Top 20 best family days out in North Devon!
From offshore islands to castle grounds to life-sized valley Dinosaurs’, family days out in North Devon are a world away from just buckets and spades!
Check out our 20 best family-friendly days out in North Devon, there will be something to keep everyone smiling this holiday!
Animal Adventures
Exmoor Zoo
The home of the Exmoor beast! A friendly and contact-orientated Zoo, set within stunning Devonshire countryside. Discover rare breeds of seldom seen within other Zoos.
Open 365 days a year and with a wonderful café and covered picnic areas this is a great option for a family day out all year round.
Mullacot Equestrian centre
From sandy gallops along Woolacombe beach for experienced riders to learning sessions for nervous and novice riders, all levels and abilities are catered to. Open all year. Boots and hats provided.
Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe aquarium consists of local aquatic exhibits, pier café and gift shop. It is a much loved, award winning and ever evolving, all-weather, family-fun, educational attraction.
Conveniently located in Ilfracombe’s stunning historic harbour home to Damien Hirsts Verity sculpture enjoy living exhibits, child-friendly quizzes, the café even the dog is welcome!
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
This family run wildlife & dinosaur park set in a Combe Martin valley offers over 28 acres of spectacular gardens within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Beauty! As well as lions, wolves, sea lions, primates, meerkats, penguins and more, you can enjoy some very impressive life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and a gigantic indoor soft play and café area for active fun, whatever the weather!
Quince Honey Farm
Ever wanted to explore a day in the life of a busy bee? At Quince Honey Farm enjoy beautiful nectar gardens, guided tours exclusive bee-keeping experiences and a large soft play.
There is also a great family-friendly restaurant on site too to refuel after all that exploring!
Gorgeous Grounds
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens
Broomhill Gardens is a 10-acre sculpture garden described as a sanctuary for fine arts. As you travel around the grounds of this Estate now a hotel and restaurant you will see new art installations set against older ones now taken by nature. This child-friendly venue is a great spot to have lunch or dinner in the award-winning restaurant.
RHS Garden Rosemoor
In the heart of Torridge valley, this is a great place to explore exotic blooms, perfect hedges and ornamental gardens. With two play areas for children to really release their energy, all the family will enjoy their time here. Make sure to look out for Mr McGregor’s shed!
Arlington Court
This stunning North Devon National Trust Estate is home to the National Carriage Museum including an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles. You can visit the house and explore the grounds which are perfect for spotting various wildlife and adventure play. The National Trust also put on various seasonal events for children throughout the year which are well worth a visit!
Hartland Abbey and Gardens
A former monastery turned into a stately home in 1157 this is one of only a few stately homes in the UK not owned by the National Trust instead owned by the Stucley family. In 1539 by Henry the VIII gifted Hartland Abbey home to the keeper of his wine cellar whose descendants still live here today. You can find many family memorabilia around the property and enjoy walled and woodland gardens as well as a quaint tearoom on site.
Watermouth Castle
An enchanting theme park in a real castle and its grounds. For a nostalgic experience from a water fountain show to themed rides and games for all ages set above the beautiful Watermouth harbour!
This gorgeous venue is a must-do on your holiday calendar we recommend the dungeons and the lazy river!
Relaxed Roaming
Cobbled streets of Clovelly
This 14th-century fishing village is a must-do when visiting North Devon, be transported back in time within the car-free cobbled streets and enjoy the steep descent to the picturesque harbour and rocking beach. With events throughout the summer months and donkey rides for children, it is worth keeping an eye on their website to see specific dates of interest to visit!
Discount Shopping at Affinity!
If you fancy a bit of retail therapy during your North Devon holiday, then head to Affinity previously known as Atlantic Village where you’ll find 25 famous discount shopping outlets with names such as Next, Clarks and Crew Clothing offering up to 50% off!. There’s also the World of Wonder soft play centre for when the weather isn’t playing ball!
