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THE other day I found myself at Dart’s Farm in deep conversation with a couple and their two children who had just heard that one of them was going to be the victim of the spending cuts and facing redundancy in the new year.

My job as general manager of Visit Devon meant that we inevitably started talking about holidays and where families faced with restricted budgets can go and spend time in what is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK.

With budgets being squeezed ever tighter, the long summer holidays can be a trying and expensive time for parents striving to keep their youngsters entertained without straining the family finances even further.

But family fun really can be free – or very inexpensive – especially in our glorious county, which was just made for families and the creation of childhood memories: you just need to know where to look.

Every summer many parents head for the freedom of the beach and in Devon families are spoiled for choice with some of the UK’s best beaches.

Torbay tops the UK’s league for blue flag awards; it has five blue flags for good water quality and beach cleanliness.

East Devon has the award-winning Sandy Bay at Exmouth which as well as being sheltered has many rock pools, perfect for little ones to while away an afternoon safely collecting all manner of creepy crawlies in their buckets.

For older more adventurous children who want to surf, kayak or try other water sports the beaches of North Devon at Croyde, Saunton, Woolacombe and Westward Ho! have everything for the adrenalin seeking teen – find more details at

The Dartmouth Sailing Week in August is also a must-see for those interested in either watching or participating in this famous sailing week: check out

For an idyllic day among the sand dunes head to Dawlish Warren beach, which has an internationally recognised nature reserve.

There are good family facilities and a free summer entertainment programme, all within easy reach of the beach.

Also in South Devon is Bigbury-on-Sea, a stunning sandy beach in an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty joined by the causeway to Burgh Island. It offers shallow water for paddling and rock pooling and is great for windsurfing and kite surfing for older children or everyone who is young at heart.

But, my family asked me, where can we go to visit somewhere nearby that is educational and also ideal if the sun doesn’t shine everyday?

St Nicholas Priory, just off Fore Street in Exeter, provides the perfect antidote with its replica furniture and artefacts of an Elizabethan town house giving a window to a bygone age. There are costumes to try on and games, toys, stories and other items that give a wonderful insight into Tudor life and the facility is open from Monday to Saturday during school holidays.

The entry fee for children is just £1 with a charge of £2.50 for an adult. Visit

To discover some more hidden gems in and around Devon, I advised my family to visit

Whether you are local or visiting for the first time, Treasure Trails aims to take you to the most beautiful and historic locations in Devon and gets you outside in the fresh air, having fun.