Within the deep midwinter, itโs really easy to spend days indoors, sheltering from the climate, by no means going far โ a twenty first century hibernation. However for these quiet days between Christmas and New 12 months, or to cheer up a cold January, itโs an unexpectedly great time to discover the UK, together with a visit to Devon in winter with children.
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Wrapped up heat, underneath pale gold and blue winter skies, itโs good to roam the coast and the countryside and uncover the much less well-known temptations. Final 12 months took us to the border of Essex and Suffolk, however Devon is at all times considered one of my favorite counties for a fast break โ particularly with out the height season crowds for those who go to Devon in winter.
Iโve already give you a listing of the perfect issues to do in Devon with children together with points of interest which are perfect for winter, plus free days out in Devonย and concepts of what to do in Devon when it rains.ย So to finish the set, listed here are my prime issues to do in Devon in winter.
Take a winter stroll
Whichever coast youโre staying on, whether or not youโre by the seaside or having fun with the countryside, thereโll be walks galore.
The stroll to Watersmeet on Exmoor has been known as considered one of Britainโs Nice Winter Walks, with the dramatic river valley and thick historical forest, and itโs family-friendly too. Thereโs a Nationwide Belief tea room or heat up within the distant seventeenth century Rockford Inn pub.
For one more straightforward wander thatโs nice for households, you can spot seals on the Nationwide Beliefโs Dishevelled Level easy accessibility strollย and itโs an ideal place to gaze out to sea.
Thereโs loads of inspiration for locations to stroll alongside the South West Coast Path, together with these family-friendly stretches in North Devon, South Devon and East Devon.
Or you can discover the dramatic moorland surroundings with these pretty Dartmoor walks with children. It goes with out saying that you just do should be ready for the climate right here โ Darmoor does get snow, and the situations can change in a short time, so at all times plan forward and donโt set off if itโs not protected.
Take a look at these pretty winter walks from Go to Devon for extra inspiration too.
See the festive illuminations
Plan forward for this as, unsurprisingly, most of Devonโs festive illuminations are all accomplished and packed away by New 12 months โ however Devon has some spectacular ones.
Coleton Aglow at Coleton Fishacre has a 20s theme or try the winter lights at Knightshayes.
Killerton usually has a Christmas path thatโs lit after darkish, whereas RHS Rosemoorย has its personal Glow backyard occasion till January.
Picturesque Clovelly is lit up for Christmas too, stretching via the village to the harbour, whereas Plymouth usually hosts the Illuminate pageant at Royal William Yard.
For pure sparkle thatโs exhausting to beat, wrap up heat, embrace the darkish and head out to star-gaze at one of many UKโs greatest darkish skies places in Exmoor.
Take a festive practice experience
From illuminated journeys to an opportunity to see Santa, there are many festive practice rides to seek out in Devon in winter with children.
The station of Buckfastleigh will get a festive makeover because the departure level for an hour-long Polar Categorical expertise in South Devon with South Devon Railway.
Or Dartmouth Steam Railwayโs Prepare of Lights is definitely one of many perfect Christmas practice rides within the UK โ and one of many few choices which runs after Christmas Eve as effectively.
Ranging from the station at Paignton, the platform and carriages are adorned with hundreds of lights. Then after a enjoyable 15-minute practice experience alongside the stunning coastal Devon path to Churston, you begin your journey to some enchanting woods adorned with a superbly festive gentle present.
Ending with a view of the twinkling lights of Dartmouth itself, mirrored within the river, thereโs probability to take images from Kingswear earlier than heading again to see if all once more from a unique route.
And whereasย the Seaton Tramway isnโt a conventional steam practice (as its identify suggests, itโs a tram), it will possibly really feel an much more private expertise with area for simply 24 within the tram automobile.
Itโs additionally an extended expertise, lasting round two hours half-hour together with a cease on the North Pole.
Head underground
Brisk blue winter days are one factor but it surelyโs much less enjoyable exploring Devon within the rainโฆ Happily there are nonetheless some very enjoyable locations to discover underground for those whoโre visiting Devon in winter.
