It’s often the south coast of Devon which gets all the attention, but with smaller crowds, fabulous coastline and lots of things to do in North Devon with kids, you’ll find plenty of reasons to tempt you to visit.
contains affiliate links*
Whether you’re planning to hit the beach, want to learn to surf, explore the great outdoors, discover a North Devon theme park or spend a day with the animals, you’ll find something in my list of North Devon attractions to tempt every family.
And from more popular family holiday destinations like Woolacombe and Combe Martin, to Ilfracombe, Exmoor, Clovelly, Bideford and Barnstaple (to name a few), you’ll never be too far from a great family day out with my 27 top things to do in North Devon with kids either.
This guide concentrates mostly on the North Devon coast, as well as a few ideas for days inland, but if you’re happy to travel further and looking for more inspiration including South Devon and East Devon, check out my Ultimate guide to Devon with kids
Contents – click to jump to a section
Where to stay in North Devon with kids
Whenever we’re visited Devon, we’ve always stayed in self-catering accommodation – I like the flexibility of having space for all the family, somewhere to cook and somewhere to chill out after a busy day exploring or on the beach.
So if you’re looking for places to say in North Devon with kids, I love cottage rental sites which let you filter by family-friendly properties as well as different areas of the county – either North Devon as a whole, or specific areas like Woolacombe, Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Bideford and Barnstaple. Holiday Cottages is a great place to start, along with Sykes Cottages.
You can even filter by how close you want to be to the sea and the beach, or even if you want to be near a sandy beach – this being Devon, there are some gorgeous family-friendly places to stay which are practically a shell’s throw away from the sand. Not to mention cottages where you can take your dog.
And if you’re travelling with teens and tweens, there’s also an option to pick properties with WiFi, while some even have a pool, a hot tub, a games room or barbecue – or an open fire, if you’re planning an escape outside the summer months.
Personally, a stylish seaside apartment near a sandy beach, with a hot tub and WiFi would suit me down to the ground!
Things to do in North Devon with kids
Some of the best ways to spend a day in North Devon with kids are outside, from the fabulous coast to the equally memorable countryside.
But if the weather isn’t in your favour, you’ll find plenty of ideas for a rainy day in North Devon with kids, ideas for adventurous teens and for toddlers, plus some free days out in North Devon for families.
Best beaches in north Devon
One of the best free things to do in north Devon with kids (apart from the cost of ice cream!) is a visit to one of the beautiful beaches. You’ll find dog-friendly beaches, surf beaches, secluded beaches, quirky coves and plenty of stretches of golden sand to keep kids happy all day.
Check out my ideas for the best beach activities with kids to keep everyone entertained
Woolacombe Beach
You can’t talk about north Devon beaches without mentioning Woolacombe beach – regularly ranked among the top beaches to visit in the UK and Europe, there are miles of sand stretching out to play on.
If you’re looking for surf you’ll find it here, along with a lifeguard station manned in the summer, facilities including cafes and toilets nearby, and it’s even dog friendly (although there are restrictions in some areas during the summer months).
Putsborough Beach
Putsborough Beach is less well-known than nearby Woolacombe but it’s got the bonus of being quieter as a result, and is another popular one for families.
You’ll find essentials like toilets and cafe, plus you can paddle in the shallows or clamber on some of the rocks sticking out from the sand. It’s also dog friendly all year.
Combe Martin beach
Combe Martin beach has won a Seaside award, and has wide flat sands at low tide – there are also nature trails nearby to discover, and toilets, parking and cafes here too.
Keep an eye out for the rock pools here at low tide, while you can also hire kayaks and paddleboards in the village if you want to get out on the waves.
Saunton Sands
Saunton Sands, with its classic beach huts and dunes, is a great taste of the seaside stretching for 3.5 miles.
It’s a dog-friendly beach if you’re travelling with pets, and also has some of the county’s best surf, with long slow waves.
Westward Ho!
Not just on the list because I love the name (although I really do – the only town in the UK to have an exclamation mark as part of its name, it was named after a book).
