I have compiled this list of Autumn days out in Devon on a budget because we’re always looking for wholesome fun that won’t break the bank.
We’re a family of 6, so we like to keep it cheap, not complicated, and fun, and days like these have often been our favourite days out! Therefore, this list of Autumn days out in Devon on a budget guide consists of places you can visit for free / cheaply / utilise memberships.
I have included information for National trust activities, PYO pumpkin patches and a beach walk in each area. For a more detailed list of pumpkin patches head over to our Where to Pick Pumpkins in Devon post. Alternatively, if a busy patch isn’t your idea of fun then maybe our Where to Collect Conkers post in Devon is more suitable. If you click on the heading to each day out, you will be redirected to their webpages.
Mid and East Devon
Wildwood
Ottery St Mary EX11 1LU – See their website for entrance prices.
An admission fee applies with Wildwood however we feel compared to other wildlife/farm parks that it’s really fairly priced. If you’re local a reasonably priced membership is also something to think about.
This is definitely one of our go-to days out when the weather is mixed and those days when being home might involve a bit of refereeing! The distraction from seeing the animals and the play equipment dotted around the park provides us all with a good dose of fresh air and sanity! Plus the animal talks are well worth hanging around for, we found out loads of interesting facts about the Wolves.
Legend had it that one hundred years ago, a witch known as Winifred used to live in the woods at Wildwood Devon. She was known as the Witch of Wildwood, and on a full moon could be seen flying over the wolves as they howled, until one cold Halloween day the witch disappeared never to be seen again… until now!
Head to Wildwood Devon to create potions, and make wands to find out more about Winifred as well as a pumpkin trail and carving. No need to book – their half-term program is running from Saturday 21 – to Sunday 29 October.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth, Devon EX10 0NU – Free admission, open 9-5pm (last admission 4.30)
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We love visiting the donkey sanctuary as they have a new play area, daily talks and a roomy cafe with a view! They serve a wide range of food, snacks, and drinks for when you fancy a break from making a picnic. Explore the sanctuary through the haunted hay bales to find the Neddies’ secret hiding spots and collect stamps for each Halloween Neddy. This activity costs £5 and includes a prize once completed. Head to the Gift Shop to pick up a trail sheet and you’re ready to take on the haunted hay bales. Top tip wear wellies or suitable footwear as can get muddy due to footfall.
Bridwell Park
Uffculme, Cullompton EX15 3BU– Free admission for Bridwell members | A small admission charge is applied to non-members with a £2 token to spend in the Orangery. Please visit their page for details of Artisan Market Day and half-term workshops.
Bridwell is running pop-up craft workshops throughout the half term (22nd-29th of October) We love to get crafty, so with workshops from Pom Stitch Tassel, Happy Glaze Pottery and more inspired nature crafts, I’m hopeful we will join in with at least one of the workshops. After you’ve got crafty I can recommend walking in the parkland and enjoying a Willy’s Cacoa hot chocolate or Halloween milkshake and a sweet treat under the twinkly fairy lights of the Orangery.
PYO Pumpkins in Mid Devon
Orway Porch Farm and Halburton Court Farm Shop
National Trust Activities
Killerton – Five shy bats and five cheeky pumpkins are hiding in the trees around the park and garden. Follow the trail of pumpkin arrows to find them, their jokes, bat facts and three challenges. Pick up your trail sheet for £1.00 from Visitor Reception on arrival. 10am-5pm 20th October – 31st October Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon, EX5 3LE
Knightshayes – Pick up an Autumn Spotter Trail and go on an adventure around the gardens and parkland. See if you can find all of the colours on our Autumn colour wheel, and match the leaves you find to your handy Autumn leaves guide. 10am-4pm 20th October to 31st October Knightshayes, Bolham, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7RQ
Autumn Beach Walks
Budleigh Salterton – Walk alongside the River Otter ( Keep an eye out for Beavers) or walk along the beach promenade and enjoy a hot chocolate at the Longboat Cafe.
RAMM in Exeter
Exeter Queen Road EX4 3RX Entry to RAMM is free.
Explore fascinating exhibitions and modern amenities at Exeter’s world-class museum. Discover Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections, be delighted by colourful animals, birds, and insects, step into a world of innovative contemporary art, and travel the globe in their World Cultures galleries.
To keep little ones entertained you can follow the museum trails, immerse their experience with a sound journey (headphones provided) and/or pick up a free Beastie Bag from one of the museum receptions. They will be running cave art, cave critter and mythical monster activities throughout half term. Do check their website for details on timings and activity prices.
Haldon Forest
Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XR
If we are treated to an Autumnal crisp day this half-term week then this will be at the top of our activity list! Walking the Zog trail and cycling on the beginner trail for our youngest / more experienced cycle trails for our teens at Haldon Forest will be wonderful.
PYO Pumpkins Nr Exeter
Jolly Pumpkins and Darts Farm.
South Devon
Dartmoor
You can easily combine a walk in Dartmoor with a trip to the House of Marbles. One of our favourite Dartmoor walks is in either Hound Tor or Haytor. Both of which will absolutely blow the spooky cobwebs away this half-term!
The House of Marbles
The Old Pottery, Pottery Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9DS
A fun way to spend an hour. Take a visit to the House of Marbles (free to enter) to discover all about glass blowing, marble making, and giant marble runs, and pick and mix your own marbles with pocket money. They are running a few competitions this summer including designing your own marble.
