Things to do in Devon in January 2026

Christmas continues at Coleton Fishacre near Brixham – 3 and 4 January 2026

Coleton Fishacre is marking its centenary in 2025 so what better way to celebrate Christmas than with a festive party reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. There’ll be glitz, glamour and a hint of gin as we all end the year with a bang. 

Outside take a bracing walk around the coastal garden with its wonderful sea views and warm up with a treat at the cafe.

Admission is free for National Trust members.

Find out more about Twixmas at Coleton Fishacre.

King Arthur decorations at Buckland Abbey near Plymouth – until 4 January 2026

Step into the Great Barn and into a forest of trees which will transport you into the story of King Arthur.

You’ll be surrounded by beautiful twinkling trees where you can listen to the story of Gawain and the Green Knight before you step forward to see a wicker sculpture of the battle itself,

Be sure not to miss the tallest tree at the end of the Barn where you will see the mythical Excalibur surrounded by stars.

The Abbey has been filled with more legendary Christmas delights from Merlin’s Apothecary to Guinevere’s chamber, each room will be filled with festive sparkle and an opportunity to acquaint yourself with characters from the mythical stories of King Arthur.

Find out more about the Christmas at Buckland Abbey near Yelverton.

Red Dress Project at Killerton near Exeter – until 4 January 2026

Visit Killerton this winter to see the house decorated for a traditional Christmas with handmade ornaments, festive music, games and trees dressed by local groups.

You can also see the Red Dress Project, which is collaborative embroidery project begun by British artist Kirstie Macleod in 2009. The stunning Red Dress has travelled to 51 countries and features work by 380 embroiderers many of whom are vulnerable and living in poverty.

Outdoors there’s a festive activity trail including games from around the world.

Don’t miss the Chapel where there are 12 Christmas trees decorated by local community groups.

Find out more about winter visits to Killerton.

Victorian traditions at Knightshayes near Tiverton – until 4 January 2026

Experience a Victorian Christmas at Knightshayes. Explore the ground floor of the decorated house, discover different Victorian traditions and create wonderful festive memories.

Find out more about visiting Knightshayes.

Plymouth Winter Wonderland – until 4 January 2026

Plymouth’s Winter Wonderland continues into the New Year so if you’ve not had a chance for a whirl around the real ice rink in Central Park now’s your chance.

This year’s Winter Wonderland has twinkling lights, music, fairground rides, a ski lodge bar and plenty of stalls selling food and drinks.

Find out more about Plymouth Winter Wonderland.

The Gruffalo’s Child at Saltram in Plymouth – from 29 November 2025 to 2 February 2026

The Gruffalo’s Child will be taking over Saltram this winter. The magic of this beloved story will be brought to life within Saltram’s garden. Follow along on the journey through the deep dark wood with games, challenges and plenty of festive photo moments along the way.

Please note: the house will be closed this Christmas season while work happens to make Saltram more accessible for the future.

The parkland is open daily.

Find out more about winter opening at Saltram.

Earth Photo exhibition at Forestry England Haldon – daily until 19 March 2026

Forestry England’s outdoor exhibition showing images from Earth Photo shortlisted works continues daily and is free to visit.

Created in 2018 by Forestry England, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Parker Harris, Earth Photo is a world-leading programme engaging with still and moving image makers to showcase the issues affecting the climate and life on our planet.

The outdoor exhibition displays a selection of the images submitted by photographers from around the world including the melting sea ice of Greenland and the vanishing oases of Morocco.

Find out more about Earth Photo at Haldon Forest.

Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House – Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from mid January until mid March 2026

Visit The Garden House near Yelverton for its first joyful seasonal event of the year – its Snowdrop Festival.

Expect to see more than 350 varieties of snowdrops to spot making it one of the most diverse collections of named and naturalised snowdrops in the UK.

Find out more about visiting The Garden House.

Read about the other family-friendly places to see snowdrops in Devon.

Wassail and Family Ceilidh at Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport – dates TBC in 2026

Dress up as tree sprites, faeries and elves, and join Jack Frost and help wake up the apple trees in The Spellbound Wood.

After this most West Country of winter rituals head back to The Soapbox for an evening of dancing with Freedom Fields ceilidh band.

Find out more and book your family’s places on The Soapbox Theatre’s website.

