Three Days Of Family Fun In South Devon

Contributed post.

South Devon in the UK is an iconic destination, bustling with natural beauty, history, and seafront towns scattered at every turn. As home to the famed ‘English Riviera’, it can also add a real exotic feel to your UK trip, with everything from palm trees to the mild climate you need to enjoy yourself year-round. Whether you fancy heading to the many striking towns, or to the bustling cities in this area, there’s sure to be something for the whole family to enjoy. 

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a family vacation to South Devon, but one thing’s for sure; you’ll probably want to explore the area rather than setting up one clear base here. That makes this the ideal destination for a road trip, and we’d say that you can see some of the best sites in just three days of fun if you really want to. If that sounds good, keep reading for out quick-fire three-day South Devon itinerary.

Day 1: Begin at Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth

Plymouth is a great city to start your South Devon trip, not least because it’s voted as one of the most kid-friendly cities in the UK. Here, you can enjoy historic sites like lighthouse Smeaton’s Tower on the Hoe, or head to the Barbican, where you’ll find the UK’s largest aquarium, complete with sharks, rays, and 5,000 other sea creatures. From there, it’s just a short walk to The Box, Plymouth’s museum and art gallery. Then, you can easily walk to great family-friendly food options to end your day, including The Boathouse, which looks directly out on the historic Mayflower steps, or Zizzi Italian restaurant Plymouth UK, which is famously great for family dining. 

Day 2: Darling Dartmouth
​
Dartmouth is a picturesque Devon town located on the River Dart and about an hour drive from Plymouth. The journey is more than worthwhile considering that Devon’s biggest family theme park, Woodlands Family Theme Park, is located just outside the town, and is spread across ten play zones, including the biggest indoor play areas in the South West, and also a large Zoo Farm. Or perhaps you’d prefer a quieter second day, in which case, you could always take the kids crabbing on the River Dart, which is famously one of the best crabbing locations in Devon. 

Day 3: Hope Cove

Drive just 40 minutes along the South Devon coastline for your third day, which will see you at Hope Cove, a sheltered seaside village between Salcombe and Thurlston (both of which are also worth a visit if you have time!). Here, the family can enjoy both the Mouthwell Sands and Harbour Beach, complete with rock pooling, dam building, and watersports that range from kayaking to paddle boarding, all atop crystal clear waters that guarantee a calm way to end your Devon stay. 

There are so many great spots to visit in South Devon that you could spend longer here if you wanted to. But, if you’ve only got three days and a family to keep happy, then these are great destinations to bear in mind.