South Devon was more or less made for families. It’s a bewitching blend of beautiful beaches, wonderful water sports, fun ferry rides and corking kid-friendly attractions. And it’s all with easy reach of our fabulous holiday park at Leonards Cove. There are so many awesome family activities that its hard to pick the best. But we’ve managed to in our top eight things to do in South Devon for families.
Visiting Blackpool Sands is one of our favourite things to do in South Devon for families - and not just because it’s right on our doorstep. Just 10 minutes away from Leonards Cove on foot, Blackpool Sands is a perfect, sheltered curve of golden sand framed by pines.
Add gin-clear water, a cool cafe, kayak and stand up paddle board hire, guided kayaking trips and even a beach sauna, and you have a clear winner.
English Heritage-run Dartmouth Castle is another one of the very best things to do in South Devon for families. Crowning a headland at the mouth of the gorgeous River Dart, there’s been a fortification here since the 1380s. A big expansion in the 1400s brought an artillery tower, while extra gun batteries were added in the 1540s.
Today you get to prowl around mazy passages, clamber up the battlements, try on helmets, get to grips with cannonballs and discover a cunning 15th century chain device that could be stretched right across the river mouth to stop invading ships in their tracks.
Framed by historic and pastel-painted buildings, Dartmouth is one of Devon’s most beautiful spots. And with its fabulous fleets of ferries and passenger boats it’s also one of the easiest places to get afloat - making it one of the best aquatic things to do in South Devon for families.
The two car ferries shuttling across the river are not only a very handy way to get to Torbay, they’re also huge fun. Especially the Lower Ferry, where you drive or walk onto a floating platform that’s prodded across the river by a separate boat.
From Dartmouth, you can also board cruises to Totnes, or hop on passenger ferries to Kingswear, Greenway, Dittisham and Dartmouth Castle, ensuring heaps of waterborne fun.
For many, one of the most popular things to do in South Devon for families is to take a trip to Slapton. This stretch of Devon coast is simply spectacular - especially when viewed on the drive down from Leonards Cove. A steep, switchback road winds down to the shore, revealing sweeping Slapton Ley - the largest natural freshwater lake in the south west. It’s separated from 3-mile Slapton Sands by a thin pebble ridge.
Walking trails weave around the Ley, taking in reed beds, boardwalks, woods and three bird hides and viewing platforms. Perfect places to look out for Wigeon, Goldeneye, Sandwich Tern, Great Crested Grebe and the rare Cirl Bunting.
At the south end of the Ley, you’ll find one of the most poignant things to do in South Devon for families. The massive Sherman tank that sits beside the car park at Torcross is a memorial to more than 900 men who lost their lives here during a World War II training exercise.
Exercise Tiger was held in 1944 and involved 30,000 men training for the D-Day landings at Utah Beach. Their flotilla came under fire from German E boats and hundreds lost their lives. The Sherman tank that now sits at Torcross was one of those that sunk along with the men. It was raised from the water just over the road in 1984.
Signs beside the tank tell the moving story, and outline how some 3000 people from seven local villages were evacuated from their homes in 1943 so the training could take place.
Torbay, with its 20 beaches, amusement arcades, cinemas, pirate crazy golf courses, and massive indoor pool (including water slides), is high on many people’s list of the top things to do in South Devon for families.
It’s also home to Kent’s Cavern - an awe-inspiring labyrinth of beautifully-lit caverns and show caves featuring 400 million year-old rocks, stalagmites, stalactites and the remains of Ice Age animals.
Kent’s Cavern is one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe and they do a cracking job of telling the story in a fun and engaging way. Expect lots of early tools, bones and teeth. And the stories of the cave bears, cave lions and woolly mammoths who used to live in these parts.
For a place crammed full of life in miniature, Babbacombe Model Village is a huge hit - definitely one of the most fun things to do in South Devon for families. It’s made up of hundreds of tiny, cleverly crafted buildings and settings inhabited by equally tiny people. All set within a beautifully planet, steep sided valley. The scenarios are often animated and laden with puns - all in all it’s a fantastic array of brilliantly bonkers British eccentricity at its best.
