The top cities between Bridport and Newquay are Torquay, Plymouth, St Austell, Exmoor National Park, Dartmoor National Park, Exeter, Bideford, Paignton, Lyme Regis, and Bude. Torquay is the most popular city on the route. It's 1 hour from Bridport and 2 hours from Newquay.
Located on the Heritage or Jurassic Coast in west Dorset, England, Lyme Regis is a charming town known as the "Pearl of Dorset". Situated by the English Channel at the border with Devon, this town boasts beautiful cliffs and beaches with notable fossils. Visitors can enjoy a scenic walk through the main street after parking their car on top of the hill before entering the city centre.
19% as popular as Torquay
4 minutes off the main route, 11% of way to Newquay
The 219 square mile Exmoor National Park is Devon's largest and most diverse national park. It offers unique scenery, including dramatic moorland, woodlands and rolling agricultural land. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, badgers, foxes and wildcats. There are many well-marked trails for walkers and mountain bikers as well as some great spots to spot whales or dolphins off the coast.
I am very fortunate to live on the edge of this beautiful national park. A ten minute drive and I am up on the top of this wonderful moor. Highly recommend a visit to this very special place taking in the moor and the coast. Lots of historical places to visit and the scenery is spectacular 💖
Karen Power — Google review
Easy walk path around, climbing up to the top isn’t too hard as well. The view is great. Plus the parking is free. There could be smell of the mountain goats, but not much.
Pawarisa S. — Google review
This is not a park where there’s an entry as such more of a massive area of land . Call Elmore national park. There are few good places to visit near by and enjoy sight seeing including the town. Photos I attached are all about 5miles away from the actual point on google maps
Rahman Amin — Google review
Brilliant Exmoor with its variety of beautiful villages,and towns. from its hills, countryside and beautiful moorland that drops down to the sea. well worth spending time to look around. and of course its lovely Exmoor pony's. A great place to visit or have a holiday there
Derek Hall — Google review
Today, we visited Simonsbath. We parked at the ashcombe car park. There you find a beautiful garden, or actually a garden which was not finished. The owner started it about two hundred years ago, but ran out of money to finish it. Bring your own chair or a rug to sit on it and enjoy the area! After a while we walked to the ruine of a farmer’s cottage at wheal Eliza. What an easy walk with beautiful views on the exmoor country. It reminded us to our trips to Austria, but this area is much easier to enter! Just go yourself and you’ll experience it yourself.
Ed Stekelenburg — Google review
Fabulous place, walks here are challenging, mainly as they go along high cliffs. Wouldn’t recommend for children but great for ramblers!
paul Storey — Google review
Amazing park, scenic A39 circular drive, lots to do with beaches, walking trails, Rocky Mountain, castle etc.. makes up for a nice holiday destination. Needs about minimum of 3 nights stay to cover the key spots. Lovely part of the Somerset county.
Rishab Jain — Google review
It's just a stunning place to be, whether walking (with or without a dog) with friends, family, or on your own. Cycling, 🚲 or having a picnic, or just enjoying the wildlife that you come across. Exmoor is a beautiful place to be.
Kim Jones — Google review
The valley of the rocks is an unusual landscape. There is a cricket pitch in the valley bottom sitting in a natural amphitheatre, stunning location. Be a great venue for cricket or other entertainment IF you could get 10,000 or so fans into the place. Fabulous walk along the cliffs to Lynmouth. The path down at the end is steep and even steeper going up. The venicular railway is an easier option!!!
Peter Brown — Google review
Stunning part of the country. Plenty to do, an things too see. Great views and wildlife everywhere. Just amazing.
Oli Stringer — Google review
Honestly the most beautiful place!! My 12 year old son can not walk for longer than 15 mins before needing his wheelchair. The fact that we were able to drive around and stop to see so many amazing sights was out of this world. A family trip we will treasure 💖
Samantha Jones — Google review
Exmoor is a beautiful, rugged and peaceful National Park in south west England. Walks can be easy strolls or challenging hikes climbing and descending several hundred feet, several times in a few miles.
Within the park are a number of small villages. The notable towns are Minehead, at the eastern edge of the park, Porlock about halfway across the northern side and Lynton & Lynmouth towards the western side. Some of the smaller villages are very picturesque. Driving can be a little challenging in some of the tiny country roads, go slow and watch out for animals (and have good maps or a satnav).
On the open moor you'll see the famous Exmoor Ponies - don't approach them, they can be very unpredictable. You'll also see sheep, highland cattle, deer, various birds of prey and numerous small mammals. In the streams and rivers you'll see trout and other fish and may even catch a glimpse of dolphins in the Bristol Channel.
Food wise there are some excellent pubs selling superb food sourced locally - along with some great local beers. It's a time to wean yourself off the Carling and Guiness and try an Exmoor Ale, Otter Valley IPA, or whatever they have on tap. There are numerous quaint tea rooms selling the ubiquitous cream teas and you'll find many restaurants and cafes in the towns.
To answer questions - there's no entry ticket, no fence around it (lots of fences within it, but it's farmed land), there are swing parks in some of the villages and towns.
There is no direct rail link to Exmoor, the closest place is Taunton and get a cab to Bishop's Lydeard where you can get the West Somerset Railway to Minehead. I don't know of any car hire firms in Minehead, but there are some in Taunton.
Disabled access? Well anyone can get here, but some areas and premises would be challenging or impossible for disabled persons - some of the buildings are centuries old.
Things to do? Hiking is very popular here - the South West Coast Path starts (or ends) in Minehead. You can buy any number of books with excellent routes or circular walks from car parks, etc. Mountain biking is popular, plenty of fishing (coarse or sea), rock climbing and so on - most outdoor pursuits are catered for.
Accommodation ranges from static caravans to yurts and shepherd's huts, to manor houses to AirBnB. Plenty of campsites and places to park a campervan.
Dogs - welcome almost everywhere, but keep them on a lead where livestock are. Even the most well behaved dog can lose control confronted with sheep and lambs. Be very, very cautious of cows with calves, they can be extremely protective - ideally find another route.
All in all it's a beautiful place to visit. But always be prepared for the great British weather and have appropriate waterproofs. If you're planning a walk, a reasonably good pair of boots will be a godsend.
Stu C. — Google review
Brings back happy family memories visiting this part of the world. The views are fantastic, and spotting deer 🦌 was our ultimate triumph.
Steve Miller — Google review
Lovely scenery, and trails that follow a river with waterfalls. Nice picnic area and a refreshment shop. Trails lead to Lynmouth down by the coast and a unique cliff railway that leads to Lynton
Timothy Muskett — Google review
Having hiked the moor 40 years ago and revisiting again this week, I cannot speak more highly of the dramatic location. The wild and untamed heights, the steep valleys, fords, sheep, ponies. Rain, clouds and moody sunshine inspire poetry.
Jeffery Wells — Google review
The park has an exceptional atmosphere. I walked along the path by the river to reach Lynmouth. As you walk you have the opportunity to turn off the road to peek into the villages closer to the park. I had a cheese scone in the Watersmeet house and it was amazing. One of the places to be!
Rossella Leanza — Google review
36% as popular as Torquay
36 minutes off the main route, 37% of way to Newquay
Need a place to stay?
WhereWhere are you going
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Exeter is an ancient city located in the southwest of England, sitting on the River Exe. It has a rich history dating back to Roman times and boasts a Gothic cathedral as well as the Exeter City Walls that surround its center. The city also has significant landmarks including Exeter Castle, which overlooks Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens.
66% as popular as Torquay
5 minutes off the main route, 38% of way to Newquay
Torquay, a charming seaside resort town in Devon, southwest England, is renowned for its picturesque beaches like Babbacombe and Oddicombe. Its stunning coastline has earned it the moniker of the English Riviera. The town center boasts Torquay Harbour, offering a delightful mix of shops, cafes, and a marina. Visitors can explore Torre Abbey, an ancient monastery with art galleries and beautiful gardens featuring plants from Agatha Christie's novels.
Most popular city on this route
21 minutes off the main route, 41% of way to Newquay
Paignton is a charming seaside town located on the picturesque coast of Tor Bay in Devon, England. It is part of the borough of Torbay, along with Torquay and Brixham, and is renowned as a popular holiday destination known as the English Riviera. With its origins dating back to Celtic times and a mention in historical records from 1086, Paignton boasts a rich heritage.
45% as popular as Torquay
19 minutes off the main route, 43% of way to Newquay
I'll never travel to Newquay without this trip planner again
The National Park of Dartmoor is a large area full of rugged landscape waiting to be explored. There are a number of villages throughout the park, as well as Dartmoor Prison and Castle Drogo. The national park also holds events and activities throughout the year for visitors of all ages.
Saw some waterfalls, some wild ponies, some brilliant scenery and a goat. The Dartmoor is a fabulous place. Will see more on this latest trip to Devon. Plenty to do and see for all ages. Do yourself a favour and visit here if you're in the area.
Mark Minehan — Google review
A beautiful place with great walks and fabulous views. Lots of Dartmoor ponies roam around, along with sheep. Please drive cautiously as the sheep do wander into the road. Fantastic sunsets, and if you're lucky, you may even see a simultaneous moon rise as we did during early August.
Liz Glen — Google review
Impossible not to like the exuberant beauty of Dartmoor park, very well signposted trails will take you to places where you can observe spectacular views in the midst of wildlife.
Wild ponies can be easily seen freely grazing which will give an even more special charm during your walk.
Rafael Angelucci — Google review
Love Dartmoor, great walks and the ability to get miles away from any civilisation is great! Challenging terrain, don’t go unprepared if you’re going to head deep into the moor! Weather can be horrendous and change quickly.
River crossings are not uncommon!
peter78 — Google review
So glad to have this just down the road from me! So many great walks to be had across the moors, and a lot of history to be learned. I love finding the old ruins and stone circles, seeing the ponies, and taking photos. Sunny weather is ideal but it's much better when the fog rolls in!
BecomeTheAtlas — Google review
Amazing amazing amazing. This is a must to go to visit. Such an idyllic place to go. Very dog friendly and kid friendly a massive expanse to go investigate. So much to do and experience I honestly can't say enough great things about it. The pubs, parks, walks, views all spectacular!!
Chris Allum — Google review
Love it here. Peaceful and a lovely place to walk. We saw sheep with their young, ponies, birds of prey, and heard cuckoo's calling as well as many wild flowers. Unfortunately, there were people allowing their dogs to run wild despite signs stating they should be on leads. There were lots of sheep with young lambs. These places are for all of us to enjoy. Your enjoyment shouldn't encroach on others or the creatures that live there
J B — Google review
Love it on Dartmoor, no better place to relax and just breathe fresh air. The wildlife and animals make it such a peaceful place
OMGJaydenTV — Google review
A beautiful, natural and historic area with great views, walks, wild animals and landmarks. It can get windy and cold up here, but the fresh air is lovely
Nathan Dore — Google review
This place is HUGE. Got the trains there to spend a few hours there in the beautiful, mesmerising, tranquil countryside. It's stunning scenery stretches for miles. Loved every minute. Thank goodness for Google maps and a very kind passerby to put me in the right direction. After seeing the 9 stone circle advertised on Google Maps had to go on an adventure to see it.
