Low-Cost & Free Family Fun in Mid Devon This Summer

Low-Cost & Free Family Fun in Mid Devon This Summer

Summer in Mid Devon is made for making memories – and you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy it! From countryside adventures to local fetes and hidden gems, here’s your guide to wallet-friendly family fun during the school holidays.

? Traditional Fetes & Local Events

Nothing says summer like a village fete! Mid Devon’s communities come alive with cake and craft stalls, games, and live music.

• Look out for events in Crediton, Cullompton, Tiverton, and the surrounding villages – many are free to enter or donation-based.

• Check local notice boards, parish websites, and social media for up-to-date listings.

• Don’t forget Mid Devon Show – one of the best one day agricultural shows in the South West! Advance price tickets (available at Tiverton Tourist Information Service and various other locations, as well as online) are a bit cheaper than on the day and kids under 15 are free. It’s a full day of entertainment and there are free shuttle buses available.

?Tip: Bring cash for stalls and check for dog-friendly events.

? Get Outdoors – Nature on Your Doorstep

Mid Devon is packed with beautiful spots perfect for a day out with the kids, like these examples:

• Grand Western Canal, Tiverton
  Enjoy a towpath walk, spot dragonflies, and have a picnic by the water. Don’t forget to visit the ducks!
  Free access, small fee for parking.

• Eggesford Forest
  Peaceful woodland trails perfect for family walks and picnics. Easy circular routes and plenty of wildlife to spot.
  Free access, parking available.
  

• Culmstock Beacon
  For big views without the long drive to Exmoor or Dartmoor. Short but steep walk rewarded with panoramic countryside views. Combine it with a picnic and a splash in the river down in Culmstock village afterwards.
  Free access, parking in the village.

? Picnic Perfect Spots

Make lunch part of the adventure! Why not stock up on goodies from one of our brilliant local farm shops or farmers’ markets? Fresh bread, local cheese, and just-picked fruit taste even better under a blue sky. These beautiful, free-to-access places are ideal for laid-back summer picnics:

• Shobrooke Park, near Crediton – A peaceful, semi-wild parkland with a large pond, open fields, and mature trees. Great for wildlife spotting and a relaxed, rural vibe.

• Knightshayes or Killerton (National Trust) – Both offer stunning gardens and parkland. National Trust members get full access, but non-members can access the grounds. Ideal for combining with a stroll or nature trail!

• Bampton Motte – A hidden gem above the village with local history, great views, and family-friendly extras. Kids will love the play park and outdoor table tennis table, while adults can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and a touch of medieval charm.

? Walks, Wildlife & Wheels

Mid Devon’s bursting with ways to get active as a family — and it doesn’t have to cost a penny. Try these interactive, free ways to explore:

• • Treasure Trails or Geocaching
    You can find lots of free printable treasure maps or scavenger hunts online – or try Geocaching for a real-world treasure hunt to make family walks even more fun.

  • 

    Wildlife spotter sheets
    Download a free sheet to turn a stroll into an animal-spotting challenge. Wildlife Trusts have lots including fun activity ideas.

• Go for a Bike Ride
  Dust off the bikes and head out on two wheels! Whether it’s a gentle ride along the Grand Western Canal, forest tracks at Eggesford, or quiet country lanes, cycling is a brilliant low-cost way to explore together and burn off some energy.

? Creative & Rainy Day Ideas

When the weather turns, try:

• Local Libraries – Free story times, craft sessions, or reading challenges.

• Tiverton Museum – Low-cost entry (and children go free with paying adults!) — plus loads of summer fun with  Country Summer activities: a scarecrow hunt, seaside dress-up, traditional games like Hook-a-Duck and Maypole dancing, and Crafty Tuesdays throughout the holidays.

• Craft Cafés – Try your hand at pottery painting at Happy Glaze Pottery, Tiverton or Paint Pots of Devon, Crediton — both offer a wide range of items at pocket-friendly prices, plus summer workshops. Paint Pots of Devon also have a fun summer trail running throughout the holidays for families to enjoy, and its just £1 to join in.

?️ Special Offers & Passes

• Paddling Pools Fun – Beat the heat at Mid Devon’s free paddling pools in Westexe Park, Tiverton and Newcombes Meadow, Crediton. Open daily from 10am to 6pm throughout the summer holidays (until early September), they’re perfect for little ones to splash, cool off and burn some energy. Both parks also have nearby play areas, benches and space to picnic.

• Multi-attraction passes – Some venues offer family season tickets, combined discounts, or reduced prices if you book ahead online.

• Local eateries – Many cafés or pubs offer ‘kids eat free’ with adult meals during summer – keep an eye on local Facebook groups for deals

✅ Final Tips

• Bring refillable water bottles to cut costs and stay hydrated

• Keep a “summer bag” ready with sun cream, bug spray, a frisbee and snacks!

• Follow Visit Mid Devon on social media for last-minute ideas and event reminders

? Share Your Adventures!
Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your favourite free or low-cost summer moments in Mid Devon – we love to see what you discover!