Cockington Court
Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington, TQ2 6XA
Apocalyptic Alien Halloween Trail is running 10.30am-4.30pm from 23rd October to 31st October
Complete the Apocalyptic alien trail by navigating the contamination zones across the site and hunting down the elusive antidote created by Dr Who in his famous Tardis. You might even see an alien or two! They are also running a Spooky space party on the 27th of October – see their events for more details.
Cofton Holiday Swimming Pool
Starcross, Nr Dawlish, EX6 8RP
Open to day visitors, you and your kids can enjoy a swim in the heated indoor pool with its splash pads and bubbling water jets. There is also an on-site cafe, high ropes (paid activity) and a free soft play area. Check the website for booking and timetable information.
St Andrew’s Wood
Nr Kingsbridge, TQ7 4EA -OS Map ReferenceSX 714 519
A beautiful patch of Devon Wildlife Trust woodlands and meadows. Look through the leaf litter and maybe spot the nibbled hazelnuts left by local dormice.
Dartington Trust
Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EL
Families can enjoy the kids nature trail within the gardens, with inspired nature activities including bug hotels, den building and more. For October they have a Halloween Pumpkin Trail, included in your ticket price. A family ticket of 2 adults and up to 6 kids is £15 – see their website for more details.
We have been to a theatre performance at Dartington Trust before and thoroughly enjoyed it. We feel it is really reasonably priced and is a quirky fun experience! This half term they have Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers. All around the world, Roald Dahlʼs words are disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too! Now only a secret organisation known as the Ancient Guild of TaleTenders can save the stories – and they need your help…A mischievous & inventive theatrical family show for 6 – 10 year olds.
The show develops both creative and literacy skills through performance, games and creative play while exploring Roald Dahl’s extraordinary stories, including The BFG and The Twits along the way. 11am or 1pm, Thursday 26 October 2023
They’re also holding a roller disco at 11:30am, 1:30pm or 3:30pm, Sunday 29 October 2023
National Trust Activities
Lydford Gorge – Follow the apple trail around the orchard – pick up a sheet at the visitor’s centre. Running daily, between 10am and 3pm, from Friday 29 September to Sunday 29 October. You could also take a hike into the gorge to spot some signs of autumn. Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH
Saltram -Pick up a trail sheet from the Welcome Centre and follow the trail around the garden to discover the folklore tales surrounding the superstition and magical properties of trees. Collect a wand from the wand shop at the Welcome Centre (or bring your own) and cast magical spells around the garden at each of the trail points. The trail is free, admission charges apply for the garden, and members are free. Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 1UH
Coleton Fishacre – Did you know some of the first-ever fabric dyes were made from plants? Excite the senses this October and step among the autumn trees on a Wild Colour trail. There are also Wild Wednesdays taking place from 11am-1pm on 18 and 25 October. Try your hand at natural art and see how creative you can be, or get active with nets and ropes in the woodland area. 10.30am-4pm Sat 21st October throughout half term. Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Devon, TQ6 0E
Buckland Abbey -Explore the gardens for wonderfully watery Halloween trails! Our smallest visitors can spot fairy doors hidden around the garden, while older children will enjoy learning the legends of different water sprites as they explore. Halloween costumes are encouraged! There are also craft opportunities and workshops: see their website for details. Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6EY 10am-5pm October 22nd-29th
PYO Pumpkins in South Devon
Devon pumpkin Picking in Newton Abbot, Strawberry Fields in Lifton, Surfing cow and South Devon Farm.
Autumn Beach Walks
Walk from Salcombe to North Sands stopping at the Winking Prawn cafe before heading back to the town. If you have tired little legs you can cheat and get a ferry to North / South Sands or Mill Bay for a beach play.
North Devon
RHS Rosemoor
Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8PH
Join the spooky fun this half term at RHS Garden Rosemoor, with activities for all the family to enjoy. Explore the autumnal garden with our family trail, join our spooky craft workshop, or make your own pumpkin creature. Don’t miss Witch Hazel’s fancy dress Halloween Disco. Garden admission applies; free to RHS members and children under 5. Activities are included with garden admission. See the website for non-member admission charges. Anyone in receipt of benefits can visit for £1.
Quince Honey Farm
The unique hexagonal-themed Nectar Gardens display thousands of bee-friendly plants. Go off and explore the meadow trails and let the kids buzz around the large indoor and outdoor play area. This is a day out that can be tailored to suit your budget. Choose from free entry to the pumpkin patch or pay to visit the full attraction including the play barn.
Exmoor Dark Skies festival
Head over to their website for a range of events or simply head to the National Park for an Autumn Picnic tea in the car with blankets and head out for a torch-lit exploration and star gaze.
National Trust Activities
Arlington Court – Take part in the Scarecrow trail -Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception and head out to explore the grounds and gardens spotting scarecrows, which have been made by local schools, staff and volunteers. Running 21st-30th October 10am-4pm Arlington, near Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4L
Baggy Point – Take part in the Baggy Point Autumn trail, starting at Sandleigh tea rooms there are 8 activities to complete around the coastal headland. This trail included two circular routes, one shorter, for little legs (about one mile) and one longer (just over two miles). Collect a free trail sheet from the tea rooms. Moor Lane, Croyde, Devon, EX33 1PA
PYO Pumpkins in North Devon
Quince Honey Farm and Braunton Pumpkin Patch
Autumn Beach Walks
If Baggy Point seems a bit adventurous head to Saunton Sands beach for a long stretch of beach and a cafe pick me up!
I hope that this post gives you some inspiration for Autumn days out in Devon on a budget. I would love to hear from you if you visit any of these places or if you have any other recommendations. We wish you a fun and enjoyable half-term holiday!
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