A Blue Flag beach, Westward Ho! has a tempting two miles of sand, as well as being good whether you want to swim, surf or search the rockpools. Dogs are also welcome on the beach year-round (with some restrictions in the summer).
Croyde Beach
Croyde Beach is another great option if you’re looking for sand and surf – rated one of the best surf beaches in the world.
The award-winning beach also has its own lifeguard station, as well as toilets and places to buy food. You’ll find surfboard and canoe hire here too, along with some great rock pooling.
Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe
For one of the most unusual beaches, it’s hard to beat Tunnels beach at Ilfracombe – there’s a charge for this beach, including for kids, but it’s worth the small fee to explore this unusual cove with a Victorian tidal pool.
You walk through hand carved tunnels in the rock to reach the beach, with information about the history – it was opened in 1823 – plus smugglers’ caves, rock pools and a family restaurant and play hut. Even the toilets have won awards!
Broad Sands
If you’re willing to put in the effort to have one corner of Devon’s coast almost to yourself, Broad Sands is worth it – there are 200 steps down to this wild pebble beach, with caves and an island to explore.
Not to be confused with Broadsands beach near Torquay and Paignton on the south coast, it’s one to visit at low tide rather than high tide, but older kids will love exploring one of the top 10 wild swimming beaches in the UK.
For more days on the sand, check out my pick of the best beaches in Devon with kids
Rockpooling in North Devon
If your kids want more entertainment than building sandcastles and paddling, there are some great places to go rockpooling – ideal if the weather isn’t up to sunbathing.
As well as some of the great beaches mentioned above, there are a few other unmissable spots to try rockpooling in North Devon with kids.
On the north coast, Hartland Quay is a great place to explore – if you’re lucky, you might even see falcons nesting on the cliffs above this rocky beach.
Or not far from popular Woolacombe beach, Combesgate Beach has lots of family-friendly rockpools – during the summer months, they sometimes have rockpool rambles with the beach rangers too.
Nearby Barricane beach is famous for exotic seashells which get washed up from the Caribbean – and also for the Beach Cafe serving cakes and sandwiches during the day, and authentic Sri Lankan curries in the evening. But even without those two attractions, there are some lovely rock pools between the wide expanses of sand here too.
For tips on how to get the most out of rockpooling with kids, staying safe and protecting the creatures living in the rockpools, check out the advice from the National History Museum
Learn to surf
Westward Ho! is home to the UK’s highest rated surf school, the North Devon Surf School, which runs lessons suitable for complete beginners including kids.
You can choose from a half-day introduction, or blocks of lessons between two and 10, as well as private lessons if you’d rather hone your skills away from a group.
Plus as one of the longest established surf schools in the UK, there are also plenty of facilities – not just equipment to hire, but heated changing rooms, secure storage, toilets and a pizza cafe to refuel after your lesson.
If you’re visiting another part of the North Devon coast, you can also book lessons with Surf Saunton and Walking on Waves at Saunton Sands (younger kids need to be accompanied by a parent) as well as Surfing Croyde Bay which runs family surf lessons.
South West Coast Path
You’re not short of places to go for a walk in North Devon with kids – the South West coast path runs along both coasts, with 90 miles of trail in north Devon alone.
There are ideas for family walks along the North Devon stretch of the South West Coast Path, with lots to entertain beyond the views, including geocaching and kids’ activities.
You can choose from different levels, including some easy walks based in the towns themselves, and more challenging options; stroll to an Iron Age hill fort, spot a ‘sleeping elephant’ or wander through woodland along the way.
Exmoor National Park
With Exmoor in the northern half of the county, you can also experience some of England’s wildest countryside during a holiday in North Devon with kids.
There’s some great cycling as well as walking here, and with 1,000km of footpaths and bridlepaths, you can find everything from a short stroll to an adventurous hike.
One of the highlights is a visit to the Valley of the Rocks; a natural amphitheatre of ancient stone perched high above the Bristol Channel, where you might spot some of the local feral goats as well as enjoying the views.
