Three children and an adult use twigs to build a den in woodland at Killerton Devon in the summer — Building dens at Killerton | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Family-friendly places around Devon and Exmoor

From rock pooling on beautiful beaches to exploring historic houses, there are plenty of places to enjoy a great family day out around Devon and Exmoor.

Find all the best houses and gardens for your family to visit.

two grand parents helping a grandson navigate a mase mat in the dappled lighting of summer sun,

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Knightshayes

Discover the house at Knightshayes. See the details behind architect William Burges's gothic façade and a portrait that may be by Rembrandt.

Family walking in the grounds of Arlington Court with two dogs

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There's lots of family fun to be had at Arlington Court. Discover a house full of treasures, an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles and over 20 miles of walkways, bridleways and cycle routes to explore.

Visitors inside the Bear Hut, looking out of the window at Killerton, Devon

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Killerton

Explore the garden, woods and parkland at Killerton. With an estate that covers 6,400 acres, you'll find fun and adventures for children of all ages. Join in the fun during the Summer of Play, from 20 July to 2 September.

Young visitors playing board games at Buckland Abbey, Devon

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Buckland Abbey

Whether it's a woodland adventure, an amazing story of life on the high seas or a tasty treat from the cafe, there's something for all the family to enjoy at Buckland Abbey.

Children playing in the garden during a rain shower at Greenway, Devon

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Greenway

From garden games to spotting wildlife on the river, there's an adventure for kids big and small.

Child running along a path in the garden at Coleton Fishacre, Devon

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Coleton Fishacre

Discover a host of activities at Coleton Fishacre to keep the whole family entertained and help you create memories together. What adventures will you have next?

Children looking through binoculars outside

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Castle Drogo

Visit this family home and castle on the edge of Dartmoor. It’s the last castle to be built in England and has views across the Teign Gorge in Devon.

Mother and daughter enjoy exploring Saltram house and looking at the Chinese Wallpaper

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Saltram

Find family friendly activities to do at Saltram from exploring the estate and gardens to seasonal events.

An adult, holding a small child, watches their child playing games on the lawn of the Green Court at Dunster Castle, Somerset

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Family Fun at Dunster Castle and Watermill

Looking for a fun family day out this summer? Whether you're after outdoor games or a fun trail for the kids, we've got lots for you to enjoy.

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Family-friendly things to do at Fyne Court

Fyne Court is a brilliant place for families to explore. Find out more about the activities you can enjoy together.

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Things to do in Lorna Doone Valley

Discover this hidden valley in Exmoor, made famous by R.D. Blackmore in his novel Lorna Doone and home to a wide variety of wildlife such as red deer and Exmoor ponies.

Looking for a day out that'll keep the whole family entertained in the summer holidays? Find the best family-friendly places to visit and discover the fun-filled activities on offer as part of our Summer of Play, sponsored by Starling Bank.

Killerton

Get ready for an action-packed summer of fun at Killerton, with 6 different play areas to choose from. Get creative with arts and crafts equipment or head over to the nature zone to identify bugs and look for fairy houses. There’s even frisbee golf and a mini theatre with dressing up.

Two children running across a field of grass holding hands, one is wearing butterfly wings

Arlington Court

Join us for a summer filled with fun at Arlington with a daily array of games and activities suitable for all ages. Don't miss out on the excitement—come and play this summer.

Small child adding sticks to a den. The child is wearing waterproof clothing.

Castle Drogo

Throughout the summer holidays there will be three different activity areas with sports from the 1924 games in Paris. Have a go at hobby horse polo, cross country running, tennis on the lawn or see how accurate your archery skills are.

Knightshayes

Summer of Play returns to Knightshayes this summer holiday. Get ready for an adventure in the gardens - are you willing to take on the maze challenges?

Coleton Fishacre

Discover every flavour of play at Coleton Fishacre. Create, explore, move, wonder, make-believe. Try it all, find your favourite, come back again and again. Explore sensory moments among the shaded paths, get creative with building or spend lazy summer days in the hammocks and on the swing with a view. By the house, there's 1920's vintage games and a giant version of Peggity - ideal for all the family.

