Here are our February half term days out in Devon 2024 on a budget. For us, days out at this time of year are more about finding an activity that doesn’t cost the earth, often outdoors to blow the cobwebs away and one where we can take a flask of something warm and some snacks to keep us all going.
The following days out vary in distance from us in Mid Devon from around 20 minutes to around an hour. I see this journey length as handy for tired littles to recharge from a busy half term at school. A few hours out doing an activity and then home for warm baths, pjs, and hibernation with a film and a cosy family dinner.
For further information, such as opening times and admission prices, just click on each attraction it will take you to their webpage.
February half term days out in Devon
Haldon Forest
My kids love to ride their bikes on the various trails. There is also something fun in store for little ones this year as the Gruffalo turns 25! Follow the interactive trail around Haldon Forest Park to help find the missing party items to give the Gruffalo a birthday to remember. Search for balloons, pine cones, apples and the Gruffalo himself, and complete fun activities and rubbings as you go along. Pick up your pack for just £4 from the Info Pod, packed with fun things to do on your party adventure.
Exeter Cathedral
1 The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS
For all young budding space enthusiasts, the newest cathedral event is perfect.
Following the Museum of the Moon and Gaia, the Cathedral is excited to be hosting Luke Jerram’s next artwork, Mars: War & Peace, throughout February 2024. Measuring seven metres in diameter, the artwork features 120 dpi detailed NASA imagery* of the Martian surface. At an approximate scale of 1:1 million, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 10 kilometres of the surface of Mars.
*The artwork is made from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter data.
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!
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.
Seaton Wetlands
Turn left into Seaton Cemetery, and continue through 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 cafeand toilet.
Strawberry Fields
Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JR
Big machine week! Free entry (no tickets needed)
For all those little ones who love a tractor and farm machinery. Come and explore the range of machines they use on the Strawberry fields farm. from big machinery to tractors, to combine harvesters and ploughs. Hop aboard for a photo opportunity!
Market Hall
Market Hall, Duke St, Devonport, Plymouth, PL1 4PS
I have included this indoor immersive experience as I feel their ticket prices are reasonably priced. Explore new worlds in their state-of-the-art dome – the only one of its kind in Europe! Check out their website to see what adventurous 360° show is being aired each day such as ‘Legend of the Enchanted Reef’.
Beach Visit
There are so 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.
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 Slaterton 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 low season.
RAMM
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. Take part in events during the week such as weaving paper hearts, meet a Roman soldier or unravel the mysteries of Ancient Egypt with time travellers from the past. See their website for more details.
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 really takes you back in time. We found that 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.
This half term on Shrove Tuesday you can gain free entry after 4.30pm to take part in Shrove Tuesday history. Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’) is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom. Historically the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. This has been going on for centuries. At dusk children set off Down-a-Long, dragging their clattering tin cans. When they reach the harbour, the children’s cans are tied together, thrown into the Harbour and then retrieved. Children taking part will receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings.
Free entry after 4.30 p.m.
Dartington Trust
2 Tower Cottages, Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6E
They are currently running a special offer: get 25% off tickets to their Gardens until 18 February 2024 – that means family tickets from only £7.50!
Experience a sense of tranquility at this impressive Grade II* listed gardens. 26 acres of tended grounds, you’ll find a range of stunning features and of course snowdrops! On arrival, you can pick up a garden guide (included in the ticket price), and there’s also an activity trail for children to engage in with hidden paths to explore.
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.
Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth
Sidmouth, Devon 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.
Lydford Gorge
Lydford, near Tavistock, Devon, EX20 4BH
A days-out list would not be complete without an NT day out. We visited Lydford Gorge last February and had a really lovely engaging walk with the kids. What is not to love when there is a waterfall involved and walking through this temperate rainforest is sure to calm everyone down.
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 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.
Over half term they are running a few activities such as an adventure trail around the park and in the Saxon village you can make an Imbolc star, candle making and toast marshmallows.
We hope that you’ve found our list of February half term days out 2024 on a budget helpful to planning a day out or two. We would love to hear of any more recommendations you may have for the half term.
Other helpful February posts
Where to see Snowdrops in Devon
February Seasonal Play Activity Ideas
Rainy Day Activities for Toddlers
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