Top 10 things to do in South Devon

South Devon is a wonderful destination for a holiday because there are so many attractions and things to do, for all ages and budgets, and regardless of the weather.

Whether you’re looking for days out enjoying peace and quiet in nature, relaxing or fossil-hunting on the beach, or the excitement and entertainment that theme parks and other man-made attractions can provide, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a romantic couple’s getaway or a change of scenery for a family with children, you’ll make memories to last a lifetime here. The first thing to do is choose your base. Browse our large collection of South Devon holiday cottages by clicking on the button below.

Skip to:

• Bigbury-on-Sea Beach
• Pennywell Farm
• Woodlands Family Theme Park
• Dartmoor National Park
• Coleton Fishacre
• Paignton Zoo
• National Marine Aquarium
• Powderham Castle
• Dartmouth Steam Railway
• Canonteign Falls

Map of things to do in South Devon

Bigbury-on-Sea: for a brilliant beach experience

South Devon is blessed with lots of gorgeous beaches, from stunning Blackpool Sands to surfing hotspot Bantham Beach. Bigbury-on-Sea, near Kingsbridge, appeals to all ages, thanks to its gently sloping shoreline and clear waters, golden sands, and the iconic sea tractor which transports passengers to Burgh Island (which is famous for inspiring novelist Agatha Christie) when the high tide makes access on foot impossible. Be sure to check out our full guide to Bigbury-on-Sea before you visit here! Another gorgeous beach in South Devon is Hope Cove, which we have a detailed guide on, too.

Pennywell Farm: for hands-on animal encounters

Pennywell Farm is a family attraction, just outside Buckfastleigh, and is particularly famous for its adorable miniature pigs – which you are welcome to cuddle! You can also cheer on your favourite pig in a race, bottle feed baby goats, meet the 150 plus animals on site, take a ride in a tractor trailer, and take part in lots of other activities. It’s one of our top things to do on Dartmoor and a fantastic way for children and adults alike to discover the charm of rural life.

Woodlands Family Theme Park: for exciting rides and indoor play

Photo credit: Woodlands Family Theme Park

Woodlands, between Totnes and Dartmouth, is the largest family theme park in Devon, with plenty to entertain the young and young-at-heart, come rain or shine. Woodlands has one of the largest indoor play areas in the South West, as well as a Swing Ship, Bumper Boats, Watercoasters and a Toboggan Run. There’s also a zoo-farm with a range of animals to meet and regular falconry displays.

Dartmoor National Park: for getting outdoors in nature

Dartmoor National Park – famous for its granite tors which punctuate the wilderness, and its semi-wild ponies – is so large you could find enough to keep you occupied on your holiday without even having to leave it, if you wished! The top things to do on Dartmoor include walking or cycling, letterboxing or geocaching, visiting tourist attractions from the natural, such as Lydford Gorge, to the man-made, such as Buckfast Abbey, or simply relaxing with nice food and drink at one of the best pubs on Dartmoor.

Coleton Fishacre: for exploring a historic house and garden

Coleton Fishacre is an Art Deco country retreat near Kingswear that offers an insight into 1920s life as you explore everywhere from the glamorous saloon to the airy servants’ room. The RHS-accredited garden contains exotic plants and has coastal views – and is bordered by woodland and wildflowers. It’s one of our top National Trust places to visit in Devon, along with Greenway, Saltram and Buckland Abbey, all of which are also in South Devon.

Paignton Zoo: for some of the world’s most endangered animals

Paignton Zoo is the only place in Devon where you can see some of the world’s most popular creatures including lions, tigers, giraffes, gorillas, orangutans, red pandas and sloths. In fact, as the zoo has over 2,000 animals within its 80 acres, you’re almost certain to see some you’ve never even heard of. The zoo is a charity which supports work to halt species decline both in the UK and overseas. 

National Marine Aquarium: for indoor fun in the warm and dry

The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is the largest aquarium in the UK and has over 5,000 ocean creatures including fish, rays, jellyfish, turtles and sharks. Don’t miss the tunnel under the Atlantic Ocean exhibit – the views are incredible! It’s one of our top things to do in Plymouth. If you’re sheltering from bad weather, you can pad out your day by visiting the cafe and the soft play area – but note that an additional charge applies for this.

Powderham Castle: for a great day out with the family

Powderham Castle, near Exeter, is one of the top castles in Devon and has over 600 years of history to discover. You can take a free guided tour or explore by yourselves. There’s a deer park, gardens, woodlands, play areas and a pets’ corner in addition to the grand castle itself, which is the Courtenay family home. 

Dartmouth Steam Railway: for a different way of exploring South Devon

A memorable way of exploring South Devon is by swapping the car for a steam train or boat. You can take the Dartmouth steam train between Paignton and Dartmouth and enjoy stunning views of the countryside and River Dart. This could be combined with a cruise on the River Dart. Or if you want to go all out, you could take the Round Robin, which includes travel by steam train, river boat and bus to visit Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes.

Canonteign Falls: for the South West’s highest waterfall and outdoor play

Canonteign Falls, near Exeter, is home to one of Devon’s top waterfalls. Lady Exmouth Falls is 70 metres tall and was made by redirecting a stream over a cliff. The 90-acre site contains woodlands, meadows, waterfalls and lakes, as well as a Victorian Fern Garden, and playgrounds for all ages, from little ones to pre-teens. 

Map of things to do in South Devon

Please find all the above top things to do in South Devon with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us in South Devon

We have hundreds of self-catering accommodation options across South Devon, so it doesn’t matter whether you want to be as near as possible to your favourite attraction, or away from it all; whether you’d prefer to be close to other tourists and public facilities, or to live like a local – we’ve got plenty of choice for you. From cosy shepherd’s huts and converted barns to quaint cottages and modern apartments, we’ve got something for everyone.