Family holidays in Devon - the 12 best places to stay with kids!

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If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Devon with the kids, then look no further, it’s a fantastic base for a UK staycation and there are some great holiday parks perfect for family-friendly holidays on the coast. We had a brilliant time in Devon – there are loads of things to do with the kids (it’s home to some super family attractions) and you’ve got beach days and the countryside to explore at every turn too. So, if you’re looking for the best spots for your family holidays, then keep for reading because these are my top picks for the 12 best places to stay in Devon with the kids:

1. Haven: Devon Cliffs Holiday Park, Exmouth

Haven Devon Cliffs, perched on the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast in South Devon, is in one of best spots for family beach holidays – if you love a good view then this one is perfect and it’s a great place to stay with kids! The park offers direct access to a sandy beach for padding, sandcastles and fossil hunting. It has a fabulous indoor pool complex (complete with multiple water slides!), outdoor swimming pools, tube slides, high ropes, a NERF training camp, pool inflatables, crazy golf and more – there are so many activities on offer! When it comes to days out, Paignton Zoo is an hour away, whilst Crealy Theme Park is just a 30 minute drive, and a bit further away you’ll find the popular Woodlands Family Theme Park too. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Devon Cliffs Holiday Park on the Haven Website.

2. Parkdean Resorts: Bideford Bay Holiday Park, Nr Bideford

Bideford Bay Holiday Park is a great family-friendly resort for holidays on the North Devon coastline if you want to stay just a short drive from some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. The site boasts over 30 activities including: adventure golf, battle blasters, kids’ clubs, aqua fun, arts & crafts, sports, a waterslide and activities for the grown-ups too. The park has indoor and outdoor heated pools, perfect for fun whatever the weather, and it’s just a 15 minute drive to the historic town of Bideford. It’s so close to some fabulous days out as well – The Milky Way Adventure Park and North Devon Wake Park are both just a 2 minute drive away! Plus, The Big Sheep and the Hartland Heritage Coast are only 10 minutes away – what a great location! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Bideford Bay Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

3. Park Holidays UK: Stowford Farm Meadows, Combe Martin

If you’d like to stay somewhere that’s a little bit different, then Stowford Farm Meadows is a good choice for relaxing family holidays in North Devon – it’s set within 500 acres of stunning countryside and there’s plenty for the kids to do. The site offers crazy golf, horse riding, an adventure playground, nature trails, an indoor swimming pool, an arcade and a restaurant. There’s also a proper pitch and putt course – if you take your golfing a little bit more seriously! With holiday cottages, as well as caravan accommodation, you can choose what suits your family and your budget. The location is great for days out – Watermouth Theme Park & Castle and Exmoor Zoo are both within a 20 minute drive, and the Tarka Trail cycling paths are nearby. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Stowford Farm Meadows Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

4. Parkdean Resorts: Challaborough Bay Holiday Park, Kingsbridge

On the sunny coast of South Devon, you’ll find Challaborough Bay Holiday Park with a gorgeous beach right on its doorstep – it’s a secluded horseshoe cove perfect for relaxed days on the sand. The holiday park has an indoor heated pool which offers water activities for the kids, as well as a sauna for the adults. There’s a playground, arts & crafts, battle blasters, a multi-sports court and evening entertainment. This site boasts lots of activities for adults too, if you need a bit of time for yourself. There are loads of great days out on offer nearby – wander the South West Coastal Path or hop on a sea tractor to explore Burgh Island. Plus, Dartmoor Zoo and Woodlands Family Theme Park are both around a half an hour drive away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Challaborough Bay Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

5. Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks, Woolacombe

The Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks are another great option for family-friendly holidays with the kids – they have 3 parks on the gorgeous North Devon coastline, and (regardless of which one you stay at) you can use the facilities at all three. With indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides, arcades, segways, a surf simulator, soft play, evening entertainment, beautiful beaches nearby and loads of kids’ activities – there’s lots on offer to keep the whole family busy. You can enjoy a touch of indulgence without breaking the bank. We recently enjoyed a hot tub holiday at Woolacombe Bay (on their Twitchen House site) and had such a brilliant time. There are some fantastic days out nearby too – The Milky Way Adventure Park and North Devon Wake Park are both an hour’s drive away. Click here to check out my Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park review for all the details.

