Skip to content
back to Devon
Family playing football on the grass in front of the house at Saltram
Fun and games in front of the house at Saltram | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Family-friendly places around Devon and Exmoor

From rock pooling on beautiful beaches to exploring historic houses, there are plenty of places to enjoy a great family day out around Devon and Exmoor.

What's on for May half term in Devon?

Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Saltram 

Unleash your energy on a Pokémon adventure this May half-term, celebrating the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series.

Pokémon Mega Evolution Trails

Manga with Mia drawing workshop at Saltram 

Whether you’re new to the world of Japanese art, or if you love manga and anime characters and would like to create your own, come and join us this half term.

Visitors enjoying a picnic in the grounds of Saltram estate, Devon

Historic food trail at Buckland Abbey 

Discover the different types of food grown and eaten at Buckland Abbey through the ages. You will also find lawn games in the garden and a food spotters trail in the Abbey.

Visitors in the garden at Buckland Abbey, Devon

Blossom trail at Knightshayes 

Wander the blossom‑filled garden, collect stamps at seasonal highlights and soak up the scents and colours of the season. Take home a keepsake postcard.

Children playing in the gardens at Knightshayes, Devon.

Forest school and family fun days at Lorna Doone 

Join us on 25 May for a forest school session and learn skills like campfire cooking, woodworking and whittling. Or come along on 27 May for a free family fun day full of crafting and nature discovery.

Forest School Photo

Build a miniature garden at Overbeck's 

Use a range of materials to make a miniature model of a garden with Elaura, our crafty workshop lady. Suitable for ages 5-15yrs.

Visitors on the terrace, with views overlooking the Salcombe Estuary at Overbeck's, Devon

Silent disco beach clean at Woolacombe 

Looking for something different to do with the family? Join us for our monthly silent disco beach cleans with Plastic Free Woolacombe and North Devon Silent Disco.

A ranger with a litter picker claw on a beach clean at Woolacombe

Community litter pick at Wembury 

Enjoy this beautiful landscape whilst helping us to keep this special place clean and tidy.

A woman and young girl walk along the shoreline in warm clothes, rocks in the background

Family-friendly houses and gardens in Devon

Find all the best houses and gardens for your family to visit.

Saltram 

Find family-friendly activities to do at Saltram, from exploring the estate and gardens to seasonal events.

Mother and daughter enjoy exploring Saltram house and looking at the Chinese Wallpaper

Knightshayes 

Discover the house at Knightshayes. See the details behind architect William Burges's gothic façade and a portrait that may be by Rembrandt.

Children playing in the park at Knightshayes

Killerton 

Explore the garden, woods and parkland at Killerton. With an estate that covers 6,400 acres, you'll find fun and adventures for children of all ages.

Visitors inside the Bear Hut, looking out of the window at Killerton, Devon

Arlington Court 

There's lots of family fun to be had at Arlington Court. Discover a house full of treasures, an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles and over 20 miles of walkways, bridleways and cycle routes to explore.

Family walking in the grounds of Arlington Court with two dogs

Buckland Abbey 

Whether it's a woodland adventure, an amazing story of life on the high seas or a tasty treat from the coffee shop, there's something for all the family to enjoy at Buckland Abbey this winter.

Young visitors playing board games at Buckland Abbey, Devon

Greenway 

From garden games to spotting wildlife on the river, there's an adventure for kids big and small.

Children playing in the garden during a rain shower at Greenway, Devon

Coleton Fishacre 

Discover a host of activities at Coleton Fishacre to keep the whole family entertained and help you create memories together. What adventures will you have next?

Visitors walking by the stream at Bodnant Garden, North Wales

Castle Drogo 

Visit this family home and castle on the edge of Dartmoor. It’s the last castle to be built in England and has views across the Teign Gorge in Devon.

Children looking through binoculars outside

Family friendly places on Exmoor

Family Fun at Dunster Castle and Watermill 

Looking for a fun family day out this spring? As the days brighten and the gardens wake up, Dunster Castle is full of seasonal colour and fresh air adventures. Whether you’re wandering among blooming borders, spotting early wildlife, or uncovering fascinating castle stories, there’s something for everyone to get involved in.

