For Everyone

"so much to do and so easy to get to"
Great days out

go ape
Go Ape! Haldon Forest
4 miles

Activity-lovers ahoy! Set aside a minimum of two hours to climb, leap, swing and zip line through the treetops of Haldon Forest (minimum age: 10, minimum height: 1.4m). Make sure that you have a head for heights!
goape.co.uk/days-out/haldon

River dart country park
River Dart Country Park
14 miles

Located inside the Dartmoor National Park, River Dart promises excitement aplenty. Several activities are open to all visitors, including the beach (the lakes are fed by the River Dart itself), lake obstacles, desert island, and assault course. Alternatively, pay a small additional fee on a per-activity basis to use the high ropes, zip wire, water zorbing, and more!
www.riverdart.co.uk

Haldon Forest
Haldon Forest Park
4 miles

3,500 acres of woodland await you in Haldon Forest Park, with walking and cycling trails for all abilities. Play areas for the kids, plus a Go Ape! Adventure course (see above) provide a much-needed break for the adults! Bikes are available to rent, or alternatively try your hand at segwaying, orienteering, archery or Nordic walking.
www.forestry.gov.uk/haldonforestpark

Crealy
Crealy Adventure Park
14 miles

With more than 60 rides and attractions – including almost 7,000m² of indoor areas – Crealy deserves its reputation as Devon’s biggest day out. As well as rollercoasters, log flumes and waterslides, there are animal viewing areas where you can visit the park’s meerkats, goats and ponies. Open all year.
www.crealy.co.uk

Canonteign Falls
2 miles


A great day out for young and old on the fringe of Dartmoor National Park.
Climb to the top of the South West’s highest waterfall and discover a few surprises along the way.
Marvel at one of the few original Victorian Fern gardens remaining in Britain.
Lose yourself
among the ancient woodland, waterfalls and lakes of our 90 acre estate.
Explore the adventure playgrounds with the whole family and refuel with a cream tea in our lakeside cafe.
www.canonteignfalls.co.uk/

Devon Guild of Craftsmen
6 miles

Devon Guild of Craftsmen is an acclaimed exhibition space for contemporary craft and design as well as a leading charity for craft education.

Located in Bovey Tracey on the edge of Dartmoor, our large gallery and shop offer a great venue with inspiring exhibitions and events, encouraging people to support, make and learn about contemporary craft.

Shop with unique craft items and art. Excellent cafe.
www.crafts.org.uk/

House Of Marbles
6 miles


Our main business is to produce quality vintage & traditional toys, games, gifts and books, but you’ll find there’s so much more to do here than just shop!

We’ve been around since 1973, suppling customers worldwide with our own unique range, designed right here at our Head Office in Bovey Tracey. Our site has grown over time to become the shops, glassworks, restaurant, games garden & museums you’ll see today.

We open our doors to the public and welcome you to come and visit to see what we have to offer.
visit.houseofmarbles.com/

Becky Falls
10 miles


EXPLORE
The most beautiful place in Devon!

No visit to Devon would be complete without a visit to Dartmoor's iconic landmark. Come and breathe some of the purest air in England, explore 50 acres of stunning woodlands and enjoy a very, very warm welcome!
www.beckyfalls.com/

Teign Valley Golf
2 miles

Our nearest golf course. Situated on the main Teign Valley Road. Set in beautiful Dartmoor surroundings, well worth a round if golf is your thing. Visitors are made to feel welcome.
www.teignvalleygolf.co.uk/


Exeter Chiefs
12 miles

If you like rugby you are in a perfect position to get to a game at Sandy Park, home to the premier UK and now European club, Exeter Chiefs. Just 12 miles up the A38 and adjacent to it.
https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/

Exeter and Newton Abbot racecourses
5 miles and 7 miles

If you are a horse racing fan then you are spoilt for choice with two fine National Hunt racecourses on the doorstep.
If you prefer Point-to-Point racing there are also meetings held across Devon
https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/

https://www.newtonabbotracing.com/

https://pointingdc.co.uk/




Trago Mills shopping and leisure centre
7 miles

If you've never heard of Trago Mills, where have you been! The first Trago Mills store was at Liskeard and started life as a small shed, selling items founder Mike Robertson had bought on trips to larger towns some distance away. It soon expanded to the main site at Stover, Newton Abbot and is now a renowned department store, garden centre and leisure attraction. A must even if you're not really a shopper.

