Eight things to do with your elderly parents in Devon

One of the most beautiful counties in the United Kingdom, Devon offers spectacular countryside and picturesque, quintessentially English towns and villages. Many of its best-known attractions now offer step-free routes, mobility loans or a gentler alternative to a full day on foot.

If your parents receive live-in care in Devon or another care arrangement, a change of scene can do them good. It helps to have a few accessible options ready, and to know what's on offer before you set off.

Here are eight ideas for a day out with your parents in Devon, plus practical tips on accessibility and planning ahead.

1. Greenway House and Gardens, near Brixham

Agatha Christie's holiday home sits above the Dart Estuary, with walled gardens and views over the water. It's a quiet, unhurried visit for parents who enjoy history and gardens together.

There's designated accessible parking, and a buggy service runs from the car park to reception for anyone who'd rather not walk the ten-minute driveway. Two manual wheelchairs are free to borrow, though it's worth calling ahead to book one since they're popular. Carers get free entry with the National Trust's Essential Companion card, no membership needed for the carer. The house limits access to the ground floor, though.

See accessibility information for Greenway before you go, or call 01803 843235 to book a wheelchair.

2. Budleigh Salterton and the Otter Estuary

This stretch of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site offers three short, well-surfaced walks from the Lime Kiln car park. All three suit visitors with limited mobility.

The first is a quarter-mile stroll along the seafront into town. The second follows a smooth, level path beside the Otter Estuary, with a bird hide and wide water views. Benches line the route, and there are accessible toilets, cafés and parking nearby. A regular bus service links Budleigh Salterton with Exmouth and Sidmouth if you'd rather not retrace your steps.

See the accessible walks guide for Budleigh Salterton and the Otter Estuary before you go.

3. Exeter Cathedral

Exeter's Gothic cathedral sits at the heart of the city, a short walk from the station. Step-free access covers most of the ground floor, including the Nave, the café and the shop.

A small number of areas need steps, though temporary ramps are available on request. Visitors can borrow two wheelchairs free of charge, and pick up audio and Braille guides at no extra cost. It can be a real source of comfort for older people with faith to visit religious buildings, especially those with little opportunity to get to services at home.

See accessibility information for Exeter Cathedral before you go.

4. Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Exeter

RAMM is free to enter and covers everything from Devon's local history to exotic birds and West Country silver, across 16 galleries. It's an easy add-on to a cathedral visit, just a short walk away.

Wheelchair users and mobility scooters can enter via a ramp at the Garden entrance or a lifting platform at Queen Street. Lifts and level access run throughout, and portable stools are available for anyone who needs to rest between galleries. The museum also offers large-print captions, a hearing loop and a BSL-and-audio trail.

See accessibility information for RAMM before you go, or call 01392 265858.

5. Seaton Wetlands, East Devon

Seaton Wetlands is free to visit, 24 hours a day, all year round. Nearly four kilometres of level trails and boardwalks follow the River Axe, past five bird hides suited to wheelchairs, bikes and pushchairs.

The site has accessible toilets, a picnic area, and an off-road mobility scooter (a Tramper) available to hire in advance. Sometimes, older people receiving live-in care can feel cut off from the outdoors. A morning here, watching for kingfishers and wading birds, is a gentle way to reconnect with it.

See accessibility information for Seaton Wetlands before you go, or call 01395 517557.

6. Bygones Museum, Torquay

Bygones recreates a life-size Victorian street, complete with a sweet shop and apothecary, and a 1940s shopping arcade upstairs. It's a strong pick for a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Worth knowing before you go: it spans three floors of a 1920s building with no lift, so only the ground-floor Victorian street is step-free. Visitors must also leave their pushchairs at reception. There's a reduced ground-floor rate for disabled visitors and their registered carer. Handrails run along all the stairs for anyone who can manage them slowly.

Call 01803 326108 to check current access arrangements before you go.

7. Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay

England's landmarks recreated in miniature, spread across four acres of garden. It's a big day out on a tiny scale, and even more charming after dark, when thousands of tiny lights come on.

The site sits on a steep hill, and while a handrail runs alongside the paths, manual wheelchair users may find it hard going without help. There are accessible toilets in the car park and at Oddicombe Beach nearby. It's worth calling ahead so staff can talk you through the layout before you buy a ticket.

Call 01803 315315 to check current access before you go.

8. Occombe Farm, Paignton

For a slower day, Occombe Farm pairs a working organic farm with a café and shop full of local Devon produce. A self-guided nature trail passes goats, donkeys and sheep along the way.

The site is accessible throughout, with paths connecting every building, though there are some light-to-moderate inclines to be aware of. The café has an accessible toilet, and a Changing Places facility is available in the Community Kitchen building on request.

Call 01803 520022 to check current access before you go.

Did you know?

• Exeter's ExeAccess scheme, based in Princesshay, hires out wheelchairs and mobility scooters to anyone visiting the city. It comes with free parking for users on the car park's third level.
• The National Trust's Essential Companion card removes the entry cost for a carer at every property it runs, including Greenway.
• A childhood seaside trip to Torquay or a wedding near Exeter Cathedral can spark a stronger reaction for someone living with dementia than somewhere new.

Dementia care at home: building "Team Peggy"

Peggy, described by her family as a generous, funny octogenarian, began living with Alzheimer's during the first Covid lockdown. Her family arranged live-in care in January 2021. By that June, Elder introduced them to Denise, who has stayed with the family ever since.

Denise does far more than everyday care. She drives Peggy up to 40 miles for family visits and pub lunches, and collects Peggy's friends for tea and a catch-up. When Peggy remarked her wedding anniversary, Denise bought flowers in the colours of her old bouquet and cooked her usual anniversary meal.

Her family now calls Denise "a most appreciated part of 'Team Peggy'."

Read Peggy's full story

Making the day work for everyone

A few extra needs don't need to rule out a day trip. Most of the venues above can flex around a parent's mobility, memory, or simply needing more time.

If your parents already have live-in care in Devon, bring their regular carer along. They already know the routine, and the outing can double as a change of scene for that carer too. If you'd rather your parents' usual carer had the day off instead, temporary respite care can cover things while they rest.

Living with dementia calls for a bit more planning. Unfamiliar, busy places can feel disorientating, so make sure someone covers round-the-clock support for the day.

Keep the plan light. Devon is a large county, so group venues by area rather than crossing it in one day: try Torquay and Paignton together, or Exeter and Budleigh Salterton, or Brixham on its own. Our guide to planning days out and holidays in later life has more tips on getting the logistics right.

Exploring beyond Devon?

We've put together similar guides for other days out with your parents closer to home:

• Things to do with your elderly parents in Cornwall
• Things to do with your elderly parents in Dorchester, Dorset
• Things to do with your elderly parents in Eastbourne
• Things to do with your elderly parents in London

If you have a loved one who needs 24/7 support, get in touch with our care advisors. We'll talk through your situation and arrange a free care appraisal. Elder can help you find live-in care in Devon, and the rest of Great Britain.