Maple Acer — Google review
Fantastic, hauntingly beautiful area with ancient rock outcroppings. You could see into the faded horizon. The children climbed the subtle grade and jumped on rocks. Wonder and wander and freedom to your own thoughts.
Deborah Waddington — Google review
Dartmoor is an incredibly beautiful location, and it is fat more diverse than many people realise. The main town, Prince Town, and the prison are well worth a visit, but better still, pull on a pair of boots and head out for the solitude of the tors spread across the Moor.
The weather can, and often does, change very rapidly on the Moor. Make sure you are well equipped for bad weather. Also, make sure you have plenty of water and snacks when out on hikes.
DMJ AM — Google review
Very scenic and interesting location, also good for children and dogs. Many Dartmoor ponies, sheep and Highland cattle can be seen. However, the weather has it´s own plans and you should always take a jacket or rain gear with you.
Sarina Cl A — Google review
Wow stunning even in the rain!! The ponies running wild made our visit.
Janet Marshall — Google review
This was the most peaceful I have found myself for a good time. With always being in a city you can forget that just some silence, fresh air and a good walk can do.
I don't know when but I'm defo gonna bring myself here again.
Also bring snacks and be prepared to have a big bladder because theres a lack on amenities around here.
Joshua Wilkinson-Gavin — Google review
Your experience and enjoyment of dartmoor really depends on the weather. On a good sunny day everything is clear, you can have enjoyable and easy walks. On the other hand, torrent rain and wind can really make it miserable. Be prepared for both conditions as weather here can change within a blink of an eye.
Anthony Chan — Google review
Love this place so much.
Please please don't just go to haytor!
There are much better places on either side.
And please get out of sight of your car even if just for a little stroll.
Cannot recommend more!
Jonathan Hill — Google review
We recently had a fantastic stay at ' the chapel ' at Lettaford. A landmark trust property, right on the edge of Dartmoor. A really peaceful and quite small hamlet, consisting of four previously working farms. Loads of history and lovely walks, as short or as long as you want. No mobile signal and no WiFi, just a small stream bubbling away next to the chapel.
andrew shaw — Google review
Love being here. The peace, the wildlife and the scenery. I just wish drivers would be a little more considerate of the roaming animals.
Barbara (Grace) — Google review
Love the moors, we go there every week. Toilets at haytor, dartmeet and Princetown.beautiful views, walks and wildlife. Pictures taken at burrator resovoir
frances bushell — Google review
70% as popular as Torquay
21 minutes off the main route, 53% of way to Newquay
Bideford, a historical port town in north Devon, England sits on the estuary of River Torridge. It is considered as the main town within the local government district of Torridge. Bideford is located northward from St Ives, Padstow and Newquay and it makes a great stop when travelling inland south.
29% as popular as Torquay
32 minutes off the main route, 53% of way to Newquay
Plymouth is a city located in southwest England with a rich maritime history. Its Barbican district features narrow, cobbled streets and several marinas, including the Plymouth Fisheries fish market. The National Marine Aquarium can be found in Sutton Harbour and showcases various species of sharks and rays. The Mayflower Steps mark the site where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World in 1620.
81% as popular as Torquay
12 minutes off the main route, 59% of way to Newquay
Bude, a coastal town situated in the northeast region of Cornwall, England is located at the estuary of River Neet. The area was formerly known as Bude Haven and is positioned southwest of Stratton, south of Flexbury and Poughill while being north to Widemouth Bay. Situated along the A3073 road off the A39, Bude lies in the civil parish of Bude-Stratton making it an attractive tourist destination.
19% as popular as Torquay
22 minutes off the main route, 67% of way to Newquay
St Austell, a charming town in Cornwall, England, is situated just a few miles from the picturesque south coast. With a population of around 20,900 people as of 2021, it serves as an appealing hub with its independent shops, lively streets, and excellent dining options. The town is renowned for being home to the St Austell Brewery which has been producing beer for over 170 years.
50% as popular as Torquay
11 minutes off the main route, 84% of way to Newquay
Best stops along Bridport to Newquay drive
The top stops along the way from Bridport to Newquay (with short detours) are Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, Plymouth Hoe Holiday Apartments, and Woolacombe Beach. Other popular stops include The Donkey Sanctuary, Exeter Cathedral, and Clovelly.
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre is a visitor center located in a quiet village on the western fringes of Dorset. It features fossil displays, including an ichthyosaur, and provides information about the Jurassic Coast. The village is popular with walkers and outdoor enthusiasts due to its scenic footpaths and coastal views. Charmouth Beach is known for fossil hunting, attracting amateur paleontologists searching for prehistoric treasures like ammonites. The area's significance has earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site.
Could do with indoor seating. Has a fantastic rock shop. We had chilli on chips in the cafe which was ok, certainly plenty for a blustery day. A little rough and ready, but charming, convenient and worth supporting.
Simon Conroy — Google review
Love love love this place. First time my dog has actually braved going into the sea . She adores this beach and it has a great atmosphere with people sunbathing , having a picnic, swimming or fossil hunting which is one of its stand out activities. Plenty of parking ,not like a lot of beaches and if you like walking there are lots of different trails etc . Very dog friendly and has a cafe serving hot food and ice cream too :)
Rachael Beagen — Google review
As always a most beautiful beach, easily one of my favorite places to come. So good for the kids, sand, sea, fossils, ice cream and lots of sea glass to find. This is an excellent place for a day out with the family or just yourself.
Paul 'Ty' Mckenzie — Google review
A lovely afternoon exploring the beach with our Daughter, Son in Law & Grandson. Pay at meter large carpark, over priced, plenty of spaces, but might be different in the summer. Dog friendly beach, not sure about later in the year, brilliant space, lovely jumping waves, lots of coloured pepples & sea glass to collect. Onsite Cafe, overpriced but visitors will pay due to only outlet onsite.
Definitely worth a visit to get some fresh air.
PAUL BENNETT — Google review
Nice to walk along the beach and the shop and cafe very good. But the public toilets behind these facilities. Omg they are disgusting. Old dirt and smelt the toilets, toilet walls, doors, floors need a proper clean. Tick list on the door saying they are cleaned and someone is signing!
Christine Redmond — Google review
Found lots of amazing small ammonites and had lots of fun finding them along the beach! The fossil shop was very good as there was lots of cool fossils and geodes to buy as well as seeing the giant fossils found in the area. It is worth visiting this beach for a fun day out exploring.
Toby Springett — Google review
We did an tour with Anna (and some other lovely lady's!) it was amazing. All the Info and time they have for you! We found a lot of nice things.
jennifer wilmer — Google review
I joined the experts from Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, a charity that provides information on fossils, fossil hunting and the local coastal and marine wildlife, on a guided fossil hunt on the beach. They made it very clear and fun for everyone, from the little kids to the older folks in our group. We had enough guides to help us and answer our questions. I recommend wearing sturdy footwear because the beach is rocky and uneven. One of the highlights of the day was seeing the Attenborough’s Sea Dragon, an incredible ichthyosaur fossil that was discovered by a local collector and featured in a BBC documentary. It was amazing to see how well preserved it was and to learn about its life and death in the Jurassic era. I also learned that Charmouth is one of the best places to find fossils on the Jurassic Coast, and that many different types of fossils can be found here, such as ammonites, belemnites, crinoids, fish, sea urchins and even dinosaur bones. It was fascinating to see the variety and beauty of these ancient creatures.
The area is lovely, and we will be revisiting to do more walks on both the beach and the cliff tops.
There are toilets and a cafe at the Heritage centre and two car parks, which are on the Just pay app.
Mike Howland — Google review
Fabulous coastline with lots of places to walk be it along a cliff or on the beach. Fossils are found regularly on the beach and relatively easily. There is a cafe with a slightly strange setup where you order in the shop and then go next door to get your order fulfilled but it's a fairly good arrangement overall. Parking is adequate and there are plenty of spaces. It is paid by app, which is quite confusing for those who don't live locally and haven't downloaded the app however I suggest you research it and make sure you don't get a ticket.
I believe I read the sun correctly that disabled customers do not have to pay but because Dorset and Devon have different rules and there is a special scheme for local disabled people to register with I wasn't prepared to take the chance and I paid.
There is a fabulous fossil shop with some amazing things inside some of which are fossilised tree trunks which are highly valued and beautiful. There is also an ichthyosaurus head which was found in the year 2000 and has been pieced together and placed at the rear of the fossil shop.
As historical and valuable as it may be the museums have enough of them and so it is proudly on display by the owner and it is definitely worth seeing this huge fossilised head of a dinosaur in museum quality at the back of a small shop.
Definitely recommend a visit and a great place to take the children.
Nice little cafe good little shop beautiful views beautiful walks and beautiful beach
Paul Pengelly — Google review
This is our favourite place for fossil hunting - we visited the beach 5 or 6 times in a year. You can park your cars a parking lot next to the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. FYI, there are two parking lots, and I recommend the one next to the centre. You can pay by JustPark. You have to pay by cash at the other one. I also recommend to visit the place in the winter when the wave is strong - you will be able to find ammonite very easily! Please wear rain boots and bring another trousers and clothes. You will get wet! Enjoy your visit :)
Yoshi Koike — Google review
Lovely place good parking lovely cafe and shop and heritage centre well worth a visit. The beach is pebbles but sandy at low tide views are amazing from the beach and From the cliffs above. Our dogs loved it and would recommend it.
Neil Carter — Google review
Beautiful area to visit the buildings are so unique. The royal history here is fasanating. If you not in to all that the beach is very accesable carpark beach front, we had our dog so limited how much beach was acsesable but the monarchs way covers miles of scenic coast with stunning views
Helen Goodgroves — Google review
beautiful place perfect day out either with a picnic or something from snack van, excellent place for some paddleboarding or a dip in the sea and not to forget fossil hunting. The heritage coast shop/exhibition has some lovely bits to see and do aswell.
Hayley Zoller — Google review
2nd time visiting and I highly recommend you pay for an all day parking ticket as you can't help but stay so much longer than you expect too.
We go fossil hunting, let the dogs run and play, we then vist the fossil shop and then also go sea glass hunting to.
Only downfall is the cafe is VERY expensive sadly and I didnt want to pay the prices there! I think a portion of chips was over £4
kylie Woodbridge — Google review
Nice place for a walk, fossil hunting, and nice little cafe with a fossil shop next door and little museum above.
