How "open" is Devon - particularly Woolacombe/ Croyde area during september-october????

I've only been during the summer season and during the middle of the winter so I know the vast difference between being there in and out of season but I need to know how much is open to tourists during mid september to early october as my uncle and his family are coming to the uk from Oz and want to visit the area......only they had no idea that the whole of Devon "closes" for the winter!! I said I'd find out for them i there'd be anything to do there (especially for the kids) at that time of year - so anyone who lives there I'd be grateful for some info...... e.g. are the ice-cream shops still open? The other tourist attractions?? Or has the season well and truely finished by then? thanks :)