Robin Hood at Palace Theatre in Paignton – 11 January 2025

Join the Merry Men for a fun-filled, action-packed pantomime as Robin Hood takes on the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham!

With heroic hi-jinks, slapstick silliness, and plenty of audience participation, this family-friendly adventure is full of laughter, music, and magical surprises.

Find out more and book tickets.

Which Devon attractions are open in January?

Opening times for Devon attractions tend to vary in the off season but you can still find some that will welcome you all week through!

Please check the website of each attraction before visiting as weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect opening hours.

Here’s the options:

Visit a Devon Zoo in January

Zoos are open and welcome visitors all year round.

Here’s the Devon zoos open in January 2026:

• Paignton Zoo in Paignton, South Devon – open every day
• Dartmoor Zoo in Sparkwell, South Devon – open Friday to Monday and school holidays
• Exmoor Zoo in Barnstaple, North Devon – open every day
• Wildwood Escot in Ottery St Mary, East Devon – open every day. Book in advance
• Shaldon Zoo near Teignmouth, South Devon – open every day.

Visit a Devon theme park

Here are the theme parks that are open this month. They have indoor and outdoor attractions including soft play.

• The Milky Way near Bideford – main theme park open weekends only. Book in advance
• Crealy Theme Park near Exeter – open weekends only. Book online for special prices
• Woodlands Family Adventure Park near Dartmouth – open weekends only (check first opening day with the park). Book online for special prices

Outdoor attractions to visit in January

Get some fresh air at these outdoor attractions in Devon throughout January:

• RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington, North Devon – open daily all year round. Book in advance.
• Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay, South Devon – open daily in January. Book online for a discount.
• Quince Honey Farm in South Molton, Mid-Devon – open daily. No need to book.
• Bicton Park Gardens, East Devon – open on selected dates. Book in advance.
• Dartington Estate, Dartington, South Devon – open daily. No need to book.
• Plymouth Snowsports Centre, South Devon – open Thursday to Sunday. Book in advance.
• The Donkey Sanctuary, East Devon – open daily.
• Totnes Castle, Totnes, South Devon – open weekends only. Book in advance.
• Berry Pomeroy near Totnes, South Devon – weekends only. Book in advance.

National Trust places open in January

Many National Trust properties in Devon take a break in January, but here’s some that are open this winter:

• Parke near Bovey Tracey – grounds open for walks daily.
• Buckland Abbey near Plymouth – gardens and estate open weekends only.
• Knightshayes near Tiverton, Mid-Devon – gardens and estate open daily. House open weekends and school holidays.
• Coleton Fishacre near Brixham – house and gardens open weekends only.
• Saltram near Plymouth – garden and parkland open every day.

Indoor attractions open in January

Here are some of the indoor attractions you can visit during the week in January:

• The Box, Plymouth, South Devon – open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry is free.
• RAMM museum and art gallery, Exeter – open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry is free.
• House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey, South Devon – open every day. Entry is free.
• Kent’s Cavern in Torquay – open every day.
• Bygones in Torquay – open every day.
• National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth – open every day. Book in advance
• Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth – open weekends only. Book in advance.

Outdoor places to go in January

Of course there are lots more outdoor places in Devon that you can visit over the winter months.

Devon beaches

Here’s some of our favourite beaches on the south coast of Devon and the best beaches in North Devon.

Adventure playgrounds

There are lots of adventure playgrounds around Devon that you can visit for free as as part of bigger days out.

Devon cycle trails

Make the most of those new bikes your kids got at Christmas and visit a Devon cycle trail.

Here’s where you’ll find them:

• The Tarka Trail 
• Tamar Trails
• Plym Valley
• Stover Country Park
• Haldon Forest Country Park

South West Coast Path

There’s so many coast walks to enjoy in Devon. Check out the Flip Flops or Wellies blog for plenty of walks in East Devon. And there’s some great ideas for winter walks on Dartmoor from our friends at Dartmoor Partner.

We have recently done the following walks in South Devon:

• Gara Rock to Mill Bay in Kingsbridge
• Berry Head Nature Reserve in Brixham
• Little Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle
• Avon Dam in Dartmoor
• Brownstone Battery near Kingswear

Here’ some more walks in Devon for families.