Most people think there’s nothing to do in Devon in March, but how wrong they are! With no summer crowds to worry about, you can enjoy the best attractions in Devon, and the weather’s pretty kind too!
Check out Kent’s Cavern, former home of woolly mammoths and cave bears, or take a dip with sharks and stingrays at Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium. Hikers can travel aboard the newly opened Dartmoor Line from Exeter to Okehampton via Crediton, or book a guided hike with Jon in some of Devon’s most spectacular scenery.
We also highlight Daffodil Day at Hartland Abbey, Champion trees at Knightshayes Court and places to take Mum for a treat on Mother’ Day. Best get started!
- Revel in Hartland Abbey on Daffodil Day
- Plan some home improvements at the Southwest Home and Garden Show
- Tour Kent’s Cavern
- Snorkel at the National Marine Aquarium!
- Treat Mum on Mother’s Day
- Tee off at Jungle Journey Adventure Golf
- Visit a vineyard
- See the biggest and best Champions at Knightshayes Gardens
- Book a guided hike at Peaks and Trails
- Ride the Dartmoor Line
Revel in Hartland Abbey on Daffodil Day
Beautiful Hartland Abbey is a historic home with stunning gardens on the North Coast of Devon. It closes for the winter but re-opens each year in mid-March for their famous Daffodil Day. The event is held on the closest Sunday to Daffodil Day, which is officially 22nd March.
Home of the Stuckley family, the castle-like house is the set for the filming of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series for iPlayer and CBBC.
However, we’re here for the banks of beautiful golden daffodils that light up the grounds of this former monastery. Pop into the Old Kitchens Tea Room for a cuppa and a cake, browse the exhibits, pet the donkeys and follow the Nature Trail. It’s a full day!
Plan some home improvements at the Southwest Home & Garden Show
Visit Devon in late March and you can combine your spring break with a trip to the Southwest Home & Garden Show. It’s a great event to attend, especially as it’s undercover if the weather is less than summery!
Held at Westpoint Arena in Exeter on the last weekend in March, this premier event has plenty of info about renewable energy options, self-build projects, renovations, gardens, interiors and exteriors with 120+ exhibitors under one roof.
Tour Kent’s Cavern
Things to do in Devon on a wet and windy day in March should definitely include an underground tour of Kent’s Cavern in Torquay. It has a year-round ambient temperature of around 10°C which Stone Age residents clearly appreciated. This prehistoric cave system has many geological features and archaeologists discovered the remains of many animals now extinct in the UK such as woolly mammoths and a cave bear!
After the tour, explore the Woodland Trail that includes three fun activities for families. These include a Prehistoric Animal Hunt, Palaeo Trail and Tribal Code Breakers. With an onsite visitor centre and gift shop it represents great value with an annual membership for unlimited visits for just £20.
Snorkel at the National Marine Aquarium!
March may be a little chilly for snorkelling in Devon, but you can dive in the warm aquarium waters when you visit the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. One of the newest events is the chance to climb into the snorkel pen and swim with sharks, stingrays and even a Green Turtle.
Wetsuits are provided in the experience which is supervised by a Marine Biologist. It’s the largest aquarium in the UK and cares for over 5,000 marine species in four zones. The Ranger Team are on hand to answer questions, lead talks, manage feeding times and organise fun activities to enhance your visit.
Treat mum on Mother’s Day
You’ll probably want to treat mum to a special event when visiting Devon in March. Mother’s Day is on the fourth Sunday in Lent and it falls on 19th March in 2023 and 10th March in 2024. Many restaurants offer special Sunday lunches with a free glass of bubbly for mums on that day. Some places even honour mums with free admission on that date.
In past years, Dartmoor Zoo offered free entry for mums and grandmothers on Mother’s Day. The Bear Trail in Cullompton offers a similar free deal plus 10% off for the rest of the family. The onsite cafe does amazing pizzas and basket meals once you’ve worked up an appetite on the muddy assault course!
Tee off at Jungle Journey Adventure Golf
Everyone enjoys the fun of crazy golf, whether you’re a handicapped golfer or a complete novice. The crazy stunts and impossible challenges put everyone at a disadvantage!
Jungle Journey Adventure Golf is located in Paignton and Torquay. It offers a challenging course in a jungle wilderness with water features, wild creatures and plenty of unexpected surprises. Get a hole in one on the 18th hole and you win a free game! Open until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s fun for all ages.
Visit a vineyard
Head down to Swanaford Estate on Fridays and enjoy a guided tour and tasting experience at this 10-acre boutique vineyard. It produces award-winning sparkling wine on the sloping banks of the Teign Valley. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes produce excellent wines using traditional methods. You can also sample some newer varieties of Bacchus and Siegrebbe grapes which produce delicious, easy-drinking white wines.
Alder Vineyard near Okehampton goes a step further with wine tours and a kitchen / bar experience that serves tasty platters, sandwiches and home-made winter warmers to pair with your favourite wine. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon as part of your visit to Devon in March.
See the biggest and best Champions at Knightshayes Gardens
If you enjoy visiting gardens, Devon has several Champion trees that are the largest or oldest of their kind in the UK. Spend a day at NT Knightshayes Court and take the excellent guided tour with a costumed guide.
The garden has over 50 notable trees including 18 registered national Champion Trees such as the giant Turkey Oak. The estate also has a 12-metre tall Ilex (Holly) that is a national champion with a trunk diameter of 230cm. It was planted in 1610 when the land was a deer park and farmstead. It has a beautiful show of flowers in late spring but does not produce berries as it is a male – who knew that!
Incidentally, the oldest tree in Devon is in the churchyard at the lovely Kenn Parish Church. The Kenn Yew Tree is one of the oldest in the UK, possibly pre-dating Christianity itself! With a girth of over 10.4 metres and a height of 15 metres, it’s huge!
Book a guided hike at Peaks and Trails
If you want to enjoy a pleasant hike in Devon but don’t know where to start, Jon at Peaks and Trails is the perfect local to contact. He and his team take visitors on some of his favourite walking routes that are chosen specifically for their breathtaking beauty and awesome coastal scenery.
From Burgh Island (a favourite Art Deco haunt of Agatha Christie) to hikes on Exmoor, Doone Valley and Morte Point, there’s something for every fitness level.
Ride the Dartmoor Line
The Dartmoor Railway Line reopened in 2021 and offers a scenic 40-minute journey from Okehampton to Exeter, 7 days a week. What’s more the day return is just £8 for adults. If you’re staying in a holiday cottage near Exeter or Crediton, you can board the train and ride to the edge of Dartmoor for a day of hiking and cycling in this rugged national park.
Alternatively, spend the day exploring the historic town of Okehampton with its castle, shops and cinema. There’s a station at Crediton with a parish church, local shops and a free museum in the Old Town Hall. Beautiful Shobrooke Park and lake offer pleasant walks before hopping on the train for your return journey.
That’s our top 10 things to do in Devon in March, but you’ll find plenty more when you book a holiday cottage in Devon for a spring staycation.
And, here’s what’s happening in Devon in April…
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.