There are different theories about how the valley formed, but the rocks are some of the oldest on Exmoor, up to 400 million years old – when they formed, the land was under a shallow sea. Whatever the geological reasons, they’ve been inspiring poets and writers (and other visitors!) for years.
Exmoor was also Europe’s first designated International Dark Skies Reserve, so it’s a fantastic place to go stargazing – you can even hire a telescope to get a better view.
There are also nature reserves across North Devon (and the rest of the county) for more ideas of places to get outdoors with kids
The Tarka Trail
For some gentler outdoor activities, the Tarka Trail is another of the best things to do in north Devon with kids: the walking and cycling route is easy to adapt to different ages and a lovely way to explore.
Inspired by the story of Tarka The Otter (though you’d be lucky to see one yourself), the trail stretches for 180 miles in a figure of eight loop, so while most people won’t complete the whole thing, you’ll have plenty of choice of places to get outdoors.
The UK’s longest traffic-free cycle path links Braunton with Meeth, near Okehampton, while some of the walking sections take you from Barnstaple to Lynton, crossing part of Exmoor and joining the South West Coast path, as well as another section from Okehampton to Eggesford.
Want a taste of the trail without too much effort? There’s a little train line from Eggesford to Barnstaple, so you can take the Tarka Line for this section and enjoy the views without moving a muscle.
Want more ideas of things to do near Barnstaple? Check out these family-friendly suggestions
RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington
You don’t have to be a green-fingered aficionado to enjoy a day out at RHS Garden Rosemoor, with plenty to entertain families.
For starters, check out the play areas – there’s natural play area The Brash in the woodland, with sand pit, climbing frames and bug magnifiers, as well as a ‘green ship’ in The Copse which has more for older children, includng a spiro-giro, as well as similar natural play for younger kids.
Look out for children’s trails and craft activities throughout school holidays, as well as special sculpures which pop up from time to time, plus – of course – a whole string of gardens to explore, and some lovely seasonal walks.
H2 Outdoor, near Woolacombe
If you’re visiting North Devon with teens or adventurous older kids who want more than a walk from their holiday, H2 Outdoor in Bideford is perfect with lots of ways to get your heart racing.
From coasteering and kayaking to other fun water sports, it’s the ultimate outdoor adventure play.
Ultimate Adventure Centre, Abbotsham
If you’re based a little further south along the North Devon coast, there’s another opportunity to try all things adventurous at the well-named Ultimate Adventure Centre in Abbotsham near Bideford.
You can choose coasteering and watersports like Stand Up Paddleboarding as well as a water assault course, high ropes, archery and climbing wall. Even better, if you have particularly adventurous younger kids, plenty of the activities are suitable for age 5+.
Exmoor Zoo
If your kids love animals, you can’t miss a day out at Exmoor Zoo, home to the UK’s only black leopard.
And while you won’t find any giant wildlife parks in north Devon, this small zoo is a lovely option for a day out with kids and toddlers, including a focus on conservation of smaller animals.
Along with the ‘Exmoor Beast’, you can see a clouded leopard, but also various monkeys, cats and other smaller mammals (not least guinea pigs!) plus birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods (that’s bugs, spiders and snails).
There are also different talks and animal encounters taking place every half hour, with regularly changing themes
Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park
You might be thinking that dinosaurs don’t count for an animal-themed day out, but as the name suggests, Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur park has a small zoo as well as its lifesized animatronic dinosaurs.
With lemurs, meerkats, sea lions, monkeys galore and wolves among the inhabitants, along with capybara, raccoons, penguins and birds, you can easily fill a day with regular talks as well.
For younger kids, the animatronic models of dinosaurs will be as much of a hit on a family day out, with T-Rex and his friends waking up every hour, plus a Dino Express train, botanical garden and a fossil museum to discover too.
And that’s before you get to the Playzone. Billed as ‘the largest indoor playzone this side of North Devon!’, there are over 7,500 square feet of slides, tubes, scramble nets, rope bridges & more indoor soft play fun, plus an area for the under 2s.
Woolley Animals Farm Park, Winkleigh
A lovely day out for young children, you can encounter some of your favourite farm animals at Woolley Animals.
