The Mole Resort, Devon – An Honest Family Review 2026

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably checked the weather forecast, seen rain all weekend and immediately wondered whether a UK family break is really worth it. We have just returned from a rainy January weekend at The Mole Resort in Devon, and honestly? It was absolutely fab. We went with our two boys aged 7 & 11.

This is one of those places that proves you don’t need sunshine to have an amazing UK family staycation. There is so much to do here, even during the cold, wet winter months and the rain didn’t stop us once.

Where Is The Mole Resort?

The Mole Resort is tucked away in the beautiful North Devon countryside, set within 125 acres of rolling hills and wide open space. It feels wonderfully rural (hello fresh air and muddy boots), but everything you need is right on site which is exactly what you want when travelling with kids.

It’s the kind of place where children can run free, parents can properly relax, and no one is stressing about what to do next. And if you have a dog, they can come along too it’s dog-friendly, which is always a bonus.

What Is The Mole Resort?

The Mole Resort offers a great mix of accommodation options, including:

• Rooms within a beautiful historic manor house
• Traditional cottages dotted around the resort
• Modern luxury lodges with hot tubs and private decking

All accommodation is set within the private 125-acre estate, which also includes over 40 on-site activities, an indoor swimming pool, spa treatments, a gym, and plenty of outdoor space to explore.

Staying in a Valley View Lodge at The Mole Resort (with Hot Tub!)

We stayed in a Luxury Valley View three-bedroom lodge at The Mole Resort, and it was utterly gorgeous. Modern, spacious, beautifully finished and spotlessly clean. It felt like a real treat while still being completely family-friendly. You park your car right next to your lodge and you probably won’t use your car again during your stay.

The front of the lodge is made up of floor-to-ceiling glass doors, opening out onto a private deck with stunning countryside views and a private hot tub. The boys each had their own bedroom (which solved the classic “his leg touched mine” argument instantly), while we had an en-suite in the main bedroom there was also a family bathroom so more than enough space for everyone.

A lovely touch was the Rituals hand wash, shampoo and conditioner provided in the bathrooms, which meant less packing. The kitchen was extremely well equipped and immaculately clean, with:

• Dishwasher and washing machine
• Two dishwasher tablets supplied
• Fresh cloths and washing-up liquid
• Tea bags and coffee bags provided

The boys were obsessed with sitting in the warm, bubbling hot tub while rain fell around us this was ultimate January luxury. After wet, outdoorsy days, coming back to the lodge, getting everyone dry and hopping into the hot tub was bliss. Stargazing from the hot tub felt a little bit magical.

If you’re visiting The Mole Resort in winter seasons, I honestly think a lodge with a hot tub is the way to do it.

What We Found Useful to Bring

• Olive oil and cooking essentials
• Extra dishwasher tablets
• Food for self-catering
• Kitchen wipes or spray
• Washing machine tablets for muddy clothes

Honestly, I can’t fault this lodge at all and out of all the UK staycations we’ve done, this has been my favourite lodge so far.

Another brilliant touch, when you check in, you’re added to a WhatsApp chat, meaning you can ask questions at any time. It was incredibly handy. Wi-fi in the lodge and all around the resort worked perfectly.

Breakfast In your Lodge

We opted for The Mole resort breakfast pack delivered straight to our lodge, and it was such a lovely, stress free way to start the day. When we arrived, everything was already waiting for us in the fridge, no shopping, no planning, and no first-morning dash to the supermarket.

The breakfast pack included:

• West Country bacon
• Free-range eggs
• Farm sausages
• Mushrooms
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• A pint of fresh milk

The quality of the ingredients was excellent, and everything you need to cook breakfast is already provided in the lodge. The pack cost £48 for 8 servings, which easily lasted us the whole weekend and felt like a real treat.

What I really loved was how it took the pressure off  the planning of the food. You can also order roast packs, BBQ packs or steak packs, which means you don’t have to bring a full weekly shop with you unless you want to.

For a relaxed family staycation, this is such a great add-on.

Things to Do at The Mole Resort (Even When It’s Raining)

This is where The Mole Resort really shines. Instead of cancelling activities due to weather, they encourage you to crack on and it makes all the difference.