Matt- Fuller-Gmail — Google review
Great fun fossil hunting. Guided expeditions available and dogs are welcome. Fossil shop and visitor centre. Large car park. Well worth a visit.
Bertie — Google review
We booked the fossil hunt walk and although there were quite a lot of us in the group, there were also plenty of guides. They were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic going through all the things we found, being so sweet telling us which bits were just a standard rock and giving us ones they had in their pocket so we could compare why something wasn't a bone etc.
I'm really glad we did this, as now we can go off on our own and know what we're looking for. I recommend watching the video they send you in an email as this really helps too.
The heritage centre is small but packed with fossils and information. Again the staff here were lovely.
There is a small fossil shop where there are pocket money type fossils, starting at 50p and a more expensive jewellery shop. We parked for 3 hours but could probably have done another hour if the weather had been warmer as we would've spent more time on the beach.
Nicola A'Bear — Google review
Great collection of locally found fossils, with the added bonus of real experts on site. Well worth a visit. Please remember, although the admission is free, they are a charity run by volunteers, so a small donation is always appreciated...
Del Hunter — Google review
A great beach to find fossils, went on a great walk/ fossils hunt with the centre. 👍
Maria Giordmaina — Google review
4.6
(2176)
•
4.5
(815)
Lower Sea Ln, Charmouth, Bridport DT6 6LL, United Kingdom
The gardens at Hestercombe House & Gardens are a stunning mix of Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian features. The garden is home to some beautiful buildings by notable landscape designers Gertrude Jekyll and Sir Edward Lutyens, as well as fascinating planting and views.
Review- Garden only: There are two parts to Hestercombe, a woodland walk to the North and the formal gardens attached to the house. The woodland walk follows the stream and the 4 lakes and is just over a mile round trip. There is plenty to see, a waterfall and numerous temples and monuments etc. I noticed on the way around that with the ducks and swans children seemed to really enjoy this walk.
Attached to the house there are Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian gardens. From the South side you look down onto the main garden which has a great sense of scale. This garden is flanked by two water gardens and a beautiful pergola at the bottom. The Dutch garden is an absolute gem, super soft cool colours. All staff and gardeners are wonderfully polite and welcoming, the service at the Stables restaurant is impeccable and they serve the best lamb burger I have ever tasted.
Put Hestercombe on your list of visits, these gardens really are lovely, easily five stars.
Alan Keevil — Google review
Unique history of gardening at this place. From some ancient medieval (?) To Edwardian. A sit down table service menu and a café on site. Nice food. ££. Nice walks with dogs welcome and dog bins available. Lovely paths along the stream which comes through the estate all the way down to the gardens.
Not national trust. The house needs restoration but is open with great views over the garden and some artifacts from the house on show. Bat house with CCTV was empty but is there usually.
Martin Boyd — Google review
We had a tasty lunch, and there was a beautiful metal tree sculpture in the restaurant courtyard. We then walked around the grounds. The woodland walk was lovely, with lakes, buildings, and many birds. House was interesting with an art exhibition and an excellent second-hand book shop.
Christine Turner — Google review
Think this is are third visit here and as always not disappointed, early in the year this time for us, so plenty of new plants to see, with seemingly different views, bluebells out all over with the bluebell walk a real treat, had a nice snack at the cafe this time which was lovely and fresh. The house had a very interesting exhibition about the house and estate with items found in and around during renovations. Spent the best part of the day here, which gave us plenty of time to wonder around and find places we had missed before, the on going renovations and different plants. Friendly helpful staff.
Myles Breary — Google review
Fantastic garden. We had a wonderful visit, taking our Standard Poodle with us.
Lots of parking, and even an electric charge point for our car. (Ask for the key fob from the welcome desk.)
Good welcome and everything explained and we were given a map.
Wonderful landscape garden with good paths, some steepish, but not hazardously so. Lots of architectural garden incidence - towers, mausoleum etc. Beautiful trees.
More formal gardens. Beautifully maintained and friendly gardeners, happy to talk to visitors. Really inspiring ideas to take home to ordinary domestic gardens. And interesting plants for sale.
Good restaurant and cafe, and dog welcome in the cafe.
A first class visit.
Tiggy Greenwood — Google review
Spent over four hours walking through the gardens and paths. Map does tell you which paths are easy or steep. On the steeper routes you get some really good view points. Seats dotted around to take a break.The scent from the roses was lovely. We had been advised that a wedding was taking place in the Orangery so it would be off limits for a while. Not a lot in the house . Staff friendly in the cafe. Enjoyed our pasties. Would recommend it to anyone who likes gardens formal and informal.
Pat W — Google review
I attended a wedding there, it is a lovely venue with beautiful grounds.
Catering was excellent.
We had a very enjoyable day.
The Victorian gardens are lovely.
HELEN THOMAS — Google review
Fantastic place to visit for a lovely walk around the beautiful gardens and through the trees and across waters, with opportunities for spectacular views for miles. Gift shops had a range of quality handmade items, whilst the art gallery had unique works on display in large historic building with original decor. I also found the watermill really fascinating, being able to see the old machinery on display. The cafeteria offered a very delicious afternoon tea for us, definitely worth the money. Phoned and booked in advance. All staff on site were very welcoming and friendly. Will probably return especially for the illuminate light show at night which I’ve heard good things about. Overall definitely recommended and offers good value for money for a good few hours visiting.
Luke — Google review
Superb little jem of a place ! Well tendered gardens offering relaxing, scenic walks. The house and art gallery are beautiful, and the used book shop is a treasure trove for those who like a bargain read.
Food in the restaurant is first class. Tasty, and plentiful. Staff are friendly, polite, and helpful. Definitely worthy of more than one visit. !!
Roadrage Monkey — Google review
Lovely gardens originally designed by Gertrude Jekyll with lake and orangery, tea room, plant shop and house with gift store. Lots to see, very helpful volunteers, beautifully quiet when I visited on a Saturday during the bank holiday. Recommended.
Julie Bertjab — Google review
It was wet and windy. Still we had a lovely time. Afternoon tea was a bit cake heavy, scones we're really nice. Would have preferred a bit more savory but that's personal choice. We also went for a walk. Got the last 16 minutes in the bee education centre which was fun. Even for us adults. Event in the wet and the rain it was a lovely walk. Even fed the ducks up close and personal
Clare Hartland — Google review
Lovely return visit for the Christmas Market and stroll around the grounds. Well marked out paths around the lake and places to explore with great views. Did the evening light show last year, well worth a visit this year.
Donna Stevens — Google review
One of the best Christmas lights and sounds spectacular I have seen so far. Pre-booked tickets were affordable. A nice effortless walk around and the mild weather made it to be so special for us.
T Sultis — Google review
Beautiful gardens and scenery, definitely worth a visit for the Christmas lights too. Was a bit expensive for the food especially when the hotdogs rolls were hard and the turkey roll was bland I tiny thin bit of turkey and stuffing. Wasn't worth the price but the hot chocolate was so tasty and the sight seeing was so worth going.
m — Google review
Lovely formal gardens with different garden levels and different planting. Nice woodland walk around the estate up to the Georgian landscape garden lots of different buildings to see there are some steep slopes up there.
There is a lovely cafe back by reception to have something to eat, the scones were delicious but the cream tea with 2 scones come with tea for 1 not 2 people
Rose Hughes — Google review
Visited the garden light show December 23 - excellent organisational skills, booked tickets, good value. ample parking, no queue , great show of lights and fountains. Will return after the winter deluge to visit house and gardens in daylight!
Anon Mouse — Google review
Haven't visited for some years and was rather disappointed with this visit. There is very little to see in the house and most rooms are mainly empty. The formal gardens are lovely, certainly worth a look, but are rather lacking in 'colour' and the Orangery was empty. The upper gardens/walks/ponds are nice for a stroll but are overgrown in places and seem to have been left to their own devices. The £16 entrance fee does seem rather excessive.
Chris Kinnersley — Google review
lovely gardens, both formal and woodland, with lots of meandering paths and a choice of sun and shade.
Very dog friendly with plenty of water bowls.
Excellent restaurant and food, equally good cafe.
A really great full day out.
clare booth — Google review
We went for a lovely meal in the bistro, followed by a wander through the illuminated gardens. It was very pretty, but I think the lights were a little disappointing
Museum of Somerset is a place where visitors can learn about the history of Somerset from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum uses real objects and interactive games to inspire visitors.
This is an excellent museum. Well arranged with brief descriptions that are informative for each exhibit. Some real gems including an amazing mosaic and a number of hoards of coins. A personal favourite was a bronze age toy axe. All Somerset based as well and free to enter - the suggested donation is £3. Booked in advance as suggested and they apologised for being busy but there were no ques and it didn't feel crowded
Robert Heaton — Google review
Super Museum tucked away in the middle of Taunton, follow road signs. Spread over several floors a real gem on the history of Somerset. The museum is run by volunteers who were extremely helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, Cafe and gift shop. No car park but parking available near Lidl a short walk away. Well worth a visit, free entry but please give a donation.
Collin Robbins — Google review
By chance we came upon the museum today. Very friendly and helpful staff. Lots of immaculately presented exhibits covering thousands of years. And it is free to get in. Thoroughly recommend a visit
Andy Cockeram — Google review
One of the best museums I’ve ever been. Very pretty and interactive. Staffs are very friendly. For such high quality displays and environment, I can’t believe it’s all free. The café is lovely, too. Very clean toilet and baby friendly.
??? — Google review
Interesting museum; I recommend that you go around it on the suggested order, which is primarily in chronological order. Good cafe. (For those interested in musical instruments, I was fascinated by the virginal, which I have never come across before. Pictures came out well, but don't really do justice to quite how curious it is!)
Hugh Roberts — Google review
One of my favourite thing about the museum is learning about the rich history of Somerset from the archeological objects in a great building which was once a castle. So cool!
Hlyan Htet Oo — Google review
The Museum of Somerset is an excellent museum with lots of galleries to explore. The current temporary exhibition is on Myths and Monsters and continues to end of October 2022, but check the dates.
It has a nice Court Yard Cafe. The guides and volunteers were extremely helpful.
Christopher Watkins — Google review
A very nicely set up museum with a fantastic and clever display of Somerset history. The staff are very friendly and the cafe is very nice.
mark gray — Google review
What a great day for children. Their exhibition of Axel Scheffler and his illustrations is great. We had 4 children with us. The Bingo around the Museum was so much fun. Making sticks and flags etc and the exhibition itself was fantastic. The only thing you may struggle with it is being busy but I expect if you go earlier or later in the day this wouldnt be an issue. The staff were very helpful. The cafe was busy but well organised. Great experience considering how cheap it was. Very much advised over the summer hols.
