The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Devon, England

Woolacombe beach is family owned & family run with families in mind. We provide car parks, a lifeguard service, toilets, first aid and food and beach goods outlets.

Lift your gaze to the world’s longest uninterrupted Gothic stone vaulted cathedral ceiling. Discover Scott’s sledging flag from the legendary British Antarctic Expedition. Marvel at the medieval astronomical clock. With a thousand years of history, stunning architecture, unique treasures, musical and spiritual heritage, you’ll feel inspired from the moment you step inside Exeter Cathedral.

In light of the advice from the Government about COVID-19 the Underground Passages are closed to the public until further notice. Dating from 14th century, these medieval passages under Exeter High Street are a unique ancient monument: no similar system of passages can be explored by the public elsewhere in Britain. The Passages have long exercised a fascination over local people, with stories of wars and sieges, plague and pestilence! Their purpose was simple: to bring clean drinking water from natural springs in fields lying outside the walled city, through lead pipes into the heart of the city. The pipes sometimes sprang leaks and repairs to buried pipes could only be carried out by digging them up as we do today. To avoid this disruption the passages were vaulted and it is down some of these vaulted passageways that visitors are guided.The Passages are dark and narrow with a fascinating history. Visitors can experience interactive and educational exhibits in the Underground Passages Heritage Centre and watch a short video presentation before their guided tour.

Tucked away in a deep wooded valley, Berry Pomeroy Castle is the perfect romantic ruin with a colourful history of intrigue. Within the 15th-century defences of the Pomeroy family castle, looms the dramatic ruined shell of its successor, the great Elizabethan mansion of the Seymours. Begun in around 1560 and ambitiously enlarged from around 1600, their mansion was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon, a match for Longleat and Audley End. Never completed, and abandoned by 1700, it became the focus of blood-curdling ghost stories, recounted in the audio tour. The location of the castle makes it ideal for walkers who can explore the nearby beautiful woodland or you can enjoy a light lunch, home made cake or restorative cup of tea in the cafe. Within a short drive are Totnes Castle and Dartmouth Castle, making it an ideal day out for families.

Kents Cavern, a UNESCO site, is Britain's Oldest known prehistoric home. You are led by a guide through a labyrinth of undergound natural passages used by humankind for thousands of years. Neanderthals and the very first Britons occupied the caves. Here Victorian explorers combined geological time and fossil remains to reveal the antiquity of humanity. Open daily for guided tours. See natural caverns, amazing formations, remains of mammoth, woolly rhino, sabre-toothed cats. These is an Ice Age woodland trail quest, shop and restaurant with views over the Ilsham Valley. Located in Torquay, birth place of Agatha Christie, the caves are part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, 1.5kms from Torquay Harbour, close to the South West Coast Path. The caves inspired writers like Agatha Christie, Beatrix Potter and more recently folk-horror writer Adam Nevill. Perfect on any day all year. Pre-booking online essential to visit this UNESCO geological and cultural heritage site.

Gin Distillery that offers a variety of three different tours, shop and cocktail lounge Booking advisable for tours

The Tarka Trail is a pedestrian and cycle way within the North Devon Biosphere Reserve. This page is for the 48km, shared-use section between Braunton and Meeth which runs along the line of an old railway. It is part of the National Cycle Network and totally traffic free. Along this stretch, interpretation boards and other information help you discover the heritage, culture and natural features you can see. Horses are also welcome between Torrington (Servis bridleway) and Meeth. Further detailed information, including maps can be found in the Tarka Trail Guide available online from the website and in local bookshops, museums and Tourist Information Centres.

With an enchanting mix of children's activities and nostalgic blasts from the past, Watermouth Castle appeals to kids from 1 to 100 years of age! Welcome to one of Devon's premier tourist attractions.

With acres of indoor fun and acres of outdoor activities, The Milky Way Adventure Park is a fantastic all-weather family experience! The park has a fantastic NEW 2020 addition – the Ninja Stars games arena with Tag Active scoring, designed to be fun for the whole family. Save Planet Earth on Ziggy's Blast Quest, an interactive ride that's a huge hit with all ages. Ride the Cosmic Typhoon roller coaster, whizz down the Gravity Rider donut slide, have a bumping good time on the Droid Destroyer dodgems, negotiate the maze and go wild in the Time Warp, North Devon’s biggest indoor adventure play area. Watch top live shows featuring Merlin from Britain’s Got Talent, as well as fantastic displays from the North Devon Bird of Prey Centre. Little ones will love the Little Stars play centre, huge bouncing pillows, Cosmic Caterpillar ride, pottery painting and the mini-train. All rides and shows are included in the entrance fee at The Milky Way but do book ahead as spaces are limited.