Kayaking and canoeing is a great way to get close to nature and experience lochs, lakes, rivers and canals in the UK. An easy way to start experiencing boat sports and go on an adventure. Kayaking and Canoeing are slightly different! When Kayaking you will be seated with your legs extended and you will use a double ended paddle. When you canoe, you can be seated or kneeling and often use a single paddle.

Canoeing and Kayaking

If you decide to take a holiday in the UK to an area you don't know (or maybe you do but want to know more), an excellent way of seeing around and actually getting to see the "best bits" is by taking a tour with a local guide or someone in the know. Walking tours, cycling tours, boat tours, pogo-stick tours (ok maybe not the last one) - whatever suits your family best, can be booked online or at local visitor information centres and make a real difference to your stay.  You can find out the history of a place, local facts or even go on something weird and wonderful like a ghost walk or follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper.  Eek.  An open top bus journey can take away the hours pounding the pavement to look around a large city. Boat trips and river cruises are also a great way of seeing a lot of things in a small amount of time, giving you a completely different aspect of the town you are visiting.  Join a large boat or charter something smaller yourself and follow the river along to get a better look at all the surround countryside.  

Tours and River Cruises

A leisure cycle is a great way to get the whole family out and exercising! It allows you to travel further whilst still getting to experience the local area. Why not take your family along the Camel Trail in Cornwall? Or Maybe go and hunt a Gruffolo in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are a family who loves biking together on relaxing forrest paths or a serious Wiggins type who prefers fast road cycling, there is no doubt that camping holidays give you the freedom to take your cycling hobby with you, wherever you decide to go in the UK.  Plenty of great campsites are near cycling paths and some may also offer bicycle hire too, showing you the best routes to take for a great day out cycling.  

Cycling

Why not consider learning to sail on your next staycation? Take to the sea and harness the wind to discover the joy of sailing.  Unlock new adventures and areas by learning to sail, or even discover more about your local area!  From age 8, children are allowed to participate in RYA learn to sail courses. Why not try sailing on your next staycation. 

Sailing

Aside from roving funfairs which can pop up in towns and cities for a week before travelling on and are a great bonus if you find one, the UK has many, many fantastic Theme Parks that are open all year round and provide a great day out for everyone in the family.  Even the faint-hearted members who don't want to scream themselves hoarse on Oblivion or the like can take a gentle boat trip or something serene around quite often attractive grounds. These parks are a real treat for kids and grown ups alike.  You might plan your holiday to be near one, visit for the day or just get lucky and find there is one right where you are holidaying.  They often need booking in advance as they do limit numbers to some extent, and the well-known ones such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington are so large that you might need more than one day there!  They can be pricey, especially if you have a big family, so always keep a look out for 2-for-1 deals and vouchers, as you could make a good saving. Many seaside locations  - like Blackpool Pleasure beach - have seafront funfairs which are usually in action all year round (although on a very windy day, given their location, some things might close for safety!) so it is always a good idea to check these out too.  Most of these you can buy tickets on the day.

Theme Parks and Funfairs

Discover what lies at the depths of the ocean...Your Aquarium visit will take you on a journey around the different zones of the world’s Ocean, from the local waters, all the way to the tropical seas of the Great Barrier Reef and everywhere in between!  A great indoor activity for the whole family to explore...

Aquariums

Enjoy a day on the beach with all the family! The UK boasts some incredible coastlines, from the well-loved Cornwall coast to the secret sandy spots in Scotland. There is something for everyone!  Perfect for long walks, sandcastle making or laying back for some well deserved relaxation. 

Beaches

Feel like royalty and visit one of the UK’s beautiful palaces, castles or stately homes. We are lucky to be surrounded by amazing history and architecture here in the UK, and through several organisations we are able to visit and experience these amazing homes. Learn about the history of the buildings and residents, view the art and walk amongst the gardens. Many of these places also offer plenty of activities and guides for the children too! So why not visit one on your next trip?

