Let me help you banish those winter blues with this list of things to do in Devon in January 2025.
When we moved to Devon at the bitter end of December ten years ago I felt thoroughly unprepared for starting our West Country life in the ‘off season’. Our previous visits to the area where in summer when Devon buzzes with activity.
January in Devon felt like a very different beast.
Since then we’ve learnt a lot more about what to do in Devon in the winter. This post brings together my top tips for things to do in January – the quietest month in Devon’s events calendar.
While every effort has been made to ensure these ideas are up-to-date please check with event organisers and venues for the latest availability and opening information. The weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect your visit.
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What’s on in Devon this January?
January is quite often light on events, but some do roll over from Christmas and there is the odd gem without a festive theme.
Here’s some of the exciting events I’ve spotted happening in Devon in January 2025:
Bay of Lights – daily until 2 January 2025
The Bay of Lights free light trail returned to Torbay this winter and continues into the front end of January.
Enjoy a 1.5 mile route along Torquay seafront with glittering and unexpected surprises along the way including a light tunnel, prisms of light and a 12m high Christmas tree.
Bay of Lights, Torquay, 29 November 2024 to 2 January 2025.
The Three Musketeers in Exeter and Torquay – 10 and 17 January 2025
Get set for a swashbuckling adventure at the South Devon Players perform The Three Musketeers at Barnfield Theatre and Torquay Royal Lyceum Theatre this month.
This lively family show is adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas and set in and around the royal court of France.
With beautiful costuming, dramatic action scenes, and a fast moving story, the show is performed by a team of professional actors aged 11 to 65 from around South Devon.
For more information and tickets visit the South Devon Players box office.
Winter sculpture exhibition at RHS Rosemoor – until 31 January 2025
Explore the breathtaking colour, tone and texture of RHS Garden Rosemoor in winter as it provides the perfect backdrop a Winter Sculpture Exhibition.
Each year, a number of sculptors are asked to create inspirational pieces to help add to the beauty of our landscape. Pull on your woolies and enjoy some fresh air exploring at this award-winning North Devon garden.
Get more information at the RHS Rosemoor website.
Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House – Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from mid January until mid March 2025
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.
Appledore Pirates New Year Fireworks and Bonfire – TBC 2025
This charity fireworks display can be viewed from Irsha Street between the Beaver Inn and Royal George pubs in Appledore. It’s free to attend but collections are happening for local charities.
The fireworks are due to begin at 6.30pm so take your place before then.
For the latest updates check the Appledore Pirates’ Facebook page.
If you know of an event I can add to this guide please get in touch. It’s free to be listed!
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 2024:
- 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.
- Bear Town, Cullompton, Mid-Devon – open daily, book in advance.
Also check out my guide to things to do on rainy days in Devon for cinemas, climbing centres, soft play, pottery painting and bowling.
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:
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.
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.
Thinking ahead to February? Here’s some suggestions for things to do in Devon in February half term and places to visit in the Spring.
What’s your favourite things to do in Devon in January? Do you know of an activity or attraction not on this list? Drop me a line or comment below.
Planning your days out in Devon this winter? Use Pinterest to save this post about things to do in Devon in January 2024.
