Here’s a list of free activities available in and around Exeter and the Heart of Devon.
Red Coat Guided Tours
Looking to broaden your knowledge of Exeter that is free to do this Bank Holiday weekend? The Red Coat Guided Tours is a superb way to learn more about Exeter which is one of the oldest cities in England. There are a number of different tours available, each one looking at a different part of Exeter’s wealth of history. Use this tour to uncover the city’s sites of interest and hidden gems. All of the tours are on foot so this allows you to really get a feel for what Exeter is all about.
Exmouth Beach
Exmouth Beach at the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site is a great place to go if you want to feel the sand between your toes this Bank Holiday weekend. It has over two miles of golden sand which isn’t very common on this coastline, accompanied by some great rock pools where you will find a variety of different marine life to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
To add to all this, the sea front promenade is over two miles along and is full of great activities such as the swing boats and crazy golf. Furthermore, there is a great walk from the Marina over to Orcombe Point which is level and has some great views of Dawlish and Torbay. As well as this, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from and plenty of places to sit down and take in this great seaside town.
Exeter’s Historic Quayside
Exeter’s Historic Quayside is a superb place to visit if you are looking for something to do over the Bank Holiday weekend. It’s one of the most attractive and best looking areas of the city, popular with both locals and visitors because of its history and culture. Events are held down on the quay all year round, everything goes from Dragon boat racing to 10k runs and Deep Water Solo climbing.
In addition, the Historic Quayside has developed into a great blend of both historic and contemporary design. It’s a super place to come down to and browse the antique shops, walk, canoe and cycle. Furthermore, it’s the perfect place for all adults and children as there is something for everyone, whether you are looking to take a casual stroll along the Quay taking in the views or looking for an adventure.
Grand Western Canal Cycle Route
The Grand Western Canal Cycle route is a very peaceful and tranquil cycling paradise perfect for a bank holiday weekend which goes along the towpath, next to a calm water way which takes you right through the Heart of Devon between Tiverton and the Somerset boundary. This stretch of the cycling route forms part of the West Country Way (NCN3) path which starts at Padstow in the far reaches of Cornwall and ends in Bristol. It’s a relatively simple off-road route which makes it perfect for families with children. To add to this, there are plenty of wide open spaces that will allow you to take in the superb landscape in between sheltered woodland and the beautiful Blackdown Hills.
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor is one of the last of its kind when it comes to vast open spaces in the UK with a to die for landscape of heatherclad moors and rugged tors to navigate which makes it perfect for a weekend trip.
There is so much to see and do there, but to get the true Dartmoor experience you will need to get out and explore the moorland and soak up this very unique atmosphere. As well as this, there is a great activity which is become increasingly popular with young families which is called letterboxing – more details can be found if you visit the Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown.
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
If you are looking for an activity that the kids would love this bank holiday weekend then this is it. The Donkey Sanctuary located near Sidmouth, in east Devon, is a charity setup working all over the world to protect donkeys and help to promote their welfare.
On its main site, Slade House Farm looks after over 500 donkeys. The majority of these have suffered mistreatment or are unwanted, whereas some have come from loving homes due to health reasons or for companionship. Visitors can come and visit for free and spend as little or as much time as they would like meeting the donkeys and taking a wander along it’s unique field walks.
Original article courtesy of www.heartofdevon.com