Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT/WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/cofton-intro.jpeg" alt="Cofton at Christmas Cotton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83045" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/cofton-intro.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/cofton-intro-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/cofton-intro-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/cofton-intro-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Nestled in the pretty coastal village of Starcross, Cofton Holiday Park is set on an 80-acre site and is minutes from the popular seaside town of Dawlish. But I&#8217;m here with an over-excited four year old, not for the Blue Flag beach, but for the inaugural <a href="https://coftonholidays.co.uk/christmas-at-cofton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas at Cofton</a> which is running from Fri 5 &#8211; Sun 21 December 2025.</p>



<p>We&#8217;re going for an hour-long experience, including a personal visit with Santa in a Mongolian yurt, a photo with Santa and his cheerful elves, a special gift and a chance to sign Santa’s Good List. Festive activity stations are included where kids can post a postcard to the North Pole, make magical reindeer food to take home and tuck into a hot chocolate and cookie.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-DRAWING.jpeg" alt="child at Cofton at Christmas 2025 at Cofton Holidays in Devon " class="wp-image-83040" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-DRAWING.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-DRAWING-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-DRAWING-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-DRAWING-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Having parked up for free, we head down a fairy-lit walkway to The Swan, the holiday park&#8217;s onsite pub where the festivity activities are happening. Greeted by elves, little ones can make reindeer food, decorate baubles and write a letter to Santa before being taken to meet Father Christmas. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-GROTTOENTRANCE.jpeg" alt="child with elf at the entrance to the Mongolian Yurt at Cofton at Christmas Cotton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83041" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-GROTTOENTRANCE.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-GROTTOENTRANCE-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-GROTTOENTRANCE-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/ETTA-GROTTOENTRANCE-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Outside, a winter wonderland scene awaits with pretend-reindeer pulling a sleigh and a beautifully lit Mongolian yurt. After knocking on the door to see if the Big Man was in, you enter a magical grotto where Santa is sitting by his fire. My four-year old daughter has no trouble letting him know what is on her list and was very excited to be given a gift by the Big Man.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/SANTA-ETTASEATED2.jpeg" alt="child with Santa in the Mongolian Yurt at Cofton at Christmas Cotton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83043" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/SANTA-ETTASEATED2.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/SANTA-ETTASEATED2-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/SANTA-ETTASEATED2-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/SANTA-ETTASEATED2-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Families can also snap photos beside Santa’s sleigh and reindeer and share them using #SantaAtCofton for the chance to win a festive family prize in Cofton’s Elfie-Selfie Competition.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/JUGGLING-ELF.jpeg" alt="juggling elf at Christmas at Cofton Holidays Starcross Devon " class="wp-image-83050" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/JUGGLING-ELF.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/JUGGLING-ELF-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/JUGGLING-ELF-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/JUGGLING-ELF-768x1024.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>My daughter was particularly enamoured by an elf that wowed us with her juggling skills and another who told her to look our for Rudolph and Comet in the sky on the way home (which kept her awake in danger nap territory) so thank you! </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED.jpeg" alt="waffle shed at Cofton at Christmas Cotton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83046" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED-600x800.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED-750x1000.jpeg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/WAFFLE-SHED-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Hot choc and cookies are included in the price and kids are given a token to use on their way out. Since activities take place in the on-site pub, snack and drinks are available to buy here, but, if a sit down meal is in order, The Pizza Kitchen on site serves limited edition Christmas pizzas or Amelia&#8217;s (café, bar and restaurant) serves food and drinks all day.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else">ANYTHING ELSE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/TOYS.jpeg" alt="toy market at the Mongolian Yurt at Cofton at Christmas Cotton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83048" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/TOYS.jpeg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/TOYS-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/TOYS-1000x750.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/TOYS-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>A small Christmas Market is open from 4-9pm with a few stalls selling local craft, gifts, food and drinks if a spot of Christmas shopping takes your fancy. There&#8217;s also a brilliant children’s play park on site to spend some time while your mince pies go down.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1503" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/santapaws-cofton.jpg" alt="santa paws dog grotto at Cofton Holidays Devon " class="wp-image-83055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/santapaws-cofton.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/santapaws-cofton-532x800.jpg 532w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/santapaws-cofton-665x1000.jpg 665w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/santapaws-cofton-768x1154.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>They&#8217;ve also just announced a fun-sounding <em>Santa Paws</em> experience for dogs (weekdays from 4pm-8pm, and weekends from 11am-3pm and 4pm-8pm). Go give the mutt a treat and get some fun pics for your Insta-feed. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Santa-at-Cofton.jpg" alt="Cofton at Christmas Cofton Holidays in Devon  " class="wp-image-83052" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Santa-at-Cofton.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Santa-at-Cofton-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Santa-at-Cofton-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/12/Santa-at-Cofton-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Santa was wonderful and the elves on duty are brilliant. One minor niggle is the one-hour experience isn&#8217;t entirely inside the yurt, but some of it in the pub which is a little less enchanting. That said, once you&#8217;re inside the yurt it&#8217;s truly magical.</p>



<p><strong>Good for: </strong>An affordable experience and very generous gift from Santa.</p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>As the majority of the experience involves activities, I would say it’s geared towards aged 2+ so very young kids would not get as much out of it. </p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: £17.50 per child, accompanying adult is free.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://coftonholidays.co.uk/christmas-at-cofton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas at Cofton</a>, Cofton Holidays, Starcross, Nr. Dawlish, EX6 8RP Tel: 01626 890111; info@coftonholidays.co.uk.</em></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-santa-grottos-try-these">WANT MORE SANTA GROTTOS? TRY THESE</h2>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/xmas/the-mole-resort-frosted-festivities-devon-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Review: Frosted Festivities at The Mole Resort, Chittlehamholt</a></p>



<p><a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/best-santa-father-christmas-grottos-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Santa Grottos around the county </a></p>


Review: Christmas at Cofton (in a Mongolian yurt!), Starcross

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