Things to do in Devon in August 2020

Hello summer! If you are staycationing in the glorious South West of England then you’ve come to the right place to find out what’s on in Devon this summer and the top things to do in Devon in August 2020. I’ve even got ideas for things to do when it rains!

Visiting Devon in September? Read my guide to what’s on and things to do in Devon in September.

Also take a look at my round up of what’s happening in Devon this weekend.

The summer of 2020 will be a bit different to normal, so please make sure you plan your days out and activities in advance to avoid disappointment.

I’ve included information below about where you might need to book in advance as well as attraction reviews if we or others have had the chance to visit places this year.

Face masks will be required at some attractions where transport is included, such as boats and steam trains, and in shops. Always check before you travel.

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Events in Devon August 2020

Many of the usual summer events in Devon have been postponed in 2020 but there are a few family-friendly events going ahead.

Here’s what’s on in Devon for families this summer.

Search for VR monsters in Plymouth

Go on ‘safari’ around Plymouth City Centre to find 10 cute and colourful MonsterHeroes using your smartphone and QR codes dotted around town. Once you find all 10 you can download a free e-book that tells the story of your new found heroes. 

There is a nominal cost of £2 per family to play, with donations going to NHS Charities Together.

Search for the MonsterHeros in Plymouth between 18 July and 30 September 2020.

BRICKLIVE Outer Space Exhibition at Powderham Castle

Powderham Castle near Exeter has a very special socially-distanced Outer Space Exhibition this summer. Budding space explorers and astronauts can go on a journey through the solar system with this brick adventure.

This touring exhibition has more than 20 space-related models meticulously created using toy bricks. It was created in 2019 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing, and has already been to Sheffield, Lincoln, Basingstoke and York.

The exhibition runs from 24 July to 6 September 2020.

Powderham Castle discount code

For a special Devon with Kids discount on family entry use “DWKAGF” when you buy tickets. This gives you free adult admission with any ticket purchased for a child aged 4 to 16-years-old.

T&Cs: this discount is limited to two adults per transaction and it only works with a purchase of a child ticket, not under 4s (as they are already free). Two adults can visit with one paying child and both receive the discount.

Find out more and buy tickets to Powderham Castle grounds and gardens.

Fun fair in Plymouth

Rowlands Fun Fair all be visiting the Embankment in Plymouth in the first half of August. There will be themed days and character walkabouts on selected days. Tickets can be bought online for unlimited rides. Numbers are being limited and social distancing measures will be in place.

The Fun Fair is open from 31 July until 16 August 2020.

Find out more on the Rowlands Fun Fair Facebook page.

The Great Big Brick Safari at Paignton Zoo 

LEGO fans can join The Great Big Brick Safari at Paignton Zoo this summer as more than 80 wild animal creations made from thousands of LEGO® bricks will be in residence.

You can also meet more than 2,000 real life animals during your visit to this botanical wildlife park.

This outdoor trail runs from 5th August 2020 to 3rd January 2021.

Find out more about visiting Paignton Zoo in South Devon. Book tickets in advance.

Sheep dogs and falconry show at Borough Farm

For a real Devon country experience visit Borough Farm to see their sheep dog and falconry show at 6pm every Wednesday until 2 September 2020. Booking is not necessary.

Find out more on the Borough Farm website.

Open air cinema at Blackpool Sands

Watch family-friendly flicks at one of Devon’s most stunning beaches this summer. Blackpool Sands will be showing Moana on 9 August and The Greatest Showman on 20 August 2020.

Find out more and book tickets.

Barmy Britain at The Big Sheep

Horrible Histories is coming to The Bog Sheep to introduce you and your kids to some of the most famous dead people ever to live!

The performance y The Plough Arts Centre takes place in the open air from 5pm on Friday 14 August. Booking is essential.

Find out more and book tickets.

Car park party at Powderham Castle

Drive into the grounds of Powderham Castle for a socially distanced festival that will be a hit with families with tots and teens.

Car Park Comedy (from the Comedy Store) and Car Park Karaoke (with the Massaoke band) take place in the evenings, while Car Park Theatre (by Horrible Histories) is an afternoon show taking place over the weekend of 14 to 15 August, 2020.

Find out more and book tickets.

Exeter Street Arts Festival

The city will come alive with arts and music performances for a slightly shorter than planned Exeter Street Arts Festival. Rather than filling the whole bank holiday weekend, in 2020 the event will happen on Saturday 29 August in Exeter city centre.

For all the latest information and line ups check the festival’s Facebook page.

Midsummer Night Market at Exeter

The August Bank Holiday weekend brings the Midsummer Night Market to Westpoint in Exeter. This fabulous feel good festival and socially distanced market will have street food, shopping and mobile entertainment.

You can also book camping! Kids aged 14 and under go free. Half the price of each advance purchased ticket goes to NHS Charities. 

The festival takes place from 29 to 30 August.

Find out more and buy tickets from £4.

Family attractions open in Devon this August

Lots of Devon attractions reopened to visitors in July. They all have social distancing measures in place and some require booking in advance to control visitor numbers.

Here’s your guide to great days out to be had in Devon in August 2020:

Theme Parks in Devon

• Crealy Theme Park and Resort, Exeter – book tickets in advance
• Woodlands Family Theme Park, Dartmouth, South Devon –  book tickets in advance | Read about our visit to Woodlands
• Diggerland Devon, Cullompton, East Devon – book tickets in advance
• The Milky Way, Bideford, North Devon – book tickets in advance
• The Big Sheep, Abbotsham, North Devon – book tickets in advance

Find out more about Devon’s theme parks.