And one of the very best things to do in South Devon for families is to discover Leonards Cove. Our picturesque holiday park has a stunning clifftop location with wrap-around sea views. The range of accommodation is superb. Our luxurious self-catering cottages, lodges and mobile homes have all the home comforts you need for a delightful stay - some even have their own hot tubs. Our camping fields welcome both campervans and tents, and offer sea views and wi-fi as well as a playing field, shop and superb on-site restaurant.
At Leonard’s Cove you’re just a 10 minute stroll to glorious Blackpool Sands, while Dartmouth and Start Bay are just 11 minutes away by car. Kent’s Cavern, Babbacombe and all the attractions of Torbay are only 20 miles away.
Why not discover Leonards Cove today?
If you’re planning a getaway during the UK summer holidays 2025, Dartmouth should be high on your list. This Devon town offers everything families, couples, and groups need for a memorable coastal escape: stunning views, beautiful beaches, top-notch food, and enough adventure to fill your entire break.
For anyone visiting South Devon, Bayard’s Cove Fort (formerly known as Berescove and Bearscore Castle) is one of the most magical attractions hidden in plain sight. Located on the banks of the River Dart close to Dartmouth Harbour, it has a history stretching back hundreds of years and is still a beloved feature of the town. One of the area’s last lines of defence, it has played an integral part in Dartmouth’s history since the Tudors and is a must-visit for history buffs of all generations.
One of Dartmouth’s oldest traditions and a must-visit for lovers of all things maritime, the annual Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta returns to celebrate its 180th year in 2025.
Taking place from 28 - 30 August, with a family fun weekend on 23 - 25 August, prepare for an action-packed celebration of all things river and sea.
There’s a packed timetable of events, including rowing and sailing competitions, raft races, river parades and a steamboat rally, and plenty to get involved in shoreside too. The Dartmouth Regatta attracts a huge number of competitors from serious sailors to amateur enthusiasts, providing a raft of entertainment for everyone.
Keep reading to discover the Leonard’s Cove guide to the Dartmouth Regatta.
Spanning roughly 125 miles from the coastal town of Seaton to the port city of Plymouth, the South Devon Coast is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt segments of the British coastline. Much of South Devon’s coast is protected and designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, providing a haven for native wildlife.
Home to over 50 beaches, many renowned for their clear, clean waters, ranging from vast golden stretches to rugged, rocky coves, South Devon’s coast is famed for its varied landscapes, natural beauty and welcoming seaside towns.
If you’re headed to South Devon this summer, a visit to the coast is a must. We’ve put together a guide to the different ways you can experience this beautiful stretch of our county, enabling you to see South Devon’s highlights from land and sea.
Dartmouth Castle is one of Devon’s most iconic historic landmarks. Steeped in 600 years of history, the castle, which is perched on the edge of the River Dart estuary, is still a remarkable site today. Originally built to protect the town of Dartmouth from invaders, the castle evolved over centuries into the attraction that both visitors to Leonard’s Cove love today. In this guide, we uncover some of Dartmouth Castle’s fascinating history and offer insights into the region’s long maritime past.
With sweeping views, rugged moorland and famous trails, Dartmoor National Park walks are unbeatable. There are a variety of family-friendly trails taking in scenic moorlands, wild woodlands, tumbling waterfalls and more
The flowers are blooming and the bees are buzzing, there’s no doubt about it, spring has finally arrived. As the warm weather arrives, Devon events really come into their own.
Fun festivals, exciting events, intriguing exhibitions, marvellous markets and fascinating heritage - there’s so much going on all year round in Dartmouth. Our local harbour town on the banks of the River Dart is a charming place to explore.
Whether you can’t wait for a meal to yourself in your favourite hub, a romantic date night, or are treating the whole family, a fantastic array of restaurants awaits in Dartmouth. Nestled in cosy corners and waterfront streets, this eclectic offering has something for every taste.