Things to do in Mid Devon this Summer

The school holidays are here, and Mid Devon has a packed programme of events, activities and days out running right through to September. Whether you’re planning specific days around dated events or just need reliable ideas for a quiet Tuesday afternoon, here’s what’s on this summer.

Special Events: Plan Your Diary Around These

Mid Devon Show – Saturday 25th July, Knightshayes

The summer kicks off in style with the Mid Devon Show at Knightshayes, Tiverton. One of the highlights of the local calendar, the show brings together championship livestock, rural crafts, local food and drink, live music and a packed Main Ring programme – the kind of proper agricultural show that reminds you exactly where you are and why that’s a good thing. A brilliant first weekend of the holidays for families.

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Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life – Food & Drink Summer Trail (Until 5th September)

This summer’s theme at Tiverton Museum is food and drink – follow the trail around the galleries, stop off at play stations along the way, and discover stories and objects connected to the history of eating, drinking and producing food in Mid Devon. Included in normal admission; accompanied children under 16 free.

For something extra, there are two recurring sessions running throughout the holidays:

• Crafty Tuesdays (drop-in, 10:30am–12:30pm) – a different craft project each week. £3 per child with a paying adult, £2.50 with a museum member.
• Fun Thursdays – a different food-themed activity each week, included in normal admission.

Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–4pm. Adults £9.50, accompanied children under 16 free. Book online for a small discount.

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Bampton Library & Resource Centre – Wheels, Wings & Whizzes Science Workshop (Wednesday 29th July)

Devon Science is bringing its brand new engineering science workshop to Bampton Library this summer, in collaboration with Libraries Unlimited and aligned with the Summer Book Quest. Children will make three take-home vehicles: a UV colour-changing boat, a balloon-powered zooming air car, and a swooping paper plate glider. Ninety minutes of hands-on science activities, suitable for ages 4–10 and SEND-friendly. Book ahead at devonscience.co.uk.

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Tiverton Library – Sea Science Adventures (29th July & 13th August)

Science workshops are coming to Tiverton Library on 29th July and 13th August – slime making, bubbling lava lamps and magnet fishing, designed for Key Stage 2 children. Sessions run 10am–noon and 1–3pm on both dates. Free to attend as part of the Summer Book Quest programme.

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Grand Western Canal Country Park – Wild Wednesdays (Every Wednesday from 29th July)

The Canal Rangers are running a series of nature-themed Wild Wednesday sessions throughout the summer holidays, with morning and afternoon slots available each week. Each session is hands-on, outdoors and centred on the wildlife and habitat of the canal — and at £3.50 per child it’s one of the best value activities in the district this summer.

• 29th July – Pirates Day (Love Parks Week): Dress up, hunt for treasure and make pirate crafts including bows and arrows or wooden swords. A swashbuckling way to kick off the holidays.
• 12th August – Pond Dipping: Discover what aquatic creatures are hiding beneath the surface of the canal.
• 19th August – Minibeasts: Explore the insect life along the canal and build your own bug home to take back to your garden.
• 26th August – Birds: Discover the birds that live along the canal and build a bird box to take home.

All sessions take place at the Rangers Office, Canal Hill, Tiverton (EX16 4HX). Children must be accompanied by an adult. Booking essential via Eventbrite (£3.50 plus booking fee per session).

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Happy Glaze Pottery – Princess Pottery Painting Experience (Saturday 1st August) & Summer Clay Creations (Wednesdays throughout)

A special themed session at Happy Glaze‘s studio on Bampton Street, Tiverton on Saturday 1st August – pottery painting with a royal twist. Booking essential via their website.

Also running throughout the holidays: Summer Clay Creations every Wednesday (10:30am–noon), with a different themed clay project each week – fairy doors, pinch pot animals, trinket dishes, mini planters and more. Ages 6+, £15 per maker, £5 per non-maker. Book in advance via the Happy Glaze website.

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Re:Fuel Family Fun Day – Sunday 2nd August

A family fun day at Re:Fuel near Cullompton, raising funds for Mind Devon. Sports day races, team challenges, lawn games, BBQ and live music – all ages welcome and a warm community spirit behind it. Tickets available in advance, with 15% off BBQ food if you book early.