Saltram

Enjoy time together over the school holidays and become a ‘marvellous maker’ in a Summer of Play at Saltram, featuring a programme of activities there is something fun for all the family. Join in a variety of games available every day by the play tent.

Two children dressed in shiny dragon capes and masks play on the grass.

Buckland Abbey

Play games with medieval origins such as tennis, football and skittles. Learn all the key sword moves a Knight would need to know as well as all the dance moves! After that you can build your own castle in our loose parts play area - giving it the best defences. Or you can simply relax in the Book Nook, reading or creating poems on the poetry board.

Bright colourful rag bunting strung out along a line

Greenway

Cirque Du Summer is coming to Greenway. Fun has no age limit and with a range of activities designed to test your circus skills, there'll be something for everyone to get stuck into. Test your strength and balance, twist and bend with circus inspired yoga and try out your juggling skills. Try it all, find your favourite, come back again and again.

4 people with instruments perform on a stage

Outdoor theatre, cinema and music events

Come and experience a theatre performance in the great outdoors this summer, with plenty of shows to choose from across the South West. Bring the whole family, a picnic blanket and some popcorn and settle down to watch the show with nature and perhaps a historic house as your backdrop. Browse our programme of shows and find your nearest performance.

The British weather can be unpredictable, so we've pulled together ideas to help keep the family busy ... whatever the weather!

Two children in coats and wellies walk along the path with umbrellas up towards East Riddlesden Hall, Yorkshire

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Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do when it’s raining

We've compiled a selection of items from the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ list that are perfect for rainy days, so grab your waterproofs and get involved.

Visitor looking for insects with a butterfly net at Crom, Country Fermanagh.

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Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities in summer

Enjoy a memorable family day out this summer. Plan your own wild adventures and see how many of our ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities you can try out wherever you are.

Discover places to explore in the fresh air with all the family.

Visitors rockpooling at Wembury Beach, Wembury, Devon

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Wembury

From water sports on the beach to rock-pooling with the family, discover the adventures to be had when you visit Wembury and the surrounding areas.

A family of four are strolling through woodland at Rowallane Garden, County Down, where the leaves on the trees have turned yellow. The family is looking at something out of the shot.

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Parke

Explore the historic estate of Parke on the edge of Dartmoor, with its walled garden and mixed orchard plus abundant wildlife on the river.

Family standing on bridge looking for fish in the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon

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Lydford Gorge

This spring find a prehistoric world full of crashing water and new growth with plenty of outdoor fun and adventure for all the family at Lydford Gorge.

Two children walk down steps outside at Plymbridge Woods, Devon in the summer

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Plymbridge Woods

Discover what you can do when visiting Plymbridge Woods, a 'bridge' between rugged open, windswept moorland and the city of Plymouth and the coast.

Visitors walking at Heddon Valley, Devon

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Heddon Valley

Explore the wooded river valley reaching inland down to the sea at Heddon's Mouth. Heddon Valley's walking routes include two accessible routes for all-terrain mobility scooters with Tramper.

Child with a net explores rockpools at South Milton Sands, Devon

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South Milton Sands

Follow the coast path to the pretty village of Hope Cove, enjoy some water sports or stay longer and enjoy some stargazing – there's something for everyone at South Milton Sands.

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Things to see and do at Woolacombe

From its ideal surfing conditions to its array of rock pools, Woolacombe remains one of North Devon’s best-loved beaches. Find out more about what you can see and do here.

A child explores the rocky paths with adults in the background around Baggy Point, Devon

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Things to do at Baggy Point

Get closer to nature and explore what Baggy Point has to offer along North Devon’s rugged landscape.

The South Front and lawn at Knightshayes on a sunny day

Discover more in Devon

Journey from wild coasts, moorland and curious historic houses to lush gardens and beaches in Devon.

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