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Exeter Cathedral, Exeter

Companionship careDevon

Days out in Devon for an older parent

Ten places in Devon that make a good day out for an older parent, from Exeter Cathedral to Exmouth Seafront. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Exeter Cathedral. Photo: Antony McCallum, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ten days out across nine towns

The best places to take an older parent in Devon

Five of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and four confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Exeter Cathedral, Exeter

Photo: Antony McCallum, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Exeter

Exeter Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral has the longest unbroken medieval stone vaulted ceiling in the world, an astronomical clock and a carved minstrels' gallery. It stands on a green in the middle of the city, with cafés and shops around the Cathedral Close.

Step-free access covers most of the ground floor, there are accessible toilets reached without steps, a lift to the Cloister Gallery, and carers accompanying visitors go in free.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry, accompanying carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Exeter

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter

Photo: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Exeter

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)

RAMM is Exeter's museum of art, archaeology, natural history and world cultures, in a Victorian building on Queen Street. Collections range from Roman Exeter to a giraffe, costume and Devon silver.

There are two lifts with level access on each floor, accessible toilets on both levels and two wheelchairs that can be borrowed free, and Blue Badge spaces at the Garden Entrance can be booked by phone.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Exeter

RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington

Photo: Patche99z, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Great Torrington

RHS Garden Rosemoor

RHS Garden Rosemoor is the Royal Horticultural Society's garden in the Torridge valley, with a large rose garden, hot garden, lake, fruit and vegetable garden and woodland walks. The visitor centre has a restaurant, shop and plant centre.

Parking is free with 22 accessible bays close to the entrance, the main buildings are accessible, wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be hired, and up to two carers go in free.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, up to two carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Great Torrington

Killerton, Broadclyst

Photo: Derek Voller, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Broadclyst

Killerton

Killerton is a National Trust house and estate near Exeter, once home of the Acland family, with a large fashion collection shown in the house. The hillside garden has rare trees, a Victorian bear's hut and a small chapel.

There are more than 10 Blue Badge bays, step-free access at the entrance and an adapted toilet in the Granary toilet block, although the garden climbs a hill so the lower lawns are easiest.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Broadclyst

Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton

Photo: Manfred Heyde, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Drewsteignton

Castle Drogo

Castle Drogo is a granite country house designed by Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century, built to look like a castle on a crag above the Teign Gorge on the edge of Dartmoor. It has a formal garden with a circular croquet lawn and views across the moor.

AccessAble records six Blue Badge bays at the car park, and the carer can plan around the garden and the view points near the house if the walk down the gorge is too much.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Drewsteignton

Stover Country Park

Park · Newton Abbot

Stover Country Park

Stover Country Park is a Devon County Council park of woodland, heath and grassland around Stover Lake, with a Ted Hughes poetry trail and an aerial walkway through the trees. It lies just off the A38 between Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey.

The park is described as level with an extensive network of level footpaths and benches, it has five accessible parking bays and accessible toilets, and two wheelchairs can be borrowed if you contact the rangers first.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free to enter, car parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Newton Abbot

Dartington Hall Gardens, Totnes

Photo: Lee Maxwell Photography, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Totnes

Dartington Hall Gardens

The gardens at Dartington Hall surround a medieval hall and courtyard just outside Totnes, with grass terraces, ancient trees, a Henry Moore sculpture and long views over the estate. There are shops and places to eat on the estate.

Dartington says wheelchair-friendly routes are available with a Tramper to hire, and carers are among those who can enter the gardens free.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Totnes

Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh

Photo: Stefan Schwarz, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Buckfastleigh

Buckfast Abbey

Buckfast Abbey is a working Benedictine monastery on the edge of Dartmoor, whose abbey church was rebuilt by the monks themselves in the early 20th century. Visitors can see the church, the gardens and the abbey shops.

Entry to the abbey church and grounds is free, and the carer can plan a short visit to the church and gardens close to the car park.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Buckfastleigh

Tavistock Pannier Market, Tavistock

Photo: Michael Dibb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Tavistock

Tavistock Pannier Market

Tavistock Pannier Market is a covered Victorian market hall in the centre of this Dartmoor market town, with stalls selling crafts, antiques, food and local produce. The town around it has a canal walk, the abbey ruins and cafés.

