My top free things to do in Devon
I live in Devon, a glorious county with two dramatic coastlines and expansive moorland in the middle.
Some times of year, it’s not hard to find free things to do in Devon. I love hiking on the coast path, taking a dip at its best beaches and picnicking on the moors.
But there are a range of no-fee activities in Devon that are suitable all year round, too! In this post, we’ll focus on some of the obvious and less obvious ones.
12 Free things to do in Devon
From countryside walks to free museums, here are the best free things to do in Devon, along with a few ways you can make extra pocket money for your trip (did you know you can trade in an ipad for cash, for example?).
Walk on Dartmoor
One of my favourite things to do in Devon when I don’t want to spend any money is to head to Dartmoor, find somewhere to park (many Dartmoor car parks are paid-for, but there are also plenty of free laybys!) and go for a hike.
There are so many places to do this, but one of my favourites is Grimspound. There’s quite a bit of parking here, and you can walk around the ancient settlement or hike up to Saddle Tor.
Postbridge Clapper Bridge is another favourite of mine, although the parking here is paid-for.
Dartmoor is also the only place in England where you can legally free camp – although there are some restrictions on where, when and how. See my camping on Dartmoor post for more information about that.
Sea swimming
Another way to enjoy Devon’s great outdoors is sea swimming! I regularly take a dip at Exmouth beach (by the RNLI is safest – don’t swim where the river meets the sea), but also love Coryton Cove in Dawlish, Budleigh Salterton and Putsborough Sands near Woolacombe in the north.
While sea swimming is one of the best Devon free activities, it’s really important to be safe when doing it. People can and have lost their lives in the sea here, heartbreakingly recently at Budleigh Salterton beach on Christmas day.
Swim at lifeguarded beaches, don’t go alone, take a float and enter slowly so you don’t go into cold shock. If you’re not a confident swimmer, don’t go out of your depth.
Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter
Now for an indoor attraction! The Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter (also known as the RAMM), focuses on Exeter and Devon’s history and culture. I spent a while walking around here when I did a city break to Exeter a few years back, and especially loved the exhibition of Medieval Exeter.
It’s steps from Exeter Central station, and is right by Gandy Street, which is thought to be one of the inspirations for Diagon Alley!
The Box, Plymouth
Plymouth’s museum is called The Box, and it’s also free! One of the most popular exhibitions here focuses on The Mayflower, which was one the ship that departed Plymouth, full of Pilgrims who would set up one of the first colonies in the “New World”.
The Donkey Sanctuary
Down in East Devon, the Donkey Sanctuary is one of the county’s most adorable attractions!
The Donkey Sanctuary is a registered charity, so of course donations are always welcome; but there is no upfront cost to enter. The donkeys are largely rescued and retired working donkeys in the UK, mostly living in Dawn Barn. I loved hearing the stories of each individual donkey when I visited!
There’s also a cafe on site.
House of Marbles
House of Marbles is a completely free attraction near Bovey Tracey. It’s essentially a marble-making glassworks and toy manufacturer, with options to see glassmaking and admire the marble runs.
While donations are always welcome and there are a couple of paid-for activities, general entry is completely free.
Buckfast Abbey
Buckfast Abbey is a really interesting place to visit in the South Dartmoor region!
It’s essentially a working Benedectine Monastery which dates back to 1018 AD, although it was refounded by French Benedictines in 1882.
The Abbey Church is the cornerstone attraction, with a lantern ceiling and stained-glass, and there’s also the Monastic Way exhibition where you can learn about the lives of the monks. The surrounding gardens are lovely for a stroll, too!
We visited Buckfast Abbey when we were camping in Dartmoor and were fascinated to learn that this is where Buckfast Tonic Wine is made. The monks actually run the abbey as business, and producing Buckfast Tonic Wine is one of their streams of income!
South West Coast Path walks
Of course, the entire South West Coast Path is free and glorious!
Some of my favourite Devon hikes include:
- Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton
- Ladram Bay to Sidmouth
- Teignmouth to Babbacombe
- Ilfracombe to Woolacombe
- Clovelly to Westward Ho!
You can click through on the above pages to see my hiking guides for each.
Seaton Wetlands
Seaton Wetlands is a free nature reserve beside the Axe Estuary in East Devon. It has nearly four kilometres of level trails and boardwalks, along with five bird hides and a viewing platform.
Look out for kingfishers, avocets and oystercatchers as you walk around. Entry and parking are free, although donations are welcome. Dogs aren’t allowed apart from assistance dogs.
Totnes Museum
Totnes Museum is housed in an Elizabethan merchant’s house on Fore Street. Inside, exhibits cover the town’s history, from Saxon coins and archaeological finds to objects belonging to its Victorian residents.
It’s free to enter, although donations are welcome. The museum is run by volunteers and has limited opening days, so check its website before visiting.
Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon is a free museum opposite Barnstaple railway station. Its exhibitions cover local archaeology, pottery, wildlife, military history and the railways that once connected North Devon.
I particularly like the galleries on North Devon’s landscapes and local industries. There’s also a model railway, an elephant skeleton known as Barney and regularly changing temporary exhibitions.
Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours
One of my FAVOURITE free activities in Devon is Exeter’s Red Coat Guided Tours. These are such an asset to the city; they’re free tours that detail the history and culture behind this very underrated city.
The Cathedral to Quay tour is the most comprehensive look at Exeter’s many parts; there’s also Medieval Exeter and Georgian Exeter, among others. Once a year, there’s an Exeter Blitz tour. My partner and I have actually done all of these!
Making money on your Devon trip
While there are plenty of ways to save money in Devon – I always recommend camping in summer or staying on a caravan park in the cooler months and cooking your own food rather than eating out – there are also a few random ways to make money while you’re here too!
The first I recommend is an app called NaviSavi. This is a travel app which will pay you $1 for every 5-30 second video that you upload of a tourist site – which includes all of these free Devon attractions and beaches, lookouts etc!
Next, before I go on holiday, I always have a tech clearout. You can sell tech on Mazuma mobile, for example, and have the cash in your account quickly! I used them to sell my phone a few years back, which funded a couple of days in Cornwall.
Lastly, have you heard of mystery shopping? When I visit other places in the UK, I often check out a few mystery shopping apps I use to earn a bit of cash! Roamler and Shepper often have a few easy options, and you can withdraw the cash to your travel fund instantly.
