I have compiled this list of Christmas 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 Christmas days out in Devon on a budget guide consists of places you can visit for free / cheaply / utilise memberships and still make magical festive memories together!
If you’re looking for ideas on Christmas activities you can do at home, please hop over and read our December seasonal activities post.
Christmas Days out in Devon on a Budget 2023
QUIRK THEATRE & EXETER PHOENIX PRESENT: FIVE CHILDREN & IT
Sunday 17th December to Thursday 28th December Tickets from £9-£14
Going to a theatre performance or Pantomime can be costly for a family. I feel that these tickets are pretty reasonably priced, plus the production sounds fun and quirky!
Quirk Theatre return to Exeter Phoenix for its 20th show with a heartwarming and hilarious festive adventure all about wishes. Wishes that are granted by an anarchic fairy-monster-thingy with eyes on stalks. Wishes that last for only one day and disappear at sunset. The lucky children who find the Psammead can wish for anything! But as the old saying goes, they might need to be careful what they wish for…
Dartington Trust
9am-5pm daily, 25/11/2023 to 01/01/2024 The Gardens, Dartington Trust, South Devon
This is a free trail with a child’s gardens admission ticket (A family ticket is priced at £15 for 2 adults and up to 6 children)
Find Santa’s reindeer dashing through the Gardens. Pick up your trail map (included in your free children’s activity pack) and get exploring!
Theatre at Dartington Trust
11am or 1pm, Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 December 2023 £12 Adult | £8 Under 16 | Family Tickets from £24.
When the sun disappears from the Tundra sky, the Arctic animals band together to find it. But are the strongest creatures best equipped for the task? Maybe someone with long ears that is faster, smarter, and more agile is required. With music, puppets and songs, come to hear the story of Leapa the fearless Arctic Hare as they save the realm from a villainous beast; bring the light back to the day and make the night sky glow! The Fabularium are coming to Dartington, with a story all the way from Far East Asia! Expect to see new animal headpieces, new puppets, new original music, and for the first time ever – illuminations!
RAMM
Queen St Exeter EX4 3RX – Free Admission
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.
The museum is running two events on the run-up to Christmas – Light up your life and create your own magical festive lantern to take home on 19 December and Decorate your own wooden bauble featuring one of our animals in a seasonal setting on 20 December 2023 Timings on both days are 10.30am –3.30pm and the activities are priced at £3.50 per child.
Clovelly
Clovelly, Bideford,DevonEX39 5TF
Entrance fee: £10 per car at the Visitor Centre after 2 pm. All proceeds will go to the R.N.L.I.
The Christmas lights turn on is a magical time in Clovelly. Starting at 4 pm in the afternoon, a local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour, with festive Christmas carols sung along the way. There’ll be a hog roast, hot dogs, Christmas grog and other refreshments available at the Harbour and Lifeboat Station.
Then, Father Christmas will make a surprise visit! After the Carol Service led by a local vicar and sung by a local choir, the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour light up. It’s a fantastic sight! Then there is a grand finale of fireworks to finish off the festivities.
Bay of Lights
Torquay
The Bay of Lights promises to ignite the night sky once again! It will transform The English Riviera into a dazzling celebration of Christmas. The 1.5-mile trail will wind its way along Torquay’s iconic waterfront. It will start from Abbey Park, through the Tunnel of Lights. It will then go up over the curly bridge, across the seafront promenade and end at the harbourside. You can follow the route in whichever direction you prefer. It will be there to enjoy from Friday 1 December until Tuesday 2 January 2024. It is free and accessible. The Bay of Lights promises a sensory extravaganza that will delight everyone. The trail runs daily from 4:30pm, with sound elements until 9:30pm and lighting displays until 11pm.
Donkey Sanctuary
Sidmouth 8th December 6-8pm
Every year we welcome supporters to join us in an evening of Christmas carols with our Candlelight Service at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth. Thousands of candles will be lit around the sanctuary from 3pm onwards, providing the perfect festive atmosphere for our congregation of two and four-legged friends. The Kitchen will be open from 5pm for evening service serving hot food and drinks. And yes we can also recommend eating in the Donkey Sanctuary cafe! The hour-long Christmas carol service will begin at 6pm in Main Barn, join us here to experience The Donkey Sanctuary’s Candlelight that’s like no other.
