We know holidays can be expensive, Visit South Devon have developed a fun-filled list of free activities that the whole family can enjoy. The 50 Free Things to do in South Devon list has something for everyone. For the wildlife enthusiast to the adventurer and the literary buff to those who just want a stress-free day out – the list of the best free things to do across the region is designed to give you plenty of choice when visiting the region.
Whether you decide to keep your holiday on a tight budget and aim to tick off our full list of free activities or you want to mix it in with visits to top attractions and meals out you can create your perfect holiday to suit your budget.
Download the full 50 Free Things to do in South Devon checklist and see how many you can tick off this summer!
- Spend the day at Buckfast Abbey.
- Go crabbing in Dittisham.
- Build sand castles at Blackpool Sands.
- Go Geocaching in the countryside.
- Visit the Holy Trinity Church in Torbryan.
- Have a day out at Hannah’s at Seale Hayne.
- Spot the wildfowl and wading birds at the Dawlish Warren Nature and Wildlife Reserve.
- Walk through the Smugglers Tunnel in Shaldon and discover what lies on the other side.
- Look for The village that collapsed into the Sea at Hallsands.
- Visit St Mary’s Church in South Brent.
- Walk the South West Coast Path across the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
- Go Trail Running across South Devon’s diverse landscape.
- Watch the fishermen coming back with their catch from their day of fishing at Beesands.
- Spot the famous Black Swans in Dawlish.
- Go rock pooling at Wembury.
- Head to Dartmoor and spot the Wild Ponies.
- Visit Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village.
- Roll down a big hill on Dartmoor.
- Look out for Otter and other animal footprints along the River Lemon and River Dart.
- Go blackberry picking around the South Devon lanes (watch out for vehicles passing by).
- Walk the Templer Way.
- Take an MP3 tour of Riverford’s Wash Farm.
- Go pond dipping and look for Frogspawn at Stover Country Park (don’t take the spawn away).
- Spot Dolphins, Seals and Basking Sharks at Berry Head.
- Swim around Burgh Island or visit the chapel ruins.
- Build a den at Haldon Forest Park with dead wood and branches.
- Pack up a picnic and spend an afternoon skimming stones on Teignmouth Back Beach.
- Enjoy a day out at the House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey.
- Visit a local farmers market & sample the delicious produce (you may be tempted to spend a few pounds)
- See the Brutus Stone in Totnes.
- Walk along the Teign Valley River Beds from Newton Abbot to Teignmouth.
- Go wild swimming.
- Visit Slapton Sands and Torcross and see the Sherman Tank from the D-Day Landings.
- Take the Ted Hughes Poetry Trail at Stover Country Park.
- Follow the Art Trail in Teignmouth.
- Visit the Church of St. Peter the Poor Fisherman in Noss Mayo.
- Visit an exhibition at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen.
- Join in the fun at one of South Devon’s Carnivals in the summer months
- Train spot on Dawlish beach.
- Spend a night wild camping on Dartmoor (chose your spot carefully).
- Cycle the Exe Estuary Trail.
- Go Letterboxing across Dartmoor.
- Discover the inspiration behind Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles and the legend of Squire Cabell at the Holy Trinity Church in Buckfastleigh.
- Park by the County Store and see if you can spot the 650 strong herd of Fallow Deer on the grounds of Powderham Castle.
- Go night time prawn fishing near the rocks at Dawlish Warren.
- Spot Crossbills at Little Haldon Heaths.
- Visit Teignmouth the home town of rock band, Muse.
- Visit West Ogwell Church in Newton Abbot.
- Spend the day taking in all the action and cheering on the teams in a local regatta.
- Visit The Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery in Exeter