I have compiled this list of October half-term days out in Devon on a budget because I often find that the lists of days out and activities I come across in other publications usually involve fairly expensive family tickets and frequently busy tourist hotspots that we don’t enjoy.
We look for days out that provide us with wholesome fun that won’t break the bank. We’re a family of 6 so we like to keep it cheap, uncomplicated and fun. Days like these have often been our favourite days out!
Our list of October half term days out in Devon on a budget guide is made up of places you can visit for free / cheaply / utilise memberships. I have included some of our favourite coastal areas and beaches. We mostly try to take picnics with us, extra snacks, and sometimes squeeze two of these nearby places to make a full day.
If you’re looking for pumpkin patches and pumpkin-picking events, then please head to this post
10 best pumpkin picking patches in Devon
Exeter and South Devon
Brixham Harbour and Berry Head Walk
Brixham Marina Car Park
Head to Brixham Harbour located on the southern side of Tor Bay which boasts one of the largest fishing fleets in the UK, plus a thriving fish market to support it.
Over 100 fishing boats land and sell their catch at the local fish market on the quayside. A visitor viewing platform is strategically placed so visitors can watch the busy comings and goings of the fishing fleet, made up of large beam trawlers and the smaller day boats.
We spotted a bottle-nosed dolphin called Dolly, near the small lighthouse at the end of the harbour wall. Extend your visit and walk to Berry Head a National Nature Reserve. This stunning headland, with its iconic lighthouse and Napoleonic Fort, is surrounded by water on three sides and offers exceptional views across Torbay and beyond.
Cockington Village and Country Park
Torquay TQ2 6XA
Cockington Country Park is a beautiful mix of picturesque well-ordered garden landscapes, open parkland, rural countryside and substantial woodland. Tucked amongst this 450-acre country park are three, pretty ornamental lakes, a historic Manor House with craft centre and studios, a chocolate box village, delightful thatched cottages and a quaint 11th-century church. Lovely for a historic wander!
Apple Day is returning to Cockington Court this Autumn on Sunday 12 October 2025 and promises a day packed with activities and family fun! There’ll be a range of arts and crafts, live music, and food and drink stalls, as well as apple-inspired activities, including a traditional apple press demonstration on our front lawn. It’s free to attend and no advanced booking is needed.
As of yet, there haven’t been any half-term events published but keep an eye out on their page to see if this changes.
Pay and display car parks at the village centre (take cash)
Haldon Forest
Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XR Open 7am-9pm
My kids love to ride their bikes on the various trails. There is also something fun in store for little ones with the stick man trail. Pick up a Stick Man Trail leaflet to help you complete the trail, which is available for just £1 – you get a sticker and pencil too! Pick one up from the Info Pod.
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.
On October 30th they are running Halloween clay modelling workshops. See their events page to book your session. Each ticket holder will get everything needed to create spooky clay characters, including one pack of modelling clay per ticket holder, which is more than enough to create multiple designs. Price £5.99 per child.
The Box
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AX. Open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday
Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive with a 2022 European Museum of the Year Special Commendation.
26 Oct – Dress up in your scariest Halloween outfits and join in with craft activities, magical science experiments, music and dancing. This is sure to be a spooktacular event for all the family! The Box Kitchen & Bar will be open until late, offering a special Halloween menu filled with tasty treats. This is a cashless event, so please bring a card. Please note: all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and everyone attending (adults and children) needs a ticket. See website for details – tickets cost. £8.
RAMM in Exeter
Royal Albert Memorial, Museum & Art Gallery, Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RX – see website for opening times
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.
This half term, learn more about the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians with their fun workshops. See their website for more information. Price £5.50 per child.
To keep little ones entertained you can also 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. ,
Hound Tor
A real blow the cobwebs away walk up to Hound Tor and the medieval village. Great views, lots of scrambling over rocks and fun geocaching to be had. Find out more about walking Hound Tor and Haytor here.
Beaches in South Devon
Even though we’re heading into the cooler months, it is still a great time of year to blow away the cobwebs with a walk and play on the beach.
