We are very lucky to call the county of Devon our home. It is a beautiful place to live but it is also a brilliant family-friendly holiday destination. There are plenty of choices of accommodation for family holidays in Devon including holiday cottages, farm stay, lodges, holiday parks or campsites.
Devon has the most beautiful sandy beaches and attractions for the whole family to enjoy as well as pretty towns and villages to explore. You could head to the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, the South West Coast Path as well as the Jurassic coast. Whether you’re looking for a beach holiday or an activity holiday, there’s a Devon vacation which is the perfect place for you. Whether you have young children wanting an outdoor play area or a soft play area, or active families looking for more adventure. Family holidays in Devon are amazing (although I might be biased).
Best places to stay for family holidays in Devon
Larkworthy Farm
Higher Larkworthy, Beaworthy EX21 5DE
Larkworthy Farm offers glamping in an ensuite barrel topped wagon or a stay in a large two bedroom cottage. The farm is nestled in a 10-acre smallholding and sits upon a hillside in Petrockstowe, an old Devon village within UNESCO’s North Devon Biosphere reserve. It is an ideal base for exploring the Tarka Trail and nature reserves, and also Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Devon coastlines. The cottage has a hot tub, beautiful views, gardens and parking, and a one bedroom luxury barrel topped wagon, also with its own hot tub. The cottage sleeps four people and the wagon sleeps two people, but can easily sleep four as the table converts into an extra double bed. These two units can be booked together so you can use both the cottage and the wagon as your base to explore Devon.
Blackdown Yurts
Halsbeer Farm, Blackborough, Cullompton EX15 2HW
Take a holiday in the family-friendly Blackdown Yurts in a stunning rural location in Cullompton. There are four yurts onsite, each one sits on its own decking base covered in coir matting. Buzzard and Willow are traditional Mongolian yurts, whereas Badger and Woodpecker have been upgraded with wooden clad sides. The interiors still use the authentic Mongolian hand-painted pole. Willow sleeps up to 4, the other three yurts are larger and sleep up to 6. Well behaved dogs are also welcome. The communal barn has all you need to cook, dine and lounge in comfort. The kitchen area has all mod cons and hot water is available for washing up in the two large sinks. The barn also has a lovely large wood burner and comfy sofas. The other end of the barn is home to shower-rooms.
Unison Croyde Bay Holiday Resort
Croyde, Braunton EX33 1QB
Enjoy a self-catering holiday in north Devon at the Unison Croyde Bay Holiday Resort within a number of different accommodations. There are family cottages, sleeping up to 6 people as well as double or triple family hotel rooms. There are also 3 and 4 bedroom holiday lodges. The resort is nestled behind the sand dunes on Croyde beach, just minutes walk from the surfing village and cafes. Or you could explore the stunning Saunton Sands along the coastline – one of the finest beaches on the north Devon coast.
There are acres of lawns to play on as well as tennis courts and lots of outdoor games like volleyball, croquet, crazy and golf. The kids will also love the Oasis Tropical Leisure Complex which has a 25 metre heated swimming pool, children’s pool, spa bath, steam room and sauna and also a gym. This is one of Devon’s top holiday resorts and it’s easy to see why Croyde Bay resort is such a popular place for family-friendly holidays in the summer months.
Fingals Holiday Cottages
Old Coombe Manor Farm, Dartmouth TQ6 0JA
Fingals Holiday Cottages are in a hidden valley in one of the loveliest parts of south Devon close to the River Dart estuary and the coast. You can stay in a collection of six self-catering cottages, hemmed in by high hedgerows. There are plenty of activities on offer from snooker, grass tennis, table tennis, a sauna, a gym and an indoor swimming pool. Children can kick a ball about outdoors or just have a splash about in the pool. It’s such a great place for a family break. There is lots to do in Dartmouth from beaches, parks and castles to just having a roam about the town centre. Whether you need a chip shop or fancy tucking into cream teas, you’ll be sorted!
Billingsmoor Farm
Butterleigh, Cullompton EX15 1PQ
Billingsmoor Farm is a tents only campsite which is set on a 400 acre working organic dairy farm. The camping pitches are large and come with their own private toilet facilities and hand washing, standpipe, campfire and picnic table and free hot showers. The campsite is perfectly located for exploring both the North and South coasts of Devon. Being a working farm there is always something going on and you may have the opportunity to help feed the calves or see the milking. If your kids love farm stays and farm animals, there is also an animal paddock with sheep, pigs and chickens which the children can collect eggs from.
Brownscombe Luxury Glamping
Compton Holt Lodge, Compton, Marldon, Paignton TQ3 1TA
Brownscombe is an award-winning luxury glamping site, situated in the heart of Devon’s South Hams. They have four family-sized luxury safari tents and three secluded cabins, all with private hot tubs. You can even have spa treatments in the wellness room, home cooked meals, open air yoga, nature trails with beautiful Dartmoor views, a games room, farmer’s rounds and rope swings to keep the children occupied. Inside the safari tents are wood burning stoves, comfy beds, flushing toilets and hot running water. The Brownscombe Cabin and Roundhouse are also big enough for a family stay with a double bed and two bunks.
