Days Out in East Devon
Within a short drive of our family friendly Devon holiday cottages there’s a multitude of things to see and do. With award-winning family attractions, beaches, museums and galleries, exciting activities, towns to browse, and miles and miles of glorious rolling countryside to explore, there’s something for everyone.
Our Local East Devon Towns
Our local town is Honiton, with supermarkets, one-off shops, antique centres, an art gallery, and places to eat. Three times a week a market lines the wide High Street, bringing a lively atmosphere to the town.
Exeter is only 30 minutes away by car, or less than 20 by train. It’s a lovely city, with big name and independent shops, and plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants. You can visit the glorious Gothic cathedral, take a tour of the medieval Underground Passages and visit the fascinating RAM Museum. Down at the quayside you can have family fun at Clip n Climb and hire kayaks from Saddles and Paddles to wend your way along the tranquil Exe estuary to the Turf Locks for lunch.
What are the best family attractions in East Devon?
You can have amazing days out when you stay at Stonehayes Farm! Among the best family attractions in East Devon are:
Crealy Theme Park & Resort - with over 60 rides, live entertainment, indoor and outdoor play areas.
Wildwood Escot - see the animals, ride the woodland zip wire, explore the maze and visit the Saxon village.
The Donkey Sanctuary – home to over 500 happy donks, a farm themed play area, nature walk and café.
What are the best beaches in East Devon?
For days by the sea, the Jurassic Coast is only around 30 minutes away, with a choice of bustling towns, quiet coastal villages and hidden coves. Here’s our pick of the best beaches in East Devon:
Beer - this peaceful fishing village has a sheltered pebble beach with good rockpools at low tide. Watch the fishing boats come in with their catch, hire self-drive boats, take a fishing trip, tuck into crab sarnies or a cream tea at the beach café.
Sidmouth - two clean beaches are backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs and a promenade with grand Regency architecture,
Exmouth – on the Exe estuary, with 2 miles of golden sands, watersports and an upbeat dining scene
Branscombe – this picturesque coastal village has a sand and shingle beach, a shoreside cafe, two pubs and a tearoom.
Just over the Dorset border, Lyme Regis is a popular spot with 4 beaches; at the end of the historic harbour there’s a little Marine Aquarium and mackerel fishing trips. Play crazy golf in the town gardens, go to Dinosaurland Fossil Museum,join a guided fossil hunt.
Are there historic houses to visit in East Devon?
Yes, there are historic houses to visit in East Devon, and more in the wider county. Here’s our favourites, all within easy reach of the holiday cottages at Stonehayes Farm.
Killerton – a beautiful Georgian mansion house stands at the heart of the Killerton estate and deer park. See the house as it was in the 1920s and 30s, and the National Trust’s largest fashion exhibition. In the gardens are rare trees, an ice house, bear hut and chapel.
A La Ronde - a unique 16 sided National Trust house in Exmouth, with quirky interiors and hand made decoration including a feather frieze and a shell gallery.
Knightshayes - a Victorian Gothic revival house near Tiverton (NT) with opulent interiors and beautiful gardens, including a restored Victorian walled kitchen garden.
Are there good walks in East Devon?
Yes, there are plenty of good walks in East Devon, including part of the South West Coast Path, the East Devon Way and the Blackdown Hills National Landscape. There is a network of footpaths and bridleways throughout East Devon, so you’ll find walks of all lengths along lanes, through the fields and woodlands – and usually, there will be a welcoming country pub for sustenance!
Our favourite walks in these parts are Dumpdon Hill, Hembury Fort, and the Otterton and River Otter Circular.
What other things to do are there in East Devon?
There are so many other things to do in East Devon, whether you are looking for more places to visit, exciting activities, local food and drink, golf clubs, or pretty villages to discover. We love Heron Farm, Otter Valley Ice Cream & Field Kitchen, Topsham, Lyme Bay Winery, Little Orchard Alpacas for alpaca walking, and Devon Activity Centre for outdoor pursuits like laser tag, archery and quad biking.
For each of our dog friendly holiday cottages, you’ll find a Things to Do page with plenty of inspiration for days out on your holiday in Devon. Happy days!