Here are our recommendations for South Devon beaches to enjoy your October half term days out in Devon:
Mill Bay beach, Bigbury on Sea and Bantham.
NT Buckland Abbey
Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6EY Open 10am-5pm
18 October – 2 November, 10am-4pm daily
The Piskies that caused mischief at Buckland Abbey during the Spring are back and this time they’re squabbling with the resident Buckland Trolls who have just woken up from their summer slumber. Come and see what games and tricks they play on each other and help out your selected side, are you #TeamTroll or #TeamPiskie? Pick up your trail sheet from Visitor Welcome and declare your allegiance with a sticker. Free event (normal admissions applies). Booking not required.
Harvest Weekend 25 and 26 October, 10am – 5pm daily
Celebrate a bountiful harvest at Buckland Abbey. The Garden team have been working hard and grown squashes and pumpkins galore! They’ll be showing off, their hard work as part of a beautiful autumnal display in the Great Barn. Join in the celebrations, with classic family games such as sack racing and apple and spoon races. Help create beautiful leaf bunting or take part in some autumnal crafts.
There will be seasonal treats in the café and delicious cider & mead tastings in the shop.
Admission charges apply. Free entry for National Trust members.
NT Saltram
Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 1UH Open 10am 4.15pm.
Magic and Myths – October Half-Term Trail
25 October –9 November
This October half term, follow the trail around the garden at Saltram to find all the magical creatures and collect the spells to complete your magical training. Select a wand and spell book from the wand shop at the Welcome Centre (or bring your own) and cast your charms around the garden at each of the trail points. For younger witches or wizards, the pesky pumpkins have returned, and they are hiding high and low around the garden.
NT Lydford Gorge
This is a free paperless trail starting at the Devil’s Cauldron entrance. You could also take a hike down to the Devil’s Cauldron before it shuts for winter.
Running daily, between 10am and 3pm, from Wednesday 8 October to Sunday 2 November.
NT Castle Drogo
25 October -2 November
Join in the October half term for a tour around the gardens featuring games and activities all about time. Do you know what the time is? Have you asked Mr Wolf? Make sure to pop up to Castle Drogo… if you have time!
Normal admission applies.
Mid & East Devon
Wildwood
Ottery St Mary EX11 1LU
An admission fee applies with Wildwood but we feel compared to other wildlife/farm parks that it’s really fairly priced. If you’re local a reasonable 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 with a dose of fresh air and sanity! The animal talks are well worth hanging around for, we found out loads of interesting facts about the Wolves.
This half term, take a step back in time with Saxon activities, learn ancient crafts, experience life as a Saxon, and immerse yourself in the rich history that shaped this land.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Slade House Farm, Weston, Sidmouth EX10 0NU Open 9am-5pm
We love visiting the donkey sanctuary as they have a roomy cafe with a view, serving a wide range of food, snacks, and drinks for when we fancy a break from making a picnic. They often have fun trails around the sanctuary (pick up a sheet for a small fee in the gift shop), a play park, donkey talks, and plenty of space to walk around and visit numerous donkey sheds. It’s the kind of outing that helps fill a day where you can get out for a few hours to keep sane!
Top tip, the cafe is pretty good and well worth having lunch if your budget allows it. Head to the Gift Shop to pick up a trail sheet, and you’re ready to uncover the sanctuary’s wildlife.
Seaton Wetlands
Turn left into Seaton Cemetery, and continue through to the Seaton Wetlands car park. The nearest postcode is EX12 2SP.
The trail walk is flat and accessible but no dogs are allowed on the reserve. The island hide was popular with our kids for bird and duck spotting, as the views are wonderfully peaceful. We ate lunch alone in there! Seaton tramway has a stop at the reserve if you wish to extend your day out further. There is also a small on-site cafe and toilet.