https://www.trago.co.uk/

Paignton Zoo
17 miles

Twice the size of London Zoo, Paignton houses more than 2,000 animals across an 80-acre site. Endangered species like tigers, rhinos and lowland gorillas call the zoo home (or occasionally ‘Squawk’, ‘Growl’ or ‘Grunt’). From African elephants to Australian kangaroos, Paignton houses animals from all over the world – and there are outdoor and indoor play areas everywhere for your own little monkeys. www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/

Splashdown Waterpark
19 miles

Eight wild slides form the centrepiece of the UK’s largest outdoor waterpark: from the simply massive Devil’s Drop to the 98m-long Wet and Wild. Younger children can play in the Submarine Adventure and Tiddler Pool, while sunny terraces surround the main swimming hole for those who want a more relaxed day. Finish your day with a West Country ice cream, sourced from the nearby Marshfield Farm.
www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk/quaywest

Woodlands Theme Park
28 miles

Woodlands theme park is an all-weather location divided into 11 zones. Meet meerkats in the Zoo-Farm, explore the Wizard’s Palace in the Fantasi Forest or brave the Tunnel of Fear in the Sea Monster Zone. Plus, buy a one day ticket at the standard rate and get six days of entry for free!
www.woodlandspark.com

Babbacombe Model Village 15 miles

Babbacombe is Britain’s largest and smallest village – with more than 400 buildings and 13,000 residents covering four acres! Take your time: you’ll easily spot the thatched cottages, train stations, and even a tiny Paignton Zoo – but look closer to find the hidden gems, like a fire-breathing dragon, a Where’s Wally event and – in the summer – a nudist beach. Enjoy a free return visit within seven days.
www.model-village.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL
BEACHES

"and lots to choose from"

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Dawlish Warren - 13 miles

 

This family beach resort has a lovely "Blue Flag" beach backed by sand dunes and small lakes, a haven for a great variety of wildlife - this is the world acclaimed National Nature Reserve. The Warren beach stretches for miles to reach the Exe estuary in one direction and Dawlish Town in the other.
A perfect place for seaside fun, the beach is great for families to enjoy playing in the water knowing that the experienced lifeguards are keeping an eye on safety. During the summer there are many free open-air events, children's entertainers and spectacular firework displays.

https://dawlishwarren.com/ 

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Dawlish - 10 miles 

 

Within a short walk from the town centre, Dawlish Town Beach is ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of the town. The beach is sandy and is backed by stunning cliffs.

Wave at the passengers on the trains that travel along the tracks running behind the beach and keep an eye out for one of the steam trains that often travel the route.

dogs are permitted left of the main breakwater up to 100m from Red Rock Beach at Dawlish Warren (large red rocky outcrop called Langstone Rock).

Dawlish town beach 

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Teignmouth - 12 miles

 

If you’re looking for a great spot for a family beach holiday, take a look at Teignmouth. On top of the traditional sun, sand and surf there’s loads more to see and do that’s guaranteed to keep the kids and the grown ups entertained.
The beach itself is a long one so you don’t need to worry about the crowds, even during the summer. It stretches down from the mouth of the River Teign along the red cliffs which stretch toward Dawlish. The beach is overlooked by an impressive Victorian Pier and nearby you will find a play park, crazy golf, skate park, green, ice cream huts and parade, Teignmouth beach is one of those beaches that will take you back to your childhood. Teignmouth is also a dog-friendly beach during the winter months, so you can even bring the dog.

Teignmouth beach 

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Torquay - 16 miles

 

Torquay has many and varied beaches, which you can check out here.

Torquay beaches 

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Preston Sands - 17 miles

 

Preston is red sand beach just a short walk from Paignton Sands and is very popular with families.

Behind the beach is Preston Green which runs the length of the beach and is a safe area for the children to have fun or play a game of football or cricket. The long promenade provides a level walk to both ends of the beach and has brightly colourful beach huts that you can hire out for the day.

At low tide interesting rock pools are exposed at the northern end of the beach.

Preston Beach

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Paignton Sands - 17 miles

 

Paignton Beach offers the ultimate family day out at the seaside. With a sandy beach, safe swimming and a whole host of activities to enjoy, this promises to be a fun day out for all the family. There’s lots to do; you can hire a pedalo, take a fishing trip from the nearby harbour or simply sit back and relax in a deckchair.

In the middle of the beach sits the famous Paignton Pier, so if you’ve had enough sunbathing or you’ve built enough sandcastles, why not head here see what all the fuss is about? You’ll find kiosks, cafés and an abundance of amusement arcades to keep kids of all ages happy.

