Whether you are looking for challenging sports, family fun at the seaside, strolls round picturesque villages, the excitement of spotting rare birds or exploring magnificent historic houses, you will find an unrivalled number of things to do in Devon.
Learn to sail or surf, ride a horse, take your rod fly-fishing – Devon offers all these and more.
Devon’s green attractions are unrivalled – follow a nature trail, go watching for batching or bug-hunting. Walk Devon’s stunning footpaths or cycle from sea to sea and remember, much of Devon’s countryside is accessible to all.
Wander round Devon’s picturesque towns and cities, browse craft centres displaying local pottery, paintings, and jewellery or visit the host of historic houses and gardens just waiting to be explored.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
The Donkey Sanctuary was founded by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen, MBE in 1969, since when over 12,050 donkeys have been taken into care. The Sanctuary provides permanent refuge to neglected and unwanted donkeys. Others come from loving homes for a secure future due to health reasons, for companionship, or the owner’s circumstances may have changed. The Sanctuary currently cares for 2,649 donkeys on 10 farms, and a further 1,834 donkeys in private foster homes.
Visitors are free to spend as much time as they wish meeting the donkeys in the Main Yard where they wander at will.
The donkeys live in the main barn with the other residents, some of which are over 40 years of age. They need plenty of extra attention and are kept here to be close to the veterinary hospital. Please do stop by and spend some time with them as they adore fuss and attention in their old age.
The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, EX10 0NU
01395 578222
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh
01364 642023
www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Crealy Great Adventure Park, near Exeter
01395 233200
www.crealy.co.uk
Birdwatching Cruise on the River Exe with Devon Stuart Line Cruises
Ideal for those interested in our feathered friends!
The cruises include a full commentary from an ornithologist throughout the cruise on the species, habitat and behaviours of the thousands of birds on the Exe Estuary and East Devon Coast
01395 222144
www.stuartlinecruises.co.uk
Paignton Zoo, Torbay
Paignton Zoo is home to thousands of amazing animals and plants. Visit the desert, cross the savannah, explore the forest and trek through the tropics.
Use your senses to discover the wild world: look around, listen out – you’ll even need your sense of smell! It’s a great day out for everyone.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Totnes Road, Paignton, TQ4 7EU
01803 697500
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Set deep in the lovely North Devon countryside, Rosemoor is an enchanting garden to visit at any time of the year. Lady Anne Berry gifted Rosemoor to the RHS in 1988 and since then, the original eight acres have been greatly developed into 65 acres of gardens and woodlands. In addition to the vast range of plants originally collected by Lady Anne, the RHS has added features such as the Formal Garden, extensive herbaceous borders, Herb and Cottage Gardens, a Potager, a Fruit and Vegetable Garden, two beautiful Rose Gardens, a Foliage and Plantsman’s Garden, as well as a superb Winter Garden, extensive stream and lakeside plantings and an Alpine House.
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, EX38 8PH
See the Fun Kids review on RHS Rosemoor
For more information on things to see and do in Devon, visit www.visitdevon.co.uk