Devon zoos and animal days out

• Wildwood Escot, Ottery Saint Mary, East Devon – booking is required
• Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, Totnes, South Devon – no booking required | read about our visit
• Paignton Zoo, Paignton, South Devon – booking is required | read about our visit
• Exmoor Zoo, Barnstaple, North Devon – booking is required
• Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell, Dartmoor – booking required
• Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, South Devon – booking is required 
• Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, Ilfracombe, North Devon – booking is required
• World of Country Life, Exmouth, East Devon – tickets can be booked online
• Dartmoor Miniature Pony Centre, North Bovey, Dartmoor – booking is required.

Find out more about Devon’s zoos.

Outdoor activities in Devon

• Bicton Park, East Budleigh, East Devon – booking is required
• Devon Sculpture Park, Exeter – booking is required
• RHS Rosemoor, Torrington, North Devon – booking is required
• Powderham Castle, Exeter – buying tickets in advance advised
• The Bear Trail, Cullompton, East Devon – booking is required
• Canonteign Falls, Chudleigh, Dartmoor – booking not required | read about our visit to Canonteign Falls
• River Dart Country Park, Ashburton, Dartmoor – booking is required
• Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay, South Devon – pre-book your arrival time
• Hartland Abbey, Hartland, North Devon – grounds only | booking not required
• Becky Falls, Manaton, Dartmoor – booking is recommended
• Clovelly Village, Clovelly, North Devon – booking is required
• Go Ape Haldon Forest, Exeter – booking required
• English Riviera Wheel, Torquay, South Devon – booking not required
• Splashdown Quaywest, Paignton, South Devon – booking is required
• Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth, East Devon – booking is required
• The Golden Hind, Brixham, South Devon – online booking recommended
• Quince Honey Farm, South Molton, North Devon – booking is required
• Maize Maze at Darts Farm, Exeter – booking not required
• Abseiling and climbing on Dartmoor, various locations – booking required

Trams and steam trains in Devon 

Here are the Devon steam trains and trams running during August. Please note that these are public transport and therefor masks will be required for anyone aged 11 and older.

• Dartmouth Steam Railway, Dartmouth/Paignton, South Devon – booking is required
• Seaton Tramway, Seaton, East Devon – booking is required
• Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Torquay, South Devon – booking not required
• Devon Railway Centre, Bickleigh, Mid-Devon – booking is required
• Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Lynton, North Devon – booking not required

Action-packed Devon days out with teens

If you are looking for high ropes, water sports and outdoor adventures to try with teenagers check out my post about things to do in Devon with teens.

Free things to do in Devon this summer

Days out can be soooo expensive. If you are looking for ideas I have a list of free things to do in Devon. Be aware that some attractions may not have reopened. Always check before you travel.

What to do when it rains in Devon

Sadly it’s not always sunny in Devon. Here’s a few things to do in Devon on wet days this summer:

• Bygones, Torquay, South Devon – booking is required
• Seaton Jurassic, Seaton, East Devon – booking is required
• Clip and Climb, Plymouth – booking is required
• Kents Cavern, Torquay, South Devon – booking is required
• Dinosaur World, Torquay, South Devon – booking is required
• National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth – booking is required
• The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey, South Devon – booking not required | read about our visit
• iBounce, Exeter – booking is required
• Torre Abbey, Torquay – booking required
• Brixham Heritage Museum, Brixham – booking not required
• Torquay Museum, Torquay – booking required

You can also go pottery painting at various places around Devon:

• Something Lovely Pottery Painting, Sidmouth, East Devon
• China Blue, Totnes, South Devon
• Tarka Pottery, Little Torrington, North Devon

Here’s more ideas for things to do in Devon in the rain.

Visit a Devon beach 

You can’t visit Devon with kids and not go to the seaside. However, while Devon beaches are open for business, things are inevitably a bit different at the moment. Check whether car parks, toilet and cafe facilities are open before you travel.

Here are the best beaches in South Devon for families and the best North Devon beaches.

And if you are looking for something a bit more off the beaten track check out these hidden beaches in Devon.

Outdoor pools and splash parks

Outdoor swimming pools are reopening in Devon. Here’s a list of where to find them as well as splash pads and water parks in Devon.

Devon walks with kids

Who’s up for some fresh air? Countryside and coast walks abound in Devon making lots of socially distanced days out possible in August.

Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks have plenty of routes where you can get away from the crowds and enjoy a quiet ramble. 

Here’s some short walks on Exmoor to try with your family and seven of our favourite Dartmoor walks to do with kids, including a few that are suitable for toddlers and pushchairs.

Devon country parks also offer level paths for walking and cycling with kids. Car parks and some facilities are open to visitors too:

• Stover Country Park – Visitor Centre closed
• Haldon Forest Park – toilets open | takeaway cafe | bike hire open
• Cockington Country Park – toilets open | studios open | cafes open | trails open

National Trust in Devon

The National Trust has several properties in Devon and has reopened some grounds and gardens to visitors. Saltram House, Buckland Abbey, Greenway, Castle Drogo and Cotehele are all partially open. Killerton’s home has reopened with bookable, timed entry to the ground floor.

National Trust car parks on the Devon coast have also reopened where possible.

Find out what’s open and how to book entry to properties in advance by visiting the National Trust website.

Are you planning your days out in Devon this summer? Why not save this post about what’s on and things to do in Devon in August on Pinterest. If you’ve spotted I’ve missed something let me know! Comment below or email me.

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