Local Guidebook for Devon
Food Scene
One for a very special celebration, Michael Caines, is our local fabulous Michelin starred celebrity chef. He has recently opened his own £8 million country house on the Exe Estuary, and he has won his first Michelin star here. The food is modern British and is superb, as you’d expect from one of the country’s top chefs. The building is beautifully restored with fantastic views of the River Exe estuary. Lympstone Manor is very expensive but worth every penny.
24 locals recommend
Lympstone Manor
Courtlands LaneOne for a very special celebration, Michael Caines, is our local fabulous Michelin starred celebrity chef. He has recently opened his own £8 million country house on the Exe Estuary, and he has won his first Michelin star here. The food is modern British and is superb, as you’d expect from one of the country’s top chefs. The building is beautifully restored with fantastic views of the River Exe estuary. Lympstone Manor is very expensive but worth every penny.
Unimposing little pub which serves up some really delicious food. A bit pricey but the great food and lovely service in an unfussy environment make it value for money.
22 locals recommend
Jack in the Green Inn
London RoadUnimposing little pub which serves up some really delicious food. A bit pricey but the great food and lovely service in an unfussy environment make it value for money.
The atrium Glass House is excellent for an indulgent and exquisite tasty treat and a drink with the family when visiting the tourist town of Topsham. It's a delightful place with very friendly staff.
29 locals recommend
The Salutation Inn
68 Fore StThe atrium Glass House is excellent for an indulgent and exquisite tasty treat and a drink with the family when visiting the tourist town of Topsham. It's a delightful place with very friendly staff.
This a fun, quirky and social little restaurant tucked away off Topsham Quay. It is the perfect place for those who love their meat and love a BBQ and want a relaxed family or group meal (but would advise booking).
20 locals recommend
Pig And Pallet
10 Topsham QuayThis a fun, quirky and social little restaurant tucked away off Topsham Quay. It is the perfect place for those who love their meat and love a BBQ and want a relaxed family or group meal (but would advise booking).
This is an unstuffy pub worth the visit for it's beautiful location with amazing views of the estuary. Try and get a table as close to the waters edge for a drink. The food is pub grub with a good selection of specials inside on the chalk boards, but it's one to visit for a drink while you watch the sun go down over the water on a summers evening rather than necessarily the food.
34 locals recommend
The Passage House Inn
Ferry RoadThis is an unstuffy pub worth the visit for it's beautiful location with amazing views of the estuary. Try and get a table as close to the waters edge for a drink. The food is pub grub with a good selection of specials inside on the chalk boards, but it's one to visit for a drink while you watch the sun go down over the water on a summers evening rather than necessarily the food.
Great farm shop selling some a great variety of very high quality local fish and meat and eggs. The take away fish and chips are the brilliant. Children will also enjoy seeing and feeding the animals in the grounds and seeing the lobsters inside. The café on the other hand is a very cheap and cheerful.
28 locals recommend
Greendale Farm Shop
Sidmouth RoadGreat farm shop selling some a great variety of very high quality local fish and meat and eggs. The take away fish and chips are the brilliant. Children will also enjoy seeing and feeding the animals in the grounds and seeing the lobsters inside. The café on the other hand is a very cheap and cheerful.
An excellent, multi-award winning farm shop, café, take-away and restaurant. It is very pricey, but you get what you pay for with a superb selection of local, national and international high quality, award-winning artisan food and drink. This is so much more than a huge high quality farm shop, there are gift shops, toy shops, outdoor shops, an AGA shop, an RSPB shop, hairdressers, spa, not to mention a great children's play area, walks, and animals to see. It's a must for any foodie fan and anyone with a family who has an hour or so to spare.
Darts Farm station
An excellent, multi-award winning farm shop, café, take-away and restaurant. It is very pricey, but you get what you pay for with a superb selection of local, national and international high quality, award-winning artisan food and drink. This is so much more than a huge high quality farm shop, there are gift shops, toy shops, outdoor shops, an AGA shop, an RSPB shop, hairdressers, spa, not to mention a great children's play area, walks, and animals to see. It's a must for any foodie fan and anyone with a family who has an hour or so to spare.