Toys and Treats Trail 4th November – 8th February Free admission
Can you find all nine of their favourite treats and toys hidden around the sanctuary? Follow the trail around the heart of the sanctuary to find each toy and treat and match it with one of nine of our Sidmouth adoption donkeys. Combine family fun, exercise and brainpower for just £5 per trail, including a prize when you complete the trail. Head to the Gift Shop to pick up a trail sheet and you’re ready to start the trail.
Cotley Farm Christmas Shop
Pick a fresh Christmas tree, visit their Christmas shop and meet and feed their Reindeer! Our children really enjoyed feeding the reindeer moss last year and our tree lasted really well through the festive period. This Christmas tree frame makes picking a tree a full family experience. Book your timed entrance to the farm, prices range from £6.50-£10 depending on date and time.
National Trust Events Devon
Please check their website for opening times and further information.
- Coleton Fishacre – With a frosty sparkle and festive touches, the house at Coleton Fishacre invites you to spend Christmas by the coast. Taking inspiration from sleepy harbours and wild coastal walks, there are decorations and immersive experiences aplenty this winter.
- Killerton – Get into the festive spirit while wandering through Killerton house this winter. The ground floor will be traditionally dressed with garlands, trees, decorative fireplaces and fairy lights to give that feel-good glow of Christmas.
- Greenway – Explore the winter garden and follow the trail of ‘The twelve wreaths of Christmas’. Each wreath has been inspired by a different well-loved Christmas movie. Can you guess which one? On your winter wander, why not pose for a family Christmas photo at one of the selfie stations?
- Castle Drogo – Throughout the Christmas period we will be inviting local musicians to play in the castle. Come and join us for a carol or sit and enjoy the beautiful Drawing Room while it’s brought to life with music. Enjoy some traditional games in the castle. In the Dining room and Kitchen find out what the Drewe family had for Christmas dinner and maybe take home some food inspiration for your own Christmas feast. Bookings for Father Christmas are now open.
- Knightshayes – Father Christmas returns to Knightshayes this December. Our traditional green-suited Father Christmas will be telling stories of the North Pole and giving gifts to all good children. Father Christmas’ elves will also be running craft activities as part of your visit to Father Christmas.
- Fyne Court – Explore Fyne Court’s wintry woodland as you follow our trail around the gardens. Afterwards, make seasonal crafts in the Music Hall where the huge Christmas trees will be brimming with baubles and twinkling with fairy lights.
- Saltram- Pick up a Christmas family trail from the Welcome Centre and go on a festive adventure. The beloved mice are back again, for another Christmas at Saltram. This year, meet our new woodland friends around the house, showing them all the fun that a Georgian pleasure garden has to offer. You can also help the mice and their new friends find some missing items around the garden, to help them take a very special Christmas journey …Once you have completed your sheet, remember to head to the Bookshop or Welcome Centre to collect your sticker.
- Buckland Abbey -Sunday 10 December, 10am and 1pm Join local artist Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops to hand print your own Christmas gift wrap with festive lino blocks. There will be a wide selection of designs to choose from, all hand-carved by Grace. You will be using water-based inks to create beautifully decorative wrapping paper. Each participant will get to take away their sheet of gift wrap ready for Christmas. All materials included. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes as the inks can get messy. Cost £8 per child. On Sunday 17 and Thursday 21 December, 11-3 Join Naturemake to create your own magical festive elf houses or animals from natural materials. No need to book.Normal admission plus a fee for your choice of craft – please note that Naturemake can only accept cash.
I hope you find our Christmas days out in Devon on a budget guide helpful in choosing one or more activities to do as a family this season. Please let us know in the comments box below; your thoughts, recommendations and feedback.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Love from Team Stein x
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