Staying in Devon: 15 Family-Friendly Hotels Compared

Exeter Court Hotel sits just 15 minutes from Exeter International Airport and 5 minutes from the M5, making it one of the most logistically straightforward family bases in the county. The on-site restaurant uses fresh West Country produce, and the bar's 80-inch widescreen TV with satellite channels gives families a practical evening option without leaving the property. Exeter city centre is 6 miles away, and the Teign Valley golf course - with direct Dartmoor views - is only 15 minutes by car. Rooms include tea and coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi throughout, with some featuring comfortable seating areas suited to family use.

• Free on-site parking
• On-site restaurant with West Country produce menu
• 15 minutes from Exeter Airport

The Park Hotel (official site) is a 4-star property set opposite Rock Park in Barnstaple, the main service town for North Devon, with surf beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe within 30 minutes by car. The level walk to Barnstaple town centre is genuinely accessible for families with pushchairs, and the Tarka Trail cycling route starts nearby. As part of the Brend Hotel Group, the property maintains consistent service standards, and Seasons Bar & Lounge provides on-site evening meals without the need to drive. Free parking and family room availability make it a practical anchor for multi-day North Devon itineraries.

• Free parking opposite Rock Park
• Short level walk to Barnstaple town centre
• Close to Croyde and Woolacombe surf beaches

The Sea Trout Inn is located in Staverton, a quiet village near Totnes, positioning families within 14 km of Newton Abbot Racecourse and 5.7 km from Totnes Castle - a reliably engaging stop for children. The inn offers family rooms with private bathrooms, satellite TV, and free Wi-Fi, alongside a restaurant and bar that handles evening meals on-site. The surrounding area supports cycling directly from the property, and the South Devon Railway steam line at Buckfastleigh is a short drive away. Exeter Airport is 48 km, making this a mid-county position that works well for families splitting time between Dartmoor and the South Hams coast.

• Family rooms with satellite TV
• On-site restaurant and bar
• Close to South Devon Railway and Totnes Castle

Set in South Brent on the southern edge of Dartmoor, The Turtley Corn Mill offers converted mill accommodation with a garden, restaurant, and bar - a combination that works well for families wanting character without sacrificing practicality. Totnes Castle is around 12 km away, and the property's garden setting provides outdoor space for children that coastal hotels rarely match. Rooms are fitted with flat-screen TVs, showers, and coffee machines, with Full English breakfast available. The non-smoking policy throughout and free private parking suit families arriving by car with children.

• Garden with outdoor space for children
• Full English breakfast on-site
• 12 km from Totnes Castle

Kestor Inn sits in the Newton Abbot area, around 16 km from Castle Drogo - one of Dartmoor's most visited National Trust properties and reliably engaging for families. The inn is non-smoking, offers free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a Full English breakfast, with a restaurant and bar providing all-day on-site options. Selected rooms include a private patio, adding outdoor space at ground level. Cycling is actively supported in the area, making the inn a practical base for families with bikes. Exeter Airport is 37 km away, and the property's Dartmoor-edge positioning puts moorland walking routes within a short drive.

• Free parking and free WiFi
• Selected rooms with private patios
• 16 km from Castle Drogo (National Trust)

Fisherman's Cot sits on the banks of the River Exe in Bickleigh, directly between Exeter and Tiverton, offering a riverside garden setting that gives children genuine outdoor space without the coastal price point. The traditional restaurant serves a menu including hand-carved Wiltshire ham, homemade soups, and steak burgers - practical, child-friendly food in a relaxed setting. Rooms are elegantly styled with flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and en suite bathrooms. Free parking and free Wi-Fi throughout are standard. The River Exe location provides direct access to riverside walks that are suitable for all ages and require no specialist equipment.

• Riverside garden and outdoor seating
• Family rooms with en suite bathrooms
• On-site restaurant with child-friendly menu

Welbeck Manor and Golf is a 3-star property set near Plymouth, 8.7 km from Marsh Mills Retail Park - useful for families needing access to supermarkets and services. Plymouth Hoe and the Cathedral Church of St Mary and St Boniface are both 14 km away, connecting guests to one of Devon's most historically significant cities. The hotel supports hiking and cycling in the surrounding area, and rooms include balcony or garden view options alongside satellite TV and kettles. The allergy-free property designation and facilities for disabled guests make it one of the more inclusive options in the selection for families with specific needs.

• Balcony and garden view rooms available
• Hiking and cycling from the property
• Facilities for disabled guests

Sandy Cove Hotel occupies a dramatic clifftop position on the North Devon coast and offers a private beach reached via a woodland path - an exclusive facility that removes the public beach crowd problem entirely for families. The heated indoor swimming pool has floor-to-ceiling windows framing Atlantic views, providing a weather-proof activity that works regardless of Devon's unpredictable conditions. The thermal suite includes sauna, steam room, and cold-water ice bucket - facilities more typically found at standalone spa resorts. Ilfracombe and Exmoor National Park are both within short driving distance, extending the activity range for older children. Family rooms are available with contemporary interiors and plush bedding.