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Coldharbour Mill Community Picnic – Friday 7th August, 12pm–3pm

A free community picnic in the Paddock at Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme – bring your picnic blanket and favourite food and settle in for an afternoon of free entertainment, hands-on activities and the much-loved duck race. A collaboration between Coldharbour Mill and Culm Valley Churches, this is a relaxed, all-ages sort of afternoon with genuine community spirit behind it. Entry to the mill itself is optional at normal admission if you want to explore the exhibits too.

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Cullompton Library (The Hayridge) – Printmaking Workshop (31st July) & Sea Science Adventures (1st & 15th August)

The Hayridge in Cullompton has two good offerings this summer. Artist Simon Ripley from Double Elephant brings a printmaking workshop on 31st July – a lovely creative session for young visitors. Sea Science Adventures workshops follow on 1st and 15th August (10am–noon and 1–3pm for KS2). All free, as part of the Summer Book Quest programme.

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Cullompton Summer Inflatable Fun Day – Saturday 15th August, 10am–4pm

Now in its third year, Cullompton Town Council’s Summer Inflatable Fun Day returns to the CCA Fields (EX15 1DW). Free entry, free parking, free access to all the bouncy castles – plus Total Wipeout, side shows and refreshments available at additional cost. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy a proper community summer day out in the heart of Cullompton.

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Coldharbour Mill – Magic of the Mill Steam Day (Bank Holiday Monday 31st August, 10:30am–4pm)

End the summer holidays with a bang at Coldharbour Mill‘s Magic of the Mill Steam Day on August Bank Holiday Monday. The full steam complex springs into action, with magic wand making, a wizard-themed activity bouncy castle, live music and the chance to explore one of the finest surviving Victorian wool mills in the country while it’s fully alive. Check the Coldharbour Mill website for tickets and further details as the event approaches.

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National Trust Summer of Play – Two Great Options

The National Trust’s Summer of Play runs at both Knightshayes and Killerton this summer, with quite different offers at each – well worth visiting both if you can.

Knightshayes, Tiverton – New Play Hub (18th July–6th September)

Knightshayes has opened a brand new outdoor play hub this summer, with a performance stage, crazy golf, mud kitchen, and a changing programme of daily activities running right through to 6th September. There are shelters dotted around for when the weather does what Devon weather does, making it a more reliable option than it might sound on a grey morning. The rolling daily programme means it genuinely rewards repeat visits across the holidays rather than just a one-off. Normal NT admission applies; free to members.

Killerton, near Broadclyst – Pokémon Mega Evolution Trail (18th July–6th September)

Killerton is one of the National Trust’s selected sites for this summer’s Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail. Follow the self-guided trail around the estate, complete interactive challenges inspired by each Pokémon’s unique abilities, collect stickers with every visit, and finish with a photo opportunity at the Mega Evolution Pokémon backdrop. A good excuse to explore Killerton’s beautiful parkland and woodland if the Pokémon theme gives reluctant walkers the motivation they need.

Killerton is also well worth a visit in its own right this summer – the house is home to a new costume exhibition, History off the Hanger, exploring 300 years of hidden stories from the wardrobe.

Normal NT admission applies; free to members.

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Wildwood Devon, Escot – Summer Trail & Saxon Village Activities

Wildwood Devon‘s summer programme combines a woodland adventure trail – follow the clues through the trees to claim your prize – with hands-on Saxon Village activities including coin striking, clay pot making, bread making and marshmallow toasting over an open fire. Saxon Village tickets from 50p–£4, available on the day at the Saxon Village. Open daily throughout the summer.

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The Summer Book Quest – All Devon Libraries

Running until 12th September, Devon Libraries‘ Summer Book Quest is a transport-themed reading adventure for children aged 4–11. Sign up at your local library – including Tiverton, Cullompton, Bampton and Crediton – set a reading goal, and collect stickers for reading and completing activities throughout the summer. Free to join, with a special medal for those who complete it. A good reason to pop into your local library regularly across the holidays, particularly with the workshops and events running alongside it.

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Days Out All Summer Long

Not everything needs a specific date in the diary. Here are the reliable options for when you need a day out and haven’t planned ahead.

Devon Railway Centre, Bickleigh

Unlimited train rides, four play areas, the largest model railway exhibition in the South West, free crazy golf, model village, model funfair and model tin mine. One of those places that consistently absorbs children for an entire day – and adults too, if we’re being honest. Open daily until 1st November, 10:30am–5pm. Adults £14, children £13, under 3s free.