6. Park Holidays UK: Waterside Holiday Park, Paignton

Well rated on TripAdvisor, Waterside Holiday Park in Paignton (South Devon) offers a lovely base for family holidays, and it’s another great option if you’re looking for somewhere budget-friendly to stay with the kids. Set on a hillside with stunning sea views over the English Riviera, it offers easy access to beaches and the South West Coast Path. The park features an indoor swimming pool, restaurant and a kids’ play area – and you’ll even see the trains go past from the nearby Dartmouth Steam Railway which is just a 10 minute drive away. This holiday park is so well located for amazing family days out – Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark and Paignton Zoo are both 10 minutes away, and Woodlands Theme Park is around a 40 minute drive. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Waterside Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

7. Parkdean Resorts: Torquay Holiday Park, Torquay

The bustling town of Torquay is one of the most popular spots for family holidays in South Devon so Torquay Holiday Park, just a 15 minute drive away, is a great option if you’re looking for somewhere to stay with the kids alongside the golden beaches of the English Riviera. There’s loads to do on-site – the park has an indoor heated swimming pool with a waterslide and plenty of pool activities, as well as archery, sports, an adventure playground, battle blasters, arts & crafts, kids’ clubs and lots of activities for tiny tots. The location is perfect for days out with the kids – Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark and Paignton Zoo are both around a 15 minute drive away, and it’s about half an hour from Woodlands Theme Park too. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Torquay Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

8. Lady’s Mile Holiday Park, Dawlish

Open all year round, Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in Dawlish is another one of the best parks in South Devon for family holidays. If the kids love water, you’ll be pleased to know that the site boasts indoor and outdoor swimming pools, waterslides and an inflatable obstacle course. There are some great activities available too including: arcades, a pump track for older kids, playgrounds, soft play and kids’ clubs. The park is around a 20 minute walk from a sandy beach – perfect for budget-friendly fun (don’t forget your buckets and spades!) – and there are some great days out nearby. Places like Paignton Zoo and Crealy Theme Park are both around a 40 minute drive away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Lady’s Mile Holiday Park on the Hoseasons website.

9. Park Holidays UK: Golden Sands Holiday Park, Dawlish

Golden Sands Holiday Park, in Dawlish Warren, is a fantastic choice for budget-friendly family holidays – it’s a lovely place to stay with the kids if you fancy a seaside escape in South Devon. Just a short walk from the award-winning Blue Flag beach, the park offers both indoor and outdoor heated pools, a clubhouse with entertainment and a restaurant. The kids will love the adventure playground, segways, crafts and the amusement arcade, plus there are plenty of nearby attractions to explore. You can enjoy days out to places like Paignton Zoo and Crealy Theme Park which are both a 40 minute drive from the site. Guests also have access to facilities at the sister park, Dawlish Sands, doubling the fun! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Golden Sands Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

10. John Fowler: Ruda Holiday Park, Croyde

Ruda Holiday Park, formerly owned by Parkdean Resorts, has recently been acquired by John Fowler but it’s been a popular choice for family holidays in North Devon for a long time. The indoor swimming pool with a flume has lots of water-based activities on offer and the site boasts a soft play, sports courts, evening entertainment, hoverboards, arts & crafts and an adventure playground too. For adults in need of some relaxation, there’s a sauna available as well. When it comes to days out, you’ll find The Big Sheep, The Milky Way Adventure Park and North Devon Wake Park all within an hour’s drive of the park, and Croyde Bay beach is on your doorstep if you fancy some surfing or sandcastle building. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Ruda Holiday Park on the Hoseasons website.