Cuddle guinea pigs, watch a sheepdog at work, groom the ponies, help milk the goats and even bottle feed the animals in Spring – you can even watch an alpaca have a shower or jump on a tractor trailer ride.
Entry to the farm park is only £5, so it’s a great value day out if you’re looking for cheap things to do in North Devon with kids.
Or you can join an Alpaca Walk (must be prebooked) – kids aged 10+ can lead their own, or under-10s can share the responsibility with an adult. The walk covers a one-mile route and lasts around an hour (alpacas are not known for their speed!), and the cost includes entry to the farm park.
Ilfracombe Aquarium
It’s hard to beat a visit to an aquarium while you’re by the seaside, and the Ilfracombe aquarium focuses on the marine life to be found around north Devon.
There are over 75 local species and a visit to the aquarium takes you right from the water source through lakes, rivers and ponds out to rockpools, harbours and the coast, and even a look at nearby Lundy Island.
It’s not a huge aquarium, so most visitors spend around 30-45 minutes, but it’s easy to fit into a day out (or if you’re trying to escape a passing shower on a rainy day in North Devon with kids).
There are also children’s trails and fish feeds among the family activities for younger visitors.
The Big Sheep theme park, Bideford
You’ll find two theme parks in North Devon but the Big Sheep at Bideford is easily the most unusual.
This working sheep farm has sheep racing as well as rides and rollercoasters, with everything from a gentle tractor safari to North Devon’s biggest, highest and fastest roller coaster, Rampage.
Kids can still get hands on with the animals at the little petting zoo, as well as feeding the lambs in Spring, and there are play areas for both rainy days and sun.
EWEtopia indoor play is one of the South West’s largest all-weather attractions, with a chance for adults to enjoy some of the fun as well, including giant multi-lane slides, while there are giant jumping pillows outdoors too. Throw in shows and special activities during the school holidays and it’s huge fun for all ages.
Milky Way Adventure Park, near Clovelly
If your kids love a few rides, there’s another North Devon theme park not far from The Big Sheep – the Milky Way Adventure Park near Clovelly has its own attractions as well as a separate area for preschoolers.
It’s a great option if you’re visiting North Devon in the rain with kids, with over 110,000 square feet of indoor fun including Little Stars soft play, ninja stars and laser shooting.
But there’s also plenty to entertain outdoors too. Along with the rides, you can watch a birds of prey show, explore the maze, watch shows and get your adrenaline thrills on the Gravity Rider 30ft tall donut slide.
Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe
For a family day out with a difference, Watermouth Castle has its own mix of family-friendly attractions – and this North Devon spot isn’t quite like anywhere else!
During a day out at the Victorian castle and its grounds, you can explore the dungeon labyrinths or enjoy the dancing fountains, burn off energy in the adventure playgrounds and toboggan runs, relax on the Big River ride, wander through the Gnome Village and the Mystical Water Gardens, pan for gold or listen to the mechanical robot organ.
All in all, it’s great for the whole family with plenty for younger kids as well as older siblings (not to mention parents).
Soft play in North Devon
If you’re visiting North Devon with younger kids and looking for ideas for a rainy day, it’s hard to beat an indoor soft play to let them burn off some energy.
And while you could also head to an indoor play area at one of the theme parks, such as Little Stars at The Milky Way, there are also some more budget-friendly options if you need an hour of fun for the family (and coffee for the adults).
JunglaRoo, Barnstaple
The largest indoor soft play centre in North Devon, JunglaRoo (formerly known as FunderZone) has plenty to keep kids entertained.
Well worth prebooking as it’s very popular in holidays and at weekends (plus you get a discount), there are two-hour timed slots to enjoy the slides, ball pools, nets and more. Socks must be worn (and there’s WiFi for grown-ups).
The Quay Centre, Braunton
If your kids are missing the beach, head to The Quay Centre for its indoor beach shack play area, with a nautical theme running throughout.
There are timed sessions lasting 90 minutes to make the most of the slides, climbing area and other fun. Must be prebooked.