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Tiverton Canal Co – Grand Western Canal

Horse-drawn barge trips, rowing boat and Canadian canoe hire, or simply a free walk along the towpath through some of the most peaceful countryside in Devon. The Ducks Ditty floating café bar is open for a drink in the sunshine. Don’t forget to check the Wild Wednesdays programme above if you’re visiting with children – the Canal Rangers sessions running every Wednesday throughout the holidays are a brilliant add-on to a canal day. Running Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

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Tiverton Castle

Open Sundays, Thursdays and Bank Holiday Mondays from 2:30–5:30pm, Tiverton Castle‘s Civil War armoury – including pieces you can actually try on – tends to be a hit with children of a certain age, which is most of them. Garden-only entry £3; full admission adults £10, children 7–16 £5, under 7s free.

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Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre

Tucked inside the Grade I listed St Michael and All Angels Church in the centre of Bampton, this is a compact but characterful local history centre with displays, photographs, artefacts, short films about the Bampton Railway and the Charter Fair, and children’s activities including dressing up. A Tourist Information Point too, so good for planning wider exploration of the Exe Valley and Exmoor fringe. Free entry (donations welcome). Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–3pm.

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Diggerland Devon, Cullompton

Twenty rides and drives, including the ever-popular JCB experiences, Spindizzy, Skyshuttle and Go-Karts. Good for ages 4 and upwards, and genuinely entertaining for adults too. Advance booking strongly recommended during the summer holidays and worth doing for the online discount.

Creative & Rainy Day Options

Happy Glaze Pottery, Tiverton

Beyond the summer workshops, Happy Glaze offers drop-in pottery painting Thursday–Sunday – choose your piece, paint it, and collect it glazed and fired a few days later. Barista coffee, cake and a licensed bar on site. Booking is advised, particularly during the busier summer weeks.

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Paint Pots of Devon, Crediton

A paint-your-own pottery studio at The Creedy Centre on Crediton High Street – perfect for the Crediton and Creedy Valley end of the district. Book a two-hour slot and choose from a wide range of pottery pieces to paint, from animal figurines to mugs and plates. There’s a café with food and drinks and a play area for little ones, making it an easy family option when the weather isn’t cooperating. Also specialises in baby handprint and footprint keepsakes. Book in advance via their website.

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Bridge Troll, Tiverton

Tiverton’s independent board game café on Angel Hill is one of the town’s best-kept secrets for a holiday afternoon. A huge library of games for all ages, barista coffee, milkshakes, hot chocolate and cake, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. There’s also a shop selling board games, collectible card games and tabletop miniature wargaming. Dog friendly. Summer opening: Tuesday–Friday 10am–10pm; Saturday, Sunday and Monday 10am–4pm. Worth checking their website and social media for any summer events.

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The Sports Barn, Halberton

Thirty-plus interactive sports challenges under one roof at Watton Farm just outside Tiverton – football shootouts, basketball, rugby challenges, and more – plus a Nerf Experience arena and Longhorn Lanes outdoor social space with food vendors, corn hole and pickleball. Good for mixed-age groups and families who want something active without committing to a full outdoor day. Check their website and social media for summer opening and session times.

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Footgolf Devon, Westcott

Golf played with a football on a nine-hole course near Cullompton. Open year-round, suitable for all ages and abilities, no experience required. Good for burning off energy on a warm afternoon – or a less warm one.

Free Summer Essentials

MDDC Paddling Pools – Tiverton & Crediton

Two free outdoor paddling pools run by Mid Devon District Council throughout the summer holidays – Westexe Park in Tiverton and Newcombes Meadow in Crediton. Open 10am–7pm, seven days a week, until the end of the school summer holidays. Free entry, and on a hot day there are few better options in the district for younger children.

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Grand Western Canal Country Park – Free Towpath Walking & Cycling

Even without a barge trip or a Wild Wednesdays session, the Grand Western Canal is one of Mid Devon’s finest free days out. The towpath runs for eleven and a quarter miles through beautiful Devon countryside between Tiverton and Lowdwells near the Somerset border – flat, easy and lovely in summer. Good for walking, cycling, or a short wander from the Tiverton Basin car park.

Plan Your Summer

For the full events calendar and more ideas across Mid Devon, visit our What’s On page. And if you’re making a stay of it, our accommodation pages have the full range – from camping and glamping to B&Bs and holiday cottages.