11. Park Holidays UK: Dawlish Sands Holiday Park, Dawlish

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly place to stay, Dawlish Sands Holiday Park is in a stunning coastal location with a Blue Flag beach nearby – it’s a great base for an adventure with the kids in South Devon. The park has a lovely indoor swimming pool, an adventure playground, a restaurant and a club house with entertainment. You can also make the most of what’s offer at its sister park Golden Sands (it’s just down the road) which has an outdoor swimming pool too – perfect for holidays over the summer months. If you’re after some fun family-friendly days out, Paignton Zoo and Crealy Theme Park are both around half an hour’s drive from the holiday park. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Dawlish Sands Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

12. Golden Coast Holiday Park, Woolacombe

Just two miles from the gorgeous Woolacombe Bay beach and surf-friendly waves, Golden Coast Holiday Park offers a great base for a family getaway in North Devon. It boasts outdoor and indoor swimming pools with slides and splash zones, adventure playgrounds, a soft play area and an arcade for rainy-day entertainment. There are tons of activities on offer for kids of all ages too including: mini golf, ten-pin bowling, sports courts, high ropes, diggerland, ride-ons, a surf simulator and a climbing wall – no time to get bored! There are some great days out nearby if you fancy doing some exploring – The Milky Way Adventure Park, The Big Sheep and North Devon Wake Park are all 40-50 minutes away from the park. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Golden Coast Holiday Park on the Hoseasons website.

Which is nicer – North or South Devon?

Choosing whether to stay in North and South Devon really depends on what kind of family getaway you’re looking for – but both are fantastic for frugal holidays with the kids! North Devon is ideal for nature lovers and surfers with its wild Atlantic coast, rolling hills and sandy beaches like Woolacombe Bay and Croyde. It’s a bit quieter and perfect for rock pooling, coastal walks and budget days out in Exmoor. South Devon, on the other hand, has a slightly milder feel with charming seaside towns like Dartmouth and Salcombe, calm beaches and family-friendly attractions.

There are some awesome family attractions in both North and South Devon – Devon seems to be home to loads of adventure / theme park type days out. In North Devon you’ll find places like: The Milky Way Adventure Park, Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park, The Big Sheep Farm and Theme Park and North Devon Wake Park. And, in South Devon you can choose from attractions like Paignton Zoo, steam trains, Woodlands Family Theme Park, Splashdown Quaywest Waterpark and Crealy Theme Park. It’s impossible to get bored in Devon! 😂 I think it’s too hard to choose which is nicer – there are so many gorgeous spots to explore in both parts – we had an awesome trip in the North of Devon but equally can’t wait to visit the South too! Let me know what you think in the comments!

Devon or Cornwall – which is better for a family holiday?

If you’re torn between Devon and Cornwall for your next family holiday, both offer unique charms for fun family holidays on the coast. Devon boasts easier accessibility, making it a convenient choice for many. It features two coastlines, the rugged beauty of Dartmoor and Exmoor and family-friendly beaches like Woolacombe Bay. As I mentioned above, Devon is also filled with zoos, adventure parks and theme parks – so there’s plenty to do! In contrast, Cornwall offers dramatic cliffs, hidden coves and iconic sites like the Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount. While Cornwall’s remote locations can mean longer travel times, the stunning landscapes and unique attractions make it worthwhile.

Ultimately, you can have an awesome family holiday in both Cornwall and Devon – we absolutely loved our trips to both counties and would certainly head back. As you can see, there are some brilliant holiday parks for family holidays in Devon – with loads on offer for the kids – but Cornwall offers a lot of choice when it comes to places to stay. It’s filled with family-friendly holiday parks! To help you decide, check out my article: Family holidays in Cornwall – the 15 best places to stay with kids!

The only thing I would say is that Devon does tend to be quieter and more affordable than its neighbour Cornwall but, when it comes to finding plenty to do with the kids, both places offer some awesome family days out. So, whichever you choose, I hope that you have a fabulous holiday – and check out these itinerary articles for loads of ideas on things to do with the kids to help you pick the perfect destination for your UK staycation: The 10 best things to do with the kids in Cornwall and The 10 best things to do with the kids in Devon.