon as you can shelter indoors too.
Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh
The first abbey at Buckfast was founded back in 1018, going on to become increasingly important and powerful until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in the 16th century.
But the ruined site was brought back to life in the early 20th century by a group of exiled French monks who rebuilt the church on the medieval foundations and re-established the monastery – today it’s still home to a working community of Benedictine monks.
It’s not just an option for a free day out in Devon with kids who love history either, although there’s an interactive exhibition to give some more background. You can explore the gardens and grounds, including the gorgeous lavender garden during the summer, with its 50 different varieties.
There’s also a sensory garden and a physic garden with its medicinal plants, while the Millennium Gardens have won awards. Half-way between Plymouth and Exeter, it’s easy to reach from Devon’s cities – and do save a bit of cash to get some of Buckfast Abbey’s hand-made fudge.
Follow a trail
As well as trails to help you explore the great outdoors, at places like Haldon Forest Park, you can also find plenty of fun trails to discover Devon’s cities with kids for free.
If you’re visiting Exeter, make the most of being in the city by following the free medieval trail or woollen trail around the city too for some bonus free activities in Devon.
Or in Plymouth, head to The Barbican, to spot the Mayflower Steps Memorial and the start point for the Mayflower Trail, to discover life in the city in 1620. If you’re visiting Plymouth Hoe, there’s a separate Hoe Trail walk to try here as well.
If you’re exploring Royal William Yard with kids, there’s a Geo Trail winding around the site – once a victualling yard for the Royal Navy, where ships would take on supplies – and along the South West Coast Path to uncover 380 million years of geological history.
Enjoy the views
You won’t be short of great views wherever you are in Devon, whether that’s a pretty harbour like Topsham, looking down from a Tor on Dartmoor, or gazing out to see.
But some of the most memorable are from Plymouth Hoe, the large green space overlooking Plymouth Sound (the city’s natural harbour, also known simply as The Sound).
It’s here that Sir Francis Drake was playing bowls when news of the advancing Spanish Armada was received – confidently finishing his game before heading out to defeat the invading fleet. His statue stands just a few metres from the bowling green to this day.
The public park is the perfect spot to enjoy some downtime with the family and let little ones stretch their legs. You can take a walk along the promenade, hunt for the park’s many statues and monuments, enjoy a picnic in the sun, and explore the peaceful sensory garden.
For more ideas, check out my ultimate guide to Devon for families
PIN FOR LATER: THE BEST FREE DAYS OUT IN DEVON WITH KIDS
**First published 2014, last updated 2023**
Blackpool Sands/Berry Head copyright MummyTravels, RAMM courtesy Visit Exeter, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos
