If you’re anything like us, the Easter holidays are all about getting out of the house without spending a small fortune.
As a family of six, we’re always looking for days out that are simple, affordable, and genuinely enjoyable and more often than not, those turn out to be our favourite days.
This guide to Easter days out in Devon on a budget (2026) includes a mix of free places, low-cost attractions, and Easter trails that add a little extra magic for children without stretching the budget too far.
We usually pack a picnic, bring plenty of snacks, and sometimes pair up two nearby spots to make a full day of it (an Easter trail followed by a Dartmoor walk is always a winner).
This list of Easter days out in Devon on a budget is made up of places you can visit for free, cheaply, utilise memberships, or simply places with Easter trails for a small fee. We try and take picnics with us, extra snacks, and sometimes squeeze two nearby places to make a full day, such as an Easter trail in the House of Marbles with a walk in Dartmoor.
Easter Days Out in Devon
Haldon Forest
Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XR
A firm favourite for active days out. The bike trails here are brilliant for children, and during Easter there’s Room on the Broom themed trail to follow.
It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a whole morning exploring before settling down with a flask and picnic.
River Dart Country Park
River Dart Country Park TQ13 7NP
Set within Dartmoor, this is a fantastic all-rounder for families.
They often offer discounted camping with free day entry during Easter, making it a great option if you’re looking to stretch your budget across a few days.
Ilfracombe Aquarium
The Quay, Ilfracombe 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 enjoyed the experience for a fraction of the cost of a large city aquarium!
The Box
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AX.
Plymouth’s award-winning museum, art gallery and archive with a 2022 European Museum of the Year Special Commendation. Come into The Box for Plymouth to Polynesia and activities running over Easter include drop in arts sessions, storytime and a silent disco. Check the website for more details on events and activities.
Lydford Gorge
Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH
Head into Lydford Gorge and find the 30-metre-high Whitelady Waterfall on this slightly steep but rewarding circular walk.
Feel history under your feet, from Devonian fossils and temperate rainforest climes. The crystal clear waters and nature facts along the trail make for a fun walk for the family. Pushchairs are only advisable if you fancy a decent workout, I recommend taking a baby carrier /toddler backpack instead!
Strawberry Fields
Strawberry Fields, Lifton, Devon, PL16 0DH
Explore Spring by joining Strawberry Fields Farm shop for their Tulip fest. They have a bloomtastic tulip field for you to enjoy, with photo opportunities with over 1/2 million blooms, Meet the farm animals, barrel train ride, live entertainment and play barn. Open whatever the weather so don’t forget your wellies and waterproofs! Price from £9.95 pp and under 3’s free.
Seaton Wetlands
Turn left into Seaton Cemetery, and continue to the Seaton Wetlands car park. The nearest postcode is EX12 2SP.
There are plenty of fun play prompts around the nature reserve. The 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 and 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. From the 3/4/26 – 20/4/26. They’re holding an Easter hunt activity for only £3.50. Head over to their Facebook page – Wild East Devon for more information.
RAMM
Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RX
If you’re looking for cultural Easter days out in Devon then why not 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. Take part in events during the holidays such as future fossils, cogs and gears LEGO, space craft and a body and cell show.
Do check their website for booking information, as some events may be ticketed.
Darts farm
Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March & Friday 3rd April – Sunday 19th April
Darts farm tulip festival, with over 350,000 tulips planted for pick your own and for photo opportunities. Complete with dutch style food stands, live music and you can even bring your dog. from £9.50 pp and under 3’s free.
Hartland Abbey
Hartland, Bideford, Devon. EX39 6DT
Bluebell Sundays in April
Hartland Abbey is thrilled to welcome visitors to our Bluebell Sundays. The bluebells at Hartland Abbey carpet the walks from the Walled Gardens to the sea with restored paths leading to the Woodland Summerhouse, the Gazebo and the Blackpool Mill overlooking the Atlantic. The restored Summerhouse was always a favourite picnic spot for the family in the old days. If it is cold there will be a lovely log fire burning! Along the way enjoy our bluebells, primroses, violets, wild anemones, wild orchids, foxgloves and much more. Children and dogs are very welcome!
Look out for the early rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, tulips, later bulbs and early perennials. For the energetic, children and dogs, there is lots of walking and exploring on the 3½ miles of paths within the Abbey grounds leading to the coast at Blackpool Mill where filming has taken place in recent years – the most recent being Enid Blyton’s ‘Malory Towers’ Series 1 – 5 , John Le Carre’s ‘The Night Manager’, ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ and many more.
Bluebell Sunday and bank holiday Monday is a chance to visit at a reduced entry fee.
5th/6th/12th and 19th
Special Bluebell Day entry prices: Adults £12, Children 5- 15 £1. Your entry ticket to the gardens and grounds includes the Museum, Exhibition and Gift Shop. Entry to the house is £4 extra.
Dartmoor National Park
Just off the B3212 Moretonhampstead to Two Bridges road. Postcode PL20 6TH
Lots of pointers can be found at the visitor centre for visiting Dartmoor with kids this Easter.
Dust off the winter cobwebs and pick up a trail sheet and a map from the visitor centre to take part in this family-friendly adventure around the local area. Find the best view of the moor, listen to the sounds of spring get creative and design your own minibeast.
Watch out for real eggs! Some of the moorland birds might be nesting on the ground and don’t forget to record any interesting wildlife on the i-Naturalist app!
Make use, of the award-winning Miles Without Stiles routes, simply follow an easy access trail and enjoy some fun challenges along the way. Just ask in the National Park Visitor Centres for a map and off you go!
We have walks at Haytor and Hound Tor here on our site.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Slade House Farm, Weston, Sidmouth EX10 0NU
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 have a fun trail 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 need to 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. 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 uncover the sanctuary’s wildlife.
Clovelly
Clovelly Visitor Centre, Near Bideford Devon EX39 5TA
Go back in time and visit the picturesque Clovelly. Normal admission charges apply but I have included this as a budget day out, as we feel it’s fairly priced, plus there is enough to explore to make this a whole day out. If possible, you can also walk to the beach waterfall if tides and weather permit. If you’re staying nearby, you can return for free within 7 days. On the 3rd April they host their annual Easter chick hunt around the village.
House of Marbles
The Old Pottery, Pottery Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9DS
Over the bank holiday weekend visit the House of Marbles (free to enter) to discover all about glass blowing, marble making, giant marble runs, and pick and mix your own marbles with pocket money. This Easter, follow the easter farm trail, solve the clues, and spot every mischievous chick along the way. Once they’ve all been found, head to the final stop and collect a well-earned Easter prize! £3.99 a ticket and worth booking.
Wildwood Devon
Ottery Saint 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! Plus the animal talks are well worth hanging around for, we found out loads of interesting facts about the Wolves.
They always have activities running in the Saxon village and usually a themed trail around the park – check out their website for updates on their events page.
National Trust Devon
Some of our favourite Easter days out in Devon have been spent utilising our National Trust membership.
Get ready to spring into action, it’s time for an Easter adventure at National Trust places in and around Devon. Take part in family-friendly activities and trails, make your own Easter discoveries and collect your chocolate egg at the end. Normal admission applies plus £3.50 per trail. Includes a chocolate or vegan and free from Rainforest Alliance Easter egg.
Properties taking part in trails are Killerton. Saltram, Castle Drogo, Coleton Fishacre, Greenway, Buckland Abbey, Woolacombe Easter trail, Lydford, and Arlington Court. Please National Trust Devon for exact dates and timings for each property
Beach Visits
There are many beautiful beaches to visit in North, East and South Devon. I have included a few from each area of the county that are some of our favourites and that would be lovely to spend an Easter day out in Devon.
North Devon – A refreshing walk along Woolacombe, discovering rock pools or exploring the dunes and beach at Saunton Sands with a hot chocolate from the beach cafe.
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 hot chocolate from one of the beachside cafes.
South Devon – South Milton Sands or Thurlestone would be a lovely stretch to walk in the Spring months.
We hope you have found our Easter days out in Devon guide helpful. I would love to hear if you have visited any of these attractions and if you have any ideas of any other budget Easter days out in Devon that you can recommend.
Do also check out the following posts
Where to see Bluebells in Devon
April Seasonal Play activities
Leave a Reply