The Best Family Attractions in Mid Devon
It’s that time of year again when you’re looking for ways to entertain the kids and get the most out of time together as a family. There’s plenty for all the family to enjoy in Mid Devon. This list of our family attractions has something for everyone, whatever the weather!
History
Tiverton Museum of Mid Devon Life is mega family friendly with lots of fun things for families to do including toy stations around the museum, trails, Explorer Backpacks and dressing up stations, as well as the chance to step on the footplate of a real full size steam engine. This
summer they’re celebrating Toys and Childhood through the ages with a special toy trail and extra toys and games for you to play with! Look out for Crafty Tuesdays and Object Handling Thursdays.
Bampton Heritage and Visitor Centre helps you uncover the fascinating history of Bampton, with lots of fun things for families to do to bring that history to life, including touch screen computer game, toys and games, a quiz to have a go at and dressing up. Extend your visit to the town with a heritage trail, a walk up the Norman Motte and a play on the brilliant Motte and Bailey Playpark. Throughout August, follow the Scarecrow Trail around the town.
Discover castle life at real life Mid Devon castles!
Try on armour and see if you can lift a cannonball at Tiverton Castle. Have a look at the medieval loos, read ghost stories and find secret passages and spend some time having a wander around the beautiful walled gardens.
At Bickleigh Castle you can enjoy a guided tour and walk in the footsteps of the English monarchy! Follow your visit with an afternoon tea in the Orangery.
Coldharbour Mill is one of the oldest woollen mills in continuous production in the UK. Discover the factory floor, dress up, see a waterwheel in action and explore 10 acres of wetland and wildlife where you can have a go at hunting for butterflies. If you visit on a Production Day (Every Thursday) you’ll get to experience the buzz of the factory and see some of the heritage machinery in action. Look out for The Power of Water Steam Day at the end of August.
Active
The Bear Trail is, in their own words ‘an award-winning mud-fest of an attraction’! A family-friendly mud run obstacle course, this is perfect for some hilarious family fun. The Bear Trail is open daily over the summer and has a new Mud Swamp to discover. Don’t panic, brand new indoor showers this year mean you don’t have to take the mud back to your holiday accommodation! Locals can get the most of the Bear Trail with a Summer Saver Pass, allowing you to pay once and visit all summer for just £24.95.
Quad Biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. The award-winning Quad World is the place to do it! With
experience, qualified instructors on hand to give you full tuition is doesn’t matter if you’ve never given it a try before. Now open 7 days a week over the summer, this is a fun and unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Diggerland Devon is an action-packed day out for the whole family. Whether your kids are digger mad or not, there is plenty for everyone to do for a fun and memorable visit. Make sure you have a go on all the rides, including the Spindizzy, Go-Karts and Dodgems, as well as driving real diggers and dumpers. Diggerland is open daily over the summer.
If trains are the thing in your household, then look now further than Devon Railway Centre! Discover the model railways and explore the model village, unleash your competitive side with crazy golf, let off steam on the indoor and outdoor play areas and top it all off with unlimited train rides round the centre. You’ll find lots more rides and fun as well as a brand new brilliant build and play area, just opened this summer!
Houses and Gardens
If you’re craving a quieter day out, Fursdon House and Gardens is perfect for a more reflective visit. It is one of the oldest family homes in Devon and seat of the Fursdons for over 700 years. Explore the manor house on a guided tour and learn about the life of a squire of the manor and hear stories of ghosts and dragons! Then stroll around the beautifully restored gardens before stopping for a delicious traditional cream tea in the tearooms.
Take a walk around the parkland at Bridwell Park, strolling by the lake, looking out for the folly and keeping an eye out for the herds of Red and Fallow deer. The Orangery Café is well stocked with delicious drinks and delectable cakes and savoury
treats from local suppliers. Look out for special Stay and Play Holiday Workshop Sessions on certain dates in August for making and crafting.
Run off some steam at Shobrooke Park. There is permissive access around the south part of the park. Wander round the lake sand take a look at the beautiful old bridge, taking in the beautiful views from the parkland.
National Trust properties Knightshayes and Killerton both have fascinating houses, beautiful formal gardens and extensive grounds and woodland to explore. This summer holidays enjoy their ‘Let’s Play’ activities. At Knightshayes you’ll find a selection of fun activities including the Pavilion of Play, while at Killerton you can try your hand at frisbee golf, walk the plank and discover nature based toys.