Kents Cavern
Kents Cavern is the UKโs oldest residence of people โ to not point out fairly a couple of different creatures. Together with bears and hyenas, theyโve discovered woolly mammoth tooth and proof of giant woolly rhinoceros and even a Roman shrine.
If the climateโs ok, there are woodland walks to find as effectively, however regardless of the temperature exterior, itโs a continuing 14C within the cavern year-round, with somewhat museum to discover and a few actions for teenagers too. You possibly can even meet Santa there within the run-up to Christmas.
Right hereโs what we considered Kents Cavern on a drizzly day
Exeterโs medieval tunnels
Uncover Exeterโs medieval tunnels, underground passages initially constructed as ingesting water pipes again in medieval instances โ you’ll be able to nonetheless enterprise down beneath the floor of town to find this uncommon slice of Exeter historical past.
Theย medieval tunnelsย are the one ones of their variety within the UK, and as a part of the tour for over-fives and up, you too can go to the interpretation centre with fashions, movies, artefacts from the dig and the speaking determine of a medieval man.
Go to an aquarium
In case your children love animals, the Nationwide Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is fabulous, together with the deepest tank within the UK, trails for teenagers, plus round 400 totally different species of marine creatures to identify.
With quirky trivia in regards to the sea creatures inside, an opportunity to look out into Plymouth Sound and many family-friendly actions, itโs an awesome choice for those whoโre visiting Devon with toddlers in addition to older children.
Take a look at myย 13 causes to go to the Nationwide Marine Aquariumย with children
Or Ilfracombe aquarium is ready within the previous Lifeboat Home, so that youโre proper on the harbourside โ good for those whoโve needed to abandon the concept of rockpooling and search for issues to do indoors in north Devon.
Thisย little aquariumย recreates among the native marine life so you’ll be able to journey alongside an Exmoor stream right into a river, on to an estuary and out via a harbour to the coast and end with a glimpse into the marine reserve of Lundy.
It closes throughout December and January with restricted opening hours throughout winter โ enable round 30-60 minutes to discover.
Go to a museum
There are many locations to get indoors in Devon in winter, particularly among the countyโs nice family-friendly museums.
The Field, Plymouth
Plymouth is residence to The Field, a brand new multimillion opening a couple of years in the past. And with a museum and gallery, the humanities and heritage advanced is good for those whoโre visiting Devon with children โ thereโs loads of interactive enjoyable, and who doesnโt love a mammoth?
RAMM, Exeter
RAMM, or theย Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Artwork Gallery, to provide it its full identify, has shows telling the historical past of Devon from the prehistoric to the current โ plus pure historical past and an Egyptian tomb, to not point out a bull elephant, suspended whale and Gerald the giraffe.
Torquay Museum, Torquay
Theย Torquay museumย has an eclectic show, from a Neanderthal cranium to Egyptian statues and finds introduced again by explorers from all over the world, plus thereโs a particular path developed by the BBC for teenagers based mostly on the discovering of Tutankhamenโs tomb.
Bygones Torquay
Step again in time to find a snapshot of Victorian life, with 15 outlets and eight rooms alongside the recreated interval road, from an ironmongerโs and grocer to an apothecary and candy store. Youโll additionally discover classic arcade amusements, 50s memorabilia and a mannequin railway recreated to indicate life across the World Wars atย Bygones Torquay.ย
The Home of Marbles, Bovey Tracey
Who wants board video games when you’ll be able to go to a video games museum?ย On the sides of Dartmoor, The Home of Marblesย has a group of various video games relationship again so far as the 1600s, together with glassblowing and data on the historical past of glass and a pottery museum.
But it surelyโs the marbles which get essentially the most consideration, with a group and 5 totally different marble runs, one which would be the largest within the UK. All the time considered one of my prime picks for a wet day in Devon โ itโs free to go searching too.
Youโll discover a string of different Devon museums dotted throughout the county for those whoโre exterior the primary cities as effectively.
