Discovering Devon - A Guide to Some of the Top Attractions

Devon’s Top Attractions, part of the Devon Association of Tourist Attractions, represent the very best quality assured visitor attractions throughout the county of Devon. Members include award-winning steam railways, impressive stately homes, narrow gauge trams, farm adventure parks, zoos, museums, and more. They must pass rigorous entry criteria and regular inspections to earn their DTA badge so visitors can expect high-quality service.

In April, Sarah went along to their 5-day workshop to see just what some of these attractions offered to coach groups. You can read more about her visit in the May 2024 Holiday Herald Newsletter but more details on the attractions visited are included below.

Torre Abbey

Torre Abbey is an archaeological site of national importance and Torbay's most historic building. Set within 18 acres of land, this multi-award-winning visitor attraction houses an impressive collection of artifacts and art from the 18th century to the present day. From the medieval undercrofts to the gardens and up to the top floor gallery, lifts and level access ensure that almost all of the abbey is accessible by all. A highlight of a visit here is the gallery exhibition where state-of-the-art technology tells the abbey’s fascinating story through videos, talking portraits, and interactive displays. You’ll even find a dressing-up box! In a central location, this is a great option for a group tour at the start or end of a day in Torquay or as a suggestion for a day exploring at leisure.

Stuart Line Cruises

Sailing from Exmouth, Stuart Line Cruises is a family-owned company that has been running boat trips in Devon for over 50 years. There’s a huge selection of cruises and day trips from longer trips along the Jurassic Coast to a shorter river cruise which runs year-round, in all weathers. We’ve sampled a river cruise in November (a festive version with mulled wine) and again in April with the Devon Workshop. All boats have an upper deck – including blankets for cooler days – or a heated lower deck with huge windows for panoramic views of the scenery and wildlife. There’s an informative commentary on board and hot and cold refreshments available. A very pleasant way to see Devon from the water which is very group-friendly. Combines well with a trip to World of Country Life.

World of Country Life

This attraction is difficult to categorize and is somewhere you could return to time and time again and see something different. There’s a museum of working farming machinery, a Victorian Street that then leads you through the decades plus an amazing collection of vintage and classic vehicles, steam engines, tractors, and motorcycles. Look out for vehicles featured on screen – including the charabanc used in Downton Abbey. But the fun doesn’t stop there. As this was originally a working farm, there are still many animals to see. We sampled the Deer Train Safari where you can hand-feed red deer and llama. The deer don’t need much encouragement when they see the ‘train’ approaching! Although we didn’t get to see it at the Devon Workshop, there are also daily Birds of Prey flying displays. There are refreshments available on-site and a well-stocked shop for souvenir hunters. Lots to offer for everyone and a visit here combines well the a boat cruise from Exmouth for a full day out.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Exeter

The RAMM is located in the centre of Exeter with a diverse collection of displays covering zoology, anthropology, archeology, geology, and fine art plus revolving exhibitions offering something for return visitors. It’s open seven days a week year-round and only closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Entry to RAMM is free (ideal as a suggestion during free time in Exeter) but private group tours can be organized including a discount voucher for the museum shop. It’s located just a short walk from Exeter Cathedral and the main shopping centre so good as a suggestion for free time in Exeter or combining with a visit to the cathedral.

Powderham Castle

Just outside of Exeter, in Kenton on the banks of the River Exe, you’ll find Powderham Castle, the family home of the Earl of Devon. The castle is open to the public daily from February to October and groups can visit both the house and grounds or just the stunning gardens and grounds in finer weather. However with over 600 years of history and heritage on display and fascinating guided tours including insights into the family history, I would recommend including the castle. If you’re lucky, you may even find the Earl himself showing you around! There is also a café on-site for refreshments, light lunches, and of course – cream teas . . . the Devon way! An excellent add-on to time in Exeter.

Babbacombe Theatre

If you’re looking to include evening entertainment on a tour to Devon, and the hotel doesn’t offer this option, then a trip to Babbacombe Theatre is a good alternative for your group. Their cabaret show runs from February to October on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Good old-fashioned live entertainment with singing, dancing, comedy, and magic. The theatre already works closely with several local hotels so early dining can be arranged to allow your group time to get to the show in plenty of time.

Seaton Tramway

Running between Seaton and Colyton, the Seaton Tramway takes passengers on a double-decker vintage tram through the Axe Valley and two nature reserves. It runs daily from the end of March to October with some weekends out of season during school holidays. We climbed aboard for a one-way trip from Colyton back to Seaton but groups may enjoy a return trip from Seaton, perhaps stopping for a cream tea at the historic Colyton Station. The 3-mile route takes about half an hour each way. You can enjoy fresh air from the top deck or stay on the ground floor. For those who can manage stairs, the top deck offers amazing views of the birds and wildlife along the route. The trams may be vintage, but they are accessible and all major stations are step-free. For those interested in spending time bird watching, there are also accessible walkways to the hides from stations along the route.