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
With spectacular views of the North Devon enjoy riding on the funicular at Lynton and Lynmouth, the highest and the steepest totally water powered railway in the world!
Lynton and Lynmouth both offer a torrent of boutique shops, cafes and gastro pubs with some particularly good eateries based around Lynmouth’s pretty harbour based next to large, pebbled beach.
The Tarka Trail!
Inspired by the route travelled by Tarka the Otter, this 180 mile, figure eight route traverses unspoiled countryside, dramatic sea cliffs and beautiful beaches. The southern loop incorporates the longest, continuous off-road cycle path in the UK. Walking or cycling, you can experience the best this beautiful area has to offer. Along the route there are some amazing places of interest to visit and beautiful villages and towns to explore or find refuge within some great restaurants or cafes. You can hire bikes at various points along the route, for Byron guests visit out Partners page to book your bikes with exclusive guest discount!
Lundy Island
As you walk along the North Devon coastline it is impossible not to notice Lundy Island unapologetically and yet mysteriously sat in the distance. Although only three miles in length and half a mile wide, this unique island offers a superbly diverse range of things to do for day-trippers. Its 4,000 years of human history comes through 42 scheduled monuments and its clutch of listed buildings. Due to its unique solitude its habitat for wildlife has been compared to the Galapagos and if lucky, you will see pods of dolphins, seals, and the famous Lundy puffins!
And for rainy days – bring good clothing and there is a old working tavern to retreat to!
Thrill seekers
The Big Sheep Theme park
If you are looking for a fun-packed family day with rollercoasters, soft play, animals, and outdoor adventure areas then this is your place! Boasting Devon’s largest indoor play area this is a great one for the list on a rainy day too!
Pets corner and laser tag are our favourites.
The Milky Way
A much-loved family day out in North Devon with rollercoasters, soft and adventure play and indoor activities to cover all weather conditions this is a great destination for all the family to enjoy a day out. Our personal favourites are the bird of prey show and the cosmic caterpillar!
Ilfracombe Princess wildlife cruises
The Ilfracombe Coastal Cruises provides spectacular wildlife and coastal trips aboard the Ilfracombe Princess which is the largest passenger vessel in Ilfracombe. From seals cruises, and waterfall discoveries to exploring old smugglers’ coves each cruise is unique and provides sightings of the amazing and unique wildlife within the area.
Tunnels Beach
With the trend for wild swimming at an all-time high why not get all the family involved at this unique safe venue. This private beach is accessed through hand-carved tunnels leading to sheltered Victorian tidal swimming pools.
Rollerdome
Get your skates on and enjoy the largest soft cushion, sprung indoor Roller-Skating rink in the South West! With light effects, fog cannons and UV effects this is more then just skating! And when you need to take a break, you can refuel in the fully licensed restaurant (for the parents!) smoothies and shakes for the children.
They also have a Nerf licensed Battlezone arena for those that dare to enter! Perfect for a birthday celebration or an action-packed family day out.
Make sure you book your North Devon stay with Byron Woolacombe Holidays to receive exclusive guest discounts on many of these family days out!
Check the availability within our luxury holiday properties offering exclusive access to onsite pool, gym and games room facilities. With a selection of 1-4 bedroom coastal apartments some with sea views and many pet-friendly, you can reach bed to beach within four minutes.
Book your stay in the best luxury self-catering apartments in North Devon!
We believe we are the best place to stay in the South West, but don’t just take our word for it, here is what some of our guests have had to say in their holiday reviews!
We have just returned home having spent a wonderful week at Byron. The apartment was modern, clean and very comfortable with everything you needed. Byron is just minutes from the beautiful Sandy beach and the coastal footpaths so that once you’ve arrived you don’t really need to get back in the car. Parking, indoor pool, communal facilities and lifts to apartments are truly another added bonus. Would highly recommend, we cannot wait to return!!!
Anne, Bristol