Summer Holiday Activities in Devon

If you’re looking for something fun to do during the School Summer Holidays in Devon, you will find plenty of ideas here.

We have listed a range of exciting activities to do in Devon, along with details of days out and family friendly events taking place in Devon over the 2019 Summer Holidays, so you can make the most of this Summer.

Red House Mysteries

King Street, Exeter EX1 1BH

If you’re in the mood to do something a bit different, head to Red House Mysteries, and put your mystery solving skills to the test. As well as the escape rooms, Red House Mysteries also run postal and web based interactive games, so you can either visit the escape rooms in person or play a game from the comfort of your own home.

Parking

Located in the town centre: Paid parking available nearby at Smythen Street.

Tickets (Escape Rooms)

Team of 2: £50
Team of 3: £60
Team of 4: £70
Team of 5: £80
Team of 6: £90

Diggerland

Verbeer Manor, Cullompton EX15 2PE

Diggerland Devon is a fantastic choice for both children and adults, with real full size JCBs, Go-Karts, Dodgems, Mini Landrovers, and a Sky Shuttle.

Parking

On-site car park: Free visitor car park.

Tickets

Adults & Children (90cm and over): £23.95
Children (under 90cms): Free

Canonteign Falls

Christow, Exeter EX6 7RH

Canonteign Falls is a beautiful place to visit, boasting England’s highest manmade waterfall, as well as acres of woodlands and wetlands to explore. There are all sorts of ways for children to use up some energy, including an assault course, zip wire, and trampolines.

There will be a number of events taking place at Canonteign Falls over the holiday, including:

• The Pocket Watch Theatre Company- ‘A Fairy Tale’- 31st August 2019
• Kids’ Craft Wednesday- throughout the Summer Holidays 31st July – 4th September 2019

Parking

On-site car park: Parking available for visitors.

Tickets

Adults:. £7.95
Children (ages 5 – 16): £6.25
Concessions: £6.95
Family Ticket (2x adults & 2x children): £25

Groups of 12 people and over receive £1 off the admission price.

Bickeigh Mill

Bickleigh, Tiverton EX16 8RG

Bickleigh Mill is a pretty riverside shopping and dining destination. With three floors of shopping, as well as a bistro restaurant, all set in a beautiful waterfront location, Bickleigh Mill is a refreshingly peaceful place to shop.

Parking

On-site car park: Free on-site car park for visitors.

Tickets

N/A: Free entry

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves

91 Ilsham Road, Torquay TQ1 2JF

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves is a great choice for a family day out as it appeals to all ages. A site of archaeological importance, this prehistoric labyrinth of underground caverns makes for a fantastic day of exploring.

Tours take place at regular intervals throughout the day, and as well as exploring the caves, there are also a number of activities for children to enjoy, including:

• Cave Painting
• Tribal Face Marking
• The Fun Gemstone Dig
• Riddle Quest
• Ice Age Animal Hunt
• The Wall of Hands
• Brass Rubbing

Parking

On-site car park: £2
On the road outside: Free

Tickets

Adults: £12
Seniors (65+ years) & Students: £11
Children (3-15 years): £10
Children (under 3 years): Free

Paignton Zoo

A3022 Totnes Road, Paignton TQ4 7EU

Paignton Zoo is home to over 2,500 animals, making it an exciting and memorable place for a day out.

There are plenty of events taking place at Paignton Zoo over the Summer holidays, including:

• Face Painting (throughout the peak season)
• Winged Wonders Bird Show – 6th April – 1st Sept 2019
• Top Trumps Trail – 6th April – 31st October 2019

As well as animal themed events for Paignton Zoo Bee Week (10th – 14th July), Global Tiger Day (29th July), World Lion Day (10th August), and World Orang-utan Day (19th August).

Parking

On-site car park: Free
Overflow car park: Free

Tickets (including donation)

Adults: £19.95
Seniors (65+ years) & Students: £16.95
Children (3-15 years): £14.95
Children (under 3 years): Free
Saver Ticket (2x adults, & 2x children): £62.95

Discounts are also available for those with a Blue Badge, PIP award document, or DLA letter. See website for further information.

