20 Things to do in Devon for Easter 2023

Yay! The chocolate eggs are on their way, all we need to do is find them! If you’re holidaying in Devon this Easter there are hunts aplenty and lots more besides. 

To save researching ‘things to do at Easter near me’ we’ve done the work for you by finding fun activities and wonderful Easter days out to fill your holiday plans before you even arrive.  

Meet the animals at Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park 
(4 min drive from Manleigh Park) Monday 27th March – Sunday 16th April  
The park right next door to Manleigh Holiday Park is one to turn heads! Take a stroll and meet the animals, listen to daily animal talks, presentations and experiences. Then for a little more entertainment collect the 10 Dino eggs that T-Rex and his friends have hidden around the park, to win a prize.  The dinosaurs wake up every hour on the hour - you’ve been warned! 
Booking ahead is advised as spaces are limited.

 Easter crafts at Ilfracombe Museum
(13 min drive from Manleigh Park) 5th and 12th April
A couple of events for your Easter diary. With free entry to the museum, you can view eight rooms of fascinating displays including a recreated Victorian kitchen and laundry, then take a seat and enjoy a coffee with a special coffee morning on 5th April – 10.30am to 12.30pm which includes raffle, tombola and other refreshments. Then on 12th April – 10am – 12pm get the kids creativity spinning with the museums’ Spring themed children’s craft time. First child £3, siblings £2 each, and accompanying adult completely free!  

Get the chills with an Ilfracombe Harbour Ghost Tour
(13 min drive from Manleigh Park) 13th April – 7pm 
Something for the brave amongst you, if you like to be a little spooked then this is for you.  Gain a little knowledge of the harbour and see whether you really believe in ghosts as you hear true stories of local murders and unusual encounters! 

Support the Ilfracombe Lifeboats
(14 min drive from Manleigh Park) 8th April 11am – 3pm
Such an important part of the local area, the lifeboat team continue to hold fundraising events and are set to have an Easter Eggstravaganza on Easter Saturday with fun for all the family at the RNLI boathouse on the Cove.    

The little ones will love the Easter egg hunt and there’ll be lots of other attractions, too – games, craft stalls, a Tombola, a book stall, refreshments – the list goes on. And of course, there’s always plenty to see in and around the boathouse itself.

Easter trails at Arlington Court
(14 min drive from Manleigh Park) 1st - 16th April 
There’s lots of family fun to be had at Arlington Court this Easter.  Visit the beautiful Regency property, cared for by the National Trust.  Enjoy walking or cycling through 10 lovely miles of routes and paths, explore the Victorian Gardens and be wowed by the stately horse drawn vehicles in the carriage museum.

After all that you’ll be grateful of a little chocolate treat and the National Trust property has lots planned for Easter including an Easter trail with lots to do along the way. The trail price is £3 and includes a trail map, pencil, leaf label to hang your nature pledge on a tree and a Chocolate Easter Egg at the end of course! 

Get close to nature at Exmoor Zoo
(15 min drive from Manleigh Park) Easter quiz 9th April – 25th 
So many opportunities to see a range of mammals, amphibians, birds and reptiles up close through daily animal talks and encounters. 

Retrace the past at Mortehoe Museum
(20 min drive from Manleigh Park) 5th – 15th April
Lose yourself in the days of the past at this small but characterful museum which is supported by the local community and situated in a picturesque barn. It’s free to enter though a donation is always welcomed.  Over Easter the museum is hosting a number of events including guess the name of the bunny, and number of eggs in the jar.  But you can also follow a trail around the historic village and enjoy a tractor and trailer ride out to scenic Bull Point Lighthouse where you can learn about the wrecks and wreckers who brought them to their fate.

Woods and words at Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon
(24 min drive from Manleigh Park) 5th & 12th April
Try something a little bit different this Easter with a fun craft session incorporating both words and wood crafts, led by Katy Lee the Director of Courage Copse Creatives CIC who owns and manages 15 acres of woodland in the Taw valley.  Join this woodlander and wordsmith to learn about Ash Trees, and get creative linguistically and artistically!
Suitable for families with children aged 8 and above. Younger children will need adult help and children must be supervised at all times.