A group of visitors walking past an archway entrance at Dunster Castle

Family-friendly things to do at Fyne Court 

Fyne Court is a brilliant place for families to explore. Find out more about the activities you can enjoy together.

Family exploring Fyne Court

Things to do in Lorna Doone Valley 

Discover this hidden valley in Exmoor, made famous by R.D. Blackmore in his novel Lorna Doone and home to a wide variety of wildlife such as red deer and Exmoor ponies.

Man on a mountain bike in the woods

Things to do, rain or shine

The British weather can be unpredictable, so we've pulled together ideas to help keep the family busy ... whatever the weather!

Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do when it’s raining 

We've compiled a selection of items from the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list that are perfect for rainy days, so grab your waterproofs and get involved.

Boy jumping in a puddle. The boy is wearing a woolly hat and wellies

Things to do in the rain at Killerton 

Killerton is a great place to visit whatever the weather, with the Georgian house hosting the National Trust’s biggest fashion collection, with plenty of playful interactives for young visitors.

Two visitors with colourful umbrellas brave the wet weather to walk along the pathways around the grounds at Killerton, Devon

Things to do in the rain at Saltram 

Discover Saltram’s indoor treasures whilst seeking out ‘Mischief Makers’ and 'hidden critters' in the house. Enjoy varied Thursday crafts in the play tent, and don’t miss Wild Wednesday’s rainproof fun in Stable 6.

Mother and daughter enjoy exploring Saltram house and looking at the Chinese Wallpaper

Things to do in the rain at Buckland Abbey 

With lots of indoor activities such as the Book Nook, dancing fun in the Barn, storytelling and crafts (selected dates), not to mention an amazing Abbey to explore, there’s plenty to do even if the rain pays us a visit this summer.

A child dressed in a crown and rainbow wings in the foreground watches another child and an adult run around

Family-friendly countryside and beaches

Discover places to explore in the fresh air with all the family.

Wembury 

From water sports on the beach to rock-pooling with the family, discover the adventures to be had when you visit Wembury and the surrounding areas.

Visitors rockpooling at Wembury Beach, Wembury, Devon

Parke 

Explore the historic estate of Parke on the edge of Dartmoor, with its walled garden and mixed orchard plus abundant wildlife along the river.

A family of four are strolling through woodland at Rowallane Garden, County Down, where the leaves on the trees have turned yellow. The family is looking at something out of the shot.

Lydford Gorge 

This spring find a prehistoric world full of crashing water and new growth with plenty of outdoor fun and adventure for all the family at Lydford Gorge.

Family standing on bridge looking for fish in the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon

Plymbridge Woods 

Discover what you can do when visiting Plymbridge Woods, a 'bridge' between rugged open, windswept moorland and the city of Plymouth and the coast.

Two children walk down steps outside at Plymbridge Woods, Devon in the summer

Heddon Valley 

Explore the wooded river valley reaching inland down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth. Heddon Valley's walking routes include two accessible routes for all-terrain mobility scooters with Tramper.

Visitors walking at Heddon Valley, Devon

South Milton Sands 

Follow the coast path to the pretty village of Hope Cove, enjoy some water sports or stay longer and enjoy some stargazing – there's something for everyone at South Milton Sands.

Child with a net explores rockpools at South Milton Sands, Devon

Things to see and do at Woolacombe 

From its ideal surfing conditions to its array of rock pools, Woolacombe remains one of North Devon’s best-loved beaches. Find out more about what you can see and do here.

Surfer at Woolacombe on a cloudy day

Things to do at Baggy Point 

Get closer to nature and explore what Baggy Point has to offer along North Devon’s rugged landscape.

A child explores the rocky paths with adults in the background around Baggy Point, Devon

All family-friendly places around Devon and Exmoor

    The South Front and lawn at Knightshayes on a sunny day

    Discover more in Devon

    Journey from wild coasts, moorland and curious historic houses to lush gardens and beaches in Devon.

    Explore Devon

    Sign up to hear more from the National Trust

    By sharing your email address you’re agreeing to receive marketing emails from the National Trust and confirm you’re 18 years old or over. Please see our for more information on how we look after your personal data.