On a site with a history for pottery and producing vintage toys and games, the House of Marbles is a working glassworks that’s a joy to visit.  It’s free to explore and has free parking as well, providing hours of entertainment for adults and kids alike, with an array of marble runs, animated animals, fairground mirrors, a penny press and a giant floating marble.  It is a place of old fashioned curiosities and childhood intrigue, the kind that computer games simply can’t manufacture.  When you’re done exploring, there’s The Old Pottery Restaurant to visit as well, serving locally sourced and freshly prepared hearty fare throughout the day.

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Craft is written into the fabric of Devon; it is a creative community with a past and a strong tradition for production.  As a result, the Devon Guild of Craftsmen is an acclaimed exhibition space for contemporary craft and design, but it’s also a charity for craft education, located in Bovey Tracey.  There’s a craft shop with work by 250 makers from the South West, exhibitions, and when all that crafty stuff has worn you out there’s The Terrace Cafe for local food including a children’s menu.  The Shop, cafe and galleries are open daily from 10am-5.30pm.

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Enjoy 10% discount in the cafe with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card

Voted the most beautiful place in Devon, Becky Falls is a famous part of the Dartmoor landscape, welcoming visitors since 1803.  Providing activities for kids, nature trails, woodland and waterfall walks graded according to ability, and an abundance of wildlife to observe, the area allows you to really explore and understand what makes Devon such a beautiful and magical place thanks to its abundant natural assets.   The site is open seasonally, dogs are welcome, parking is available and while there isn’t a cafe it’s the perfect place to bring a picnic.  

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The Canonteign Falls are in fact a Victorian folly being man made in the 1890’s, but this does little to detract from their beauty.  Falling from over 70m and surrounded by lush woodlandthey provide one of the most breath taking photographic and painting opportunities in Devon today.  As well as the falls, Canonteign has a total of 7 lakes full of wildlife, and is surrounded by beautiful woodland and gardens.  There is also a childrens play area, zip wire and mini assault course and lots more to see and do. 

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Surely there can be no finer way of seeing Dartmoor, this natural wonder of Devon, than on horse back.  Shilstone Rocks riding centre allows adults and children alike to take up the reigns in this spectacular National Park, and really get back to nature.  The horses originated from the famed Dartmoor ponies, who continue to roam today.  You can join Shilstone Rocks Riding Centre for tailored lessons in the menage, or head out for a couple of hours on a hack to really take in the area that featured in Steven Spielberg’s film War Horse.  Lessons are available for all ages and abilities.

www.dartmoorstables.com  

A historic village Inn with a menu full of seasonal pub classics, Sunday roasts and an extensive range of drinks including local cask ales.  Plenty of seating inside plus a large sunny beer garden.

The Star Liverton, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6EZ (T: 01626 824535)

A good place to stop off for refreshments after enjoying the lovely walks in the area, this traditional Dartmoor pub serves good quality British cuisine along with a wide selection of local beers and ciders.  The pub is full of character with exposed beams, flagstones and cosy wood burner and is dog and family friendly.   

The Carpenters Arms Drewsmead, Ilsington, Newton Abbot TQ13 9RG (T: 01364 661629)

A family run country house hotel surrounded by beautiful countryside with two places to eat - the fine dining restaurant offering an inspirational menu using fresh local produce, along with The Blue Tiger Inn offering a bistro style menu and cream teas in a more relaxed atmosphere.

Ilsington Country House Hotel Restaurant Ilsington, Newton Abbott TQ31 9RR (T: 01364 661452)

A friendly café surrounded by beautiful parkland which prides itself on its sustainability and use of high quality local, seasonal produce.  Open daily for lunch and tea,  and transforming into a candlelit restaurant on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

Home Farm Café  Parke, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot TQ13 9JQ (T: 01626 830016)

An ideal eating place for hungry walkers and families in the heart of Bovey Tracey serving good quality dishes made from fresh local ingredients,  accompanied by a selection of cask ales and wines from around the world. 

The Cromwell Arms Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE (T: 01626 833473)

Sitting at the mouth of the River Teign, Teignmouth is a traditional British seaside resort with a wide sandy beach backed by Georgian houses and a Victorian pier with amusement arcades and cafes.  The main beach, known as Town Beach, offers acres of sand to play on and sunbathe and if the mood takes you the safe waters are perfect for taking a dip.  The sheltered estuary is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders, and the award winning clean waters are home to plenty of sealife with dolphins spotted occaisionally offshore.  No dogs 1^st May – 30^th September. 

This family friendly Blue Flag beach is the perfect spot for some traditional seaside fun.  The mile and a half long sandy beach with award winning clean waters is backed by sheltered sand dunes and grassland, home to over 600 types of flowering plants and a host of interesting birdlife.  If watersports are your thing you can have a go at surfing or body boarding under the watchful eye of the RNLI lifeguards, or enjoy the many family friendly amusements and rides.  The beach is easily accessible with plenty of parking, toilets and a choice of restaurants, cafes and bars plus deck chair hire.  Dogs welcome all year round in designated areas.

In between Brixham and Paignton, this long, sandy beach is a popular spot with families, thanks to its sheltered waters, year-round facilities and easy parking. The Blue Flag beach is perfect for making sandcastles and searching for wildlife in the rockpools. There are toilets, and two places to get ice creams, coffees and soft drinks. What’s more, the car park is right by the beach, so there’s no need to lug your provisions a long way. Behind the pretty row of colourful beach huts, there’s a large grassy area, so don’t forget to pack a ball or rounders bat to keep the whole family entertained. Broadsands Beach is a popular dog walking spot throughout autumn and winter, but there is a seasonal dog ban during the summer months (1st May - 30th September).

Exmouth Beach is a bustling two mile stretch of golden sand at the mouth of the Exe Estuary backed by a promenade of shops and restaurants.  Old meets new here, with traditional seaside donkey rides, swing boats and crazy golf alongside volley ball courts and a huge selection of modern watersports including jet skis, kite surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing. 

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet you can find that here too at the far end of the beach, where there are also some rock pools for children to explore.  Exmouth is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast and its cliffs are teaming with fossils and geological finds.  The coastline is also part of the South West Coast Path with the beach and surrounding cliffs providing some excellent long and short walks. 

Dogs are welcome all year on parts of the beach and on the main beach from October to the end of April. Dog bins are provided.

Far from the bustling crowds of Paignton and Brixham’s bigger beaches, this small pebbly cove is a truly relaxing spot. The calm waters are great for swimming and are said to have been one of Agatha Christie’s favourite bathing spots. Elberry Cove even features in one of her crime thriller novels, The ABC Murders. This picture-perfect cove, surrounded by sloping wooded hillsides and crystal clear water, can only be accessed by the coast path, with the nearest carpark at Broadsands Beach. From here, it is only a 10 - 15 minute walk, but make sure to pack a picnic or grab a bite to eat at Broadsands Beach before you set off, as there aren’t any facilities at here. Dogs are welcome on the beach throughout the year.