Last year we spent a rather wet and windy May Bank Holiday weekend at Haven Devon Cliffs. We spent some time exploring the local area so I thought it was about time I put together a list of things to do near Devon Cliffs.
Devon Cliffs is Havens’s flagship site. The caravan park is huge and offers plenty of amenities.
However, if you’re staying for more than a few days it’s likely you’ll want to get out and about and explore everything there is to do nearby.
There are plenty of fantastic attractions near Devon Cliffs, in fact, one the best ones is within easy walking distance so you won’t even need to get in the car!
All of the suggestions in this post are under 30 minutes away, however, if you’re happy to head a little further afield I’ve listed some options that are up to one hour away at the bottom of the post.
8 Things To Do Near Devon Cliffs
1. World of Country Life
Travel Time from Devon Cliffs: 1 Minute
World of Country Life just happens to be situated at the entrance to Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and you’ll almost certainly pass it as you arrive on site.
World of Country Life combines animals, play areas and a museum to create a fun day out for the whole family.
This is definitely somewhere you can spend the whole day as there is just so much to do – from ferret racing to bouncy castles and soft play, there is even a birds of prey show to enjoy.
When we visited our favourite activity was taking the Deer Train to feed the deer in one of the paddocks. While this does cost extra it is definitely worth the money and is one of my husband’s favourite things we have done on a day out!
I think this attraction is well worth the money and definitely somewhere we would return to in the future.
You can read my full review of World of Country Life Here: World of Country Life Devon Review 2022
Address:
World of Country Life
West Down Lane
Sandy Bay
Exmouth
EX8 5BY
Online Ticket Prices (2023)
Adult
£16.95
Child
£14.10
Over 60’s
£13.75
Under 3 2023
Free
Family 2+2 Day Entry 2023
£57.10
Family 2+3 Day Entry 2023
£70.10
Carer 2023
Free
2. Crealy Theme Park
Travel Time from Devon Cliffs: 25 Minutes
Crealy has to be one of the best and most popular attractions in the South West. I have fond memories of visiting both as a child with my family and as a teenager with my friends.
The park has grown substantially over the years and now boasts a whole host of rides for children (and adults!) of all ages as well as several soft play zones, outdoor adventure areas, a splash zone and animal encounters.
There is also the newly opened Sooty-Land complete with several themed rides and a Sooty show in a circus-style pavilion.
One thing we love about Crealy is that the queues for the majority of the rides tend to stay fairly short, even during the summer holidays (the two with the biggest queues tend to be the Maximus Rollercoaster and the Twist, I think mostly due to having a low rider capacity).
Crealy run lots of special offers throughout the year and these are definitely worth looking out for, especially the offer that lets you return for free within seven days, meaning you essentially get two days out for the price of one. You do need to get a wristband at the end of your visit for this one although it is usually well-advertised as you leave.
Top Tip: Park crowds getting too much? Head to the Wilderness Walk where there are lots of challenges to keep the kids entertained in the woodlands and over the water and finish up with a quiet picnic by the lake. Even in the height of summer, this area tends to remain fairly quiet and is a nice way to break up the day from the noise and chaos elsewhere in the park.
Address:
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth Road
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DR
Ticket Prices:
From £22 for those over 92cm and free for those under 92cm.
Ticket prices vary throughout the year and it’s cheaper to book online. Crealy is closed on weekdays during the winter so always check opening times before you plan to visit.
Crealy also offers discounts for carers and blue light card holders.
3. Queens Drive Space
Travel Time from Devon Cliffs: 10 Minutes
Queens Drive Space is an area along Exmouth Seafront which offers various free play activities for children, an events space, food shacks, chill-out areas and hosts a fun fair during the summer.
We found this area perfect for days when it wasn’t quite warm enough to spend the whole day on the beach or if we just needed a change of scene. It’s also a short walk away from arcades and mini golf and has its own dedicated car pack.
Address:
Queens Drive
Exmouth
EX8 2AY
Queens Drive Space is well-signposted from the centre of Exmouth.
For sat nav, use postcode EX8 2AY and look out for Queens Drive car park which is nearby.
Busses 95 and Gold 57 stop nearby as well as some others.
Ticket Price: Free (no tickets needed)
4. A La Ronde
Drive Time From Devon Cliffs: 12 Minutes
A La Ronde is a National Trust property situated in the North of Exmouth. This unique house has sixteen sides and is situated in beautiful gardens which include apple orchards and meadows.
The house itself has lots of interesting decorative features including rooms covered with shells and artefacts from the travels of the ladies who originally resided there.
While this is an interesting place to visit, I think it’s worth mentioning it’s definitely somewhere to go for a couple of hours rather than a whole day out.
