Brixham - Review for families

Best for:

All ages

Cost

It’s free to enter Brixham, (unlike the village Clovelly) but the attractions, eateries and accommodation listed here and on the Visit Brixham website will carry their own charges.

What’s on offer

There are lots of reasons to visit Brixham if you have children - most of which I'm about to list below. You should really keep an eye out for the replica of the ship Golden Hind, which has been chilling out in Brixham's Harbour since 1963, not long after it was featured in a TV show about the ship's captain, Sir Francis Drake. It's a cheap day out, with lots of history to learn and ship stuff to explore.

Take a stroll down the picturesque Brixham Harbour. Quiet, secluded shingle beaches are Brixham’s speciality, but Breakwater Beach right on the harbour is totally family friendly, ideally located not far from a car park. It’s won all kinds of excellent beach awards and is perfect for a picnic on a sunny day.

The town also has many popular attractions that will appeal to families of all different interests. The more adventurous types will love the 3D experience The Smuggler’s Story or battling it out in an intense game of Battlefield Live laser tag.

For those families interested in a more relaxing visit to brixham, the Sholastone Seawater Lido is a free art deco style outdoor pool, with cafes to eat at, deckchairs to loan and accessible toilets. You can also take a visit to the Strand Art Gallery, the unusually stunning Compton Castle and explore Brixham’s past in the Brixham Heritage Museum, which for £2 an adult and free entry for children, you can’t go wrong with.

The Berry Head Natural Nature Reserve is ideal for families who can’t get enough of wildlife and the natural world – or folks who just fancy a nice walk.

The town has five hotels, the most budget friendly of which is probably the Quayside Hotel. There are also cottages to rent for short vacations, so if you're looking for something more peaceful and private - make sure to do your homework. It also has a number of lovely restaurants and cafés to meet the many different needs of its visitors – they've got everything from cream tea, quality fish & chips and seafood to tapas, vegetarian and European dishes.

Brixham is part of the Torbay district and therefore is close to many of Devon’s other desirable tourist resorts. On the frequent Greenway Ferry, it’ll only take you 30 minutes to get to Torquay. Dartmouth is a 35 minute drive away and Paignton is 15 minutes in the car. It’s very ideal if you fancy a visit to Paignton Zoo.

Generally, getting a buggy around Brixham should be fine. There should be toilets with baby-changing facilities available while you're out and about at various attractions, eateries and of course, in your hotel, if you have one.

Highlights

What you’ll love about Brixham depends on your child’s interests and your holidaying style. Either way, you’ll be able to find something that suits you. The atmosphere of the town makes it a great place to stay and it’s close proximity to the rest of Torbay and the South of Devon make it ideal if you’re hoping to travel around.

If you’re just visiting for the day, there’ll be so much for you to choose from, you won’t know where to begin. The nature reserve, Compton Castle and a trip to the Breakwater Beach makes for a jam-packed itinerary.

What to watch out for

- The Lytehouse and Ayur at Pilgrims are the top rated restaurants in Brixham. The Lusty Wench – the 2nd best restaurant in Brixham according to TripAdvisor – does not cater to any child under the age of 12.

- Check your chosen accomodation / restaurant / attractions website for full information about family facilities.

MFM tips:

- If you’re interested in the Golden Hind, another replica called the Golden Hinde II can be found in London and is a cracking family day out.

- Other attractions win South Devon include the South Devon Railway and Babbacombe Miniature Village.

What the owners say

Visit the official Brixham website