Pecorama

Model train enthusiasts will love this, with its collection of indoor and outdoor displays and the famous Pecoroma shop. But even non-enthusiasts can appreciate the skill and artistry in the displays and the location does offer more. Groups can enjoy a tour of the gardens, a ride on the mini narrow gauge steam train, and a cream tea or high tea with stunning views over Lyme Bay. On a fine day, the tea can be taken alfresco but the luxurious Pullman Carriage is a draw in itself. There is a section of steep path from the shop to the garden and station but there is the option to drop off closer to the station for guests with walking difficulties. Tours and tea must be pre-booked and are available Monday to Thursday.

Donkey Sanctuary

An ever-popular attraction near Sidmouth. From humble beginnings as a UK rescue centre, The Donkey Sanctuary is now the world’s largest equine welfare charity. There are engaging exhibits, scenic walks, and fascinating talks telling the story of the charity. And the food in the café was pretty good too! Open daily (with the shop and kitchen closed only on Christmas Day) the site has ample coach parking and free admission. But donations are always welcome (as are sponsors for your chosen donkey) and even a little souvenir shopping in the well-stocked shop can help. A perfect inclusion for a Devon coach group.

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

A magnificent park with over 60 acres of beautiful gardens, water features, and an arboretum. Guests can explore on foot or take the Bicton Woodland Railway through the grounds and arboretum with its informative talk as you ride. You’ll also find a Countryside Museum on site plus a restaurant and gift shop. After spending time exploring, a cream tea overlooking the gardens is a welcome option.

Kents Cavern

If Carlsberg did caves then this would be it! Kent’s Cavern is one of Europe’s top Stone Age sites but amazingly accessible with level paths and less than 10 steps throughout a tour of the caves. A guided tour through the labyrinth of chambers with stalagmites and stalactites, tells the stories of early humans, ice-age animals, Victorian excavators, and the discoveries made in the cavern. For those that can’t manage even a few steps, the first cavern is wheelchair friendly but they can then follow the tour on a live video on a tablet from the comfort of the café. Outside, there is also a Woodland Trail with statues of the animals who used to live within the caves. Open daily from April to October there is ample free coach parking and accessible entrance through the shop and café. There are cream tea packages and festive options available for groups too. We’re excited by the idea of ‘Carols in the Cave’ for our festive tours in Devon!

Babbacombe Model Village

Four acres of beautiful miniature gardens and models representing England through the decades as well as sites from overseas and a new ‘fantasy’ section. There is a lot of walking and some steps involved so not suitable for all and certainly more enjoyable on a sunny day – though the village is open all year. A good suggestion for tours spending free time in Babbacombe.

Bygones

This offers an undercover option for visitors to Babbacombe. There are three floors of over 2000 genuine artifacts taking you back in time. A Victorian street includes a forge, sweetshop, nursery, kitchen, parlour, and dentist. You can walk through a recreation of a WW1 trench and see a vast collection of military artifacts. At the centre of it all, is a full-size steam engine which started the whole collection. It’s a fascinating place but it’s an historic building with no lift which means not accessible to all. Ideal as a suggestion for free time in Babbacombe.

South Devon Railway

The SDR is a seven-mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. The heritage steam trains run daily from March to October and the historic displays on the stations are also worth exploring with the staff in vintage uniforms adding to the experience. On the Devon Workshop trip, we did a return journey from Buckfastleigh to Totnes and sampled some of the added refreshment packages available to groups – Cornish pasties on the way there and cream tea on the return trip. Another one for film buffs with the journey often featured on TV – most recently in Return to Paradise. You’ll even see some of the station staff as extras in the series! There is limited wheelchair access in a dedicated carriage and accessible toilets at the stations. A great addition to a group tour and a relaxing, nostalgic way to view the River Dart Valley.

Buckfast Abbey

Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Buckfast Abbey is home to a community of Benedictine Monks. The site includes beautiful, spacious gardens, a restaurant, multiple shops, a conference centre, and hotel accommodation. Open Monday to Saturday (limited hours on Sunday), with ample coach parking and free entry, the Abbey is often included as a refreshment stop with time to explore at leisure. However, there are guided tours available for groups that want to know a little more. Whilst on the workshop we were given a fascinating taster showcasing music from the church organs with an insight into the lives of the monks. Alongside this, there is an exhibition centre with a small entrance fee. It offers an immersive feast of sights and sounds introducing Benedictine monastic life from its origins to the present day. The finale is a stunning video taking you through history from the dawn of time. Well worth including on a visit here. It’s a beautiful, peaceful and moving place to visit and more than one person with damp eyes.

If you're interested in including any of the above attractions in a coach group tour to Devon, contact info@ashelynewey.co.uk with your requests. We have several tours that already include some of them with new options in the pipeline  - but we're always happy to help with your bespoke requests.