If you have a National Trust Pass then it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours but for me personally, I don’t think it provides enough to do in relation to ticket prices compared to other nearby attractions.
I can remember visiting here as a teenager and being very bored although as an adult I think I would probably appreciate it a bit more.
A La Ronde does close over the winter months so it’s worth checking opening times before visiting.
Address:
A La Ronde
Summer Lane
Exmouth, Devon
EX8 5BD
Ticket Prices:
Free for National Trust Pass Holders
Adults £10.50
Children £5.25
Family £26.25
Parking on-site is free.
Other National Trust Posts:
Lytes Cary Manor National Trust Visit
Visiting Tyntesfield National Trust
Our Visit To Stourhead National Trust
5. Ocean Softplay
Drive Time From Devon Cliffs: 10 Minutes
Although there is a small soft play at the Devon Cliffs holiday park, it does get very busy, especially on rainy days.
If you’re looking for a good indoor attraction then Ocean Softplay might be the answer. Located on Queens Drive (Exmouth Seafront) this soft play boasts a range of activities for children ages 0-11 including ball pits and three stories of chutes, ladders and slides.
Booking ahead of time is essential as walk-ins are not currently accepted according to their website.
Address:
Queens Drive
Exmouth
EX8 2AY
Ticket Prices:
Adults £1.50 (up to two adults)
Extra Adults
£1.75
Babies under 12 Months
£1.30
Select
Children aged 1-3
£5.10
Children aged 4-11
£6.10
6. Exmouth Beach
Drive Time From Devon Cliffs: 9 Minutes
Devon Cliffs Holiday Park does have its own beach, which is stunning but can get very busy on hot days. There is also a very steep hill/ramp to access it which may not be suitable for everyone.
Exmouth boasts a beautiful two-mile long stretch of sandy beach with plenty of amenities nearby both along the seafront and in Exmouth Town centre. There are rock pools to help keep the kids entertained and plenty of activities on offer such as surfing and stand-up paddle boarding.
And when you’ve had enough of the beach there are plenty of arcades and other fun activities nearby such as crazy golf, nearby.
Address:
Exmouth Beach,
Exmouth
EX8 2AY
Use this link for all parking sites in Exmouth.
7. Ferry Boat To Starcross / Dawlish
Drive Time From Devon Cliffs: 10 Minutes
There are various ferry services that run during the summer months that will take you from Exmouth over to the other side of the Estuary to Starcross and Dawlish Warren.
You can also book trips along the estuary for spotting wildlife depending on the time of year and tide times.
Starcross and Dawlish Warren are both beautiful but can be around a 45-minute drive from Devon Cliffs Holiday park so this is a great way to get exploring and the boat trip adds a great sense of adventure, especially for little ones.
Find out more on the Starcross To Exmouth Facebook Page
Address
The Docks / Marina
Exmouth
Devon
EX8 1DU
Ticket Prices
Various, but starting from around £5 per person.
Related Post: Golden Sands Holiday Park Dawlish Review
8. Bicton Botanical Gardens
Bicton Botanical Gardens offers a day out for the whole family, which includes 60 acres of landscaped gardens with ornamental lawns, water features and more formal areas.
There is also a lake, cafe, shop and orangery.
Plenty to do for children who can play in the inside play barn or in one of the outdoor play zones and your day can be completed with a train ride around the parklands (although there is an additional charge for this!).
Bicton Botanical Gardens is perfect for visiting with several generations of your family as there is something to keep everyone happy.
Drive Time From Devon Cliffs: 25 Minutes
Address:
Bicton Gardens
Bicton East
Budleigh Salterton
EX9 7BJ
Ticket Prices
Adults £13.95
Children (2 to 16 years) £10.95
Children under 2 years old FREE
Concessions (60+, disabled or carer) £12.95
There are lots of extras not included in these entry prices such as the train and use of the play barn for those under 2 or those using an annual pass.
Other Things To Do Near Devon Cliffs
In this post, I’ve included mostly things that are within easy driving distance of Devon Cliffs or that can be accessed easily via bus or by walking from the site.
Personally, when we’re on holiday we don’t like to drive too far from where were staying, however, I know that’s not the case for everyone so here are a few activities which are within an hour’s drive of Devon Cliffs.
Go Ape Exeter Haldon Forest – 35 Minutes From Devon Cliffs
Pennywell Farm – 50 Minutes From Devon Cliffs
Becky Falls – 50 Minutes From Devon Cliffs
Killerton House (National Trust) – 55 Minutes From Devon Cliffs
Painton Zoo – 55 Minutes Drive From Devon Cliffs
Splashdown Quaywest – 60 Minutes From Devon Cliffs
I really hope this post helps you to find some lovely things to do near Devon Cliffs! Have I missed your favourite? Let me know in the comments and I can get it added!