Castles and Palaces

Thinking of delving into the world of karting? We're sure you're raring to go! Well don't think twice and book yourself and friends or all the family on an ultimate go karting experience! Once you're kitted out with the appropriate gear, you'll have your safety talk that tells you everything you need to know about racing, so listen up! When that's over and you're out on the track,  go karts pack a mean punch...  On your mark, get set, GO!  

Go Karting

Learn to paint or refine your skills... Painting is a completely inclusive activity for the whole family!  Head to a pottery painting class with your friends and take away a keepsake from your holiday! Or let the kids express their creative side with some hand painting!  Maybe you're already proficient and want to polish your brush technique. Whatever the weather, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Painting workshops

Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

Ilfracoombe is one of the leading holiday resorts in Devon.   Situated on a dramatic stretch of the coastline, there is everything you need here for a proper British holiday; shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants, gift shops and sea swimming in the stunning Victorian tunnel beaches - hand carved tunnels leading out to the beach and a tidal bathing pool. Family adventures are in abundance here at Ilfracoombe.  Discover the creepy artefacts at the Ilfracoombe museum, which contains treasures (and monstrosities!) from all over the globe.  If this isn't to your taste, the famous Landmark Theatre has performances and exhibitions throughout the year, and the Ilfracoombe Art and Craft Society gallery has free displays from Easter to the end of November. For sea-farers there is masses to do.  Take a boat trip out to see the puffins on Lundy Island, try mackerel or deep-sea fishing, a sea-life safari or even scuba diving if you are feeling brave!  If you want to see the creatures of the deep without leaving dry land, a trip to the Ilfracoombe Aquarium is a great family day out. There is a real old fashioned charm here and plenty to do, so don't miss out on this gem when you are exploring Devon!  

Ilfracoombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Bideford, Devon, South West England, UK

Brixham, Devon, South West England, UK

Budleigh Salterton, Devon, South West England, UK

Croyde, Devon, South West England, UK

Dartmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Dawlish, Devon, South West England, UK

Exeter, Devon, South West England, UK

Exmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Honiton, Devon, South West England, UK

Launceston, Cornwall, South West England, UK

Newton Abbot, Devon, South West England, UK

Paignton, Devon, South West England, UK

Plymouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Salcombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Saltash, Cornwall, South West England, UK

Seaton, Devon, South West England, UK

Sidmouth, Devon, UK

Teignmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Tiverton, Devon, South West England, UK

Torquay, Devon, South West England, UK

Totnes, Devon, South West England, UK

Woolacombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Nestled in the southwest of England, Devon is a beautiful coastal and rural county, full of nature and landscapes for you to experience.  With 2 beautiful coastlines, Devon is a great place to take the family for a UK beach holiday, why not try out surfing, kayaking or coasteering?  Head inland to the endless moors of Devon, and visit Exmoor or Dartmoor. Meet wild ponies or try pony trekking through the moors. If you live history why not try one of the steam railways across the moors? All great holiday activities.  If you are looking for a city escape, Devon is home to both Plymouth and Exeter, which make great weekend city breaks.  So why not give Devon a go? With beaches, countryside, moorlands, cities, and villages there is something for everyone in Devon.  

Devon, South West England, UK

Bristol, South West England, UK

City of Bath, South West England, UK

Cornwall, South West England, UK

Dorset, South West England, UK

Gloucestershire, South West England, UK

Isles of Scilly, South West England, UK

Somerset, South West England, UK

Wiltshire, South West England, UK

South West England consists of 7 counties, Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire as well as the Isles of Scilly. 
It is one of the nine regions of England with a total population of just over 5.28 million.

South West England, UK

East Midlands

East of England, UK

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South East England, UK

West Midlands, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

England is a totally unique travel destination, well known for its history, natural beauty, vast range of attractions and beautiful countryside landscapes and coastlines. 

England, UK

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the extraordinary United Kingdom; home to mountains, caves, rivers, dramatic coastlines, medieval villages and vibrant cities.

Places nearby

bideford

brixham

budleigh-salterton

croyde

dartmouth

dawlish

exeter

exmouth

honiton

Things to do in ilfracombe