Traditional, old, thatched, low-ceilinged pub with a good atmosphere and nice old fashioned, locally sourced ‘pub grub’. It is a welcoming rest in a walk (although there's a big car park if you are thinking of driving) with a relaxed atmosphere.
11 locals recommend
The Diggers Rest
Traditional, old, thatched, low-ceilinged pub with a good atmosphere and nice old fashioned, locally sourced ‘pub grub’. It is a welcoming rest in a walk (although there's a big car park if you are thinking of driving) with a relaxed atmosphere.
Brilliant seafood out at sea! This is a restaurant in the middle of the River Exe as it enters the sea. Access is via a river taxi which is an experience in itself with beautiful views. It is a very special type of dining perfect location, surrounded by water, stunning views, excellent food and a great atmosphere. You must book early for dinner here.
71 locals recommend
River Exe Cafe
Brilliant seafood out at sea! This is a restaurant in the middle of the River Exe as it enters the sea. Access is via a river taxi which is an experience in itself with beautiful views. It is a very special type of dining perfect location, surrounded by water, stunning views, excellent food and a great atmosphere. You must book early for dinner here.
Beautiful little café in a beautiful park location with delicious tasty bakes. Very friendly and welcoming, perfect for great cake and coffee or a traditional Devon Cream Tea
8 locals recommend
Bumble and Bee
Alexandra TerraceBeautiful little café in a beautiful park location with delicious tasty bakes. Very friendly and welcoming, perfect for great cake and coffee or a traditional Devon Cream Tea
Traditional, good, home-cooked locally sourced ‘pub grub’ at a reasonable price in clean and tidy surroundings. It is a welcoming rest in a walk (although there's a big car park if you are thinking of driving) with a relaxed atmosphere.
6 locals recommend
Kings Arms Otterton
Fore StreetTraditional, good, home-cooked locally sourced ‘pub grub’ at a reasonable price in clean and tidy surroundings. It is a welcoming rest in a walk (although there's a big car park if you are thinking of driving) with a relaxed atmosphere.
Beautiful spot for a lovely afternoon tea after a walk from the beach up the River Otter. There is also a working water wheel for milling flour which not only goes into the tasty treats you eat in the café but can be bought in a little farm shop beside the café. Alongside the watermill there is also a little gift shop and children can see the birds outside.
37 locals recommend
Otterton Mill
Fore StreetBeautiful spot for a lovely afternoon tea after a walk from the beach up the River Otter. There is also a working water wheel for milling flour which not only goes into the tasty treats you eat in the café but can be bought in a little farm shop beside the café. Alongside the watermill there is also a little gift shop and children can see the birds outside.
Fabulous friendly service in old stone vaulted warehouse hidden on the riverside near the Quay. A great selection of local Devon wines are paired sharing boards of local tapas such as local cheeses and meats together with rustic home made pizzas. Booking is essential
16 locals recommend
Pebblebed Vineyard
Fabulous friendly service in old stone vaulted warehouse hidden on the riverside near the Quay. A great selection of local Devon wines are paired sharing boards of local tapas such as local cheeses and meats together with rustic home made pizzas. Booking is essential
Gidleigh is a beautiful old shooting lodge in the depths of the Dartmoor countryside, with a river tumbling through its stunning grounds. One of only 20 eateries in the whole country to win two Michelin stars, the food and service here are both simply fabulous. You eat in charming wood-panelled rooms with almost a waiter per diner. Devon’s own celebrity chef Michael Caines first won two stars here but his successor Michael Wignall has held on to them, describing his food as ‘modern, technical and meaningful', Very expensive.
15 locals recommend
Gidleigh Park
Gidleigh is a beautiful old shooting lodge in the depths of the Dartmoor countryside, with a river tumbling through its stunning grounds. One of only 20 eateries in the whole country to win two Michelin stars, the food and service here are both simply fabulous. You eat in charming wood-panelled rooms with almost a waiter per diner. Devon’s own celebrity chef Michael Caines first won two stars here but his successor Michael Wignall has held on to them, describing his food as ‘modern, technical and meaningful', Very expensive.