Angela Danielsu4g56 — Google review
This was an interesting museum to visit, with exhibitions at the start showing the great county of Somerset back as it was before humans! The artefacts are preserved ancient relics, history is provided about the creatures who inhabited the county and Roman area has more info on civilization with clothes to even try on. Cultural history is also depicted through the ornaments and items used back in the day for practices, models are glorious too! There is even a section showing transport from back then, staff were helpful as well.
K. Peake — Google review
Well laid out really interesting museum. Some key exhibits such as Cheddar Brooch and Roman mosaic. Friendly staff. Nice cafe. Well worth a visit
Eirene — Google review
I visited an exhibition at the museum a few months ago but this time I had the time to explore the whole site. The more permanent exhibitions covering the local area through history are excellent with many superb items, fascinating. There are also temporary exhibitions on the other side of the museum and these are varied and excellent. Lovely cafe with the museum and a great gift shop. My only complaint is that the lifts are much too small for many wheelchairs. I accompanied a relative in a medium size wheelchair and struggled every time, pulling the legs in and raising the back right up which was uncomfortable for my relative.
WilliamsAudio Pedals — Google review
The Museum of Somerset is an incredible museum with a castle section showcasing fascinating historical exhibits, taking you on a journey through time. The military section is fascinating, offering insightful insights into Somerset's military past. The collection of fossils is impressive, giving visitors a glimpse into prehistoric life. The wide array of artifacts on display is a real pleasure for history lovers. Overall, the experience was phenomenal, offering an engaging and enriching visit. A five-star must-see for anyone interested in Somerset's rich heritage.
Maks Traveler — Google review
A wonderful and carefully-planned museum! Makes excellent use of the space available and has some fascinating artefacts, especially the most perfectly preserved Roman Mosaic I've ever seen!
A fantastic, if fittingly depressing exhibition on the destruction of church artwork during the reformation was very moving indeed.
In addition to this, the museum gives justly thorough attention to the history of local people; something that is shortly sorely lacking in many museums in the South West!
Jamie Stainer — Google review
Free to enter. Some nice displays especially the coin hoards. Excellent Roman mosaic floor. Morden and clean museum.
richard parkhouse — Google review
4.7
(1259)
•
4.5
(924)
Castle Lodge, Castle Grn, Taunton, TA1 4AA, United Kingdom
Seaton Tramway is a fun tourist attraction that allows visitors to ride on replica electric tram cars along a scenic 3-mile route.
Seaton Tramway really is a wonderful family trip destination and on this occasion it was enhanced by their fantastic Polar Express transformation & experience. There is so much energy & enthusiasm from the staff and volunteers it really makes the whole time spent here truly memorable. From the ease and efficiency of tickets through to the travel Seaton Tramway has been a fantastic for this family for many years and will continue to do so.
Nigel Sturt (Hampshirelibrarian) — Google review
What a great day. Staff are amazing tram was great fun. Well worth the £35 for a family. Ride the teams as much as you like. We stopped for lunch and a pint before heading back on the tram for the return journey. Nice simple play park for the kids at the end and a good old fashioned shop.
Geoff Towns — Google review
Interesting attraction, the driver provided a good amount of information. The journey would be more pleasant with warmer weather, or on the more closed carriage. Important notice: the trams differ and sometimes it is better to wait a little and choose the carriage which would fit you better.
Andrzej Lengiewicz — Google review
We went in the morning, it was the best timing to see beautiful coloured birds like pheasant, wild geese... It was a great family trip. Friendly staff, they stop and they give a short summary... At the end of the "line" while waiting for the tram to take you back, you can take a walk to the village or do some shopping at the gift shops & antique shop or have a bait at the coffee shop. They serve from scones to fish cakes...coffee or tea with local cow's milk. There is a small play ground/area for kids.
Monika — Google review
We had so much fun😊 the tramway line goes through a beautiful area of Wetlands and River Axe, you can hop on and off few stops with Explorer ticket. Would highly recommend 👍
Aleksandra Jeziorska — Google review
We spent a lovely few hours here, riding the tram both ways and a little explore along the way. Would love to return in the summer when it's warmer to explore the wetlands. Dog friendly.
Lisa Christmas — Google review
I didn't really know what to expect here at Seaton tramway. And was very pleasantly surprise that it is a really good place to visit. We started at the Seaton terminal and it looks very new. In the terminal you have a massive webcam which the said showed our tram coming down and gave you a good idea of what to expect.
The trams are old and have history behind them which can be found in various locations.
The tram ride took about 25-30 one direction and is very picturesque going alongside the wetlands and river.
You stop at a few locations and the drivers give you some info about what is happening. Some new stations are being built to add more to the journey so you can stop to have a picnic or visit the wetland.
There are two stops currently, one for a little village and the last stop which looks like an old station completely done up with a cafe, shop, toilets and an info area, must not also forget the play park for the young ones.
The staff made this place as they all seemed so happy to be doing what they were and more than happy to talk to you, provide info and generally be great.
There is a selection of different trams to ride on and most are double deckers and you get great views from the top deck.
One piece of advice tho take a jumper even on a warm day as that wind can be chilly.
chris Evans — Google review
So cute definitely worth a visit, we contributed to the donation too. Couldn’t get over how small and cute the trams were. Shame Colyton didn’t have more to offer, but worth visiting merchants tea room, but careful they stop searching after 230pm. We didn’t get time to visit all the stops but you could do that. A treasure hunt for kids would go down a treat, especially getting off at each stop to explore - and installing cafe on these sites would bring in some great income x
Sarah Booker — Google review
Super vintage tramway! Nostalgic if you can remember trams and if not a great way to experience another method of travel. You can get off at the stops and visit the bird hides on the wetland if you are keen on birdwatching. Suitable if you are disabled as they have adapted spaces. Very nice and knowledgeable staff and a lovely tearoom and shop at the end of your journey.
lynne mellstrom — Google review
As you enter the main Seaton Tramway terminal you will find the ticket booth Cafe and gift shop all in one.......... Here you can get something to eat and drink but a souvenir and purchase your tickets for your tram trip.......Then with the trams running every twenty minutes, you don't have to write long to enjoy your ride.......The trip takes you along the river side,with lovely views and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen......If you get the explorer tickets you can get off at any point and rejoin the tram as and when they come along..... All in all a great experience for all the families......👍
Ivor Humphries — Google review
A brilliant day out on the trams. My two young kids loved it. I just wish we'd had more time to explore some of the stops. Staff are really helpful and friendly.
Bex Davis — Google review
It was a lovely ride, but would have been better on a slightly cooler day.
Friendly staff and an interesting experience if you've not been on a tram before.
Great views and a fun experience.
Ann Mackenzie — Google review
Great trip on the number 11, sat on the open top (even through the rain!)
Saw some beautiful birds, deer, rabbits and a badger!! Stopped for breakfast at Colyton station and then walked into the town. Will defo go again in late spring to see different birds 🐦
greg viner — Google review
We took the family for a trip along Seaton tramway, leaving Colyton Station, booking a return trip. Our party consisted of 6 adults, one with a scooter plus a 4 year old. First the bad bits, I’m 6’4 and these trams are not built for the taller gentlemen! However this is my own curse in life and can not hold this against the Tramways! The plus points….all representatives of the tramway were so friendly and accommodating, helping load and unload the scooter (big bonus for disabled accessibility) they were very knowledgeable aswell. The journey is around 30mins each way if you choose not to stop at way points with the option to sit upstairs and admire the views if the weather is kind to you, or to sit in the lower deck of the tram and keep dry. The cafe and shop are very welcoming and well priced so that whichever way you wish to complete your journey you will have things to do at either end of the line. A great experience for the day with the family!
Ben Small — Google review
Very Interesting. The train driver was excellent telling us about the history of the trams and where they came from originally being born in London and am only living now 20 miles from Bournemouth was so good to know.
Although it was windy and a bit of drizzle it was still a good deal. We'll done to all that work there and in the cafes.
bill bicknell — Google review
This was an amazing experience. The Tramways are so cute. The scenery is fantastic.
The best way of doing this is to buy the ticket that allows you to hop on and hop off. This way, you can see the little villages and explore nature..
I would definitely do this again!
Fatima A — Google review
Expensive, obviously to keep it running but worth it for a lovely ride. At the end of the line we stopped for drink and cake before heading back. The food menu looked great too. Tram drivers were friendly & knowledgeable. Scenic journey with lots of birds to look out for en route. Enjoyable trip.
Carla Scott — Google review
We visited Seaton tramway for their Christmas Polar express experience. We had a large group of 5 children and 7 adults. From booking the tickets to the moment we left the whole experience was fantastic. We had a few questions around changing our booking, new baby to add to the booking etc, and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. On the day we had a short wait upon arriving before the experience started, and from the get go everyone was thoroughly entertained. The whole experience was immersive, all the characters were entertaining and even my 12 year old non believer had a great time. I thoroughly recommend, although definitely book early as tickets get snapped up quickly!
Claire Lee — Google review
A fabulous attraction and experience, with a beautifully built “station” in the heart of town, and the trams are all different which makes them a joy to watch and ride on. Every single person was smiling and exclaiming - if an attraction like this can bring a smile to everyone’s faces, it’s worth it. The track takes you through countryside you wouldn’t otherwise see, and it’s rather lovely. Spotting birds like egrets, buzzards etc is fun even if you don’t know them all. The stops are well worth getting off for a little amble around, but the jewel in the crown is the buffet at the end of the line. Lovely fresh food, masses of it and it’s all so pretty with fresh flowers. A real joy and a lovely way to spend the day.
Fiona Thomson — Google review
4.7
(3433)
•
4.5
(2553)
Tramway, Harbour Rd, Seaton EX12 2WD, United Kingdom
The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth relies on donations from visitors to provide the best possible care for 500 donkeys and mules. The animals are kept indoors and out of the wind, and visitors can stroke, pet and even hug the friendly creatures. Kids learn about the importance of donkey conservation while visiting this animal rescue service.
Absolutely amazing place to go. Loads of lovely donkeys everywhere! So many beautiful donkeys. Isn’t a full day out but will occupy you for a good few hours. It is honestly one of the loveliest days out ever. It was even better that we could bring the dog to walk around and the talk was very informative. Really recommend
EHBuckethead — Google review
This was such a wonderfully fun time for us! They truly do uphold comprehensive care on all levels for the donkeys and you can clearly see how evident that is. The donkeys are relaxed, adventurous and beautiful to see! Our tour guide was enormously helpful and gave great insight and practical information. Afterwards, the cafe is a great place to unwind, with delicious food and drink. Altogether, it was a great and adventurous visit for us and we’re really excited to visit again! Highly recommended!
