Half term is just around the corner! For some of our colleagues, the people we support and their families, it’s a chance to enjoy some quality time together.
At Havencare, we know that school holidays can bring extra pressures – especially when outdoor plans get washed out and indoor activity costs start to mount. To help, we’ve rounded up some free, thrifty and accessible things to do across Devon and Cornwall.
From cultural afternoons to budget-friendly adventures, these accessible ideas are all about making the most of the week whether you’re taking time off, or fitting plans around everyday routines.
Rain doesn’t have to mean staying in — these indoor hotspots are well worth stepping out for.
| Place | Town | What You’ll Find | Accessibility | Cost / Entry Info |
| The Box | Plymouth | Art, history and natural science galleries. Don’t miss the woolly mammoth or the new Beryl Cook exhibition. | Step-free access, lifts, wheelchairs and scooters available, accessible toilets, pushchair friendly | Free |
| Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) | Exeter | Family friendly galleries spanning natural history, world cultures and local heritage | Step-free, lifts, accessible toilets | Free general admission. Some special exhibitions ticketed (£6 for Grayson Perry: Aspects of Myself if booked in advance) (rammuseum.org.uk) |
| Penlee House Gallery & Museum | Penzance | Light-filled galleries showcasing Cornish art and history. Calm, easy to explore and suitable for all. | Step-free through galleries, accessible toilets, pushchair friendly. Wheelchair available to borrow | Free for Penzance residents with a free Penzance Pass |
| National Marine Aquarium | Plymouth | Sharks, deep-sea exhibits and tanks featuring Friday the Turtle and local sea life. First visit gives free annual membership. | Ramps and lifts throughout, wheelchairs available, accessible toilets, carers free | £26 adults, £16 children (under 3 free), |
| Local Libraries | Various towns | Storytelling, crafts, and cosy reading spaces. Some have dedicated sensory rooms. | Most have step-free access, baby change and are pushchair friendly | Free |
| Falmouth Art Gallery | Falmouth | A compact and vibrant gallery suitable for all ages. Easy to see in around 30 minutes | Step-free access, seating, accessible toilets | Free |
If there’s a break in the weather, these outdoor options can make great low-cost days out, especially when paired with a tea break.
| Activity | Town | What you’ll find | Accessibility * | Cost |
| Beryl Cook Sculpture Trail | Plymouth | A self-guided city walk spotting new life-sized sculptures inspired by Beryl Cook’s iconic work. | Paved pavements, suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs | Free |
| Room on the Broom Trail | Haldon Woods, Exeter | A 1.5 mile woodland trail with interactive activities for children. There’s also a natural playground, bike trails and café near the car park. | Trail has a mix of firm and natural surfaces; not fully wheelchair accessible without an all‑terrain chair, but parts are suitable for sturdy pushchairs; accessible toilets at main area | Free trail optional activity pack £4.
(Forestry England car park — £5.50 for 2 hrs, £9.50 all day) |
| Fairy House Trail | Saltram Estate, Plymouth | Gentle estate walk discovering magical hidden houses around the garden
Normal garden admission applies for non-National Trust members, but the wider park is free. |
Estate paths are mainly level and wide, good for pushchairs and some wheelchairs; National Trust also offers manual wheelchairs and off‑road Tramper hire. | Free trail with National Trust Membership card |
| Mount Batten | Plymouth | A flat sea-front walk with great views across Plymouth Sound. | Promenade is flat and firm, good for pushchairs and wheelchairs; accessible toilets and seating along the seafront | Free |
| Wembury Beach | Wembury | Coastal paths and rockpooling | Steps to beach. Accessible toilet in Marine Centre. Level access circular walk at Wembury Point | Free
(Parking charges apply for non-National Trust members) |
| Brent Island | South Brent | 1km ‘there and back’ level 1 ramble onto Brent Island | Tarmac and gravel route onto Brent Island | Free trail.
(Parking charges apply in South Brent) |
| Perranporth Beach | Perranporth | Wide open beach and promenade | Excellent beach access with sand chairs and ramped access from car park. Beach is flat and town promenade is wheelchair friendly. | Free
(Seasonal parking fee applies) |
Find out more about accessible beaches in Cornwall and ‘Miles Without Stiles’ trails on Dartmoor.
*Accessibility details are based on publicly available information and may vary by route, surface conditions and weather. We recommend checking venue websites or contacting locations directly if you have specific access needs.
A few simple ways of stretching the budget well beyond half term.
Whether you’re working, supporting others, or spending time with family, we hope these ideas help spark some extra – ordinary moments this February half-term.
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