Finding Family Adventures

Winter Devon Trip – trips for less than £200

Date of trip: Early March 2025

Total cost: £200 including accommodation, food, activities for 3 days/2 nights.

Number of party: 5 (2 adults, 3 children). 1 dog.

We are investigating trips we can do for the whole family for less than £200 total. Is this even possible? What more could be possible? We would love to hear your thoughts, ideas and experiences in the comments sections for this budget.

The kids had a random inset day and it has been a long grey Winter, this was the excuse I used to book a long weekend away in Devon. We love Devon! The long sandy beaches, crashing waves, quirky towns and all round vibes are a puzzle piece fit for our family. The beaches provide a playground for those with a sprinkling of imagination and our pup can run unchallenged. The days are short but there is still a lot of adventuring time. Evenings make a great time for playing games together. On this trip, chess was a favourite along with Exploding kittens.

Low season offers great affordability and quiet, uncrowded spaces that allow the soul to feel free.

Accommodation

There are some great value options in low season to peak interest. We chose a static caravan in Sandaway Holiday Park in Combe Martin. This gave us plenty of space for our pup and kids to spread out, cooking facilities and onsite beach. The site had evening entertainment each night including bingo and a disco. There was also a small games room. We avoided these but did try out the outdoor pool.

We were told it was slightly heated but there was no evidence of this. The pool temperature was just 6oC. This didn’t stop my daughter, son and husband jumping straight in, whilst my other son and self attentively dipped our toes on the surface. The happy squeals inspired another family to brave their swimsuits and join us. For those little ones more sensitive to the cold water, a winter wetsuit would have helped. There was a little boat that can be paddled on the pool and a lifeguard watching at all opening times. We loved that the pool was open, when most would close for the Winter season.

There was a dog walking area and dogs could explore the beach with us. We explored the caves and scrambled on rocks to a ‘secret’ waterfall. We made sand sculptures and chatted with other families taking advantage of a quick break from reality.

Highlights

Running free on long sandy beaches and feeling the sand on our feet and hands was a highlight. At Woolacombe beach, we ate pasties and ice-cream whilst creating our own park from driftwood.

We checked out the rockpools for signs of life and jumped over puddles. We contemplated getting the wetsuits and bodyboards out, inspired by the surfers but decided we were having so much fun that we didn’t need the extra hassle just then. We brought Winter wetsuits with boots and gloves with us, just in case.

We explored a woodland walk alongside a river to the rocky beach at Heddon National Trust, where the children climbed trees and our pup explored all the interesting smells. We started with lunch at The Hunters Inn, a beautiful quirky building with great food and an extensive dog menu. Ella, our pup, enjoyed a fine doggy roast. We then thought an icecream would go down well whilst walking, but sadly the National Trust hut only sold doggy icecreams out of season. They did have a pile of cakes to choose from. We selected some to enjoy on the beach.

There were so many activities to choose from for our final day, from exploring Ilfracombe and Winter window shopping to exploring one of the many beaches or villages or trying out new parks. We decided to meet up with family for the first BBQ of 2025, an early Easter egg hunt (why not!) and some outdoor games.

Top tips to keep the kids interested

If there was an opportunity for a sweet treat, ice cream stop or play in the park or a rock scramble or even an icy swim, we allowed time for it.

Bring plenty of towels, warm clothes and shoes that can get wet/muddy. Chuck them in a bag and deal with the mess when you get home.

Entertainment for the evening including card and board games or join in with the entertainment on offer.