Luke Daniel — Google review
Wow amazing inspirational sanctuary, free to get in but please make a donation. Lots of parking. lots of lovely paths to walk, right in the countryside with lots of wild flowers too, it is very spread out didn't feel over crowded , over 200 Donkeys!! lovely views over the sea, great maze! Amazing cafe and views, good gift shop and plant sales, we stayed near by and went 3 times in 5 days, there is also a public foot path, through the reserve, to the beach but steep steps at the end, please don't drop your Litter here, look after nature.
Jo anna — Google review
It exceeded my expectations.
Highly wheelchair accessible.
Enough benches and shaded areas available for who needs a rest.
Beautiful flowers of all types.
The restaurant is roomy and has beautiful views.
Silvia Lillie — Google review
We were expecting a couple of hours for our first visit but spent 4.5 hours!
It was a lovely location to spend some time quietly observing the characteristics of these lovely animals. It is free to visit but of course it was an obvious choice to adopt a couple of donkeys for only a few pounds a month. The cream tea was lovely too! Absolutely worth the couple of hours drive each way.
A M — Google review
Much bigger place than I expected. Unusually free admin but very thankful for any donations. Over 400 donkeys on site & place was extremely well laid out : very clean & well kept. The staff & guides were friendly , knowledgeable & helpful. Fully recommended. Well done to their team.
ian leach — Google review
Great place to go for a few hours. Free entry to visit. The kids did the trail which is £5. It seemed pretty popular to take your dog also. Wasn't overly busy when visiting, but can imagine during the holidays / summer months it would get very busy.
Matthew Bonham — Google review
So much has changed since we last visited. The restaurant and gift shop are much larger with a great range of food options and gifts for all budgets, including pocket money prices. And being able to visit and mix with the donkeys is a treat not to be missed. We found some access was via stiles but most were through gates. Honestly, if you love donkeys, fields and open spaces with views to the sea, a visit to The Donkey Sanctuary is not to be missed.
Lisa Christmas — Google review
A really great visit despite constant heavy rain all day. I visited quite a long time ago and can't believe how it's grown. The cafe was very small and up some steps above a small building in the main yard.
All staff friendly and helpful and very knowledgeable about the donkeys. All the donkeys look very happy and content and have access to lots of land going down towards the sea.
A great place to bring children. Dogs are allowed but must be on a lead.
Clean toilets and ample free parking.
Corin Jacques — Google review
A lovely place to visit, plenty of donkeys to look at. Free spacious car park and free entry. A lovely cafe with views of the donkeys and countryside. Great gift shop and clean toilets.
Donna S — Google review
The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth is lovely. Free to enter. Plenty of Donkeys to view all around the site, which is huge BTW. Plenty of opportunities to sponsor and donate to them. They have a cafe and shop on site. I'm sure there were talks happening throughout the day. Shop was reasonably priced, and it's a good old walk round. Public footpaths also run within the site. Plenty of parking.
Jake Phillips — Google review
The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon is a fun little place to spend a couple of hours or even more.
There's so much to see and do here, with a nice cafe and shop where you can also adopt a Donkey or pick up some lovely gifts, and most importantly, donate and adopt donkeys!
To start with, the Staff are all friendly and happy to stop and chat. If we’re lost, they'd be happy to help guide us. There's plenty of walks available, with multiple sheds where donkeys are kept. There are other rooms as well, with various activies.
One can also find the details of all donkeys inhabited there, and all details about the life of donkeys. They house all kids of donkeys - mules, stallions, blind ones etc.
Two of my favourites spots in this sanctuary - the maze and the restaurant.
Although the maze might sound childish, one would enjoy doing it especially in teams. The maze with flowery plant fences is amazingly designed, and is best experienced during spring or during winter days with fog where the visibility is limited.
The restaurant was an unexpected highlight! Every single thing we tried from there was amazing - from snacks to burgers to hot chocolate to shakes.
The location is in Sidmouth, Devon, not very far from a WWII airstrip atop the hills & the Sidmouth bay & beach. Well, if you're an animal enthusiast, you could make a day out of it too.
Parking: Free parking area, with a couple of big areas for overflow car parking too.
Entry fee: None
Working time: Till 5 PM in the evening
Verdict: if you're looking for a quick visit, add this to the list. Recommended!
Aravind Anil — Google review
Such a lovely place. My son absolutely loved seeing all the donkeys so close. They are so calm and let you come close to them. He loves to touch animals so that was really lovely. Lovely cafe too with amazing views while to relax. Well worth a visit. We will be visiting many more times.
Sarah Grange — Google review
What a lovely place. It's just beautiful with a lovely restaurant and other facilities.
The donkeys are the key attraction, of course, living in this outstanding environment.
Do go and support the wonderful work they do.
Grenville Bradder — Google review
We really enjoyed our visit to the Donkey Sanctuary. On our arrival we were given a warm welcome. We were provided with a map and information on the best bits to see, based on the weather, which wasn't great. Entry was free, with the opportunity to make a donation.
I found it to be a quiet and gentle place. The staff were friendly and everything looked very well looked after, especially including the donkeys. The cafe was really good.
I definitely recommend it as a worthwhile place to spend a day. I loved it.
Christian Reynolds — Google review
Such a beautiful, calm place. Much bigger than expected, so prepare for lots of walking. Very pretty flower borders. Lovely to see the donkeys in such a caring place.
Restaurant food was very good.
It's free to get in and you can spend hours there.
We went on a very hot day, so will go back again when it's cooler.
Ann Mackenzie — Google review
Absolutely worth the visit! It’s free to enter, but donations are accepted… the cafe and shop are a great addition to help support them too.
The grounds are huge! There are SO many donkeys and they are all adorable 🥰
Also doggy friendly 🐕
Kylee Kotyk — Google review
The donkey sanctuary is a delightful haven for both families and animal enthusiasts. With its free admission, wheelchair accessibility, and expansive green spaces, it's a welcoming environment for all. Families can enjoy the company of their furry friends, but ensure dogs are kept on a lead. The staff's warmth and friendliness enhance the overall experience. Don't miss the captivating donkey talks held twice a day – a perfect opportunity to learn more about these gentle creatures. The educational room provides fantastic insights into the world of donkeys, making this sanctuary not only a joyful outing but an educational one too.
lucy de rojas — Google review
Lovely place to visit. Really clean and well laid out. We went in December so the donkeys were in the barns but we were able to see them and they would come over to the fences. Great interactive bits too. They had a sticker trail too which was great for my littlest to do. Looking forward to going back in the spring.
Carolyn Salter — Google review
Never made it early enough for breakfast before and that was excellent like the regular food on offer. Still a great day out, even when the stars of the show were mainly sheltering due to the weather.
Allister Beaton — Google review
One of my favourite places to visit regularly. The donkeys are so well looked after and loved by the wonderful staff there. It’s a big outdoor area so even on a busy day it never feels that way, it’s always peaceful to visit. A beautiful setting and the site is clearly cared well for too. The staff are very passionate and caring and always up for a chat. Well worth going to the talks that they put on, always interesting. The cafe is lovely and you can enjoy views of the site and the sea in the distance. Food is always very good and generous portions. As it’s free to enter and park it’s always worth at least getting a coffee to take away with you, as the profits go back in to the charity. We ‘adopt’ Cocoa so we always look forward to seeing him. Highly recommend a visit.
Tom Auton — Google review
What a lovely place. Free entry (although you will want to leave a donation I'm sure!). A lovely reasonably priced restaurant with good local food. There is nice walks around the sanctuary and you can see the donkeys up close. There is also a small play park and shop. Nice way to spend an afternoon.
Ray Creasey — Google review
4.8
(6739)
•
4.5
(3691)
Slade House Farm, Weston, Sidmouth EX10 0NU, United Kingdom
Crealy Theme Park & Resort, located in Devon and one of the best theme parks in the south west, features 60 thrilling rides, live shows, and attractions including 75,000 ft of adventure play areas and indoor play zones. The animals here are some of the most adorable you'll ever meet including Meerkat Manor and Tortoise Town which are great places to take kids who love animals.
Loads of fun rides, shows and all year long events. We went to the ice skating show which was I must say a lot more than what I had anticipated. They had world class figure skaters and acrobats, fictional characters that interacted with children and great costumes and music. My toddler all other children absolutely loved it. Crealy theme park is a place we visit at least once every year. Great place for children and adults to spend a whole day together. Food and drinks on premises.
Wares File — Google review
Booked online & visited during the October half term. 2 adults, 3 children & a baby. £100 for the tickets in total. Car parking free.
The kids enjoyed the spook fest, they're 11, 9, 7 & 1 years old.
Had the opportunity of taking a free pumpkin - we didn't as we were on holiday so wouldn't have the space in the car to take it home etc.
Queue to get in moved quickly and orderly.
First ride my husband and older two tried to get on impacted on the morning some what. The on & off rain meant they kept stopping operations. Then ran it empty. After an hour of waiting. They closed it completely.
My daughter who's younger enjoyed the indoor rides during this time.
There is both indoor & outdoor play areas. The kids loved them.
Food prices aren't as extreme as you'd expect. We got 10 freshly cooked donuts I think for £7.
The gift shop was rather reasonable too.
I took my 1 year old for a walk around the lake whilst the other went one some of the ride. We found some ponies to look at and there were other animals in another section.
Overall & considering I personally don't like rides.. it was a great day for the family.
They enjoyed themselves. We spent longer there than expected. I do wish the park had been open until 6pm.
If you're a hard-core theme park lover this is rather mellow.
Definitely caters for the under 13s. If we were in the area again I'd certainly book to visit again.
Laura — Google review
Kid love this place been here loads and even become annual pass members just after covid. The shows have been good and the staff are great. We all like the new sooty land my kids are a little old for it but nice to see some new things starting to pop up. Looking forward to see what else will be happening here.
Some rides could do with a new paint job but all in all an enjoyable place for the family.
Chris R — Google review
Took the grandchildren, 9 &6 , just for the day, we knew the weather was going to be a bit mixed but also that there is plenty indoors to do if it did rain. They had a great time, even really enjoyed the sooty show, despite never having heard of sooty. Only complaint is there should be more water stations around the park to fill up your own bottle, as there is only one which is near the entrance so if you are over the other side of the park it is a long way to get to. But great value for money especially when the 2 for 1 offer is on. All the staff very friendly and helpful.
raymond Mildiner — Google review
We have just left after spending the day here, my kids are a bit older so I wasn't sure there would be enough for them here, but they loved it, the whole site was clean and tidy, the staff were so lovely, every single one went out of their way to make sure we had a great day, very helpful and friendly. Unlike other themes parks it wasn't overwhelmingly loud and the prices for food and drink were quite reasonable. We will be taking advantage of the free return. We managed to fill a whole day no problem. I would definitely recommend a visit.
Sarah Parry — Google review
Great resort, loads to do! Indoor, outdoor! Fantastic rides for all ages. Lots of food stalls dotted about. ( some were closed but I'm assuming in peak time they're all open).
