Family-Friendly

Renowned for its rich, natural beauty and fascinating history, West Devon makes a wonderful holiday destination. It’s also a delightful place to treat the whole family to a short break or, as we tend to call it these days, a staycation! From small toddlers to elderly grandparents, there’s something for all to enjoy.

As we sit on the western edge of Dartmoor National Park, active and adventurous families have acres upon acres of beautiful, rural landscape to roam around on. Walk, cycle or even horse-ride across the moors with your little ones in tow, after all, this is the best way to explore our rugged and unadulterated wilderness. There are footpaths, hiking trails and cycle routes for miles here, offering unbeatable views and scenery – the perfect backdrop for any family photo.

Dartmoor is also the place to visit if you’re a family of nature lovers. Wild ponies, cattle and sheep can be found grazing on the terrain. Eager eyes may also be able to spot the resident adders, bats, otters, and polecats which hunt their way through rivers and heathland. Fauna is not all that’s on offer here, Dartmoor is home to a wonderful array of flora. The woodlands of Dartmoor are classed as temperate rainforests with great mature oak trees covered in moss and ferns which tower over anyone who visit. In the spring, the ground here is often carpeted with bluebells and snowdrops, a truly beautiful sight to be seen. In the late spring and early summer Dartmoor is awash with a sea of brightly coloured yellow gorse and striking purple heather.

For the history buffs, West Devon has plenty of National Trust and English Heritage sites. Castles, ancient ruins and folklore settings can be found profusely across the region. Popular historical spots with families are Okehampton Castle, Fernworthy Stone Circle, Tavistock Guildhall and The Museum of Dartmoor Life; all with plenty of activities for the kids (big and small!) to take part in.

For the shoppers of the family, our wonderful towns contain some fantastic high streets, markets and precincts. Tavistock, Chagford and Okehampton come to mind when looking for a place to shop ‘till you drop. There’s plenty of great restaurants and cosy cafes in these towns to refuel your little ones after a long day of spending their well-earned pocket money. Many of these towns also boast lovely green spaces where you can enjoy a picnic if the weather is good, plus there’s some great play parks if you’re looking to tire the kids out!

See a list of Attractions HERE.