Discover a historic home
Buckland Abbey, close to Plymouth
This former monastery might be greatest referred to as the house of Sir Francis Drake, however the piratical explorer is simply a part of the eight centuries of historical past to find atย Buckland Abbeyย because it was first inbuilt 1278 as a Cistercian Abbey.
Transformed to a house after the Dissolution of the monasteries, you’ll be able to nonetheless see proof of the previous church, together with secret doorways and stairs which now not lead wherever, in addition to with the ability to stroll via time as you wander from Tudor chambers to a Georgian eating room.
Solely open at weekends throughout a lot of the winter months.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets.
Arlington Courtroom, Barnstaple
Though the grounds are one of many massive highlights atย Arlington Courtroom, thereโs nonetheless loads extra for those whoโre in search of issues to do in north Devon when itโs raining,
Residence to the Nationwide Carriage museum, there are some incredible autos on present, plus a quiz to take as you discover the home and occasional household actions and crafts.
However when itโs open, one of many greatest temptations for animal lovers is to go into theย bat roomย and examine the colony which has made its residence its residence right here, via the bat cam. Home and carriage museum are open year-round however with lowered hours in winter.ย
Dartmouth Fortress, Dartmouth
Relationship again to the 14th century,ย Dartmouth citadelย noticed motion within the Civil Battle and was nonetheless in use as a fortress in Victorian instances โ if itโs raining exhausting, youโll in all probability need to skip the choice of catching a ferry over from the city quay however attempt to discover a drier second to go as much as the roof for the views out throughout the river and the city.
Below cowl, you’ll be able to discover the maze of passages, take a look at the huge chain which defended the harbour and check out on helmets within the gun tower.
Open 12 months spherical however weekends solely through the winter months.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets.
For extra of theย greatest issues to do in Dartmouth with children, try my prime picks
Coleton Fishacre, Kingswear
Getting into this artwork deco home (constructed by the DโOyly Carte household of West Finish theatre fame) is great at any time of 12 months, however for those whoโre visiting Devon through the run-up to Christmas,ย Coleton Fishacreย is much more particular.
The home is adorned for a Nineteen Twenties Christmas, with conventional video games and dressing up (plus the Coleton Aglow illuminations if the climate isnโt too unhealthy: have to be booked upfront) โ there are spotter trails to comply with inside the home year-round although.
Open 12 months spherical however weekends solely/lowered opening through the winter months.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets.
Greenway, Galmpton
Agatha Christieโs vacation residence, Greenway, nonetheless seems a lot because it did when she stayed there โ thereโs a path for teenagers to comply with round the home, which will get dressed up for Christmas, in addition to a altering show within the Cupboard of Curiosities.
Open year-round however weekends solely/lowered hours through the winter months.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets. Whereas there are numerous enjoyable methods to reach in summer time, some are much less tempting in winter so for those whoโre planning to drive, youโll must prebook a parking area.
Saltram Home, Plymouth
This elegantย Georgian homeย was owned by the Parker household from 1712 for nearly 250 years, and you’ll nonetheless see a lot of the unique assortment.
Children are prone to be extra within the reality thereโs a brand new path each season, plus alternatives to decorate up and check out actions inside, with additional season occasions geared toward households.
Open a lot of the 12 months however with lowered hours through the winter months and the home is closed utterly throughout a part of the winter.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets.
Discover dinosaurs
Dino-mad children will love the interactive exhibition atย Torquayโs dinosaur world, to convey the world of the dinosaurs to life โ with all the things from fashions to fossils, a lot of dino information to study and the prospect to sit down on one (in addition to put your head in a singleโs mouth).
Thereโs an explorer quiz to attempt as you discover and dinosaur crafts to attempt โ however the spotlight needs to be the prospect to the touch dinosaur poo.
The waterfront attraction is open year-round however with lowered days in winter.ย Click on right hereย for opening instances and tickets.
