With two national parks, two coastlines and hundreds of beaches, Devon makes for a fantastic escape to this half term. The region is ideal for families, with lots of family hotels, holiday parks, glamping sites, attractions, and child-friendly pubs and restaurants.
And don’t forget, kids stay and eat for free at Travelodge. How’s that for great value?
Events in Devon this half term
To help you enjoy your visit to the full, we’ve pulled together some top family events in Devon this half term – October 26-November 3.
Halfowe’en
Half term and Hallowe’en have merged this year for some fun family time! Most of Devon’s top attractions are running special events – and here are some of our favourite. Don’t miss a visit to Kents Cavern (reputedly haunted), which transforms into a creepy cave with witches, wizards and ghosts. Get spooked at Escot’s Wild’s Halloween Camp with its host of activities including lantern and toffee apple making, team challenges and campfire fun. Ride Seaton Tramway’s Tram of Terror, with gruesome drivers and haunting entertainment. Don’t allow yourself to be faint hearted at The Big Sheep, one of North Devon’s most popular family attractions, as the venue this year will be going all out for Hallowe’en Fun By Day, with a haunted house, forbidden forest ride and much more. For other nearby Halloween fun, take the kids to Hallowe’ek at Crealy Great Adventure Park and Jollyween at Pennywell Farm, complete with pumpkin carving, apple bobbing and traditional family entertainment.
Event details http://www.lotstodo.co.uk/events
Closest Travelodge hotels: Topsham (Escot, Seaton Tram, Crealy) Paignton or Torquay (Kents Cavern, Pennywell), Barnstaple (The Big Sheep)
Half price half term
Choo, choo! Enjoy a family ride on a steam train through more than 40 miles of glorious Devon countryside – for half price! During the weekend of November 2-3, South Devon Railway is celebrating the end of its 2013 season with half-price travel between its stations at Totnes and Buckfastleigh all day – making it just £17.30 for a family of four. The railway also has a spooky train departing on the evening of 31st October (full price).
Event details http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/lots-to-do/south-devon-railway-p141343
Travelodge: Paignton or Torquay
Big theatre for small ones
For a theatre outing that will excite the entire family, Exeter’s Northcott Theatre is staging the fantastic old-time musical Annie throughout half term week with evening performances and matinees on Saturday. And if your little ones are too young for that, try Exeter Barnfield Theatre’s vibrant and comical adaptation of Julia Jarman’s children’s picture book, Big Red Bath.
Closest Travelodge hotel: Exeter
Visit Henry III’s fair
As one of the oldest fairs in the country (having received the Royal Charter from Henry III in 1258), the Bampton Charter Fair makes for a proper, old-fashioned family day out. The roads of this lovely Exmoor town close for the day—this year on October 31—to play host to a funfair complete with live music and dancing, local food stalls, craft and music workshops, and, if that wasn’t enough, a sale of livestock and Exmoor ponies.
Event details: http://www.heartofdevon.com/whats-on/tiverton-bampton-charter-fair-p1544213
Travelodge: Tiverton
October Orienteering
The bucolic National Trust property of Home Farm near Bovey Tracey is holding a family orienteering day on October 31. Equipped with clues, you’ll be set loose in the ground woods—a fantastic way to get some exercise and fresh air, while bonding over a shared purpose (and fear of getting lost!).
Closest Travelodge: Torquay
Stef Fox Adcock writes on behalf of Visit Devon.
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