May half term in Devon doesn’t need to cost a fortune. With four children ranging from university age down to primary school, we’ve spent years finding the best days out across the county that are free, cheap or make good use of a membership. This is our guide of the places we actually go back to, the spots we love, some taht are on our to visit list and a few hidden gems that don’t always make the tourist lists.
We almost always take a picnic, extra snacks, and try to squeeze two nearby places into one day to make it worthwhile. Here’s where we’d head this May half term.
Exeter and South Devon
Brixham Harbour and Berry Head Walk
Brixham Marina Car Park
Brixham is one of those places that feels genuinely working and alive rather than just pretty. The fishing fleet is one of the largest in the UK and you can watch the catch coming in from the visitor viewing platform on the quayside. We have spotted both a dolphin and a seal in the harbour on visits — the kind of thing that makes a ordinary day out feel a little magical.
Extend your visit with a walk out to Berry Head, a National Nature Reserve with an iconic lighthouse, Napoleonic fort and breathtaking views across Torbay. Great views, a bit of history and completely free to walk.
Haldon Forest
Bullers Hill, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XR Open 7am-9pm
Haldon is one of our favourite reliable days out and this half term they are running the Room on the Broom trail which the younger ones will love. Beyond the trail there are fantastic walking and cycling routes for all abilities, a Go Ape if you want to add a bit of adventure (booking and extra cost applies), two cafes and even a bike repair shop if anything goes wrong on the trails. Go early or later in the day as the car park gets busy — it’s popular for good reason.
House of Marbles
The Old Pottery, Pottery Rd, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9DS
A brilliant one to tag onto a Dartmoor day, especially if the weather on the moor isn’t playing ball. Entry to the main attraction is free and you can watch glass blowing in the workshop, which is genuinely fascinating. There is a giant marble run and the pick and mix marbles are great for pocket money spending. There is a playground and cafe too. compact, easy and always a hit.
The Box
The Box, Tavistock Place, Plymouth, Devon PL4 8AX. Open 10am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday
Plymouth’s award winning museum and art gallery — my children have visited on school trips and found it genuinely interesting. Free to enter and worth checking their website for half term workshop events and drop in sessions running during the week.
RAMM in Exeter
Royal Albert Memorial, Museum & Art Gallery, Queen St, Exeter, EX4 3RX – see website for opening times
Entry to RAMM is free.
A compact but brilliant museum that packs in a lot. Mine particularly loved the Egyptian section and it is the kind of place where you can easily spend a couple of hours without it feeling like hard work. Entry is free and handily you can eat a picnic inside which saves money on a day out. Check their website for half term workshop events as they tend to run some good ones.
Hound Tor
If you want a proper taste of Dartmoor this is the place to come. The tor itself is full of adventure; big views, scrambling over rocks, weaseling through gaps and that wild open feeling that Dartmoor does so well. A real blow the cobwebs away kind of walk that children absolutely love. Free to visit, just pay for parking. Find out more about family walks to the Tors here.
SPITCHWICK
Spitchwick and Bellever Forest
Spitchwick is a beautiful riverside spot on Dartmoor for cooling off on a warm day, perfect for paddling and picnics in a stunning setting. It does get busy in half term so go early if you can.
For something a little quieter with equally lovely shallow paddling we also love Bellever Forest nearby. Less well known, less crowded and just as beautiful. A brilliant alternative if Spitchwick is packed.
Spitchwick Newton Abbot TQ13 7NT
Crabbing Spots
In South Devon; Brixham harbour, Salcombe – Kingsbridge Estuary, Dartmouth harbour, and the dam at Stoke Gabriel are good crabbing spots.
Lidos in South Devon
Exeter and South Devon have a great choice of Lidos to visit.
Topsham Pool A firm favourite with our kids! This heated pool makes it a safe bet for an outing on most days in the summer. They run a fun inflatable session so check out their timetable for more details.
Buckfastleigh Outdoor Pool and Skatepark – what a perfect combination for tweens and teens!
Moretonhampstead – edge of Dartmoor
Kingsteignton Outdoor Pool – Newton Abbot
Chudleigh Swimming Pool – Newton Abbot
Shaolstone Seawater Pool – Brixham
Ashburton Pool – Newton Abbot
Beaches in South Devon
South Devon – Mill Bay, Bigbury on Sea and Bantham are a delight in May and June for catching waves, swimming and digging in the beautiful golden sand.
National Trust properties
The National Trust sites across Devon are brilliant for half term as they reliably put on trails and activities that give children a focus for the visit. We haven’t been to every one on this list but they are consistently good value, fun with friends, great for burning off energy cheaply, and the trails mean you always have something to aim for. Annual membership pays for itself quickly if you visit regularly.
Properties in South Devon we would recommend are Saltram, Greenway, Killerton and Buckland Abbey
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.
