5 great reasons to visit Devon this Spring
Scenic coastlines and charming seaside towns are great year-round but why is Spring such a good time to visit Devon?
The milder Climate
Spring arrives early in Devon with average daytime temperatures between 10°C and 16°C between March and May, and it is a great time to explore and enjoy. Devon’s maritime climate means that the area tends to escape extremes of weather, with February tending to be the coldest month, but as Spring arrives visitors can expect to enjoy a milder climate than other areas of England. May is also the sunniest month to visit, with around 197 of sunshine to enjoy.
Daffodils at Beer Beach, South Devon
Fun for all the Family
With half-term, the Easter break and May’s bank holidays, there are plenty of opportunities for families with kids to enjoy a fun-filled Spring staycation in Devon. Take a walk and look for the ponies on Dartmoor, go on a bike ride, hunt for fossils on the Jurassic Coast, build a sandcastle on Teignmouth Beach, follow the Zog activity trail at Haldon Forest Park or ride the rollercoaster at Crealy Theme Park .
An ammonite fossil
Live like Royalty
Powderham Castle reopens in February and is perfect for pretending to be a prince or princess! Meet the animals in Pets Corner, burn off energy in the Secret Garden Play Area and learn about the history of the Castle while you explore the majestic rooms on a guided tour.
As its a Coronation year, there’s even more reason to visit Powderham in 2023. You can watch the Coronation of King Charles III live from within the castle grounds, and enjoy local food, drinks and royal activities.
Powderham Castle
Flowers, flowers everywhere
The heart soars when daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells provide a carpet of colour announcing the arrival of Spring and Devon has more than its fair share of stunning gardens and open land in which to enjoy them.
National Trust property, Greenway, is a Georgian house famous as Agatha Christie’s holiday home but it’s also well-known for its stunning walled gardens, woodland and river and abundant spring flowers - magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, daffodils and cyclamen.
You can enjoy a gentle walk by the banks of the River Teign at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Dunsford, famed for its daffodils. Usually in full bloom by mid to late-March, the daffodils carpet the area which is well-served by marked, flat paths.
Lady’s Wood, near South Brent, is renowned and loved for its blanket of bluebells. Located on Dartmoor’s southern edge, the other star attraction of this small reserve is its dormice!
A sea of bluebells carpet a woodland
Baby animals!
Who doesn’t love all the new life that comes with Spring? Devon is blessed with a varied landscape of coastlines, forests, heathlands, moors and farmland which means there are plentiful opportunities to see the newborn animals.
Dawlish’s famed black swans are always worth a visit, but keep your eyes peeled for brand new fluffy ducklings, or cygnets if you get very lucky, at the Waterfowl Compound.
As well as being a family fun park, The Big Sheep is also a working farm. You can meet and feed the lambs as well as getting upclose to the baby animals in the petting farm.
Pennywell Farm is home to beautiful Highland cows and their calves, which you can see on a tractor and trailer ride around the park. You can also visit the ‘goatarama’ for a peek at the kids and goats.
So not all the animals at the Miniature Pony Centre are babies, but they certainly tick the cute and cuddly boxes! Expect to see miniature Shetlands and their foals, micro pigs and even some unicorns.
A kid goat and hungry guinea pig
Attractions, events and venues listed here are not endorsed or affiliated with The Cliffden Hotel. We recommend checking opening information, ticketing details etc directly with the venue prior to travelling.