World of Wonder, Bideford
Get ready for take-off at World of Wonder in Bideford, where you can check in to the ‘Wow’ airport before taking off down the runway slide, and discover some of the world’s greatest landmarks as you play.
Add in a new traversing wall and an interactive floor, plus a separate area for kids aged up to four, and play for babies to age 11 too.
Play Hive at Quince Honey Farm, South Molton
This working honey farm has some added temptations along with its sweet treats, including the Play Hive where kids can buzz around the indoor soft play.
There are climbing ropes and slides as well as the usual soft play fun, including a separate toddler and baby soft play, plus the Baby Bee sensory area for kids under two. And if the sun does come out, there’s an outdoor play area with picnic tables too)
Lynton & Barnstaple railway
Travel back through time on the UK’s only steam railway where passengers use Victorian railway carriages designed in the 1890s for every journey.
The Lynton and Barnstaple railway originally opened back in 1898 and the narrow gauge railway takes you from Woody Bay Station in Barnstaple to Killington Lane Halt and back again – the two-mile journey takes around 20 minutes but you’ll get views of moorland and coast as your stream train travels through the countryside.
Children aged under 14 travel free, although you can’t take pushchairs on board – there is buggy parking at the station though.
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway
There aren’t just steam trains to help you get around North Devon in style – save some time to take a ride on the historic Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway which first opened back in 1890.
The highest and steepest totally water-powered railway in the world, the funicular takes you 500ft up the cliff for amazing views (and cream teas at the top if you fancy).
In fact it’s one of only three totally water-powered railways left in the world at all (the others are in Portugal and Switzerland), so it’s unique in the UK – and as it travels through the heart of Exmoor National Park between Lynton and Lynmouth, you get some fabulous views out to the coast.
Arlington Court, Barnstaple
There aren’t quite as many stately homes in North Devon as in South Devon, but Arlington Court is definitely one of the more unusual National Trust sites to enjoy some family fun.
Home to the National Carriage Museum, you can also explore the Regency House, home to the Chichester family for over 500 years, with some fun trails for kids – one example is the ‘trail of things that don’t belong’, from Pokémon cards to Lego minifigures dotted around the historic home.
The vintage carriages at the Carriage Museum in the stables are equally fascinating, with everything from elegant coaches used for state occasions to rather more humble carts that would have carried servants.
Throw in 20 miles of walkways, bridleways and cycle routes through woodlands, as well as wild play areas in the grounds, and extra family activities during school holidays, and it’s a great day out with kids – if you’re already a National Trust member, it’s also a free day out!
Hartland Abbey, Hartland
At Hartland Abbey, the emphasis is on old-fashioned fun – appropriate given it’s the filming location for CBBC’s Malory Towers!
Fans can see where the classic books’ characters went to school, and there’s a Malory Towers trail to the film locations in the house and outdoors, plus a chance to see some behind-the-scenes shots in the Film Exhibition.
But even if your kids couldn’t care less about the Enid Blyton books, there’s plenty more to discover including a quiz to try inside the house, which is a former abbey, as well as nature trails outdoors. Plus plenty of space to play hide and seek and other games in the gardens, as well as woodland walks to the beach.
Kids can also meet the friendly donkeys Becky and Snowdrop (although do be aware they can kick and bite if they’re feeling in a less friendly mood), peacocks, guinea fowl, Black Welsh Mountain sheep and the bantams all fascinate children.
Visit Clovelly
A day out in Clovelly is one of the best places to visit in North Devon with kids – not because it’s packed with family attractions but because the whole village is such a gorgeous spot.
The working fishing village is set on a clifftop, and you’ll find no cars in the streets, only donkeys, which will suit younger kids down to the ground.
It’s a taste of some genuine living history, as well as being ridiculously pretty. You do have to pay a charge to enter to help with the upkeep of the village, but you can meet the donkeys, take some walks along the coast, discover Clovelly Court gardens and Clovelly’s little museum with its fisherman’s cottage, as well as strolling the streets.