28 October – Get ready for a fun-filled morning of creativity and nature with our popular Family Crafts Event! Join education ranger Penny and dive into the sights, sounds, and textures of autumn. Using natural materials and small tools, you’ll make a variety of seasonal crafts to take home. Perfect for decorating or gifting! Booking essential 1.30-3.30pm
Beaches in East Devon
East Devon- a walk along the promenade at Budleigh Salterton, followed by a skate at the skate park and/or exploring the new walkway along the River Otter. Make sure you bring binoculars to look out for the local Beaver colony. Grab a snack or ice cream from one of the beachside cafes.
Jacobs Ladder end of Sidmouth has a mix of sand and pebbles.
Beer and Branscombe Beach are also a favourite of ours. Beer is a pretty fishing village and Branscombe is perfect if you want to enjoy the beach and have a cafe close by. If you have older children you can walk a loop of the coastal path and reward yourselves with snacks at either spot!
NT Half Term Fun at Knightshayes
Knightshayes, Bolham, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7R
Visit Knightshayes for a Halloween experience full of interesting illusions and mystery.
The House is open 11am – 4pm and the Gardens are open 10am – 5pm.
The Halloween experience is on the ground floor of the House.
The House is open 11am – 4pm and the Gardens are open 10am – 5pm, 26 October – 3 November.
NT Killerton
This month, celebrate Killerton’s heritage orchards. Join the ranger team on Saturdays to press apples and learn about traditional cider-making. Ranger apple pressing demonstrations on Saturdays 4,11,17 & 25 October at 11am and 2pm
North Devon
Clovelly Visitor Centre
Clovelly, Devon EX39 5TA
Clovelly Village admission charges apply but I have included this as a budget day out, as we feel it’s really fairly priced, plus there is enough to explore to make this a whole day out. If you’re staying nearby you can return for free within 7 days. We visited in autumn when it was quieter as I can imagine it does get busier in the summer months. It’s a fascinating fishing village perched on a 400ft cliff that takes you back in time. We found there was plenty to see and do for the day from exploring the harbour, and the cobbled streets, seeing a waterfall to meeting the donkeys to arts and crafts activities.
Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe harbour EX34 9EQ
A small but jam-packed seaside aquarium!. Explore the aquarium as it journeys from the source of an Exmoor stream downriver to the lake, pond, estuary, rockpool, harbour, coast, and out to the marine reserve at Lundy. The guides were very informative and we all really enjoyed the experience for a fraction of the cost of a large city aquarium!
Lynton & Lymouth Cliff Railway
Open 10am-6pm Tickets £3.50 per adult £2.20 per child and £1.00 for dogs
This multi-award winning and famous Lynton and Lynmouth funicular Cliff Railway opened in 1890 and is the highest and the steepest totally water-powered railway in the world! This historic funicular Cliff Railway is a silver award winner in Devon’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2020 and holds the Green Tourism ‘Gold’ award for sustainable tourism & several heritage and transport awards. The Cliff Railway is in the heart of Exmoor National Park and connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth providing stunning coastal views that will be the highlight of any visit. This working heritage railway is grade II listed, the UK’s only fully water-powered railway and one of just three examples left in the World!
There are public car parks and street parking in both Lynton and Lynmouth. Lynmouth has significantly less parking and gets busy in peak seasons. It’s much better to park in Lynton and use us as the most beautiful park-and-ride option in the UK to reach the village of Lynmouth below. Lynton Car Parks are at Bottom Meadow, Cross Street and the Valley of the Rocks. Lynmouth Car Parks are at Upper & Lower Lyndale, The Esplanade and Watersmeet.
NT Arlington Court
Arlington, near Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4LP
Join us between 8 – 31 October to celebrate the changing season. From community scarecrow trails with a magical fairy-tale theme to giant pumpkins in the garden and seasonal decorations across the estate, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Beaches in North Devon
North Devon – A refreshing walk along Woolacombe, discovering rock pools or exploring the dunes and beach at Saunton Sands with a hot chocolate or ice cream from the beach cafe.
We hope you’ve found our list of October half term days out in Devon 2024 on a budget helpful to planning a day out or two. We would love to hear from you if you visit any of these places or have other helpful budget days out to recommend to us!
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