Animals and Outdoor Fun
The perfect day out for animal lovers! Wildwood Escot celebrates British wildlife so you’ll find animals currently native to the UK and those that are now extinct in the wild in Britain, including wolves, brown bears, wild boar, lynxes and a walkthrough enclosure that is home to red squirrels. Check the schedule for the day when you arrive so you don’t miss the talks, feedings and bird of prey display. You’ll also find plenty of other fun things to do including a magnificent maze, adventure play, soft play, a drop-slide and zip line and an authentic Saxon Village.
Yarak Birds of Prey is the perfect place for a unique experience with magnificent birds of prey. With a number of different
hands on experiences available you can have a really memorable day out getting up close with beautiful birds including Owls, Hawks, Falcons and Eagles. Yarak experiences are by appointment only so book ahead and the minimum age for experiences is 7.
There are so many ways to enjoy Grand Western Canal Country Park! Take the whole family for a stroll or bike ride along the towpath from any of the convenient car parks on route, planning in a pitstop for some refreshment at one of the eateries. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way! Check out our walking and cycling routes for inspiration.
Spend a fun and relaxing few hours fishing from the towpath (make sure you obtain a relevant license). Enjoy the play park at the canal basin. Get on the water with your paddle board or kayak (again, make sure you pick up a day license before launching) or take a trip on the Tiverton Canal Co. horse drawn barge, one of the last in the country! The Canal Co. also has a range of Canadian Canoes and rowing boats for hire.
Head into the woods at Eggesford Forest! Take to the trails with a picnic in hand for a beautiful circular walk under magnificent fir trees. Seek out the remains of motte and bailey castle for stunning views. If you want to go a bit faster, why not take your bikes along for some muddier fun on the trails!
Get lost amongst them maize at Orway Maize Maze or The Jolly Group who have both just opened their mazes for this year! Orways maze this year is in the shape of a pig’s head, with a mini maze for smaller explorers, games and refreshments and ice cream available. At The Jolly Group you’ll also have the chance to pick your own sunflowers, wander among the wildflowers and other fun activities, photo ops and food and drink.
Indoor Fun
Spend some time creating a lasting souvenir of your trip at Paint Pots of Devon. With lots of different ceramics to choose from, this pottery painting café allows you to create a memento that will remind you of your visit to Mid Devon for years to come!
Your little ones will love role playing at award winning Bear Town. They’ll discover 12 unique role play areas to let their imaginations run wild and helping them learn through play. Great café also on site and right next to The Bear Trail to keep
everyone busy if you have a range of ages in your family. Look out for a special events, including a Superhero School coming later in the summer.
Have a treat night out at Tivoli Cinema with the whole family. A great single screen cinema with a retro feel, the Tivoli is really affordable compared to some of the big chain cinemas and carries the blockbusters as well as having the usual range of sweets and treats for you to enjoy in front of your film of choice!
Spend a few hours letting them run off steam at a classic soft play venue. We have several to choose from! Planet Play in Crediton has a brilliant space theme, Monsters Mansion in Tiverton also has a great under 3s area and Waie 2 Play, near Crediton, is an amazing play barn. All sites have great cafés for you to relax in while your little ones play!
Not quite Mid Devon but worth the trip….
Quince Honey Farm – Working honey farm with guided tours, soft play, beautiful gardens and bee keeping experiences available.
Exmoor Zoo – Home of the Exmoor Beast! Lots of wonderful animals and animal experiences to enjoy.
Exmoor Pony Centre – A chance to meet real Exmoor ponies as well as bookable riding sessions.
Haldon Forest – Explore the forest on walking trails, up in the treetop with Go Ape, hire a Segway, get an adrenaline hit on a mountain bike trail, and explore the Superworm trail.
Crealy – The biggest family theme park in Devon with lots of rides and attractions, animals, entertainment and exclusive Sootyland, new this year.
West Somerset Railway – Heritage railway through beautiful Somerset countryside. Look out for special Brunel Fun Days during the school holidays.
Wimbleball Lake – Stroll or cycle around the lake with a picnic spotting wildlife or head to the activity centre for paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, archery and high ropes.
Wellington Monument – A striking monument with stunning views across the Blackdown Hills. Head up to monument on a tour and stroll around the walking trails.
What Else?
This is just a selection of ideas of the things you can do with your family in Mid Devon. For more inspiration have a look at Things to Do, explore our Get Outdoors pages and Walking and Cycling interactive maps. Inspired to come and visit but not booked yet?! Discover amazing places to stay in our Rest & Relaxation section and browse our Food and Drink section to make sure you have lots of great places to eat during your stay!