Cofton Holidays
Cofton Ln, Exeter EX6 8RP
Cofton Holiday Park in South Devon offers an experience to suit every taste. Whether it’s indulging in luxury with hot tub breaks or ensuring the kids have a holiday to remember with a toddler-friendly break, there is plenty of choice. If you want some beach time or to head off exploring local paths you can also bring your dog along too. The park has a heated indoor pool, a sauna and a steam room. You can stay in holiday lodges which have large en-suite showers and bathrooms, a Bluetooth ceiling speaker in the lounge and a recessed TV in the lounge over a fitted fireplace. There are 18 holiday cottages and apartments and static caravans that are modern and stylish in design. If you fancy camping they also offer camping pitches with electric hookups.
Crealy Meadows
Sidmouth Road Exeter Devon EX5 1DR
If you are looking for a Devon family holiday with an award-winning theme park thrown in, then Crealy Theme Park and Resort might be just the place for you. Crealy is located in the heart of the East Devon countryside, minutes away from great days out and beautiful beaches. The resort offers short-stays and you can choose from five-star hot tub lodges, themed glamping tents or over 100 camping and touring pitches. The resort also offers a fantastic evening entertainment programme that runs throughout the school holidays. If you are venturing into the theme park you are promised a great day of family fun within a short walk. The rides are great fun for the younger children including a roller coaster and log flume and older children are guaranteed to have a good time too.
Cuckoo Down Farm
The Barn Cuckoo Down Farm, West Hill EX11 1UE
Cuckoo Down Farm is set in the countryside near the World Heritage coastline at Sidmouth. There are four beautifully decorated safari lodges, some also have their own hot tubs, there are also two yurts onsite. On the farm there are friendly animals such as ponies and chickens and the accommodation is set on 30 acres of unspoilt meadows, which have Forest School activities and a woodland to explore. Each glamping tent has its own wood burning stove to keep you warm and cosy, all tents have their own toilet and kitchen and the safari tents have their own hot showers. Blackberry tent comes with a private wood-fired hot tub. Each tent is perfect for a family of up to six.
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park
Sandy Bay, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 5BT
Devon Cliffs Haven Holidays is rated as one of the best parks in the UK. It boasts great facilities including sea views, direct access to a large sandy beach and it is the largest of all the Haven’s parks. Facilities include water sports in the heated outdoor pool and there is also a heated indoor pool. The park also offers daytime and evening entertainment programmes. Haven’s caravans are spacious inside with everything you need to make it a home from home. There are 12 food and drink venues for guests to choose from as well as two entertainment venues. So there’s plenty to do even on those rainy days of a family getaway during the summer holidays.
Corffe House and Holiday Cottages
Corffe Hill, Tawstock EX31 3NZ
The cottages at Corffe were once the stables and outbuildings of the Grade II listed Corffe House, there are nine, well equipped self-catered cottages centred around a sunny courtyard that can accommodate up to 10 people. There are five acres of private land, an indoor heated swimming pool, toddler pool and hot tub, an all-weather tennis court, a barbecue in the central courtyard and an adventure play area. The Corffe estate nestles on the outskirts of Tawstock, located a short drive from the market town of Barnstaple and within easy reach of the North Devon coastline and its beautiful beaches.
There you have it, just the tip of the iceberg of the best family holidays in Devon. And if you’re thinking of coming to the beautiful south west, have a red of my 15 Best Family Days Out In Devon so that you can make lots of exciting plans.
Where is your favourite place for a family break in Devon?
How did I do?
Did you enjoy this post? Hang around and read some more such as:
Best Campsites for Families in the UK
12 of the Best Glamping Sites In the UK
5 Top Travel Essentials For Twins
Five Ways A Holiday Is Never The Same After Kids
Packing List For Babies And Toddlers
10 Top UK Family Holidays Ideal For Young Children
How To Find A Summer Holiday That Doesn’t Break The Bank
If you still want more, head to my Travel Section. And if you fancy reading my usual kind of stuff, head over to my Mum Life section. You’ll find all things parenting with a tongue-in-cheek twist.
If you like a bit of social media madness, pop over to my Facebook page where you’ll be able to have a laugh at what ridiculousness goes on in my house with three very small boys on a daily basis. Warning – there is often sarcasm, and usually swearing. There are also great travel reviews and some AWESOME giveaways. Feel free to join my Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee – Shits and Giggles Parenting Group too, where everyone shares their hilarious stories.
If you like what you see, how about you check me out on Instagram Pinterest, and Twitter too.
And if you want to work with me, feel free to give me a shout here or at helen@twinstantrumsandcoldcoffee.com and I’ll get back to you.