Was let down by 2 staff members who were incredibly rude. 1 on a ride, that shut the gate on my daughter even though there was space for her on a carriage ( then asked if we wanted to go on then let us). After the ride I said thank you, they just blatantly stared back and ignored me. Really seemed like they didn't want to be there.The 2nd staff member was in a food hall, we asked if they sold hot dogs they said no but the picnic basket does, we said we had just been there and didn't see any. And we got a WELL THEY DO SELL THEM and an eye roll ( we wasn't questioning if they did or didn't, we just stated we didn't see any) . Apart from that great resort. LOADS TO DO.
The other staff were fantastic and very helpful. Don't measure children till they're at the gate about to get on. 1 ride my daughter was the right height and next she wasn't 🤷♀️
lauren denton — Google review
We took our two year old to the Santa meet and greet at the weekend. What a great experience! More than I expected. All of the Staff were really welcoming and very festive. Great price and really got us all into the Christmas festivities. First time meeting Santa and the elves. They all did such a great job.
We have an annual pass and he really enjoys it here. We would do it again.
Ellie Stevens — Google review
Good size theme park for the young ones, easy to find and no issues parking, entering or leaving.
Excellent in door play areas animals are well looked after, rides are fun and generally the cues are not too long. Lacks a bit in terms of food options, especially if you have children with any common allergies, and the service to get drinks etc quite poor at times.
Amazing themed occasions’ really do a great Halloween and Christmas. 👍
adam harriman — Google review
The last few years we have visited crealy many times. As a family of 5, it's a really great, affordable day out. I have four kids aged 5 - 13 and they are all very entertained for the whole day. The food and drinks are reasonably priced too which is a bonus if we forget the picnic. We've been with a friend and her four kids a couple of times too and it's great to know we can let the older kids go off whilst we stay with the little ones and knowing they're all perfectly safe.
Marissa King — Google review
Very good park walks all over Woodlands adventure park. We arrived at 10.30 and when 4 o clock came we still hadn't don't all of the park. The wrestling show was great entertainment and went on for half an hour. Great value for money. On site food is reasonably priced for a theme park to be honest. Don't expect it to be heap but middle of the road pricing and you don't need a separate mortgage to eat there. We went with a 15 year old a 13 year old and a 10 year old and they all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
AL P — Google review
Staff here are welcoming and fun and add to the atmosphere. Everyone works hard to ensure all visitors have the best day. There is so much to do and see and it really is amazing for all ages, there so plenty for a toddler or a teen to do. With indoor and outdoor attractions it is good for a day out whatever the weather. Just a short drive from the M5 on outskirts of Exeter it is easy to get to and has a huge amount of parking. They have worked hard to make it accessible for all users too, mobility and sensory needs can be catered for and supported.
Amy Phillips — Google review
We spent the weekend in the safari glamping tents, it was a great experience. Evening entertainment in the clubhouse was just amazing, fun for all the family. Vince, Magic Mike/Ash and Kimberly were incredible with the kids and the adults too, just hilarious. We spent 2 full days in the theme park and was so much to do. My 9 year old and 3 year old loved everything and had an amazing time. Food prices were cheaper than I imagined also. Would 100% recommend and 100% be going back!
Sophie Harwood — Google review
great for young families, THE most helpful staff
this is a great little gem of a destination. my kids are 4 and 5 and they were able to participate in every thing offered.
the staff were exceptional at every interaction and clearly had guest experience at the forethought of their minds.
for those with disabilities, the queue assist scheme experience was exceptional - although, we only had to use it twice in the day as the queue times were a few minutes at best so just used the normal lines.
unfortunately, we had to attend first aid immediately on arrival (over excited child + running = head bump) and they were swift, professional and thorough in their assistance.
chelsea porter — Google review
Only visited the theme park,
Took a 4,9 and 17y.o.
Ample parking.
Plenty to do for all ages.
Will be returning.
Free wristbands but you have to queue for them which was the longest queue lasting 15 minutes!
Overall great family day out using kids pass, so our tickets cost 67.50 with a free 7 days day return.
Stella Richardson — Google review
Lovely place! We visited for the day so have no comment regarding accommodation. My 6 year old daughter absolutely loved it! You definitely need a whole day to get comfortably around the whole park allowing time for queues. The only downside I found was, food and gift shop items were over priced. However, we did get a free return ticket for use within a week which is great 😊
Sarah C — Google review
Absolutely amazing stay! We've just got back from the 4 days tots break and had a brilliant time despite the rain. The hot tub lodge was clean, spacious and really modern. Hot tub was a great addition that was maintained and checked twice a day by the hot tub guys. The clubhouse was brilliant especially the staff. Jenny & Ian were very friendly and welcoming, also on hand for anything you needed. Victoria and Toni did an amazing job keeping the kids entertained. Even when there wasn't any planned actives running they made sure the kids wouldn't get bored. Was always something to do and we enjoyed going to the clubhouse when it rained as we knew the kids could run around and have fun. Kids ate for £1 which was a bonus! The team in the clubhouse couldn't do enough and really made our stay.
Theme park is a 2 minute drive, we would have walked if it wasn't raining. Lots of rides and two massive soft play areas. Rides and attractions indoors in case you need to hide from the rain. Again everyone was so friendly at the theme park. Would highly recommend and will definitely be back! Thank you so much to everyone who made our stay amazing.
Taylor Osborne — Google review
The kids really enjoyed the day. Rides are perfect for young children. Very clean, staff very good, food and beverages reasonable.
It's completely cashless apart from a few things the the drying machine so worth taking a few pound coins!!
Neil “Neile 75” — Google review
Really great little theme park experience. We went during the Halloween themed October half term event and there were lots of extra experiences to enjoy which were included in the entry fee.
Rides are most suited to up to around age 10 in my opinion (this is obviously subjective). I was there with an 11 year old and we had a great time but on the whole I think younger kids would get more from the experience.
I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND, BRINGING YOUR OWN FOOD.
I'm fairly used to theme parks charging creatively for food but after paying £6.50 for a single round of bread wrapped around a bit of cheese with too much butter, a tiny bit of brownie, a banana and a fruit shoot I do feel this was justifiable.
Simon Mohr — Google review
Travelled for the Christmas at Crealy.
First ride a guy called Rob was the most lovely gentleman. Wished us all a merry Christmas and was completely the same with everyone. He alone made me want to write a review. Have to say the staff throughout the park were happy, friendly, upbeat and a huge credit to the site.
We had a great day and have been 2 years running. Very few queues, loads for kids to do & Santa experience was lovely. Well done all.
Was a shame the forest Interactive walk wasn't on this year as it was super last Christmas 🎄
Ben Hopson — Google review
A great , cheap day out with the kids. What struck us the most was the friendliness of the staff. Every one of them had a smile on their face, which is no mean feat with hundreds of kids flying around. Bob was a favourite of our children. Thanks for making our afternoon so pleasant, Crealy staff, you all deserve a medal.
Elsie Harp — Google review
We have platinum annual membership for Crealy and overall it's a really good place to visit with small and older children.
Most of the staff are really friendly and smiley, but some could smile a bit more and just work on their customer service skills a little bit more.
Staff also need to all be informed about the perks of the platinum card and scanning it for discounts, as I was told by one that yes I could have the discount applied on my purchase and then somewhere else in the park another staff member told me one discount had already been applied and so there was no additional discount with my annual pass, but that was incorrect.
In general it's a very clean, well looked after park and we enjoy our visits.
Tip- buy the coffee cups and slushie drinks bottles and then refills are MUCH cheaper!
Ellen Fernando — Google review
Love crealy, great fun day out for all the family. Being an annual pass holder means we can go as many times as we like. The huge indoor soft play is amazing and even great fun for adults. Would give 5 stars but the soft play is currently running in sessions so there are big queues which aren't helpful when you have 2 small kids plus could do with another big indoor seating area for lunchtimes in wet weather.
Charlotte Hollings — Google review
Great day out for kids. Our little one was a little too small for a lot of rides, recommended 92cm+. But we still managed a couple of rides and had lots of fun on all the different indoor and outdoor play areas, as well as the different animal sections. Great value for money. We had southern fried chicken meal with chips and it was so tasty.
CoralAmanda — Google review
Although the weather wasn't brilliant. In between the break of rain and sun getting through we all had a great time. The staff there was brilliant and very professional to explain the rules of every ride 👏. Plenty of parking. Good food. But I can imagine how busy it's going to get in the summer time. You will have to be patient on waiting your turn for any of the rides. Have fun 👍.
David Phelps — Google review
Well what can I say crealy is fantastic! Prices to get in are extremely reasonable and they do offer where sometimes your return visit is free (within a time frame) so the price is even more reasonable! Once inside plenty of places to sit down for picnics etc. plenty of places for shade and inside areas if it’s too hot for you or is raining. staff are ever so Friendly and they genuinely seem happy. Rides are great for little thrill seekers and no so little thrill seekers. we loved it that much we are looking into annual passes. Enjoy a day at a great price!
Anna Shaw — Google review
Communication and information not excellent prior to arrival or even at check-in so best to contact them with any questions in advance. We came less prepared than we ought to so took us a day to get to grips with it. Not so much a resort, as a large campsite near the theme park. Enjoyed our stay though and had a lovely lodge with a hot tub and the theme park was good for youngsters.
Jamie Wogin — Google review
Just back from a long weekend (Fri-Mon), staying in one of the Devon Hideaway cabins. Such lovely, clean, accommodation with great comfy beds - a real home from home. My children aged 13 and 6, had the best time at the park, and on the resort. They loved the evening entertainment and I have based the 5 stars on how much of a good time they had. All the staff were helpful and engaging and the entertainment crew were brilliant. We rebooked for next year but for a week, as we were so sad to be leaving so soon. I highly recommend - good old fashioned fun. Thanks again to all at Crealy - With a special shout out to Vince... My kids thought you were ace!
K Clark — Google review
Visited with my daughter for the day - really enjoyed it! We also took advantage of the free return visit within a week summer holidays offer and returned the following day - this was excellent value!
Plenty of choice of things to do and keep children occupied. The site is cashless but cash is required for the arcades.
On our second visit the weather was really wet but still managed to do plenty and there are lots of facilities indoors too!
Staff were very friendly and helpful throughout the park.
Lisa Bennett — Google review
Visited Crealy Park with my niece on a Saturday in August (during school holidays) - we had a fantastic time! All of the rides were brilliant and we didn’t wait longer than 15 minutes in any of the queues. Lots of open space, so even though it’s busy, it doesn’t feel crowded. We managed to do all the rides we wanted to in one day and had SO much fun. Will definitely be back and would absolutely recommend to others! Food isn’t great so bring your own :)
Jenni Allen — Google review
We had a fantastic time during the Halloween events. We didn't stay overnight but went to Crealy for the day.
