A Devon Staycation 2021- More holidaying at home this year!
Summer Staycation – Stay and Play this Summer at some of Devon’s Top Attractions!
We all know that 2021 has been forecast as the year of the great ‘staycation’ and since 17th May and step three Covid-19 restrictions being lifted we have seen attractions and UK accommodation providers able to re-open their doors. We have already seen a deluge of of British holiday makers flocking to Devon for a much needed holiday. With overseas travel for this coming Summer still looking uncertain, Devon is seen as one of the most popular UK getaways and has already seen a surge in accommodation bookings.
Devon’s Top Attractions are ready and waiting to welcome visitors through their doors. And Devon and Cornwall holidays are proving popular destination choices with the Visit Devon and Visit Cornwall websites both seeing a huge surge in 2021 website traffic. We are seeing people wanting to return to Devon for their main summer holiday or short break who usually go abroad. Devon hopes to re-ignite their love and interest for this wonderful county that boasts top beaches and overflows with interesting experiences waiting to be enjoyed.
Devon is unique in having two coastlines and 300 miles of beautiful Devonshire shoreline, two National parks and five official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Devon continues to be a winning combination of heritage, history, sandy beaches, National Parks, unspoilt coast and countryside and with so many things to do, it encourages visitors to return year after year. Find Beaches of every description – for every type of water sport or simply relax in the sun or stroll along the cliffs on the South West Coast Path. But there’s so much more – delve into Devon and discover some of the UK’s top visitor attractions
When visitors are looking for things to do in Devon then they have struck gold. With so many amazing attractions to visit, from animal encounters to adrenaline-packed adventures, heritage and history to steam railways boats and trams, plus enchanting award winning gardens, mysterious castles, museums and much, more more.
Here’s 12 top award winning Devon days out to visit this Summer!
River Dart Country Park – Set in 90 acres of glorious parkland within the beautiful Dartmoor National park, its one of Devon’s best loved family tourist attractions and campsites. Try out the Dare Devil activities at River Dart Country Park – canoeing, high ropes course, kayaking, mega zip wire, climbing, water zorbing, caving coming soon! https://riverdart.co.uk/ Day admission Daily 10am – last entry 3pm 2 hours – all day parking fees, plus paid activities from £ 4 PP
You can also ‘Stay & Play’ at River Dart Country Park’s campsite here Camping prices from £ 22 per pitch and give free entry to River Dart Country Park.
Crealy Theme Park and Resort – Devon Theme Park Day out. Ride a Rollercoaster – From Toddler fun to extreme thrill seekers, Devon is home to some great theme parks. Crealy Theme Park and Resort is set in over 100 acres of glorious Devon countryside and has over 60 rides and attractions, lots of animals and over 30 outdoor attractions including two roller coasters and a white-knuckle water ride. You can stay and play too at their holiday resort.
https://www.crealy.co.uk/ Online day tickets from £ 16 per person, open 7 days a week July-August. Stay and Play camping breaks from £ 139 for 2 nights and include free Theme Park tickets
Seaton Tramway operates narrow gauge heritage trams between Seaton, Colyford and Colyton in East Devon’s glorious Axe Valley. An ‘electric’ day out for all the family.
The Story Tram is a popular and unique experience at Seaton Tramway. Different themed day offer experiences on the Dinosaur Tram, Pirate Tram or Fairy Special. Adventure through the world of super stories and tall tales on board the ‘Story Tram’. Inspire big imaginations with themed stories and action songs along the way. An exciting new theme every month, brought to life by puppets and props and through fun and activities. https://www.tram.co.uk/events/view/the-story-tram Selected dates July – October. Prices Under 3’s free Over 3’s – Adults £ 7.50 more tickets will be available if restrictions are lifted.
NEW Twilight Trams at Seaton Tramway, Experience the Valley by night and travel on one of their Summer Twilight Services. https://www.tram.co.uk/
Pennywell Farm – Devon’s friendliest farm park – Animals, activities and rides await and something new every half hour, just listen for the bell. Piggy cuddles is one of the most popular activities at Pennywell Farm with the world famous Pennywell Miniature Pigs. There is nothing quite like holding a micro piggy in a fleece and it then falling asleep in your arms. Pennywell pig racing is another firm favourite, see the pint sized porkers hamming it along the route to see which one can triumph over Bacons Brook. Will you back the winner? There are also two sessions a day a of bottle enjoy feeding the hungry orphan lambs and goat kids and you can even collect eggs or do a spot of pond dipping.
https://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/ Online day tickets -sessional child £ 12.95 Adult £15,95
South Devon Railway – Just the ticket for a day out with the kids is to take a trip on a real Steam Train. There is nothing quite like stepping back in time and experiencing a ride on a real steam train. See, hear and smell the authentic experience starting at the station. Your journey takes you on a 14 mile round trip through glorious Devon countryside and hugging the banks of the River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. Event days also available with the popular ‘Day out with Thomas’ much loved event scheduled for 2-4th July and 24-26th September during 2021.
https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/ Return tickets Child £7, Adult 11.50 Family ticket (2&2) £ 45 and your dog can travel too for a £1.