Get jurassic at Queens Theatre Barnstaple 
(23 mins drive from Manleigh Park) 3rd April 2023 
Get the heart racing with an immersive dinosaur adventure at the Queens Theatre, with a chance to get up close to life-like Jurassic creatures including a Triceratops and the infamous T-Rex.  You will walk amongst these impressive beasts, learn more about their history and even get to feed them, let us know if they enjoy Easter Eggs!

Sheep races at The Big Sheep
(35 min drive from Manleigh Park) Throughout the Easter holidays
The Big Sheep is a full day out to entertain all ages.  With fairground rides to keep thrill seekers happy, play zones for all ages, live shows, animal encounters and the highly entertaining sheep races to keep you going all day long.  This Easter you can meet the Easter bunny, feed the fluffy new-born lambs and join the Easter Egg Hunt Challenge where you could win your height in books. 
Discounted tickets are available online.

Visit the Easter Grotto at The Milky Way Adventure Park
(45 min drive from Manleigh Park) 1st to 14th April
Another big day out attraction to enjoy with rides and roller coasters plus plenty of play areas both indoors and out.  Children under ten can visit the Easter Grotto, filled with tonnes of Easter themed activities and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny.  There is also Easter fun sessions for the tiny tots of the family with multi-sensory sessions running on 7th and 14th April.

Spot the Easter chicks at Clovelly Village
(55 min drive from Manleigh Park) 7th to 10th April 2023 
One of the most charming sights in North Devon is the quaint village of Clovelly which clings to the clifftops.  You can fill your day here soaking up the atmosphere of the pretty fishing cottages, meeting the resident donkeys, taking a coastal walk, trying your hand at crabbing or enjoying delicious seafood in the quay.  But you can also visit the gardens and museum or even take part in a craft workshops to learn a new skill such as pottery or silk printing.  Over Easter if you spot 10 Easter chicks along the cobbled walkway to the historic quay you will be rewarded with a chocolate treat

Interactive play at Bear Town 
(1 hr drive from Manleigh Park) 31st March to 19th April
For families with children under 7 looking for a wet weather activity, a play session at Bear Town is a great choice.  The interactive role-play centre features different town locations including a farm shop, vets and construction site, with Early Years curriculum supported along the way.  This Easter a a two-hour play session, will incorporate an egg hunt with a hatching egg gift for every child, a wonderful little memory of their Easter day out in Devon.  Exclusive SEND sessions are also available. 

Get creative at Coldharbour Mill Museum 
(1 hr drive from Manleigh Park) 10th April 
Take a visit to one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK, set amongst some 12 acres of beautiful Devon scenery, which you are also welcome to explore.  At the mill you will craftspeople creating textiles and hand woven rugs.  You can also get creative with a choice of workshops from macrame to pom pom garland making.  Over Easter you can see the 19th century engines of this heritage museum in full steam as you hunt for eggs and join the Mill’s craft community for a tea party.

Sample the wine at Heron Farm 
(1hr 18 min drive from Manleigh Park) 1st - 16th April  
The trail at Heron Farm with Easter bunnies to uncover is great for the kids, but the really good part for the adults in the party is that it is hosted by Heron Farm Vineyard, an award-winning venue offering garden to table meals, a range of wine including a very tempting looking blush rosé and expertly mixed cocktails.  So whilst the kids find the bunnies, run off some steam in the playpark or seek out the fairy garden; the adults can enjoy the Spring lunch menu, or a lazy weekend brunch with a sneaky little Spring time tipple.

Sunday Lunch at the Black Venus
(17 mintue drive)
Gather the whole family together to a share an extra special Easter Sunday lunch at the 16th century Black Venus in Challacombe.  This stone built, traditional Devon pub is full of character and set within the stunning Exmoor national park.  You can precede your Easter feast with a circular trek amongst rolling moorland cut with babbling streams and old stone bridges.  The food here celebrates the very best of local produce with Besshill free range Beef and fish from nearby Appledore. 

Safe to say, you’ll not be bored when you come to stay with us at Manleigh Park Devon this Easter. We really do have Easter events galore taking place over the Easter weekend and beyond.  Ready to join in the Easter fun?  Book your holiday accommodation today.