Devon Cliffs Holiday Park: Beach Access, Caravans & Towns

You’ve seen the photos of caravans perched on red cliffs above Sandy Bay. Devon Cliffs Holiday Park sounds like the kind of place where a family break actually works, but before you book, it helps to know exactly what you’re paying for.

Location: Sandy Bay, Exmouth, Devon · Beach: Blue Flag Sandy Bay (direct cliff access) · Nearest Town: Exmouth (approx. 2 miles) · Operator: Haven · Pools: Indoor and outdoor with Tower Flume

Six key facts that define Devon Cliffs at a glance.

Is there a town near Devon Cliffs?

Exmouth: the closest town

Exmouth, about 2 miles south-west of the park, is the nearest proper town. It offers supermarkets, restaurants, a seafront promenade, and a marina (Haven (local area guide)). Visitors can walk or take a short drive to the town centre, though the road is steep in parts. Exmouth also has a train station with direct services to Exeter.

Other nearby towns and villages

Budleigh Salterton (6 miles east) and Sidmouth (12 miles east) are smaller coastal towns worth a visit. Both are on the Jurassic Coast and have their own character (Tripadvisor (location highlights)).

The implication: car availability is a deciding factor for accessing Exmouth’s full offerings.

How many caravans are at Devon Cliffs Holiday Park?

Types of accommodation

Devon Cliffs is one of the biggest parks in the Haven network (Haven (park overview)). Accommodation ranges from 2‑bed to 4‑bed caravans, plus a small number of luxury lodges that are about 16 feet wide compared to the standard 12‑foot caravan (Holiday Park Guru (accommodation breakdown)). Haven-owned caravans are categorised as Saver, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with upgrades such as decking, newer models, and proximity to the entertainment complex.

Private versus Haven-owned caravans

A significant portion of the park’s caravans are privately owned and let out by their owners. Exact figures are not published, but the park covers a large hillside and the number is likely in the several hundreds (The Hadwins (park size impression)).

The pattern: due diligence on private lets is essential to avoid disappointment.

How far is the beach from Devon Cliffs Holiday Park?

Direct cliff path access

Haven says guests are “a matter of steps” from the beach (Haven (beach access description)). There are steps cut into the cliff that lead directly down to Sandy Bay. The walk takes under 5 minutes for most guests, though the steps are steep and may be challenging for those with mobility issues or pushchairs.

Beach walking time

Sandy Bay beach holds a Blue Flag award, meaning it meets high standards for cleanliness and safety (Haven (award details)). The beach itself is sandy and backed by red cliffs. Low tide reveals rock pools that are popular with families.

The catch: the beach access is a highlight but requires reasonable fitness.

What is there to do around Devon Cliffs Holiday Park?

On‑park activities

Devon Cliffs has a large indoor swimming pool complex with multi‑lane slides and flumes, plus an outdoor pool that operates seasonally (Haven (water facilities)). Other activities include an aerial adventure course, bungee trampolines, tube slides, and kids’ clubs. Haven says dining options include Slim Chickens, South Beach Café, and a J D Wetherspoon pub on park (Haven (dining list)). Evening entertainment runs throughout the season.

Nearby attractions

Exmouth seafront is about a 10‑minute drive and offers a marina, bowling greens, and the start of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Just south of the park, you can walk along the cliff path towards Orcombe Point, the official start of the Jurassic Coast. Powderham Castle (12 miles north) and Exeter Cathedral (20 minutes by train from Exmouth) make for good day trips. Dartmoor National Park is about 40 minutes by car (Tripadvisor (things to do near Exmouth)).

Entertainment further afield

If you’re looking for live shows or ticketed events, the nearby resorts of Torquay and Paignton host summer variety performances. For a different kind of entertainment, check the Eventim Apollo Seating Plan – Best Seats and Layout Guide if you plan a city‑based show later in your trip, or see if Micky Flanagan Tour 2026 – Dates, Venues and Ticket Guide has a date in the South West – both offer a change of pace from the caravan park.

What is the best holiday park in Devon?

When you compare Devon Cliffs with rival parks, one pattern emerges: location versus facilities.

Sources: Park descriptions from official websites and review aggregators (Holiday Park Guru (Devon park comparisons)).

The implication: if you want the iconic cliff‑top experience, Devon Cliffs is the only park that delivers it. But if you value flat terrain and a quieter atmosphere, Ladram Bay or the independent Sandy Bay Holiday Park might be a better fit.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Park is operated by Haven (Haven (official site))
• Direct access to Sandy Bay beach via cliff steps (Haven (beach details))
• Exmouth is the nearest town (~2 miles) (Tripadvisor (location))
• Indoor and outdoor pools plus flume (Haven (facilities))

What’s unclear

• Exact number of caravans on park – figures not published
• Whether a Wetherspoons pub is actually open on site (no independent confirmation)
• How the “85 rule” for caravan resale applies today (not uniformly enforced)

The pattern: most published details come from the operator; independent verification is limited.

What visitors say

“Great location, the cliff steps are steep but the beach is beautiful.”

Tripadvisor (verified trip review)

“Devon Cliffs Holiday Park is an all-action family holiday park with an indoor/outdoor pool & Tower Flume.”

Haven (official description)

For families who value location over flat terrain and are happy to tackle a few steps for a Blue Flag beach, Devon Cliffs delivers. The park’s main weakness – its hillside layout – is also its main strength: the views and beach access are hard to beat. If you’re looking for a guaranteed, well-maintained caravan, book a Haven-owned gold-tier unit rather than a private let. For the budget-conscious traveller or those with mobility concerns, a flatter park like Ladram Bay or the independent Sandy Bay Holiday Park may offer a smoother holiday.

Related reading: Eventim Apollo Seating Plan – Best Seats and Layout Guide · Micky Flanagan Tour 2026 – Dates, Venues and Ticket Guide

Frequently asked questions