Top Things to do in Devon
Countries
Things to do in Devon, England: The Best History Museums
From the wilds of Dartmoor to the wooded hillsides of the Lyn Valley, Devon is undoubtedly one of England's most beautiful counties. Its overwhelmingly rural landscape means that catered accommodation is restricted to over-subscribed Bed and Breakfasts and hotels which are mostly concentrated in towns like Exeter and Barnstaple.
Devon is a great location for a family holiday in the great outdoors, with everything from beach resorts at Ilfracombe to rambling in the hills of Exmoor and tors of Dartmoor. It is a large county, but whether you want to follow the Tarka Trail, or walk down the Doone Valley, you can be sure there will be cottages open for holiday rentals nearby.
Most of Devon's holiday rental cottages started as farm buildings of some sort, and planning restrictions mean that many of them retain their rural charm on the outside. However, the cottages are generally renovated to 21st Century standards inside, with double glazing, TV, washing machines and fully-equipped kitchens. Families are well catered for in the higher end properties with games rooms, sometimes including full-size pool tables and large gardens for children to explore.
Despite the unpredictability of Devon's weather even during the summer months, the comfort of these properties gives great peace of mind. Moreover, a week's holiday rental of a cottage in Devon can cost as little as £300 - £400. During the peak season you can spend as much as £900 a month for one of the larger or more luxurious cottages, which still works out to be cheaper than a lot of hotels, especially if you have to book several rooms to accommodate a family of four or five.
To get the best of Devon's startling countryside and its friendly communities, renting a holiday cottage near Lynton and Lynmouth can be a good start. It is a useful base from which to explore North Devon, and is within walking distance of several beauty spots, such as Watersmeet (complete with a small but impressive waterfall) and the Valley of the Rocks. Separated by a steep cliff, you can travel up a funicular railway from coastal Lynmouth to clifftop Lynton, with plenty of stunning walks, shopping opportunities and several beaches and boat trips to nearby coastal attractions.
The twin villages also boast a concentration of well-equipped holiday cottages, from modest fisherman's cottages on the path to Watersmeet to grander hillside houses on the way to the Valley of the Rocks. Whatever your budget, Lynton and Lynmouth can provide some tempting accommodation options for your first Devon holiday.
Restaurants in Devon
1. Totnes Image Bank Photographic Archive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. South West Airfields Heritage Trust
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
RAF Coastal Command operating with USAAF and US Navy in the persuit of U Boats during the Battle of The Atlantic. A unique collection of photographs showing the daily lives and missions as well as many WW2 artefacts. Videos/interactive displays. Toilets and restaurant next door at the Aviator Restaurant. Open 11am - 4pm Thurs to Sunday Good Friday to end of October.
3. Torre Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 801 reviews
Welcoming visitors for over 800 years . . . Torre Abbey is Torbay's most historic building, a scheduled ancient monument dating back to 1196 and set within 18 acres of garden and parkland. It’s also a multi-award-winning visitor attraction housing an impressive art collection boasting over 600 incredible works of art from the 18th century to the present day. Meanwhile, our 800 Years Gallery uses state-of-the-art technology to tell the abbey’s fascinating story through videos, talking portraits and interactive displays. This Torbay Council-owned museum and gardens is also a centre for creativity and culture, offering events and workshops as well as hosting world-class exhibitions alongside creative work from the cream of local talent. We also pride ourselves on being family friendly with a range of activities available for youngsters, both inside the historic buildings and outside in our gardens. Visit our website for the latest information about our COVID19 safety measures.
Reviewed By ystrdy - Torquay, United Kingdom
Look out for the lesser spotted head gardener and her sidekick who will be more than happy to help you with info regarding the huge range of rare and beautiful plants in the walled garden. Definitely worth a visit- especially the fantastic Palm house with its 400 varieties of weird and wonderful plants!! Enjoy!!
4. Totnes Elizabethan House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Totnes Museum is now open for 2019. This year we have three new exhibitions. We look forward to welcoming you to the Museum. The Totnes Elizabethan House Museum is a great way to spend a day out in Totnes, whatever the weather outside! What will you want to see? Our resident ghost? Our Elizabethan Herb garden? Our medieval kitchen? Our collection of medicines from the middle ages? Our spiral staircase made from a ship's mast? Or is it Totnes' illustrious son, Charles Babbage, who invented the first mechanical computer, whatever your interest in history is the Totnes Museum is a fascinating place to spend of few hours of your time.
Reviewed By Micklah
A preserved Elizabethan house, this houses Totnes Museum. Popular with visitors because the museum holds a donation policy (other museums...take note.) Three floors covering the history of Totnes from pre-Roman times to the present day. Includes a herb garden at the back and a gallery especially dedicated to Charles Babbage, the man who laid the foundation for what was to become computer technology (just think: thanks to him we now have people who's whole lives are controlled by a mobile telephone when you see them walking and texting at the same time trying not to bump into people. Thanks Charlie! ????)
5. Great Torrington Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
6. South West Airfields Heritage Trust
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
WW2 Heritage Centre. Narrative, video, photographs and artefacts tell the story of this airfield's role in D-Day. Also Band of Brothers. USN and RAF. The Centre is open from Good Friday until the end of October.
7. Ilfracombe Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
A local independently-run museum with an eclectic flavour, Ilfracombe museum has eight rooms filled with treasures. We have natural history specimens from around the world and plenty to see about Ilfracombe's past. Come and experience a museum that is unique and family-friendly. Children can explore our insect, bat and spider specimens, have a go at a dinosaur quiz, or send Morse code messages. Try your hand at brass rubbing, or browse our great value gift shop. We also have extensive photographic and family history resources for Ilfracombe. Our museum is a perfect all-weather attraction and can be easily accessed by wheelchair. Pay parking in car park outside the museum. Children under 16 FREE, £5 for adults, £4.00 concessions. Annual season ticket £7.50
Reviewed By Golfbabes - Trowbridge, United Kingdom
I Was very sceptical about visiting as it’s tucked away and looks small. But once inside it’s like a tardis. Excellent museum lots of local exhibits and very interesting. Staff friendly and helpful. Well worth the small fee. Perfect on a wet day.
8. Museum of Dartmoor Life
9. Brixham Heritage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Brixham Heritage Museum was delighted to be awarded a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for 2015, the third year running, thank you all for making this possible! We were also joint winners of the Family Friendly Museum Award in 2013,despite nationwide competition. We offer a choice of activities which are suitable for a variety of ages, and we hold many 'special days' both within and outside of our Museum. There are opportunities to become amateur archaeologists, no matter how young, and many other "hands-on" experiences are found on both floor levels inside the building.For all visitors there are a variety of displays ranging from the prehistoric to the 1950s, with particular emphasis on the maritime industry of the area. We also offer Family History Research for all areas, and hold regular talks and social activities. For further information please view our website.
Reviewed By jjbl0ndie - Coventry, United Kingdom
As someone who has been to hundreds of museums, this one is excellent. A Tardis-like gem, it has a wide variety of exhibits which are well presented. The text panels have just the right amount of detail. Children also seemed to be engaged by various objects on display. In COVID times, they have installed an easy-to-follow one way system, and they limit guest numbers on entry.
10. Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Our centre is based inside this beautiful grade one listed church. We have loads of local historical information, displays and activities for all the family. Our volunteers can help with all tourist information and the centre is the perfect place to pick up a leaflet and start a town trail.
