Family-Friendly Cottages in North Devon

North Devon is a good choice for a family cottage holiday, whether you want long beach days, a rural escape, a base near local attractions or a mix of all three. Browse family-friendly cottages across the region, from coastal homes near Woolacombe and Croyde to countryside stays close to Exmoor.

There are holiday homes for different family sizes, from smaller cottages for a short break to larger properties for grandparents, cousins and friends. Use the filters below to find the right number of bedrooms, location and facilities for your stay. Child-friendly features vary by property, so check the individual listing before booking.

A single-storey, luxury chapel conversion in the North Devon countryside.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

The Old Chapel is a superb North Devon holiday cottage on the coast in Clovelly. The former chapel boasts 10 acres of meadows with a pond and sea views, church windows, vaulted beamed ceilings, a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and many more original features.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a luxury thatched coastal cottage in with porch and low stone wall.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Old Maids Cottage is a luxury holiday cottage on the spectacular North Devon coast. It has been fully restored as an open-plan holiday home for six people, with three double bedrooms (two en-suite). You’ll enjoy this picture-perfect thatched cottage, which oozes the holiday feeling from the moment you arrive.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A double-fronted, white rendered Ilfracombe cottage with traditional sash windows
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Partridge Cottage welcomes families and their pets to this charming and beautiful coastal corner of Devon. This rural holiday cottage near Ilfracombe sleeps six on a farm where children are welcome to help feed the lambs, pigs, goats and ducks.

  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A Lighthouse holiday complex in a clifftop location.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Spectacular ocean views greet guests at Sherrin, a modern North Devon holiday cottage at Bull Point Lighthouse. The pet-friendly holiday home in Mortehoe offers spacious grounds, a light and airy interior with wooden floors, contemporary design features and access to the delights of the North Devon coast.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A lighthouse holiday cottage complex on a rugged North Devon clifftop.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 3

Enjoy unique self-catering holidays in North Devon with a stay at Siren, one of four refurbished former lighthouse keepers’ cottages overlooking Bull Point near the village of Mortehoe, Devon, a child-friendly cottage that sleeps up to five, featuring three bedrooms, a fully fitted kitchen, and absolutely gorgeous sea views.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Quirky Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
Exterior of a converted Devon coach house with a double garage
  • Sleeps 12
  • Bedrooms 6

This large holiday cottage in Braunton, within easy reach of fabulous sandy beaches at Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, can sleep twelve people in six bedrooms.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of asemi-detached restored fisherman's cottage with a paved courtyard in Appledore.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

The Retreat is a charming North Devon holiday cottage in Appledore. The pet-friendly cottage offers an enviable waterside location, a spacious garden, exposed beams and sash windows, and a fantastic base for memorable seaside holidays.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages
A Devon barn conversion with a deck at sunset.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Tumbledown Barn is a luxurious barn conversion and a North Devon holiday let in Knowstone. This property offers three spacious ensuite bedrooms and an open-plan living area with a wood-burning stove. The private courtyard features a hot tub and outdoor kitchen. The barn is pet-friendly, set on 20 acres of scenic farmland. Nearby, explore Exmoor and North Devon’s spectacular, award-winning beaches. Enjoy a night dining at the Michelin Star restaurant, the Masons Arms. View the complete description to learn more about this exceptional rural retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Cottages with Car Chargers
  • Cottages with Hot Tubs
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A holiday apartment open plan living area with lounge and kitchen.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Luxury defines 10 Middlecombe, a coastal apartment near the beach in Woolacombe Bay in North Devon. The pet-friendly holiday apartment features a sun-drenched balcony, a sophisticated interior with light and airy spaces, access to an indoor swimming pool, games room, sauna and treatment room, and fun in the sun.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Spacious seaside apartment lounge with sofa, coffee table and sideboard.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Fun in the sun is assured at 16 Woolacombe, a luxurious coastal apartment in Woolacombe Bay, Devon. The apartment bathes in natural light and carries an effortless coastal chic throughout. It also offers a swimming pool, sauna, treatment room, and modern comfort just minutes from the beach.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
L-shaped sofa with cushions and coffee table in a stylish lounge with French windows to a balcony.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Part of a brand-new luxury apartment complex in the heart of Woolacombe, Devon, 2 Middlecombe is an accessible two-bedroom, pet-friendly apartment home offering sumptuous accommodation along the North Devon coast. It features a private patio and open-plan living space. Guests enjoy access to an indoor pool and sauna.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Comfortable cotton sofas in an open-plan living area
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

