The best free things to do in Devon
Once you’ve booked your holiday to Devon, it’s time to think about planning lots of fun ways to spend your time whilst you're here. At Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks we understand that the cost of your holiday can quickly start to add up once you begin to add plans to your daily itineraries. To help with those days when you need to give the bank a break and save some pennies, we’ve put together a list of some of the best free things to do in Devon.
1. Walk the Tarka Trail
For the first free activity to do in Devon, we’re heading to the Tarka Trail, a 180-mile-long route looping across North Devon and Exmoor. It’s not hard to see why the trail is equally popular with both cyclists and walkers alike. It features the longest stretch of traffic-free pathway in the whole of the UK, meaning you can meander at your leisure without worrying about crossing busy roads or walking along tight lanes. Now, we’re not suggesting that you attempt the whole 180-mile trail in one go - after all you need to save some energy for the onsite activities we have on our holiday parks, but there are a number of shorter routes you can explore. If you're looking for the best free things to do in Devon, and if you're a keen cyclist, there are lots of other options for getting the bike out. Take a look at our 6 favourite North Devon cycling tours for more inspiration.
2. Lazy, sunny beach days
Now we couldn’t put together a list of free things to do in Devon without mentioning the beaches! Our favourite, if you really twisted our arm, is Woolacombe Beach. Not only is this North Devon beach regularly voted as one of the best in the UK and even the world but, it is only a 15-minute walk from one of our holiday parks meaning you don’t even need to factor in the cost of transport or parking.
Aside from Woolacombe Beach, some other beautiful beaches in Devon you can visit include: Croyde Beach, Exmouth Beach, Ilfracombe Beach and Sidmouth Beach. If you're looking for the best free things to do locally, more information about the best beaches to visit in the Woolacombe area can be found in our Beach Guide. Packing properly for a beach day will help you keep your costs down to a minimum. Remember to put a picnic together to avoid having to buy food and take some belongings to keep you entertained like a book, frisbee and swimming costume.
3. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary
Located in a cosy corner of the Jurassic Coast you’ll find a haven where hundreds of rescue donkeys live peacefully. In the sanctuary you’ll find lots of donkeys to meet and can see how they are cared for. There is also a number of walks, exhibits, a play area, cafe and shop. Parking and entry to the Donkey Sanctuary is free, however small donations are appreciated if you are able to.
If you're looking for the best free things to do in Devon, the Donkey Sanctuary is open from 9am - 5pm every day of the week. Visits to the Sidmouth Sanctuary are free of charge and do not require pre booking. Just remember to wear sensible shoes as most of the walkways are grass and can get muddy in wet weather!
4. Explore Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery
If you want to explore the parts of Devon that are a little further away from our holiday parks, then Exeter is a beautiful historic city to visit. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum is the perfect place to discover the city’s history. You’ll find an array of inspiring galleries and exhibitions reflecting Devon’s rich history in addition to over 8,000 objects to discover and immerse yourself in. Aside from history you’ll also find exhibits of wildlife, archaeology, and contemporary art so there will be something to spark everyone's interest.
Free entry to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum means that you have the freedom to visit as many times and to spend as long as you like. The RAMM is also easily accessible from public transport with Exeter Central station only 100 metres away and buses stopping on the same street. There are also numerous car parks like Mary Arches nearby, therefore it is definitely one of the best free things to do in Devon.
5. Free activities on our Devon holiday parks
For those days when you don’t want to travel very far, don’t forget that there are lots of fun activities that are included within the price of your stay! There’s so much to choose from; indoor and outdoor pools, adventure golf, disc and foot golf, as well as daytime and evening entertainment and shows. The best part about staying at our Devon holidays parks is that, if you’re staying at one, you can do activities at any of our Parks, so you can really make the most of your holiday.
Devon is full of fun and free activities to do on your holiday, whether you want to spend all your time on our holiday parks, stick to North Devon, or explore wider Devon, you’ll find lots of budget friendly activities to keep you occupied.
