Devon is an enchanting county in the south-west of England with rugged coastlines, green hills, and stunning landscapes. It’s the perfect setting for outdoor activities that kids will love. Whether you want to discover unspoiled beaches, explore hidden caves, or try breathtaking sports, Devon will leave you in awe.

If your children love the water, Devon has activities ranging from surfing to rock-pooling. With miles of coastline, beaches in Devon offer a myriad of activities that kids will love. You can start with a couple of hours of surfing lessons that will teach them balance, control and confidence when hitting the waves. The North Devon Surf School offers friendly and professional tuition for beginners and also intermediate surfers. They provide the necessary equipment and safety guidance so you can feel confident that your kids are in good hands.

After a morning of surfing, your family can take a stroll along the beach and try rock-pooling. On the shores of Westward Ho!, you can spot a host of sea creatures and shellfish such as starfish, crabs and sandpipers. This activity is perfect for teaching kids about sea life and keeping them amused for hours. Do not forget to bring a small net, an identification guide and wear shoes with good grips as the rocks can be slippery.

If your family is more into land activities, then head to Haldon Forest Park for an adventure in the trees. The park is set in 3,500 acres of forest and is only fifteen minutes from Exeter. Here, kids can enjoy a zip wire, a high ropes course, and a giant swing. The park has activities for all ages and abilities, suitable from toddlers through to teenagers. You can choose to have a tree top adventure with ‘Go Ape’, or explore the forest with a bike in hand or on a mountain bike trails. Don’t worry if you don’t have the equipment, bike hire is available. Take your picnic basket, spread your blanket in the shade, and let your family have a relaxing lunch as they listen to the sounds of nature.

But the fun doesn’t stop here, Exeter’s underground passages will take you on a journey back to medieval times. The passages were built to bring fresh water to the city between the 14th and 16th centuries. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour through the passages and understand how they were used for defense purposes until the 18th century. The tour can be scary for very young children, as it is dark and the passages can be a bit small, but older kids and teenagers will love the thrill of an adventure in the dark.

Devon is also home to the Eden Project’s ‘Lost Gardens of Heligan’. Here, visitors can discover a garden that was lost for decades until it was restored in the 1990s. The garden has giant rhubarb, fern grove, an Italian garden, and a jungle to explore, to name just a few. Kids will love the interactive trail called ‘The Giant’s Adventure Trail’, which focuses on myths, legends and stories of the garden. They will learn about the garden’s history and the various plants and animals that inhabit it. You can also enjoy an organic farm tour, where you’ll learn everything from piggies’ daily feed, to how chutneys and jams are made.

Devon is one of the best destinations in the UK for outdoor activities for kids. With plenty of beaches, countryside, forests, and beautiful gardens, Devon can offer an idyllic holiday that your family will never forget.