Part of the brand-new Byron Apartments complex on the ground floor of a block of apartment homes, 2 Putsborough in the heart of Woolacombe, Devon, offers a luxurious coastal holiday for up to four guests, a pet-friendly apartment with an en-suite master double and access to indoor pool and gym.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Open-plan living areas in a holiday apartment with French doors to a balcony.
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

2 Rockham is part of the Byron Apartments complex in the heart of Woolacombe. It's a new child-friendly luxury apartment home on the second floor boasting an en-suite master, a well-equipped kitchen, and access to a range of amenities such as a games room and indoor pool.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cottages With Games Rooms
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Open plan apartment interior with a full length floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

5 Challacombe is a luxurious North Devon holiday apartment, just moments from Woolacombe beach. The pet-friendly cottage exudes coastal chic and boasts a spacious deck beside the open-plan living space, and access to an indoor pool, and gym.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
  • Sleeps 4
  • Bedrooms 2

5 Middlecombe in the seaside resort village of Woolacombe, Devon, is part of the North Devon coast’s newest self-catering holiday destination, a child-friendly first-floor apartment with access to the complex’s many amenities and boasting an open-plan living area, private balcony, and en-suite master bedroom.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Holiday Cottages With a Pool
  • Independent Cottages
  • Luxury Holiday Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays

Why choose North Devon for a family cottage holiday?

North Devon gives families plenty of choice without needing to pack every day with a long drive. You can stay close to sandy beaches, choose a quieter village, find a cottage near Barnstaple or Bideford, or head inland towards Exmoor and the countryside.

A self-catering cottage also gives you more flexibility than a hotel stay. You can eat when it suits you, have space for children to wind down after a day out, and choose a layout that works for your own family.

Beach days, rock pools and coastal villages

Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton and Westward Ho! are useful choices for families who want the coast close by. They offer long stretches of sand, beach activities and easy access to nearby cafés, shops and places to explore.

For a different pace, look towards Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Appledore or Instow. These areas can suit families looking for harbours, shorter walks, boat trips or a quieter base than the main surfing beaches.

Countryside, Exmoor and days out

North Devon is not only about the beach. Barnstaple and Braunton work well as practical bases, while South Molton, North Molton and villages on the edge of Exmoor suit families looking for countryside, walks and more space.

For wetter days or a change of plan, North Devon also has family attractions including The Big Sheep, The Milky Way and Watermouth Castle. Check opening times and age requirements directly before visiting.

What makes a cottage family-friendly?

“Family-friendly” and “child-friendly” are useful starting points, but they are not a fixed set of facilities. When choosing a cottage, think about what will make the stay easier for your family:

  • Enough bedrooms and bathrooms for your group
  • Space to eat, relax and spend time together
  • A garden or outdoor area, where appropriate
  • Availability of cots, high chairs or stair gates
  • Facilities such as a swimming pool, games room or parking
  • Distance from the beach, shops, attractions or walking routes

Some properties will suit babies and toddlers particularly well, while others are better for older children, teenagers or larger multi-generational groups. Check the property description for the details that matter to you.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. The listings above include family-friendly cottages across North Devon, from coastal apartments and beach houses to rural cottages near Exmoor.

For beach-led holidays, consider Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton or Westward Ho! Barnstaple, Braunton and Bideford are useful central bases, while South Molton and the Exmoor edge suit countryside breaks.

It means the property is considered suitable for families, but facilities vary. Check the listing for sleeping arrangements, outdoor space, cots, high chairs, stair gates and other practical details.

Some properties have pools, games rooms or other family-oriented facilities. Use the relevant filters to narrow the listings, then check each property page.

Yes. Use the Sleeps and Bedrooms filters to find cottages suitable for larger families, joint holidays or multi-generational breaks.