North Devon Maritime Museum, Appledore
If you want to learn more about Devon’s seafaring history – including pirates and smugglers, as well as rather more law-abiding ship-builders, the North Devon Maritime Museum in Appledore is a great place for a visit.
There are model ships showing how designs changed from early Viking longships to medieval crafts and more modern ships, along with displays on the last sailing ships, plus those built at the Applefore shipyard (including parts of current aircraft carriers).
You can also learn about navigation, see weapons used by smugglers and find out more about the part Devon played in the Second World War D-Day landings, as well as a few interactive displays.
Museum of British Surfing, Braunton
One of the most unusual places to visit in North Devon with kids, the award-winning Museum of British Surfing in Braunton is perfect if the surf bug has bitten your kids.
There are surfboards galore and exhibits on the way surfing has developed over the years – in fact, the museum has the largest and most comprehensive public collection of surfboards and related memorabilia in Europe.
Along the way, you can discover surfing facts – did you know the earliest account of westerners surfing was in 1779 when Captain Cook’s crew had a go in Hawaii? – see historic surf manuals and pick up a surf souvenir or two.
Ilfracombe Museum
If you’re looking for a great indoor activity, the quirky Ilfracombe museum is home to both local displays and items from around the world.
Its eclectic collection includes natural history and archaeology, art and photography, plus costume and domestic history – with items ranging from wedding cake to a large python, a cupboard of British bats, plus a chance to try brass rubbing and Morse code.
Take a boat trip from Ilfracombe
There’s been a port at Ilfracombe since the 12th century, and while you’re more likely to be heading out for pleasure these days, it is still a working fishing port).
You’ll find plenty of boat trips running from the harbour, including to Lundy Island (read on for more about visiting the island) as well as coastal cruises to discover the coast and wildlife.
There are three trips to choose from aboard the Ilfracombe Princess – discover the smugglers’ caves and historic silver mines on a one-hour cruise that’s great for younger kids, or try the 90-minute tour which takes you on to Exmoor cliffs and waterfall as well, while a two-hour cruise takes you in the other direction to search for seals, with great views of Woolacombe Bay.
Or spot more seals, plus porpoises, dolphins and nesting sea birds with one of the small boat tours from Ilfracombe Sea Safari – there’s a maximum of 12 people aboard the catamaran and three Ribs, and the tours are suitable for all ages (and dogs!) with trips from one hour up to six hours. You can even swim with the seals.
And the Hampshire Rose, a former lifeboat, runs half-hour trips between Easter and the end of October half-term, with a chance to soak up the scenery and see wildlife – ideal for kids with short attention spans or if you’re short of time.
While you’re at the harbour, stop and have a look at Damien Hirst’s 66ft sculpture Verity, at the entrance to the harbour – weighing the same as four elephants, some love her, some definitely don’t, but she’s guaranteed to get people talking
Boat trip to Lundy Island
Lundy Island is a truly special part of the British Isles – just 10 miles of the coast of Devon, it’s a haven for wildlife and a beautiful place to explore with kids.
Only three miles long and half a mile wide, it’s easy to fill a day on the island – you’ll normally have between four and six hours to explore depending on sailing times, if you plan a day trip – with some lovely walks and a chance to spot wildlife including sheep, deer, goats, the pygmy shrew, birds galore and seals off the coast.
Famously, you can also spot puffins on the island, especially if you visit between April and July.
You can also discover ancient buildings from Lundy’s 4,000-year history of human habitation, from the remains of Bronze Age settlements to early Christian grave markers, a medieval castle, a Georgian lighthouse and a Victorian church.
MS Oldenburg sails from Bideford or Ilfracombe (depending on the tides) and the journey takes under two hours each way – it’s worth being aware that sometimes you’ll depart from one port and return to the other, although you can book a coach transfer back. If you’re lucky, pods of dolphins sometimes follow the ship, built back in 1958, on her journey.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. All opinions about the best things to do in North Devon with kids remain my own.
Rockpool image copyright MummyTravels, Lynton and Barnstaple railway & Watermouth Castle courtesy Picfair, all other images courtesy of Depositphotos