Chef Simon Hulstone runs his own restaurant in a lovely old building overlooking the harbour at Torquay, which is his home town. As well as offering a serious Michelin Star foodie tasting menu, you can also have lighter lunches and more laid-back meals too. Lots of the ingredients come from Brixham harbour and the restaurant’s own farm on the outskirts of Torquay. Reasonably priced Michelin starred dinning with lunch from £16.50
20 locals recommend
The Elephant Restaurant
3&4 Beacon HillChef Simon Hulstone runs his own restaurant in a lovely old building overlooking the harbour at Torquay, which is his home town. As well as offering a serious Michelin Star foodie tasting menu, you can also have lighter lunches and more laid-back meals too. Lots of the ingredients come from Brixham harbour and the restaurant’s own farm on the outskirts of Torquay. Reasonably priced Michelin starred dinning with lunch from £16.50
Parks & Nature
Good day out with lovely ponies with lots to do for younger children, with lots of little ponies in the field that children can walk amongst. There are also lead rein pony rides as well as other activities such as trampolines and a zip wire, plus several indoor and outdoor play areas.
35 locals recommend
The Miniature Pony Centre
Good day out with lovely ponies with lots to do for younger children, with lots of little ponies in the field that children can walk amongst. There are also lead rein pony rides as well as other activities such as trampolines and a zip wire, plus several indoor and outdoor play areas.
Entry is free and they only thing they ask for is donations for the many, many donkeys that are lovingly kept. Staff are all friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There is a lovely café, visitor centre, picnic area, beautiful grounds and many great walk trails.
80 locals recommend
The Donkey Sanctuary
Entry is free and they only thing they ask for is donations for the many, many donkeys that are lovingly kept. Staff are all friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. There is a lovely café, visitor centre, picnic area, beautiful grounds and many great walk trails.
40km of walking, cycling and horse riding trails plus a family activity trail. Parking charges are steep but there is lots to do with Cycle Hire, Segway Hire and Go Ape plus a lovely café (or there are picnic tables and chairs around the forest for your own picnic). The views are spectacular views and the forest itself is beautiful.
18 locals recommend
Haldon Forest
40km of walking, cycling and horse riding trails plus a family activity trail. Parking charges are steep but there is lots to do with Cycle Hire, Segway Hire and Go Ape plus a lovely café (or there are picnic tables and chairs around the forest for your own picnic). The views are spectacular views and the forest itself is beautiful.
Shaldon Zoo is not so much a zoo but a lovely small wildlife sanctuary with mainly monkeys on a hillside with decked walkways that take you up and around the enclosures.
Great for younger children with one route so they can't get lost and a little booklet they can fill in with stamps to collect. It's small but well thought out and fairly priced.
48 locals recommend
Shaldon Wildlife Trust
Ness DriveShaldon Zoo is not so much a zoo but a lovely small wildlife sanctuary with mainly monkeys on a hillside with decked walkways that take you up and around the enclosures.
Great for younger children with one route so they can't get lost and a little booklet they can fill in with stamps to collect. It's small but well thought out and fairly priced.
Beautiful 63 acres of gardens for a run around and explore. It's pricey but there is good indoor and outdoor play areas and a fun 25 minute woodland railway ride around the park grounds.
60 locals recommend
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens
Beautiful 63 acres of gardens for a run around and explore. It's pricey but there is good indoor and outdoor play areas and a fun 25 minute woodland railway ride around the park grounds.
Beautifully kept gardens on a hill with stunning views to walk around or take the little steam trains around. A little pricey but there is also a crazy crazy golf and good indoor soft play area and outdoor play area for younger children. In addition if you like model train sets there is a whole building with many old indoor train sets built to explore.
68 locals recommend
Pecorama
UnderleysBeautifully kept gardens on a hill with stunning views to walk around or take the little steam trains around. A little pricey but there is also a crazy crazy golf and good indoor soft play area and outdoor play area for younger children. In addition if you like model train sets there is a whole building with many old indoor train sets built to explore.