Hit the seashore
Sunbathing could be off the playing cards, however the limitless lengthy stretches of sand are nonetheless good for constructing sandcastles, flying kites, rockpooling or just working at full pelt to blow away the cobwebs โ and are normally dog-friendly in winter.
Woolacombe ticks all 4 bins properly, however you gainedโt be wanting choices โ and also you donโt want solar to take pleasure in a few of these nice seashore actions.
For the actually daring, the countyโs wild swimmersย head into the waves off Tinside Seashore, Plymouth year-round, whereas winter browsing has change into one thing of a pattern on the seashores of North Devon.
It goes with out saying to verify the climate situations and be sure toโve bought the right gear. I believe Iโll keep on with dry land till summer timeโฆ
For extra concepts of nice Devon seashores, try my final information to Devon for households
Get energetic
In case your children must burn off some power however open air is simply too dismal to ponder, there are many energetic choices indoors.
Go mountain climbing
Older children can burn off some power and problem themselves at one of many indoor climbing centes in Devon.ย
Rock and Experience Journey Centreย in South Molton is the biggest indoor climbing wall in north Devon and is appropriate for full novices upwards, plus there are taster classes for age 6+ daily.
Or for issues to do in east Devon within the rain, head toย ClipโnโClimb Exeterย which is open to children aged 4 and above, together with complete inexperienced persons, whereas townโsย Quay Climbing Centreย has household taster classes for age 7+.
Bounce it out
Head to a trampoline park to bounce out any grumbles in regards to the unhealthy climate. Head toย Air Excessive Barnstapleย in north Devon which has totally different age choices together with classes for toddlers, whereasย Supertramp Plymouthย has household bounce and a tots membership for toddlers for those whoโre in south Devon.
There are two iBounce trampoline parks, inย Newton Abbotย andย Exeterย with its foam pits, providing dad or mum and toddler classes.
Go swimming
If you happen toโre going to get moist anyway, you would possibly as effectively have enjoyable!ย Waves Leisure Poolย in Torquay has a sloping flooring thatโs ultimate for those whoโve bought a mixture of swimmers and paddlers within the household โ plus a wave machine which runs throughout weekend and faculty vacation classes.
Thereโs additionally a flume, open on the similar instances, plus a youngstersโs play space. Open all 12 months.ย Click on right hereย for particulars of opening instancesย
Add some spice
Nothing beats a warming drink after a cold day โ so how about mulled chilli apple juice on the South Devon Chilli Farmย in December, in addition to chilli scorching chocolate and chilli jam to your cream tea on the cafรฉ?
Thereโs additionally a play space for teenagers, mini excursions in class holidays, and different choices to see and study extra in regards to the chillis grown there at totally different factors of the 12 months. Plus loads to styleโฆ relying how courageous you might be!
Or the Dartmoor Chilli Farm makes its personal chilli chocolate which you should purchase at outlets throughout Devon (or on-line).
If you happen to choose your scorching chocolate with none additional kick, award-winning Chococo in Exeter is the right spot for a deal with.
Curl up by a log hearth
The cosiest finish to a winterโs day exploring needs to be coming again to a roaring log hearth or wooden burner โ which suggests one of many fabulous cosy cottages which Devon appears to specialize in.
Marsdens Devon Cottages has an entire luxurious assortment โ in any case, that is presupposed to be a deal with โ together with loads with an open hearth to snuggle subsequent to. Or you can at all times go for one with a scorching tubโฆ or each.ย
Holidaycottages additionally specialises in self-catering lodging in Devon (and the South West), with choices in Woolacombe and wonderful Brixham, the place we explored the Golden Hind after we visited.
Or Sykes Cottages has an entire set proper on the coast, so you’ll be able to scamper from a bracing stroll again indoors to heat up. Excellent for Devon in winter.
And what higher solution to brighten the 12 monthsโs darkest days?
For extra concepts, try my final information to Devon for households
*first printed 2017, up to date 2024*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN DEVON IN WINTER
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
RAMM courtesy of RAMM, Kents Cavern/Buckland Abbey/Dartmouth Fortress/Home of Marbles copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
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