The market is under one roof and open Tuesday to Saturday, so it makes a sheltered outing whatever the weather.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Tavistock

Exmouth Seafront, Exmouth

Photo: Photographed by Adrian Pingstone (on a chilly Monday before the school holidays,, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Exmouth

Exmouth Seafront

Exmouth has a long sandy beach backed by a seafront promenade that runs from the mouth of the Exe towards Orcombe Point, where the Jurassic Coast begins. There are cafés, shelters and views across to Dawlish Warren.

The town council runs a free beach wheelchair service from May to October, and the long promenade gives a walk that can be cut short at any point.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Exmouth

Regular groups and events in Devon

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Devon.

  • Music · SidmouthSidmouth Folk FestivalA week-long folk festival each August across venues in the seaside town, with concerts, singarounds and free events. A carer can pick one afternoon concert, sort tickets and parking, and keep the day short.Details
  • Music · ExeterConcerts and organ recitals at Exeter CathedralA regular programme of concerts and organ recitals, including short summer recitals, in the cathedral itself. A carer can check the listings for a daytime recital, arrange a drop-off nearby and sit alongside.Details
  • Dancing · South ZealDartmoor Folk Festival step dancingA long-running August festival in a Dartmoor village that keeps Devon step dancing going, with dance displays, competitions and ceilidhs. A carer can drive over for a single session, find a seat with a view of the dancing and manage the walking between venues.Details
  • Fishing · BrixhamBrixham Fish Market tourGuided early morning tours of one of England's busiest fish markets, where the day's catch is sorted and auctioned. A carer can book ahead, handle the very early start and driving, and keep the visit to the market and harbour front.Details
  • ReadingHome Library Service, Libraries UnlimitedA free service across Devon that has volunteers choose and deliver library books to people who cannot get to a library themselves. A carer can help sign up, discuss preferences with the volunteer and read aloud with the books when they arrive.Details
  • Sports · ExeterWalking football with Exeter City Community TrustWalking football sessions run through the football club's community trust and its partner groups, played at walking pace with no running. A carer can check session times, provide transport and stay for the tea afterwards.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Devon

At a glance

The ten places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Exeter CathedralExeteran hour or twoPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)Exeteran hour or twoFreeYesYesAsk
RHS Garden RosemoorGreat Torringtonhalf a dayPaid entryPartlyAskYes
KillertonBroadclysthalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Castle DrogoDrewsteigntonhalf a dayPaid entryAskAskAsk
Stover Country ParkNewton Abbotan hour or twoFreeAskYesAsk
Dartington Hall GardensTotneshalf a dayPaid entryPartlyAskAsk
Buckfast AbbeyBuckfastleighan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Tavistock Pannier MarketTavistockan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Exmouth SeafrontExmouthhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Devon

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

IlfracombeAxminsterHolsworthyTivertonSalcombeNorth TawtonBudleigh Salterton12345678910
  1. 1Exeter Cathedral, Exeter
  2. 2Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter
  3. 3RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington
  4. 4Killerton, Broadclyst
  5. 5Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton
  6. 6Stover Country Park, Newton Abbot
  7. 7Dartington Hall Gardens, Totnes
  8. 8Buckfast Abbey, Buckfastleigh
  9. 9Tavistock Pannier Market, Tavistock
  10. 10Exmouth Seafront, Exmouth

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Devon

Carers in Devon charge £19 to £25 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £21, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £84 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Devon has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Devon

Exeter Cathedral in Exeter, Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) in Exeter, RHS Garden Rosemoor in Great Torrington, Killerton in Broadclyst, Castle Drogo in Drewsteignton, Stover Country Park in Newton Abbot, Dartington Hall Gardens in Totnes, Buckfast Abbey in Buckfastleigh, Tavistock Pannier Market in Tavistock and Exmouth Seafront in Exmouth. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) describes a step-free route. Exeter Cathedral, Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Killerton and Stover Country Park have an accessible toilet. Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), RHS Garden Rosemoor, Stover Country Park, Dartington Hall Gardens and Exmouth Seafront lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Stover Country Park, Buckfast Abbey, Tavistock Pannier Market and Exmouth Seafront. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 28 of the carers with a rate near Devon drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £21 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Devon shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Devon

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Devon

Days out in the areas around Devon

Companionship care by town in Devon

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Devon

See carers near Devon who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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