Shaldon Zoo

Ness Drive, Shaldon TQ14 0HP

Shaldon Zoo specialises in looking after smaller animals, especially rare and endangered species.

Over the Summer, there will be regular Keeper Talks at Shaldon Zoo, including:

• Lemurs- Ghosts of The Forest
• Nocturnal House- Life in the Dark
• Civets- A Very Vulnerable Tale
• Capuchins- Brains of the Jungle
• Margay- Prince of Cats

Parking

Council run car park: The Ness Car Park

Tickets (including donation)

Adults: £7.95
Concessions: £6.50
Children (3-15 years): £5.50
Children (under 3 years): Free
Saver Ticket (2x adults & 2x children, or 1x adult & 3x children): £23

Discounts are also available when purchasing tickets for groups of 10 or more people, as well as for Carers and visitors with disabilities. See website for further information.

The Donkey Sanctuary

Sidmouth EX10 0NU

The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth aim to make the world a better place for donkeys.

Visit The Donkey Sanctuary between 29th April and 11th July 2019 to take part in the Golden Carrot Hunt.

During the Summer there will also be a number of paid VIP experiences available, including:

• All Things Donkey: 24th July, 21st August, 28th August 9:00am-1:00pm
• VIP Experience: Weekdays, with a variety of start times between 9:00am and 11:00am.
• Junior VIP Experience: Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays from 29th July – 15th August, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
• Junior Vet Day: 30th July & 22nd August, 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Bray and Stay: 31st August – 1st September, Overnight 3:00pm – 1:00pm

For full details on VIP experiences and prices, please see the website.

Parking

On-site car park: Free

Tickets

All Tickets: Free entry

Tree Surfers

Tamar Trails, Woodlands, Gulworthy, Tavistock PL19 8JE

Tree Surfers is an energetic, action packed high ropes experience.

During the Summer holidays, there will be a number of Taster Days at Tree Surfers, taking place between 10:00am – 4:00pm on the following dates:

• Wednesday 1st August 2019
• Wednesday 8th August 2019
• Wednesday 15th August 2019
• Wednesday 22nd August 2019
• Wednesday 29th August 2019

Parking

On-site car park: £1.20 for two hours, or £2.40 for a full day car park ticket.

Tickets

Tree Surfers High Ropes Taster (12 years upwards): £16 per person, approx 40 – 60mins
Big Zip (6 years upwards): £10 for 2 jumps

The Bear Trail

Westcott, Cullompton EX15 1SA

The Bear Trail is an award winning, mud filled outdoor assault course designed for families.

To mark the start of the Summer holidays, there will be a special event:

• The Colour Bomb- Sunday 21st July 10:30am – 4:00pm- Booking essential (see website for further details and ticket prices for this event)
• Throughout the rest of Summer (22nd July – 3rd September 2019), The Bear Trail will be open daily.

Parking

On-site car park: Free

Tickets (Non event days)

Over 1 metre: £7.75
Under 1 metre: £4.75
Family Ticket (4x people, all over 1 metre): £27.95
Concessions: £4.50

Discounts are available for those booking online, as well as for groups of 20 people or more.

Royal Albert Museum

Queen Street or New Garden entrance, Exeter EX4 3RX

The Royal Albert Museum will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays during the Summer holidays, featuring a number of children’s events:

• Shelter Building with Wildwise- 31st July & 21st August 2019
• Fire Making with Wildwise- 31st July & 21st August 2019
• Hello Goose- Author Workshop- 7th August 2019
• Bronze Arts Award (five day course)- 13th – 17th August 2019
• Ancient Egyptian Activities- 16th August & 21st September 2019
• Game World- 20th & 27th August 2019

Parking

City centre car parks: Nearby car parks include Guildhall Shopping Centre, Mary Arches, and Harlequins Shopping Centre.

Tickets

All tickets: Free admission, however fees do apply for workshops and events, please see website for further details.

Devon Sea Safari

Fishing Quay, Teignmouth TQ14 8DB

For a memorable day out, explore marine wildlife with Devon Sea Safari. Boat tours will be available regularly during the holidays, with options to choose from:

• Marine Wildlife Sea Safari
• Labrador Bay Wildlife Tour
• Labrador Bay Coastal Adventure

Parking

City centre car parks: Pay and display car parks in the local area- allow extra time to find a parking space.