Wildwood is genuinely worth the entry fee and one of our go-to days out when we need to get everyone out of the house without breaking the bank. The animal enclosures are brilliant..there are two new bears in the bear enclosure, wolves, red squirrels, otters and much more. The keeper talks are not to be missed. We loved the wolf talk especially and came away knowing far more than we expected.
Beyond the animals there is a death slide for the brave ones, play areas, a maze and a Saxon village with activities that brings a bit of history to life. The grounds are beautiful for a walk and it genuinely works for all ages. A really solid full day out.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Slade House Farm, Weston, Sidmouth EX10 0NU Open 9am-5pm
A reliable favourite on a day when we need to get out but haven’t got the energy to plan anything complicated. The donkeys are wonderful, the cafe has a lovely view and serves proper food, and there is enough space to walk and wander for a few hours without it feeling rushed. Pick up a trail sheet from the gift shop for a small fee and the children have a focus for the whole visit.
Seaton Wetlands
Turn left into Seaton Cemetery, and continue through to the Seaton Wetlands car park. The nearest postcode is EX12 2SP.
A more mindful kind of day out this one is quieter, slower and all the better for it. The wetlands walk is flat and accessible with lovely play prompts dotted along the route to keep little ones engaged. There is a small cafe and toilets on site and the Seaton Tramway stops nearby if you want to extend your day. A really lovely way to spend an hour or two and a good one for children who love spotting birds and wildlife.
Crabbing Spots in East Devon
A fun Devonshire childhood memory of mine has to be scrabbling over the rocks, crabbing with my bucket and line in hand. You will find some great crabbing spots across the county.
In East Devon; Axmouth Harbour and the rock pools at Seaton Hole Beach, as well as good crabbing on both sides of the River Exe, with two miles of sandy beach at Exmouth
Lidos in Mid Devon
Clyst Hydon Set in a pretty village location in Mid Devon this quintessential British pool is very much one for a warm day. This pool is a refreshingly cold dip and we really enjoyed it in the heatwave last year! Complete with a small but fun slide in the main pool and a very small pool for babies. The pool is run by village volunteers, so it is wise to check if it’s open before heading there. They also serve mugs of tea, coffee, cold drinks, and chocolate biscuits!
Beaches in East Devon
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 snack or ice cream from one of the beachside cafes.
Jacobs Ladder end of Sidmouth is perfect for paddle boarding and has a mix of sand and pebbles.
Beer and Branscombe Beach are also a top favourite of ours. Beer is a pretty fishing village and Branscombe is perfect if you want to enjoy the water and have a cafe close by. If you have older children you can walk a loop and reward yourselves with ice cream at either spot!
National Trust Mid DEVON
Knightshayes has beautiful parkland and gardens that are particularly lovely in late spring. Check the National Trust website for half term trails and events.
North Devon
Clovelly Visitor Centre
Clovelly, Devon EX39 5TA
Clovelly is unlike anywhere else in Devon. A working fishing village where no cars are allowed, with steep cobbled streets tumbling down to a pretty harbour. It genuinely feels like stepping back in time and however many times you visit it still feels special. There are souvenir shops, a pub, a cafe and the harbour side is perfect for a picnic.
It does get busy in half term so go early if you can. An admission charge applies to enter the village but we feel it’s fairly priced for what you get and if you’re staying locally you can return for free within seven days.
Ilfracombe Aquarium
Ilfracombe harbour EX34 9EQ
A small but brilliantly packed seaside aquarium that takes you on a journey from an Exmoor stream all the way out to the marine reserve at Lundy. The guides are genuinely informative and enthusiastic and we all came away having learned far more than expected. A fraction of the cost of a large city aquarium and all the better for its compact, personal feel. Perfect for a couple of hours on a mixed weather day.
Lynton & Lymouth Cliff Railway
Open 10am-6pm Tickets £3.50 per adult £2.20 per child and £1.00 for dogs
This one genuinely delighted all of us. The railway opened in 1890 and is entirely water powered — no engines, no electricity, just gravity and water doing all the work. It connects the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth with spectacular coastal views and costs just a few pounds per person. Park in Lynton and use the railway to get down to Lynmouth — it is quite possibly the most beautiful park and ride in the country.
Crabbing Spots in North Devon
In North Devon; head to the rockpools of Westward Ho! or Combe Martin. Try the harbours of Appledore or Ilfracombe and you should hopefully find a nibble on the line!
Lidos in North Devon
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.
National Trust North Devon
NT North Devon Arlington Court, Woolacombe and the Lorna Doone valley are all worth exploring this half term. Check the National Trust website for this year’s events and activities running across the half term week.
However you spend May half term in Devon, we hope you find at least one day that feels easy, unhurried and a little bit magical. The best days out don’t need to be expensive or elaborate — sometimes it’s a dolphin spotted in a harbour, a marble chosen with pocket money, or a child who discovers they love watching wolves. Devon has a way of delivering those moments if you let it.
We’d love to hear where you’re heading this half term — drop your recommendations in the comments below. And if you found this guide useful, please share it with another Devon family who might need some inspiration.
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