August in East Devon – The Perfect Time to Stay at Alpine Park Cottages

28th July, 2026

Sidmouth Folk Festival

The month begins with one of the UK's most famous folk festivals. Running from 31st July to 7th August, the Sidmouth Folk Festival transforms the town into a vibrant celebration of music, dance and culture, with more than 800 events taking place throughout the week.

Even if you're not a folk music enthusiast, the festival is well worth visiting. Wander through the streets and you'll discover colourful dance displays, live music, craft stalls, family entertainment and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the South West.

Cool Off at Greendale Farm Shop

Looking for family fun during the summer holidays?

Just a short drive from Alpine Park Cottages, Greendale Farm Shop is once again hosting its popular Slip 'n Slide and Bounce & Slide attractions throughout the summer. Children can burn off plenty of energy while parents relax with refreshments or enjoy browsing the farm shop.

It's the perfect day out for families staying with us.

Discover East Devon's Beautiful Beaches

No summer holiday would be complete without a visit to the beach, and we're spoilt for choice.

Spend the day building sandcastles, paddling in the sea, exploring rock pools or simply relaxing on the coast at:

Sidmouth

Budleigh Salterton

Exmouth

Seaton

Each beach has its own unique charm, from the dramatic red cliffs of Sidmouth to the long sandy beaches at Exmouth and the picturesque pebble shoreline of Budleigh Salterton.

Don't Miss an Ice Cream at Taste of Sidmouth

After a stroll along Sidmouth's elegant promenade, treat yourself to one of the delicious homemade ice creams from Taste of Sidmouth.

With a fantastic selection of flavours, it's a favourite stop for both locals and visitors and the perfect way to cool down on a sunny afternoon.

Sidmouth Regatta & Airshow

The spectacular Sidmouth Regatta returns bank holiday weekend,  bringing four days of family entertainment to the seafront.

The highlight is undoubtedly the Sidmouth Airshow, where on Friday 28th August the world-famous Red Arrows will once again take to the skies alongside an exciting programme of aerial displays. The Regatta also includes sailing events, raft races, live entertainment, food stalls and a spectacular fireworks display, making it a fantastic way to round off the summer holidays.

Even More to Enjoy This August

While you're staying at Alpine Park Cottages, why not also explore:

The spectacular Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth (free admission)

Seaton Tramway

Bicton Park Botanical Gardens

World of Country Life in Exmouth

Stuart Line Cruises from Exmouth

Woodbury Common for beautiful walks and wildlife spotting

Crealy Adventure Park - Dont forget the 2 for 1 offer!  Where you can enjoy 2 days at the park for the price of 1 day.

A Devon Holiday Isn't Complete Without a Cream Tea!

One of the questions we're asked most often by guests staying at Alpine Park Cottages is:

"Where can we get the best Devon cream tea?"

After all, you can't visit Devon without enjoying freshly baked scones, rich Devon clotted cream and delicious local jam. Of course, there's also the age-old debate...

Are you cream first or jam first?

Here in Devon, there's only one correct answer – cream first, then jam! But we'll let our Cornish neighbours disagree. It's all part of the fun!

Over the years, our guests have recommended some fantastic places to enjoy a traditional Devon cream tea, with two favourites standing out

The Cosy Teapot, Budleigh Salterton – A charming little tearoom that's regularly recommended by our guests for its warm welcome, homemade scones and wonderfully traditional afternoon teas. Don't forget to cast your vote in their own "cream first or jam first" debate while you're there!

Southern Cross Guest House & Tea Rooms, Newton Poppleford – Another firm favourite just a few minutes from Alpine Park Cottages. Set in a beautiful thatched cottage, it's renowned for generous portions, freshly baked scones and one of the finest cream teas in East Devon.

If you're exploring the coast, Otterton Mill is another wonderful stop, serving award-winning cream teas made with scones freshly baked in its artisan bakery beside the historic working mill.

Whichever you choose, enjoying a traditional Devon cream tea is one of those holiday memories that simply has to be ticked off during your stay. Just don't ask us to settle the cream-versus-jam debate!

Stay at Alpine Park Cottages This Summer

After a busy day exploring East Devon, return to the peace and tranquillity of Alpine Park Cottages. Set within six acres of beautiful parkland, our family-run self-catering cottages provide the perfect base for discovering everything the area has to offer.

Whether you're looking for a 3-night short break, a 4-night getaway or a week-long family holiday, we'd love to welcome you this August.

Availability is limited during the summer holidays, so book your stay soon and enjoy everything that makes East Devon such a wonderful place to visit. 

Top Tip: Save Money on Parking

If you're planning to explore East Devon during your stay, here's one of our favourite money-saving tips.

East Devon District Council offers a 7-day parking permit for just £25, giving you access to most East Devon District Council pay-and-display car parks across the area. It's fantastic value if you're planning to visit places such as Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton, Exmouth, Beer and Honiton during your holiday.

The permit is purchased online and linked to your vehicle registration, so there's no paper ticket to display. Do remember that some short-stay car parks still have maximum stay limits, so it's always worth checking the signs when you arrive.

For many of our guests, the 7-day permit quickly pays for itself, leaving you with more money to spend on ice creams, cream teas and making wonderful holiday memories!