Tickets

Marine Wildlife Sea Safari
Adults: £39.50
Children (under 16): £24.50

Labrador Bay Wildlife Tour
Adults: £32.50
Children (under 16): £19.50

Labrador Bay Coastal Adventure
Adults: £26.50
Children (under 16): £14.50

Watermouth Castle & Family Theme Park

Berrynarbor, Illfracombe EX34 9SL

Watermouth Castle and Family Theme Park is a truly unique attraction, built around a Victorian castle with beautiful landscaped gardens, this theme park is filled with with rides and play areas to keep the children entertained.

During the Summer, visitors can enjoy the following attractions:

• Water Show Extravaganza- A unique underground display of lights, music, and fountains
• Dungeon Labyrinths- Discover retro arcade machines and a hall of mirrors
• Castle Treasures- Play Victorian style games, and view suits of armour in the Great Hall
• Gnome Land- Explore the mini village and battle with the indoor soft ball cannons

Parking

On-site car park: Free visitor parking in the Woodland Car Park and on the Castle Battlements.

Tickets

Adults & Children 92cm and above: £15
Children under 92cm: Free
Concessions: £11

Discounts are available for visitors with disabilities, carers, groups of four or more paying visitors, and for those booking online. See website for further details.

Woodlands Family Theme Park

Woodlands Leisure Park, Dartmouth TQ9 7DQ

Woodlands Family Theme Park has a lot to offer with rides, interactive events, and even a zoo farm.

There are several events planned for over the Summer holidays, including:

• Live entertainment from the Woodlands Supastarz
• Fizz Pop Science Workshops & Shows- 26th July, and 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th August 2019
• Meet Titan The Robot- 30th July, and 6th, 13th, & 20th August 2019

Parking

On-site car park: Free car park for visitors

Tickets

Adults & Children (110cm and over): £18.80
Adventurer (92-110cm): £13.25
Infants (under 92cm): Free
Concessions: £10.80

Discounts are available for visitors with disabilities, and groups of four or more paying visitors. See website for further details.

Royal Albert Museum

Queen Street or New Garden entrance, Exeter EX4 3RX

The Royal Albert Museum will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays during the Summer holidays, featuring a number of children’s events:

• Shelter Building with Wildwise- 31st July & 21st August 2019
• Fire Making with Wildwise- 31st July & 21st August 2019
• Hello Goose- Author Workshop- 7th August 2019
• Bronze Arts Award (five day course)- 13th – 17th August 2019
• Ancient Egyptian Activities- 16th August & 21st September 2019
• Game World- 20th & 27th August 2019

Parking

City centre car parks: Nearby car parks include Guildhall Shopping Centre, Mary Arches, and Harlequins Shopping Centre.

Tickets

All tickets: Free admission, however fees do apply for workshops and events, please see website for further details.

National Marine Aquarium

Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth PL4 0LF

The National Marine Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the UK, making it a great place to visit if you’re looking for a fun day out.

Every day during the Summer Holidays, there will be a ‘Sea-cret Garden’ at the National Marine Aquarium, giving adults a sunny place to relax with a drink, and children a pirate ship sandpit to play in.

Parking

Pay & Display car park: Sutton Harbour Car Park

Tickets

Adults: £16.95
Adults (age 60+): £14.95
Children (age 3-15): £12.95
Children (Under 3 years): Free
Family (2x adults & 2x children, or 1x adult & 3x children): £53.50

Seaton Jurassic

The Underfleet, Seaton EX12 2WD

Seaton Jurassic is a prehistoric themed attraction with hands-on activities and interactive events. There are several events planned for over the Summer, including:

• Saturday Crafts- 10:00am – 12:30pm 20th July 2019
• Marine Garden Trail- 27th July – 1st September 2019
• Sea Monsters vs Pirates- 19th July – 2nd August 2019

Parking

Pay & Display car park: Long stay car park (2 mins walk)

Tickets (Including Gift Aid)

Adults: £12
Concessions (60+): £9
Children (3 years and over): £7
Children (under 3 years): Free

Days Out in Devon- Summer Holiday Ideas