This Easter, we traded chocolate bunnies and busy schedules for sea views, farm animals, and off-grid living. Our base? The beautiful Fountain Violet Farm near Kingswear, Devon—part of the Feather Down collection of luxury glamping stays. From the moment we arrived, it was clear we were in for a weekend of adventure, nature, and proper family time.
Arriving at Fountain Violet Farm
Set high on a hillside overlooking the River Dart, Fountain Violet Farm is a 130-acre working beef farm with views that go on for miles. Run by the friendly Jones family, the farm instantly felt like a home-from-home—just with a few more cows and a lot less WiFi!
Our Canvas Hideaway
We stayed in one of the farm’s cosy canvas hideaways—a lodge-style tent with proper beds, a wood-burning stove, and a flushing toilet and heated shower. The cupboard bed was a huge hit with our son. With no electricity, we lit our evenings by candlelight and oil lamps, and quickly settled into a slower, more peaceful rhythm.
It was rustic, simple, and completely perfect.
Day Trips & Local Adventures
Brixham: Harbour Views and Fish & Chips
Our first local trip was to Brixham, a working fishing port full of colour and charm. We walked through the town and stopped at a pub for fish and chips. Apparently if you keep an eye out you might see seals however we were too busy dodging the downpour rather than a relaxing stroll with a nautical atmosphere.
Babbacombe Model Village & Easter Egg Hunt
We also visited the magical Babbacombe Model Village, which was even better than we expected. The miniature towns, trains, and cheeky little scenes kept us all entertained and we ended up there for longer that we anticipated as there was also a round of mini golf thrown in. Plus as it was Easter, there was a special egg hunt trail hidden throughout the tiny gardens—complete with a prize at the end. A quirky, charming stop that ended up being a highlight for us all.
Start Point Lighthouse & Mattiscombe Sands Walk
One of our favourite outings was a walk along the coast to Start Point Lighthouse, with incredible views across the sea and cliffs. The lighthouse itself is striking and well worth the climb, although it was closed so we were stopped at the gate and had to make a u-turn. From there, we made our way down to Mattiscombe Sands, a quiet, tucked-away beach. Elliott loved climbing the rocks and Lottie was in her element hopping through the waves.
Blackpool Sands: Beach Day & the BEST Ice Cream
For something more chilled, we headed to Blackpool Sands, a sheltered beach with clear water and a great beach café. We played frisbee with Lottie, Elliott climbed more rocks and then we stopped for a very yummy ice cream, coffee and smash burger. A totally relaxing afternoon in a picture-perfect spot.
Torbay the English Riviera
The final evening we treated ourselves to some Tapas and Cocktails at Twenty1. When we come back we’ll try our hand at paddleboarding in the bay, unfortunately it was a little late and a little chilly for any water antics. We did stop in the arcades and earn ourselves a ton of loot though! A classic British seaside visit.
Final Thoughts
Our Easter trip to Fountain Violet Farm gave us everything we needed—space to unwind, plenty of fresh air, and memories we’ll be talking about for years. From candlelit dinners and the game of life to mini adventures up the coast, Devon delivered in every way. If you’re looking for a family-friendly, nature-filled escape with just the right amount of comfort, this is the spot.
Until next time, Devon—you’ve been a dream.
xoxo
*ps here are a few links to places we visited that are all dog and child friendly