The trolls trail, haunted hotel and maze were fantastic and the staff really did make it. Excellent enthusiasm and acting which really did make it for all ages. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend and well worth the entry charge.
Lyndsey Joy — Google review
We had so much fun and the kids (6 and 8) didn't have time to worry about the cold weather - there was lots to do!
Loved all the rides and every single member of staff were friendly and enthusiastic. Enjoyed the lights trail too
Nicole Mortimer-Dowse — Google review
Thank you for a brilliant year at Christmas at crealy!
This year we had the option to have the Santa experience or not and chose against it as my children with additional needs didn’t cope well last year. We had the best experience yesterday with no meltdowns and access onto rides without much wait which was brilliant.
Staff were very patient and understanding of my sons needs and that made the whole day go smoothly. We loved the twilight lights in the evening as sensory heaven. Thank you so much we can’t wait to re visit.
Chloe Overington — Google review
It’s alright for little kids but not ideal for older teens. It was the first time visiting and it was underwhelming. However, there were a few things the kids really liked, such as a reptile house and the wrestling show. Half the rides weren’t working either.
The food service in the main food court is shocking. I felt so sorry for the workers to be honest - there doesn’t seem to be a manager keeping an eye on what’s happening. The system they have in place for ordering food doesn’t work- it needs reviewing; many people got the wrong order. We waited 40 minutes and got the wrong food, and had to wait again- it wasn’t that nice.
I don’t think we will go back anytime soon.
Lyndsey Carmichael — Google review
We went to the theme park only and It was amazing. At £14 a ticket it is great value. Our kids (5&3) were able to go on pretty much all the rides more than once and had such a great time. The soft play is huge and on a rainy day I'd just go there for that and the inside attractions.
MARCELLE Cowley — Google review
I have been fond of this place for the past twenty-plus years, and it is great fun. It is the first time I have stayed. The sooty lodge was very good. We did have an issue while there; the park was a little slow to respond, but they got the problem sorted and gave us vouchers to compensate us. On the whole, our experience was good and as expected. It has the potential to be great and probably will be when the season starts in earnest.
The park is currently a little understaffed, but I suspect it will improve as the season gets warmer. It is great for smaller kids to about 12.
I enjoyed it, it's easy, safe, and the staff are polite.
Andrew Crooks — Google review
This was our second visit. The theme park was great, very clean and tidy and didn’t ever seem too busy which was great over the Easter weekend. I’m always surprised that all the eateries aren’t ever open and this limits choice. We took our caravan and stayed as part of the stay and play weekend, which is great value. The washing facilities are great, shower block and toilets also great and so is the little park, my only criticism is the small hard standing part of the PAW pitches, they just need to be 3 or 4 foot wider so that you are able to get in the caravan without getting covered in mud, there’s plenty of room for it, it got tiring having to manoeuvre the children and dog in and out! Also, I’m sad to say that the evening entertainment is not comparable with high end campsites, this could be a much better feature and puts me off coming again because my children love this aspect of our caravanning trips.
Clare Davies — Google review
It's been years since I last visited but not a huge amount has changed. It's perhaps fine for little kids, but for over 5's there's not a great deal in the way of rides. The best area that kept my 7 Yr old entertained was the soft play, but is that worth the entry price? Also, the soft play was unstaffed and we had issues with bigger boys and gangs picking on, and being violent towards our kid. The queues for the Vortex were ridiculous and the ride disappointed. Overall, made the most of it, but wouldn't return anytime soon. Staff were great though and the gift shop was well stocked.
Jules Philpott — Google review
It’s a fun day out but i feel it’s slightly overpriced for little ones that are scared of the bigger rides. My 4 year old son only went on 5 rides we arrived at 10 and left at 1 and that includes having lunch. It was our 1st time visiting Crealy theme park and to be honest we probably wont return until he's a bit older. We have loads of soft play around Plymouth that are better so would not go to Crealy for that. I could not by a coffee due to a power cut in the Sooty section and the coffee machine was broken in the donut hut.
Aaron Dinham — Google review
We have just returned from a 4 day break with our grandchildren staying on a touring pitch. We have stayed many times before.
The theme park does not appear to have changed at all. It looks a bit tired. Staff all helpful but a lot of them were new young members who did not know much when we had any queries. When they tried to contact other members no response was forthcoming. Not their fault. There appears to be a lack of middle management.
The caravan site toilets were kept very clean. The gravel pitch was fine but need spraying to kill weed and grass growing through. Staff again helpful but little things like the sports area not opening on time were annoying.
Andrew Sanders — Google review
Went during the Easter holidays. Appreciate it was going to be busy but some of the queue times were too much for young children, so didn't actually go on many rides. Very disappointed that the Easter trail wasn't on, for having run out of Easter eggs....we were with a group of people though so all the children had fun together. Staff were very friendly and polite.
ab baby — Google review
4.3
(5658)
•
4.0
(3653)
Sidmouth Rd, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DR, United Kingdom
Knightshayes Court is a Victorian mansion located in Bolham, one mile east of Tiverton. This impressive country house was designed by the highly eccentric architect William Burges for John Heathcoat Mallory, an MP from Tiverton, in 1869. The building features an array of stone curlicues, ornate mantles and carved figurines reflective of Burges' obsession with the Middle Ages, as well as lavish Victorian decoration.
This beautiful cathedral is over 900 years old and famous for its vaulted ceiling and astronomical clock. It has tours where you can see the best views of the city from the roof. The library contains many historical documents which is a must see for anyone visiting Exeter or staying in a cottage nearby.
Beautiful not crowded by donation only and a beautiful sunny warm spring day. Worth the visit and then walk around the cathedral close and admire the elizabethan and Tudor buildings. Or sit on the grass or the steps good choices of restaurants in and around. Last time here was 1974.
David Phipps — Google review
The Christmas Market was really busy, so we went into the cathedral to warm up and it was my first time inside, what a spectacular building it is, seeing the architecture that was all around represents the fantastic achievements in those times. It's an absolutely stunning building. Well worth the visit. Will be returning to have a more in-depth look.
Shane Green — Google review
Absolutely magnificent! Incorporating a mixture of architectural styles, the earliest being Romanesque, followed by Norman, Gothic & English Gothic. The cathedral has the longest, unbroken ceiling vaulting known as "Tierceron", in the world. When visiting, I recommend tagging onto a guided tour, the guides are extremely knowledgeable & will point out & explain many architectural features that could easily be overlooked if just making ones own way around. The guides will also give accounts of key people in history that have made their mark in this lovely building, both masons & bishops etc. When visiting the vibrant city of Exeter, I thoroughly recommend a visit to this beautiful building.
Jim Stringer — Google review
Visited Exeter Cathedral first thing on a Saturday morning. The cathedral was almost empty and got to walk around on my own. Was haunting in its beauty and made for some really awe-inspiring moments. Although not the biggest cathedral, it is beautiful and really inspiring in its proportions. The carvings and images are really beautiful and delightful in their intensity. A lovely place to visit, you can sit and have a moment or a picnic on the cathedral green and it is a very short walk to get to the shops and into town. Accessibility is very good. The staff were all very kind and polite and even moved out of the way so that I could take some photographs. Spent over an hour in there and thoroughly enjoyed it. So peaceful and pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning.
James Valente — Google review
Exeter Cathedral stands as a magnificent testament to centuries of history and architectural splendor. Its towering spires and intricate facade captivate visitors from afar, drawing them closer to explore its grandeur. As a tourist, viewing the cathedral from outside unveils a breathtaking sight, showcasing its impressive Gothic design and intricate stone carvings. Whether admiring its facade bathed in sunlight or illuminated against the evening sky, the cathedral's exterior exudes a sense of awe and wonder, making it a must-see attraction in Exeter.
Master J — Google review
A historic building on a grand scale. The transformation into a great attraction for the public drives from all ages folks and children to come and admire the beauty of this worship place. The great moon globe exhibit in the centre is the main attraction.
Mas Hassan — Google review
The cathedral is beautiful. One can simply become awestruck in the architectural design of the whole building. The interior is also very elegant. We came here for evensong a couple of times and they were very well carried out services. It is worth it to visit this cathedral.
Adrian Evers — Google review
There were lots of building works going on when we visited with lots of closed off areas. Thoe areas accessible were used for storage. Feel we should not have been charged the £7.50 and should have only asked for a donation or at least informed us. Lovely Cathedral.
Gail Thomas — Google review
For those who love architecture and history, a great place to visit, entry by donation, so please donate to up keep the places of history. Toilets are everywhere, good parking available. Renovations is going on inside and outside.
Alfred Fernandes — Google review
As everywhere, the National Trust is responsible for the maintenance and care and, as everywhere, this has also been successful here. A beautiful and well-kept cathedral. Is currently under renovation, but you could see a lot. The outdoor area is also well-kept and invites you to stay here.
Sarina Cl A — Google review
This was the best architectural work I have ever seen in my entire life. The dates are amazing! The welcome and tours conducted by the staff was very enriching. At least I had a bit of the church history in England. I am sure I will go back again. This is a very rich heritage.
Nyakambah Nyatigoh — Google review
600 years old cathedral in Exeter, South-West England.
It is known as the Church of Saint Peter and its architecture is really impressive.
Ofter there are street artists' performances in the area so the place never gets quiet.
People use to chill in the nearby park and also at the coffee shops located opposite the street.
Immanuel D — Google review
You don't have to be religious to appreciate the magnificence of this amazing cathedral. The facade is covered with beautiful carvings and stone masonry. Fabulous architecture that it is, it gives little clue as to the truly spectacular interior. The sheer size is overwhelming and the fan-vaulted ceiling is amazing. Currently, the cathedral is hosting a gala exhibition, the centerpiece being a huge revolving replica of planet earth, suspended from the ceiling. If you're in the West Country, this is a visit that you won't regret making.
Martin Toogood — Google review
A beautiful cathedral.
BUT I think it's wrong to charge people for visiting a church. Many cathedrals ask for a donation - a much better idea. It was expensive too - especially if you are on benefits or an oap.
Lesley Tweddle — Google review
Beautiful cathedral. Not as large as some of the other cathedrals. Currently undergoing renovation therefore some parts are closed to the public. Entrance Adult £7.50.
Harjinder Kaur — Google review
An absolute gem of a cathedral which has a very holistic and calming feeling inside. Excellent architecture which is awe inspiring when you consider the work and effort that went into it. It was great to be able to light a candle and spend quiet time in prayer and reflection. My visit was especially special as my great great grandfather's brother had the honour of having his funeral service held here in 1905.
Antony Davies — Google review
A really fascinating and free visit.