Budleigh Salterton has a breathtaking bay with a a 2 mile pebble beach in an area of Outstanding Natuaral Beauty, offering safe clean waters for swimming. One of the county’s most pristine beaches has enormous red cliffs to the west.
Lined with picturesque beach huts during the day there is the lovely beachside Longboat Café, and in the evening it is a very popular spot for BBQ's plus there is a children’s play area off the large beachside car park.
28 locals recommend
Budleigh Salterton Beach
Budleigh Salterton has a breathtaking bay with a a 2 mile pebble beach in an area of Outstanding Natuaral Beauty, offering safe clean waters for swimming. One of the county’s most pristine beaches has enormous red cliffs to the west.
Lined with picturesque beach huts during the day there is the lovely beachside Longboat Café, and in the evening it is a very popular spot for BBQ's plus there is a children’s play area off the large beachside car park.
Exmouth is a traditional bucket and spade seaside town but with a nice classically British beach with a promenade behind a long stretch of sand. There are wonderful estuary views to be enjoyed and brilliant rock pools towards the bottom of the beach when the tide is out.
Given the size it is great if you enjoy long walks on a spacious stretch of beach, flying a kite, children running around or making the biggest family sand castles Exmouth beach is great.
91 locals recommend
Exmouth Beach
3 Queen's DrExmouth is a traditional bucket and spade seaside town but with a nice classically British beach with a promenade behind a long stretch of sand. There are wonderful estuary views to be enjoyed and brilliant rock pools towards the bottom of the beach when the tide is out.
Given the size it is great if you enjoy long walks on a spacious stretch of beach, flying a kite, children running around or making the biggest family sand castles Exmouth beach is great.
At the end of the picturesque fishing village of Beer is this pebbled beach surrounded by beautiful fishing boats and limestone cliffs. The beautiful unspoilt beach is lined with beach huts. You can hire a boat on the beach for a trip out or hire a deck chair on the beach and enjoy some refreshments from a little cafe on the beach. After watching the fishermen bring in their catches why not visit the little wet fish shop at the top of the beach or the little visitor centre hut beside it.
53 locals recommend
Beer Beach
At the end of the picturesque fishing village of Beer is this pebbled beach surrounded by beautiful fishing boats and limestone cliffs. The beautiful unspoilt beach is lined with beach huts. You can hire a boat on the beach for a trip out or hire a deck chair on the beach and enjoy some refreshments from a little cafe on the beach. After watching the fishermen bring in their catches why not visit the little wet fish shop at the top of the beach or the little visitor centre hut beside it.
This is not Sidmouth's main town beach but looking down onto this beach and taking a few pictures from the castle-like walls above is something that you must do when visiting Sidmouth. You can take in the fantastic red cliff views from the ramparts above, before taking the fenced paths winding through the hills to the famous white steps that snake down to the sand and shingle beach below.
This beautiful unspoilt little sandy beach, is perfect or children with rock pools at low tide and a sandy beach.
17 locals recommend
Jacobs Ladder
Peak Hill RoadThis is not Sidmouth's main town beach but looking down onto this beach and taking a few pictures from the castle-like walls above is something that you must do when visiting Sidmouth. You can take in the fantastic red cliff views from the ramparts above, before taking the fenced paths winding through the hills to the famous white steps that snake down to the sand and shingle beach below.
This beautiful unspoilt little sandy beach, is perfect or children with rock pools at low tide and a sandy beach.
Stunning scenery, lots of great walking routes. There are several car parks there with the one by the information centre with good toilets and usually an ice cream van too. Children love climbing the rocks, discovering caves, running around., letter boxing, and adore the friendly wild Dartmoor ponies.
101 locals recommend
Haytor Rocks
Stunning scenery, lots of great walking routes. There are several car parks there with the one by the information centre with good toilets and usually an ice cream van too. Children love climbing the rocks, discovering caves, running around., letter boxing, and adore the friendly wild Dartmoor ponies.