It was wet during our stay but not too cold, so we packed properly and embraced the great British weather, knowing we had a hot tub waiting for us afterwards.

Once you check in, you can see all available activities via the free The Mole Resort app, which includes schedules, prices and resort information. Most organised activities incur an additional cost, which is clearly displayed.

We took part in three organised activities over the weekend:

Indoor Nerf Gun Wars (£12.50 per person)

Of course the boys were desperate to do this and I think my husband enjoyed it just as much! Big inflatable obstacles, loads of Nerf guns and a brilliant instructor made this a high-energy battle against another family. A massive win for heavy rain moments.

Archery in the Rain (£22.50 per person)

Yes, we did archery in the rain, and yes it was brilliant. Waterproofs on, hoods up, and excellent shelters meant it was still really enjoyable. You need to be over 10 for this one, so my youngest watched and still loved it. Shelby, our instructor, was fantastic definitely a core memory moment.

Pottery Painting (£15)

My youngest painted a football money box, while I enjoyed a much slower pace in the craft room. There were other craft activities going on too, all of which looked great. Top tip: parents can enjoy a drink from the bar while the kids get creative.

Activities We Enjoyed in Our Own Time

• Footgolf in wellies muddy, hilarious and unforgettable
• Football on the multi-use court
• Free tennis and pickleball (bookable)
• Playground and adventure trail
• Indoor swimming pool (free to use)

There are also loads of lovely walking paths and outdoor spaces the resort never feels crowded because there’s so much room to explore.

The Games Room & The Hub

When you arrive at The Mole Resort, you check in at The Hub, which also houses the games room, craft room, activity room, a bar and a small farm shop.

The games room was a huge hit with the kids and a lovely place for adults to sit and actually have a conversation. Inside you’ll find:

• Shuffleboard
• Table tennis
• Pool (paid)
• Air hockey (paid)
• Table football
• Retro video games
• Board games

There’s a small bar serving coffee, alcoholic drinks and light bites perfect for downtime between activities.

We even took part in a family quiz night one evening in here which was very funny and somehow we won!

The On-Site Restaurant

The restaurant and another bar are located inside the beautiful old manor house a total contrast to the modern lodges and another really lovely atmosphere.

We cooked in the lodge on Friday night but ate at the restaurant on Saturday. The food was great, with a solid kids’ menu and plenty of choice for adults. It does add to the cost, so you can choose whether to treat yourself or stick to self-catering. Takeaway options are also available via the app.

Why The Mole Resort Is Brilliant for Families

• Huge choice of on-site activities for all ages
• Encourages outdoor play whatever the weather
• No need to drive once you arrive
• Excellent balance of luxury accommodation and child-friendly fun
• Spacious resort that never feels overcrowded

Visiting The Mole Resort in Winter: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely yes. A January stay at The Mole Resort was quieter, more relaxed and incredibly cosy. The kids didn’t care about the rain if anything, it added to the adventure and the lodge made evenings warm and relaxing.

I can only imagine how lovely it would be in summer, but for a more affordable time of year, don’t be put off by a winter stay.

Tips for a Winter Stay at The Mole Resort

• Pack wellies and waterproofs
• Bring cosy clothes for evenings
• Embrace the weather — don’t fight it
• Book activities early
• Plan food in advance (self-catering or a mix)
• Download the app
• Take scooters or bikes — loads of paths to ride on
• Dogs will love the dedicated dog exercise area

Final Thoughts: A Resort That Makes Rainy Days Fun

The Mole Resort reminded me that some of the best family memories are made when things aren’t picture-perfect. Rainy days didn’t stop the fun and if we’d stayed home, we probably wouldn’t have ventured out much at all.

If you’re looking for a UK family resort offering outdoor adventure, cosy luxury and activities that run whatever the weather, The Mole Resort in Devon is well worth considering.

And yes we’d absolutely go back.

Things that could be improved

We had absolutely no complaints whatsoever. The only thing I noticed is that the inside pool feels slightly older than some of the other facilities, but it didn’t stop the fun. Would be great if there was a package you could buy for a set amount of activities rather than paying for each one, but these are minor points.

Travel Mum Score (5/5)

How to Book a stay at The Mole resort:

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 This stay was kindly gifted as part of a PR collaboration. As always, all views and opinions are entirely our own.