Places To Eat With A Play Area in South Devon

Sometimes as a parent you just want to grab a bite to eat, chat with your partner, friends or family and let your little ones blow off some steam, right? There are plenty of places in South Devon with a play area that can let you do just that. Some of them are even dog-friendly so the entire family can come along! Take a read of just some of the child-friendly eateries in South Devon below.  

The Otter Inn, Honiton 

Sitting upon the River Otter is The Otter Inn, a cosy, traditional pub with parts dating as far back as the 1700s. The large beer garden can offer you river views with plenty of seating and a lovely children’s play area for your little ones to run around in. This charming pub is also dog friendly, with a special designated area inside where pups can eat alongside their owners. The pub offers an extensive menu with popular 2-4-1 offers and daily specials; if you arrive on a Thursday or a Sunday, you’ll find they serve a tasty carvery. The Otter Inn serves a wide range of locally produced beverages, including local real ales by Otter Brewery and Dartmoor Brewery if you fancy an afternoon or evening tipple.  

Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren 

The Langstone Cliff Hotel is a wonderful family-owned hotel situated in Dawlish Warren with spectacular sea views of the Dawlish coastline. The hotel is set in 19 acres of child-friendly woodland with expansive lawns and gardens, with a children’s outdoor play area and a swimming pool. Inside the hotel you’ll also find another heated pool, a soft play area for toddlers and young children, as well as a bar and a restaurant. Kick back on the veranda with a spot of lunch and a coffee, or perhaps a G&T if it’s a sunny day, whilst your little ones explore the grounds and release some surplus energy! This hotel is very popular with families so your little ones may even make a friend or two whilst you’re there. The hotel’s amenities and facilities aren’t limited to their guests, so even if you aren’t staying here, you can enjoy all they have to offer!  

Amelia’s Pantry, Cofton Holiday Park, nr Dawlish 

Resting in a serene valley in Starcross is Cofton Holidays Park, with views of rolling meadows, dramatic woodland, and idyllic fishing lakes. The complex includes heated swimming pools, an indoor leisure area complete with a gym, sauna and steam room, an arcade and plenty of great eateries. Amelia’s Pantry is located next to the indoor pool at Cofton and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner all year round; it makes an ideal spot to unwind with the family after a dip in the pool. This fabulous eatery contains an entertainment zone with big screen TV’s, comfortable seating next to the children’s soft play area as well as pool tables, a juke box, and an outdoor patio. You don’t have to be staying at Cofton Holidays to enjoy the day here, the holiday park is open to all members of the public, locals, and tourists alike. 

Boathouse Riverside Restaurant & Bar, Teignmouth 

Located in Devon Valley Holiday Park in Teignmouth, the Boathouse Riverside Restaurant and Bar is a bright and airy establishment offering riverside views overlooking the River Teign to Dartmoor and beyond. Seating can be offered in the conservatory or on the terrace on warm sunny days meaning no matter the weather, you’ll still be presented with beautiful riverside views. Within the area, Darts and a TV can be found in the family room, whilst outside there’s an excellent play area for your little tykes to explore. If you fancy eating alfresco whilst your kids have a run around, a pizza takeaway and a food van serving fresh donuts or fish and chips is also on offer.  

Valley View Café at the Aune Valley Meat Farm Shop, Kingsbridge 

Sitting atop the beautiful, picturesque Aune valley, between Kingsbridge and Loddiswell is the Valley View Café. Attached to the café is the Aune Valley Meat Farm Shop offering a wide selection of local produce, veggies, eggs, jams, and pickles, just to name a few! The café is a popular hotspot for local and visiting food-lovers because of its freshly made meals, using only locally sourced ingredients. The portions are particularly generous too! You can sit and enjoy the views come rain or shine on their terrace, in the marque or in their light and relaxed indoor seating area. There’s a small outdoor play area for young children, and plenty of open air for them to race around in whilst you sit back and enjoy the views!  

House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey 

House of Marbles is a small attraction based in Bovey Tracey, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, containing a museum, the Teign Valley Glass workshop, a gift shop and several marble runs (including a huge run that takes up one entire side of the building!). Outside there is ‘games garden’ consisting of a giant floating marble, giant board games and a (regular sized) climbing frame for your little ones to play with. The restaurant serves food all day, with a breakfast, lunch, and evening menu. They also serve a delicious cream tea if you’d like to dine in true Devonian style! 

The Kitchen at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth 

Resting in a valley near the Jurassic Coastline in Sidmouth is the wonderful Donkey Sanctuary. This free-to-visit attraction has something special to offer, whether you’re looking to spend some quality time with your kiddie-winks or somewhere tranquil to kick back with a coffee and slice of cake. There are plenty of activities, tours and talks so you can get to know the lovely donkeys who live there, and you can also take part in their Spring Nature Trail to discover what other animals you could find living in the vast and various habitats in Devon. The sanctuary also has an enclosed play area containing a vintage tractor, child-sized stables, wooden donkeys and steppingstones. The Kitchen is the award-winning restaurant at the sanctuary with breakfast served from 9am – 11am and lunch from 11:30am – 3pm. If you have plant-based family members or friends this is a great option as they have plenty of tasty vegan options on their menu, including a vegan full English breakfast, a garden burger and a stone baked flatbread topped with BBQ jackfruit, apple sauce and crispy sage – yum!  

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh 

Situated in the idyllic town of Buckfastleigh, Pennywell Farm is a fantastic place to visit to enjoy a fun filled experience packed full of animals, hands-on activities, rides, farm shows and displays. Home to over 150 animals, Pennywell has something for everyone, from pig racing to tractor rides. Let the kids bounce out any excess energy on the many trampolines dotted around the farm as well as the bouncy castles and inflatable slide inside Noah’s Barn, which is where you’ll also find their takeaway outlet. You can purchase local Chunk pasties and sausage rolls here, but they also welcome you to bring a picnic to eat on the benches inside the barn.  

The Paint Hub, Welcome Family Holiday Park, Dawlish Warren 

Whilst it’s not exactly an eatery with a play area, The Paint Hub in Dawlish Warren could be a great option if you have creative children who love arts and crafts! Located in the Welcome Family Holiday Park complex, The Paint Hub is lovely pottery painting café where you can customise your own piece of pottery to take home and use! It’s a fun and relaxed way to tap into your creative genius and it’s not just for the little ones, mum and dad will certainly enjoy this activity too! The Paint Hub serve speciality hot drinks and tasty cakes all day as well.  

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