February may be mid-winter, but there’s still heaps of things to do in Devon this month. February 14th is Valentine’s Day, and later in the month it’s time for half-term breaks from school. Where better to spend a staycation than in the beautiful Devon countryside?
With primroses peeking out on sheltered banks, baby lambs frolicking playfully in the fields and historic tram tours, you’ll find plenty to do in Devon in February. From Crealy Adventure Park and Kent’s Cavern attractions to Westpoint Shows, Devon puts on a great calendar of events, even in winter!
Check out our suggestions for the top 10 things to do in Devon from your cosy holiday cottage…
- Spot signs of spring at Killerton Estate
- Get tickets to Westpoint Exeter shows
- Help bottle-feed hungry lambs at The Big Sheep
- Beat the cold at Kent’s Cavern
- Grab lunch by the fireside in a historic Devon pub
- Rides and entertainment Crealy-style
- Dig those dinosaurs!
- Family fun at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
- Tiptoe through the Snowdrops
- Get Boxed in!
Spot signs of spring at Killerton Estate
The National Trust-owned estate at Killerton is open every day of the year and there are plenty of things to see and do. Explore the house and walk around the gardens that are budding with spring growth in this sheltered area. Trees may be bare, but in the undergrowth you’ll spot carpets of snowdrops and cyclamen blooming as the first signs of spring.
Enjoy a bracing walk in the wider 6,400 acre parkland. Dogs on leads can enjoy some fresh air in the park but are not allowed in the formal gardens.
Follow the 19th century carriage drive past the quarry and extinct volcano on the Deodar Glen Walk or head across the fields to Budlake Post Office. Pop into the family chapel or pick up a good read in the second-hand bookshop before heading to the Killerton Kitchen Cafe and Stables Coffee Shop. Hot drinks, freshly made soup and tasty snacks are the order of the day!
Get tickets to Westpoint Exeter shows
There’s always something going on at Westpoint Exeter, the popular indoor arena and showground near Clyst St Mary. Events and shows may change year-on-year but there’s never a dull moment and most events are indoors whatever the weather.
Check out the Westpoint Exeter website and book tickets to something you fancy. In past years, Westpoint has hosted a plethora of fun things to do in February from Craft Shows to Farm and Machinery, GamesCom, Wedding Extravaganzas, Antiques and Vintage Home Shows, and concerts by popular entertainers such as Lewis Capaldi.
It’ll be the highlight of your February break in the Westcountry!
Help bottle-feed hungry lambs at The Big Sheep
Of course, February in Devon is lambing season so it’s all hands on deck at The Big Sheep near Bideford. Kids will be fascinated to watch the Lambing Live webcam before their visit. You may even be lucky enough to see a lamb being born! Plan a visit and you can help bottle-feed the latest arrivals and stroke and pet other fluffy residents.
There’s more fun in the huge Indoor Play Zone with slides, obstacles, towers and jumping pillows. Enjoy the pull-along Tractor Ride, trampolines and ball pool before heading to Bo Peep’s Cafe. It’s a Ewe-nique way to have fun in February in Devon.
Beat the cold at Kent’s Cavern
Cave dwellers may not have had the luxury of central heating, but they stayed warm in Kent’s Cavern, Torquay. It remains a cool 14°C all year round. Pre-book one of the daily guided tours and step back in time thousands of years to learn about Torbay during the Ice Age.
Explore the labyrinth of caverns and admire natural rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites as well as artefacts left by earlier inhabitants. The oldest human fossil was found in the cavern dating back 44,000 years. Part of the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark, these awesome caverns are a popular place to visit in February.
Grab lunch by the fireside in a historic Devon pub
Take a drive around the Devonshire countryside in February and you’ll be surprised at what you can see when the trees and hedgerows are bare. Drop into a historic pub for lunch in front of a warming log fire.
The 16th century Elephant’s Nest at Hordon, Tavistock is right on the edge of Dartmoor. Order up a pint of Dartmoor Brewery’s famous Jail Ale and sit by the fire while your steak and kidney pudding is being prepared.
If you’re in Torquay, the Hole in the Wall is the oldest pub in town. From the harbour, it’s tucked away up the lane near the clock tower. It’s bursting with character from its cobblestone floors to low overhead beams. Opt for a tender steak or Torbay scallops for the perfect meal.
For mouthwatering fish and chips, the Cott Inn at Dartington is the place to head for. Dating back to 1320, this charming thatched pub is a local institution.
Rides and entertainment Crealy-style
Crealy Adventure Park opens specially for half-term visitors to Devon in late February. Some of the daring water rides do not run in winter but you can still have an amazing time without the summer crowds.
As Devon’s largest theme park, it has over 60 rides and attractions from roller coasters to indoor play areas for all ages and abilities. The latest Sooty Land ride is a big hit, closely followed by Junior Driving School electric cars. Return in the summer for the water coasters and Tidal Log Flume.
Dig those dinosaurs!
Seaton Tramway Museum is an award-winning attraction in Devon’s Axe Valley. Ride a restored tram through two nature reserves as you journey between Seaton and Colyton. The rides are open in all seasons including February.
From the top deck you can spot a host of birds and wildlife. If it’s wet, ride in the enclosed saloon and peek through the window. Seaton Tramway hosts a Dinosaur Adventure Show – as seen on TV’s Britain’s Got Talent. Watch dinosaur eggs hatch before your eyes, see how they lived and get to meet a baby dinosaur. Wow!
There’s an ever-changing programme of special events to join in, so check their website to see what takes your fancy.
Family fun at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary
Donkeys still need feeding and caring for even in February so the Sidmouth donkey Sanctuary is open as usual. Join in the Sanctuary Spirit Winter Trail and follow the clues around the sanctuary uncovering donkeys’ names through word puzzles. This trail runs until mid-March 2023, but each year there’s a new trail to uncover. As well as testing family brain power, you get some gentle exercise and fresh air.
Admission is free. Trail maps are £5 from the Gift Shop and there’s a prize if you manage to complete it. The Kitchen is always open for tasty seasonal produce and refreshments. Profits help to support these friendly donkeys in their dotage.
Tiptoe through the Snowdrops
Snowdrops bloom in the harshest conditions of winter from January to March. They are at their peak in February in Devon due to the mild winter conditions. So where to find them? The NGS Open Gardens Scheme lists gardens that have Open Days specially for snowdrop lovers.
Check out the dates for visiting The Mount, Delamore where paths wind through the plantings. Snowdrops are grown here commercially and then sold as posies in Covent Garden Flower Market.
Another blooming success for snowdrops is at Higher Cherubeer, Winkleigh. This 1¾ acre country cottage garden has woodland beds of snowdrops
Get Boxed in!
Head down to The Box in Plymouth for some free fun at this newest museum and art gallery. The exhibitions change regularly but there’s always something colourful and inspirational to enjoy. Permanent displays explore Port of Plymouth history. Step into the Mammoth Gallery, admire 14 naval figureheads and discover 100 journeys that all began in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.
The Box is contained in the former Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library and St Luke’s Church. It has an events space, cafe, bar and shop – something for everyone!
Now we’ve convinced you that there’s lots to do in Devon in February, best book your cosy holiday cottage today!
What about next month? Here’s our guide to the top 10 things to do in Devon in March.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.