Entertainment & Activities
Good family attraction for children and teens. It's expensive but plenty to keep the children entertained with lots of theme park rides for all ages including some indoor rides, a huge indoor soft play and even some animals to see. All the staff are very enthusiastic and friendly.
175 locals recommend
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Sidmouth RoadGood family attraction for children and teens. It's expensive but plenty to keep the children entertained with lots of theme park rides for all ages including some indoor rides, a huge indoor soft play and even some animals to see. All the staff are very enthusiastic and friendly.
Plenty to do for children with both indoor and outdoor play activities such as trampolines, crazy golf and a zip wire, and lots of animals to see and feed including a falcon display, a deer train safari and ferret racing! You can cuddle, bottle feed and walking the animals. Staff are friendly too.
28 locals recommend
World of Country Life
West Down LanePlenty to do for children with both indoor and outdoor play activities such as trampolines, crazy golf and a zip wire, and lots of animals to see and feed including a falcon display, a deer train safari and ferret racing! You can cuddle, bottle feed and walking the animals. Staff are friendly too.
A good selection of outdoor and indoor activities for young children including train and tractor rides, great play areas, a kids assault course, pond dipping, tractor rides, plus ferret and pig racing! You ca cuddle, milk and feed the animals. Very friendly staff.
96 locals recommend
Pennywell Farm
Lower DeanA good selection of outdoor and indoor activities for young children including train and tractor rides, great play areas, a kids assault course, pond dipping, tractor rides, plus ferret and pig racing! You ca cuddle, milk and feed the animals. Very friendly staff.
Sightseeing
Set in acres of beautiful deer park on the banks of the Exe Estuary is an impressive castle with guided tours around the rooms. Pricey and the castle tours maybe too much for young children but there is a playground and petting zoo for them. Lovely location, stunning views, great farm shop with café and small garden centre.
92 locals recommend
Powderham Castle
Set in acres of beautiful deer park on the banks of the Exe Estuary is an impressive castle with guided tours around the rooms. Pricey and the castle tours maybe too much for young children but there is a playground and petting zoo for them. Lovely location, stunning views, great farm shop with café and small garden centre.
Castle Drogo is in the final phase of a multi million restoration project but still well worth the visit. It is a National Trust property with lovely gardens, a children's play area and a very nice café.
Children particularly like the outdoor games on the lawn and the playhouse in the garden.
73 locals recommend
Castle Drogo
Castle Drogo is in the final phase of a multi million restoration project but still well worth the visit. It is a National Trust property with lovely gardens, a children's play area and a very nice café.
Children particularly like the outdoor games on the lawn and the playhouse in the garden.
Arts & Culture
A free museum in Exeter fabulous for young families with, dressing up, interactive displays and exhibits, lots of large animal exhibits. A great way to spend an hour or so.
Royal Albert memorial Museum Art & Gallery
Queen StreetA free museum in Exeter fabulous for young families with, dressing up, interactive displays and exhibits, lots of large animal exhibits. A great way to spend an hour or so.
Grand, ornate and impressive, there is an adult charge but it is a large beautiful cathedral that needs support and children are free. Children enjoy the special activity trails, explorer backpacks and LEGO build model and in the holidays there is often brass rubbings and other activities.
193 locals recommend
Exeter Cathedral
1 The CloistersGrand, ornate and impressive, there is an adult charge but it is a large beautiful cathedral that needs support and children are free. Children enjoy the special activity trails, explorer backpacks and LEGO build model and in the holidays there is often brass rubbings and other activities.
Getting Around
The fun little ferry runs across the river Exe, between the landing in Ferry Road, Topsham, and Topsham Lock on the western bank of the river. Great addition for a bike ride from Darts Farm along the River Exe to Powderham Castle.
One way fare £1.25 per person (under 5 years old free)
Bicycles 65p
Topsham Ferry
Topsham FerryThe fun little ferry runs across the river Exe, between the landing in Ferry Road, Topsham, and Topsham Lock on the western bank of the river. Great addition for a bike ride from Darts Farm along the River Exe to Powderham Castle.
One way fare £1.25 per person (under 5 years old free)
Bicycles 65p