Watermouth Family Theme Park and Castle – This is a family day out like no other. Located near Ilfracombe in North Devon it is delightfully quirky, gloriously patriotic, and notably nostalgic. This place is traditionally quaint with lots of surprises along the way that will bring the inner child out in everyone who visits. A mixture of a Castle, rides and attractions and glorious gardens plus heaps of nostalgia and makes for a super family day out. Plus, you can even stay in the accommodation at the Castle complete with 4 poster beds!
https://www.watermouthcastle.com/ Online day tickets – Prices £ 15.50 per person over 92cm
Babbacombe Model Village – Torquay on the English Riviera is famous for its miniature landscaped gardens and model Village. Kids will love a visit to the model village. Let your children have a giant day out there as they step through the small entrance and into the vast miniature world which opens before them. Explore the 4 acres of award-winning gardens and see the hundreds of model scenes, vehicles, and people. See the phenomenal new Bath Crescent model and other new additions. A miniature world that captures the imagination of all ages. New evening illuminations experience from August 2021. New light effects will surround you in a spectacle of enchanting colours.
https://www.model-village.co.uk/ Day tickets Child £11.50, Adult £12.90
Blackpool Sands Award Winning Blue flag beach. A Devon beach day out is always a winner and not least at this amazing beautiful South Devon beach. Blackpool Sands sits in a sheltered bay near Dartmouth, in an area of outstanding natural beauty. What better place to enjoy a family fun day out in Devon. This beach is one of Devon’s most beautiful natural treasures. It has a Café and Takeaway on the beach and water sports are available to hire. They also usually have a calendar of events. https://www.blackpoolsands.co.uk/ You just pay for parking on the beach side car park and any activities you do.
The Big Sheep Family Attraction in North Devon. Its world-famous fun all the way. Kids and adults will all love a day out at The Big Sheep Family – What’s on, laugh out loud, hilarious shows, including the world famous Sheep Racing , the sheep show and duck trials, thrill seekers are well catered for and they can ride ‘Rampage the Rollercoaster’ with lots of gentler rides for the younger ones. An all weather attraction with big love, big laughs and big learning. Experience life on a Devon farm but entertainment all the way. A full day out for all the family. https://www.thebigsheep.co.uk/ Tickets/ 2 time slots daily, from £10 per person
Kents Cavern in Torquay offers a mammoth day out. Let your kids step into the Stone Age. A visit to these amazing Prehistoric cave, home of ancient humans is a lovely idea for a day out at this award-winning visitor attraction. Entrance to the caves is through their reception area and you literally stop back into prehistoric times into the caves through a door!. They have just opened a new Woodland Trail complete with life size animals from the Ice Age, so look out for the below Mammoth! They also have a Stone Age Zone and stone age school activities. A super day out whatever the weather, the cave has a year-round temperature of 14°c https://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/ Cave tour online tickets Child £ 12, Adult £13
Diggerland Devon – An action-packed day out in Devon which kids and adults will all love. Located near the M5 J28. near Cullompton. This construction machinery attraction is a real winner for children of all ages! Where else can you operate and ride on full size diggers, tractors and dumper rides and drives. Super fun, experiential and adventurous all rolled into one, this fun fuelled day is great for all the adrenaline junkies out there. https://www.diggerland.com/diggerland-devon/ Online admission day tickets £ 22.80 per person over 90cm tall.
Stuart Line Cruises – There are many different cruise experiences on offer. Try out the Mini Coastal Cruise or Jurassic Coast Cruise or Cream Tea Cruise a super experience for all the family and kids just adore being on the water on a boat ride. Step on board Stuart Line Cruises. Sailings 7 days a week see timetable. Prices from £ 8 for adults and £ 5 for children depending on what the cruise is. See the local wildlife, learn about the Jurassic Coast and take in the stunning scenery of the East Coast and River Exe Estuary. https://www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk/ Timetable
More ideas for a top Devon day out and to book tickets can be found here