• Private beach via woodland path (exclusive to guests)
• Heated indoor pool with Atlantic-view floor-to-ceiling windows
• Thermal suite with sauna and steam room

The Blue Ball Inn is a former 13th-century coaching inn positioned 500 metres from the sea in the north of Exmoor National Park, placing families within walking distance of coastal access while retaining the character of a traditional Devon inn. Stone fireplaces, exposed beams, and a curated selection of local ales set the atmosphere in the pub, while the restaurant serves traditional British cuisine alongside local Devon specialities. Lynton and Lynmouth - two of Devon's most scenic villages - are within 2 miles, with hiking trails directly accessible from both. Rooms include TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and ironing equipment, and free parking is provided on-site.

• 500 metres from the sea on Exmoor
• Traditional pub with stone fireplaces and local ales
• Within 2 miles of Lynton and Lynmouth hiking trails

Hartland Quay Hotel sits directly on the South West Coast Path at one of North Devon's most dramatic cliff locations, with the sandy Quay Beach accessible from the hotel's outdoor seating area. The Wrecker's Retreat Bar - set inside the former stables - serves local ales, fresh fish specials, and a traditional bar menu, making it a practical evening option for families after a beach day. The hotel also contains an on-site museum covering the history of the quay and its wrecks, providing a genuinely educational and unusual indoor option for children on wet days. Locally sourced breakfast is served each morning. Note that pets are not permitted in the main bedrooms, which is relevant for families travelling with dogs.

• Direct access to Quay Beach from hotel grounds
• On-site museum about local maritime history
• Wrecker's Retreat Bar with fresh fish and local ales

Weeke Barton is a 4-star property set near Exeter offering an allergy-free environment, two on-site restaurants, and a garden with terrace and barbecue facilities - a combination well suited to families who want quality dining without leaving the property each evening. The à la carte breakfast is rated exceptional and includes vegan, vegetarian, and dairy-free options, removing the challenge of accommodating dietary requirements at the start of each day. Rooms include private bathrooms, and some feature kitchenettes with fridges - practical for families travelling with infants or toddlers. Bike hire is available directly at the property, and the surrounding area is popular for hiking and cycling. Castle Drogo is 14 km away and Newton Abbot Racecourse 20 km.

• Two on-site restaurants with allergy-free kitchen
• Some rooms with kitchenettes and fridges
• Bike hire available at the property

The Moorland Hotel sits directly within Dartmoor National Park at Haytor, putting families within immediate reach of one of England's most distinctive moorland landscapes without a morning commute. The 4-star property offers 24-hour front desk service, room service, evening entertainment, and luggage storage - a service depth uncommon at rural Devon hotels. Newton Abbot Racecourse is 15 km away, and families with older children will find the Haytor Rocks trail accessible from the hotel's immediate surroundings. Buffet, à la carte, and continental breakfast options are all available, and rooms are equipped with coffee machines and private bathrooms. The shared lounge and garden terrace provide communal space suited to family groups.

• Situated inside Dartmoor National Park at Haytor
• 24-hour front desk and room service
• Evening entertainment on-site

The Royal Hotel stands at the eastern end of Bideford's ancient bridge, a position that gives families direct access to the quayside where boat trips to Lundy Island depart - one of North Devon's most distinctive family excursions. The hotel's historic credentials include an association with 17th-century courts and the author Sir Charles Kingsley, who wrote parts of The Water Babies here; the oak-panelled Kingsley Room with its sculpted ceiling is a genuine architectural point of interest for families. Clovelly village and the Tarka Trail for walkers and cyclists are both close at hand. The property offers 24-hour room service, family rooms, and facilities for disabled guests, with free parking and free Wi-Fi throughout. ->

• Quayside location with Lundy Island boat access
• Historic Kingsley Room with original sculpted ceiling
• Walking and cycling access to the Tarka Trail

The Redcliffe Hotel is situated in Paignton, at the heart of Torbay - Devon's most concentrated coastal resort zone, placing families within easy reach of Paignton Beach, Paignton Zoo, and the Dartmouth Steam Railway terminus at Paignton station. The hotel's coastal position and Torbay location make it one of the most centrally placed options in the selection for families targeting South Devon's traditional resort infrastructure. Paignton itself has a flat seafront promenade well suited to pushchairs and younger children, alongside a range of family dining options within walking distance. The Redcliffe's Paignton address connects families to the wider English Riviera - Torquay and Brixham are both within a short drive.

• Paignton seafront and beach within close reach
• Close to Paignton Zoo and Dartmouth Steam Railway
• Central Torbay position connecting Torquay and Brixham

Dartington Hall is a 14th-century estate near Totnes, offering bed and breakfast accommodation within one of Devon's most architecturally significant historic properties. The estate's grounds - including formal gardens and woodland paths - provide extensive outdoor space for families without requiring a car journey. Totnes, known for its independent shops and direct rail connection to Exeter, is within a few minutes' drive, while the Dart Valley and its walking trails are immediately accessible. Staying at Dartington provides a genuinely different kind of Devon experience: rooted in history and landscape rather than beach infrastructure, making it well suited to families with older children interested in history, arts, or walking.

• 14th-century estate with extensive formal gardens
• Short drive to Totnes with direct rail to Exeter
• Dart Valley walking trails on the doorstep