Devon has two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor); two World Heritage Sites (Jurassic Coast and The Tamar Valley); five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; 210 Sites of Special Scientific Interest; 500 km of coastline and over 3,500 miles of footpaths. It is no surprise therefore that visitors come from all over the world for holidays in Devon.
Things to do in Devon
Paignton Zoo is a large zoo with a number of specialist habitats such as Forest, Savannah, Wetland and Desert. Paignton zoo recently added a new area called the Crocodile swamp that has lush tropical foliage and a steamy atmosphere. Here many different types of crocodiles are on the 'loose'.
Crealy adventure park is a theme park in Devon that is suitable for young childern up to age 12 and is a great place to visit on Devon holidays if you have young children. The theme park has a number of rides, slides, Go karts, log flume, bumper boats, roller coaster and swinging pirate ship. Inside there are 3 huge play areas, one play area is for under 5's.
If you're looking for fun things to do in Devon, The Milky Way Adventure Park has it all! Attractions include Devons largest roller coaster, massive indoor adventure play areas & amazing live shows.
With over 85,000 square feet of indoor fun & acres of outdoor activities, The Milky Way theme park is the biggest all weather, family day out in North Devon!
has a range of things to do that will suit younger children and parents. Activities include a petting farm, falconry experience, walk a goat, lamb & calf feeding, safari deer train, indoor and outdoor play areas.
There is also a Victorian street, Hall of transport and steam engines. The World of Country Life is a great place to visit on Devon Holidays if you have young children.
National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth has been divided into 4 main zones and includes over 400 species, 3 massive tanks as well as many smaller tanks and environments.
Lundy Island is only three and a half miles long by half a mile wide but as you can see from the photograph, it is a popular place to visit in Devon and many enjoy a day trip to the island. Most visitors go to Lundy mainly to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity away from all the bustle of the mainland or watch the wildlife, paint or take photographs. There are a few visitors that go walking, climbing, canoeing or diving. However, there are only 23 building on Lundy island so if you plan to stay, you need to make accommodaton arrangements in advance.
Popular Boat trips and River cruises in Devon
public and private cruises on a variety of scenic routes such as the dockyard & warships, Calstock & Tamar Valley and Morwellham Quay.
River Exe, Jurassic coast cruise, Torquay, Brixham
Plymouth Sound, River Tamar, Fishing, Bird and Wildlife watching trips.
Morwellham Quay is a World Heritage site, featuring a historic port, copper mine, working Victorian farm, railway, shire horses and museums of costume and mining.
Although miles from the sea Morwellham Quay
was the most important copper port in Victorian times. In this open-
On a sunny day this is a great place for a daytrip or a visit during Devon holidays.
The Golden Hind at Brixham is a full sized replica of one of the most iconic ships from the tudor age of exploration and is an interesting place to visit on Devon Holidays.
The ship is an excellent resource for students studying history especially Tudor history. This boat has appeared in many Film, Television dramas, Documentaries and children's programs.
Kents Cavern is an important Palaeolithic site where the remains of man, animal and nature have been discovered. The cavern is an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns. Tours (approx 1 hour long) are led by entertaining guides concluding in an underground exhibition chamber. Underground theatre and evening entertainment are specialities here with the ghost tour and Shakespeare plays particularly popular.
Exeter's Underground Passages are a unique ancient monument that dates back to the 14th century. These medieval passages run under Exeter High Street and were built to house the pipes that brought clean fresh water to the city. Make sure you visit the heritage centre to see the interactive exhibits before taking a guided tour through the narrow, dark passages.
This vast man-
Exeter Racecourse has a full schedule of events through the year. If you fancy a day at the races why not check their website to find out what is on.
Walking Cycling & Riding in Devon
Devon is a beautiful area with Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks as major attractions. One popular route is the coast to coast route through these beautiful areas.
There are also a number of routes or places
that people have enjoyed and commented on: Lydford Gorge, Canonteign Falls,
Tarka Trail cycle route and Becky Falls Woodland park beauty spot. Others include
sections of the South-
An exhibition of honeybees, honey production and bee related information. 18 observation hives are on display, many of which can be opened by visitors without needing protective equipment.
Dartington Crystal provide elegant, simple designs in crystal and glass. Most of the range is hand crafted in the Devon factory and Dartington is now the only crystal brand still producing in the UK.
The company has an elevated platform where visitors are able to watch award winning craftsmen transforming hot molten crystal into elegant shapes.
Places to visit in Devon
Take a tour and watch how they use Victorian machinery to turn barley into malt for over 30 local breweries. The tour lasts about 1 hour and includes a sample of real ale. You could even time your Devon Holidays to coincide with their beer festival!
Take a factory tour to understand how spinning and weaving are performed on period machinery to produce high quality worsted knitting yarn. Learn about Victorian mill conditions and how Quaker attitudes influenced the treatment and welfare of mill employees, many of whom were children.
At the House of Marbles you can get a bird's eye view of craftsmen creating works of art from the gallery. Production work is limited to early morning and afternoon so please phone before setting off if you are hoping to see a demonstration.
Dartmouth Castle
Theatre Tickets
South Devon Railway is a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, that runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes.
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway can be a train and boat trip around South Devon. Considered by some as one of the most scenic routes in Europe.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway will give you stunning views of Exmoor and the North Devon Coastline as you glide up and down the 862 foot length of track; from Lynmouth nestling at the foot of the cliffs to Lynton perched 500 feet above.
The Go Ape experience is a 2 to 3 hour Tree Top Adventure. Each site features tree top crossings, tunnels, bridges and an epic zip wire to finish.
Caravans, Chalets & Lodges in a woodland location, Sea views, Blue flag beach, entertainment.
Find great things to do, the best Devon attractions, cheap family days out, romantic weekend breaks & fun things to do visiting Devon this weekend.
The Largest Family Theme Park in the South West is a fun filled day out for the whole family. Guaranteeing all weather fun, Woodlands is a big award winner with over 65 international, national and South West awards.
Huge indoor play area with 4 great rides. Three water coasters. Toboggan run, swing ships, zoo farm, fantasy forest….. Plenty to keep everyone happy.