Paignton Beach

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Goodrington Sands - 17 miles

 

A fabulous area for water sports, including windsurfing, there are also rock pools and the Seashore Centre (learn all about the English Riviera’s marine life) for the less adrenaline-hungry. The beach is divided into two parts: dogs are allowed on the North Beach, but banned from the South. The South is super for children with all the facilities you expect from a traditional English beach resort.

http://www.englishriviera.co.uk/things-to-do/goodrington-sands-paignton-p404323 

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Broadsands Beach - 18 miles

 

In between Paignton and Brixham is Broadsands on the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay. With a long sandy beach the whole family can enjoy, you can make sandcastles for a couple of hours and then paddle in the calm sea. There’s also a large area of parkland directly behind the beach, so if you’ve brought a football with you, this is a great place to have a kick around.

Broadsands Beach

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Blackpool Sands - 32 miles 

 

One of the nicest beaches anywhere in the world, not just Devon!

https://www.blackpoolsands.co.uk/

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Beesands - 34 miles 

 

More than a mile long, there is room for everyone at Beesands – which is good news, as the beach is popular with tourists. The local village is a great spot to pick up some fresh seafood, a cool drink or fishing supplies, if that’s your thing.

http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/beesands-beach-p1200673

Houses and Gardens

Explore Historic Devon

Powderham Castle
10 miles

For a true taste of British history, a visit to Powderham Castle – ancestral seat of the Earl and Countess of Devon – is a must. Stroll through acres of gardens, enter the Castle itself, and watch one of the many events that take place throughout the year. An adventure area and petting zoo can be found, to take care of your little princes and princesses. For an additional fee, take a tractor or trailer ride into the nearby deer park.
www.powderham.co.uk

Casle Drogo
15 miles

High above the ancient woodlands of the Teign Gorge stands Castle Drogo. Inspired by the rugged Dartmoor tors that surround it, the castle was designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Nothing is normal at Drogo, as the castle is undergoing a major conservation project to save it, by making it watertight. Outside the Lutyens designed garden is colourful in all seasons, and there are miles of pathways to explore in the Teign Gorge from along the bubbling river to Wooston hillfort, high above the gorge.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

Greenway House
21 miles

Agatha Christie’s Devonshire home, Greenway House has remained untouched by time since the 1950s, when the author and her family would spend their summers and Christmases here. The house is full of items collected by Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan, while the garden holds more than 2,700 species of trees and plants. In true ’50s style, the best way to reach the house is via steam train to Churston, followed by a free shuttle bus.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway

Coleton Fishacre
24 miles

This National Trust property was built as a luxurious retreat in the 1920s, and retains the Art Deco feeling of the time. The 20s are alive and well inside: visitors can try on clothes from the era while listening to music playing throughout the house – jazz, of course! On certain days, children can even try out the washboard and mangle in the laundry room!
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre

Killerton House
19 miles

“The history of the Acland family, one of Devonshire’s oldest families, is simply fascinating.

In 1944 Sir Richard Dyke Acland, 15th Baronet, and his wife Lady Anne made the decision for the ancestral estates at Killerton and Holnicote to come to the National Trust. 

It now houses some superb collections and has fantastic gardens with walks.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton/features/the-house-at-killerton

Compton Castle
14 miles

A dramatic fortified manor house and small formal garden.

Compton has grown from a manor house to the fortified structure you can now visit. The manor was enlarged in the 1450s and then, in response to French raids on Plymouth in the 1520s it was fortified. By 1800 the family had moved to Bodmin, Cornwall, and Compton fell into ruin and was sold. Commander Walter Raleigh Gilbert bought the castle and surrounding orchard back in 1931 and started its restoration.

 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/compton-castle

Buckfast Abbey
14 miles

Buckfast Abbey forms part of an active Benedictine monastery at Buckfast.

The Abbey is self-supporting, with a farm where vegetables are grown and bees, pigs and cattle are kept, a shop which sells wine, honey beeswax, fudge and other items made by religious communities throughout the world, and a gift shop, book shop, and restaurant.

The monastery's most successful product is Buckfast Tonic Wine, a fortified wine which the monks began making in the 1890s.

It is also famous for it's honey.

https://www.buckfast.org.uk

Saltram House
32 miles

A house full of treasures, stories & intrigue. A secret garden to lose yourself in, plus a park that cyclists, walkers, & our four legged friends love.
Saltram overlooks the River Plym and is set in a rolling landscape park that provides precious green space on the outskirts of Plymouth. Strolling along the riverside or through the woodland, you can almost forget that the city lies so close.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram


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