A cottage that looks right for children can still be a car journey from the beach they want. Pick the sand you will use every day first, check how far the front door is from it, and only then look at bedrooms, gardens and stairs. For town-by-town comparisons see our guides to North Devon, South Devon and Dartmoor. This one is organised by what a family needs.
Sand within walking distance
Woolacombe has 83 stays and a long surf beach. Millrock Cottage is 200 yards from the sand, with a private enclosed patio, but its single bathroom serves four people. The Albatross sleeps 10, is 200 metres from Woolacombe Beach and has a hot tub, sauna and cold plunge pool on its deck. The driveway slopes.
Croyde has 89 stays. Croyde Bay has powerful waves, rip currents and heavy sandbars, so it suits children who already swim well. In 2026 RNLI lifeguards patrolled both Woolacombe and Croyde daily from 2 May to 27 September, and most days outside that period have no cover.
Hope Cove has 39 stays and two sandy coves. 4 Coastguards Cottage in Inner Hope has two beaches within 200 yards and a safely enclosed front garden.
In Paignton, where we list 57 stays, Goodrington Sands is about 100m from the Quay West and Youngs Park car parks, with a ramp and beach matting from 1 April to 30 September. Exmouth has 15 stays and nearly two miles of sand that the RNLI patrols from the Easter holidays, then daily through the summer.
Days out for children
Torbay packs the most children’s days out into one area. Paignton Zoo covers 80 acres with more than 1,800 animals, free parking and play areas, and the paths include slopes. Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay has over 400 models, crazy golf and three indoor areas. It also gives a free return visit within 7 days.
In the South Hams, Woodlands Family Theme Park near Blackawton has water rides and an indoor play building over five floors. Children under 92 cm are free, and the park is hilly. Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh suits toddlers, with animal handling and an indoor soft play barn. It opens daily from February half term to the end of October half term.
North Devon’s choice is The Big Sheep near Bideford, with sheep racing, go-karts and an aerial assault course. It is closed for several months each year.
Cots, highchairs and a gate on the stairs
Several stays name the kit. Seascape in Croyde has a highchair, a travel cot and a fully fenced lawn, and sleeps four. Russell House, a former hotel in Paignton for 10, has a highchair, travel cot and stairgate, and sits a one-to-two-minute walk from the beach. Its check-in runs on Fridays only. Millrock Cottage and The Albatross also have a stairgate.
Cots and highchairs are often “available on request”, which is not the same as in the house. Ask when you book.
Bunk rooms, games rooms and holiday parks
For children past the toddler stage, look for something to do indoors. Embleton in Croyde sleeps eight, with a bunk room, a fully enclosed south-facing garden and the bay 1 mile away. It does not take dogs. Casalmare in Exmouth sleeps seven, with a garage games room and table tennis, an enclosed garden and the beach a 10-minute walk away.
A holiday park suits a family that wants pools and play areas on site. The single-storey caravan Hoburne Devon Bay in Paignton sleeps eight, with park pools and children’s play areas. The beach is about 0.7 miles away. Cine 6 Hot Tub Lodge sleeps six, shares the pools and play areas of neighbouring Beverley Park and has a hot tub on its deck. It sits on a hillside, so expect slopes. Neither takes dogs.
Layouts that catch families out
Read the access notes before the photographs. Gullsway Upper in Dartmouth is reached by 89 steps, and the balcony has glass balustrades that children should not use unattended. The Grottoes in Torquay has several staircases including a spiral one and may not suit very young children.
Nairn in Braunton sleeps 12, with a play room, slide, swings and a private hot tub. It also has a garden pond that needs watching, and the garden is only fully enclosed when the entrance gate is shut. Hot tubs and ponds are worth a direct question wherever they appear.
Final checks before you book
Use each property page to narrow the choice, then confirm dates, price, access and any critical facility on the booking site it links to, which handles the booking and payment. Our links may earn a commission when you book.
Ask the owner to confirm the cot, highchair and stairgate are at the house, and whether you bring cot linen. Check bunk-bed age limits: the bunk room at 2 Court Cottages in Aveton Gifford is for under-12s only. Check lifeguard dates for the week you travel, because Woolacombe and Croyde have none on most days from October to April, and cover elsewhere varies by beach.