This is a massive cathedral with some truly ancient parts and sights to see and read about. For anyone into history, religious or not, this is a very interesting visit.
It is a beautiful site and worth the time to walk around.
paul watson — Google review
At the moment during January, entry is free but of course they appreciate voluntary donations which you can do by card or cash. They do offer free guided tours or you can have an audio guide but that waffles on a bit. We were lucky to meet one of the guides with free time and he was interesting. The original part was built in Norman times (1114) and the rest was added 1270-1328.
There are numerous memorials with a high proportion of Devon soldiers. Numerous historic items can be found with the original mechanics of the large clock above the gift shop on view. The organ pipes are enormous being over 10mtrs tall. Well worth a visit. For only the next couple of days there is a light show on in the evenings.
michael kent — Google review
This building is a piece of Art work. The large scales of the building and small intricate designs made in a time with no tool like we have are incredible. Exeter is so lucky to have this fabulous building. They have a great little gift shop and you do have to pay to get in but it’s soo worth it.
Joe Brennan — Google review
What a magnificent and magical cathedral and while visiting we had the pleasure to listen to the heavenly voices of a choir group and the cathedral organ practicing in preparation for Easter Sunday.
Definitely add this wonderful place to your itinerary if you are visiting the city of Exeter.
Zak Taemur — Google review
An ancient and beautiful cathedral in the heart of the historic city of Exeter. It's not as large as some of the cathedrals I have visited, but I found it every bit as impressive, from the great Norman towers and well-preserved medieval statues on the exterior of the building to the magnificent rib vaulted ceiling in the nave. There's an admission fee of £7.50 for an adult, £6 for concessions and students - very reasonable I thought, compared to some other cathedrals - and accompanied children go free. The man who issued my ticket was very helpful and informative, and I also bought a beautiful guidebook for £6. There are cathedral tours lasting an hour (included in admission), but I wandered around on my own. There was so much to see and admire. I was particularly impressed with the splendid Lady Chapel and the ornate tombs of the medieval bishops. There's an astronomical clock above the shop (which has a great selection of gifts and books). Could not visit the quire because it is undergoing extensive renovations. There's a café outside the cathedral, and when I visited there was also a very good craft market taking place. All in all an enjoyable and inspiring visit. Will be back to see the quire when it's finished!
Valerie Hinchliffe — Google review
Love the Christmas Market, staple of the year.
The park is always very peaceful and there's rarely ever noisy teenagers like in other parks around Exeter. Even if you're eating on your own, the pigeons will keep you company and they're very cute. They will not take your food.
The exhibitions and events that happen inside the cathedral are amazing too and I love learning about it's history. I also love that it has a quiet area for people to pray in peace.
Kara — Google review
Loved visiting the cathedral...its under going some work at the moment in the centre of it but it doesn't stop u from enjoying this lovely place of worship.
billie goldsmith — Google review
The heart of Exeter with stunning views and nice area to sit down and enjoy the view. Lots of shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes around and nice green area surrounding the cathedral.
The caverns and trails of Kents Cavern are a popular tourist attraction for those interested in prehistory, with exhibits dating back 45,000 years. The caverns have a constant temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, making them ideal for winter use by prehistoric humans. Tours explore the chambers and tunnels, and visitors can also attend Shakespeare plays or meet Santa Claus in an underground setting.
Amazing experience! The formations in the cavern are beautiful, everything is very well maintained. Ticket prices are reasonable and the tour is about an hour. Our guide Alan was just fantastic - knowledgeable, engaging and funny! He made our experience even better with his jokes. It's a great experience for both kids and adults.
Rosi Petkova — Google review
Such a fun experience. Never had a tour in a cave and felt so engaged by our guide (David). Enjoyed every second, a lovely cafe where we had coffee before and after our tour, laughing staff enjoying themselves. Had such a lovely atmosphere.
Once in the cave, our tour guide “David” was brilliant, nice to be shown something by someone who is passionate and interacts so well with the group he is with. The operators really do have a gem with this tour guide, never had such a fun experience.
I have not put many pictures of the caves in as you need to visit to get the full effect of how great they are and the story they have.
tom bliss — Google review
Lovely little visit. We caught the bus from Paignton which was a nightmare, but actually at Kents Cavern was great. We arrived early so we were able to move our pre-booked tour from 12.30 to 11am. We had a time for a coffee (which was delish) and Simon our tour guide was great he involved the kids in the tour asked them questions and was more than happy to answer questions at the end. He gave a warning about low head room and wet under foot. I have slight mobility issues so if you're the same please, please wear proper footwear, flip-flops and water DON'T mix. The woodland trail is steep but that's mainly the steps but it's great for the kids.
Lou ?Mrs Xxx? Beary — Google review
Amazing piece of history. Our guide Amy was very knowledgeable and funny and made the experience something to remember. I'd recommend to anyone in the area to visit here. Such an interesting place! The onsite cafe is lovely too and reasonably priced. All of the staff are very welcoming as well.
R D — Google review
Excellent experience given by James, the very knowledgeable and entertaining guide. Came here at Christmas for the Father Christmas experience which the children loved with all the elves entertaining them and a free gift from Santa.
This visit was about insights into the caves and the animals and people who lived here. Children as young as 6 up to pensioners all were captivated, including the special effects and the complete blackout experience.
Prices are reasonable considering the top quality attraction and if you're an annual member (currently £20) then you get 10% off shop and cafe prices and free entrance for a year plus free parking. Cafe has good cakes, coffees and teas and not expensive.
David Wood — Google review
These Prehistoric caves are, without doubt, the most remarkable site I have ever visited and today's experience way, way, way exceeded even my highest expectations. Millions of years of geology, hundreds of thousands of years of history and the chance to explore one of the World's most important stone age sites. Superlatives, there are none which adequately do justice to what I saw and heard on this morning's guided tour. Our guide, Ellie, absolutely smashed the delivery of it out of the park - easily the best tour I have been a part of. Facts, anecdotes, stories, humour, all evident in a wonderfully confident presentation to a highly receptive and appreciative group. The sensory interaction and way that cave history was brought to life was exceptional. This was exquisitely done and I would strongly suggest a visit to the caves whenever in this neck of the woods. Utterly outstanding.
Stanners RJ — Google review
An interesting place to visit with your kids especially when is raining or is too hot outside. The temperature in the cavern is around 11 degrees all year around. You'll learn a lot of interesting facts from the tour guide.
There is a small cafe and toilets are available also.
Vladimir Homola — Google review
Great experience here!! Guided cave tour which was hilarious, but also incredibly interesting!! Well worth the money and time. Also a little woodland walk to do. The caves are fairly accessible with hand rails most of the way through where there's slopes.
elliott buckley — Google review
This was my first time ever in a cave. It's worth it. Try it. The tour guide was very good. Kept us engaged the whole tour. The tour is about an hour. But you don't notice it. The cave itself is very nice. The temperature in the cave is a little chilly. About 10-14° it's quite amazing down there. You have a little safety briefing. And then some walks to various chambers. I can fully recommend this. There's a Cafe, gifts shop and on site parking. A kids recreation area too.
Zane___ K — Google review
This was absolutely brilliant, both for grown ups and kids. We had a 6 year old and 11 year old with us. The guide was fantastic, the place was really well presented, there was zero waiting time for our slot. Really high quality tour, thoroughly recommend.
Simon Green — Google review
We were lucky enough to arrive at opening time and nobody else did - so we had the absolute pleasure of a tour for 2 with our own tour guide; James.
What an amazing experience this is. James was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the caves and the geology of the area (I'm sure the other guides are too!) And he presented this information in an engaging and amusing way, always happy to answer our many questions and discuss things.
The caves themselves are a must see if you're in the area - and are worth travelling to if you're not. So much history - and the ages of the caves, the dwellers, the bones that have been discovered and the rock formations are simply mind boggling.
Cannot recommend this place highly enough for a really interesting couple of hours out - and if James happens to be your tour guide, you've hit the jackpot.
Darren — Google review
Can't believe I've never heard of this let alone visited it! Really good tour, reasonably priced (especially if you coincidentally find yourself going in local's month!) with a nice cafe serving a limited range of really good food, again, at reasonable prices. The gift shop continues the reasonably priced theme so you don't come away with a massive bill. The tour is about an hour and, assuming all the guides are as good as James, both informative and amusing. Still photography is allowed and there is ample time to do that, rather than constantly being hurried along. It's the perfect wet weather activity but I strongly advise booking online (slightly cheaper) and in advance.
Adrian Walter — Google review
The tour takes 1 hour. Our guide Dave made this time very pleasant. The information he gave us was very interesting including why these caves in Devon are called Kents. Ever thought about it? Than ask Dave the tour guide.
LeSa — Google review
We visited the caves during our holiday and our tour guide Abbie was brilliant! Very engaging and a great story teller. Abbie made the tour lots of fun and we really enjoyed the caves and it's history.
Laura Beswick — Google review
Brilliant evening here for the cinema experience. Was a very interesting evening. Staff were friendly and helpful. Cafe was brilliant. The only negative was the chairs, you felt a little like you was sliding down during the film. But wasn't enough to put me off. Fantastic experience !
Simon hill — Google review
We really enjoyed our visit. James our guide was brilliant, he explained everything clearly and entertaining.
Dawn Dukes — Google review
If you like caved this is a must. You are given a tour hosted by David and he was very good full of information. Lovely cafe on site with good prices. We stayed 2-5 hours well worth the money.
Carl Osborne — Google review
Decided to visit here last minute at the end of our holiday and it ended up being the best part of the whole week. Our tour guide David deserves a raise, he was fantastic, brilliant with all the kids, especially my daughter who was a bit nervous in the dark, really knowledgeable about what he talking about, hilarious, and clearly really passionate about what he does. The tour was really interesting and all the extra bits outside of the caves were great too, lots of interesting information and interactive parts for the kids like gem digging.
becky wilton — Google review
Great experience and a well organised and informative tour. Staff were very friendly and the cafe and main building were immaculately clean. Not the first cave tour we've had but one of the best, parking is £3 for 4 hours at the time of our visit, November, as well as a cafe there is a woodland walk for children and a picnic area. Certainly a good place to visit for a few hours.
Alan Amesbury — Google review
Have to say, it was surprisingly educational and a comedic experience.
Ended up late due to traffic but the receptionist gave us the option to continue on missing 10 mins of the tour or wait for the next one, so we chose the latter.
There is a lot of history which is comically expressed, allowing you to keep interest.
Lucas was a great tour guide and kept the group engaged for 45 minutes.
Have to recommend it to anyone in the area.
Parking cost £3 which for 45 mins might seem expensive to some.
Plenty of spaces available though.
Don — Google review
That was really a wonderful tour. I am really surprised of the information which was introduced to us. Simon the guide of the tour was really creative and professional he really made the tour very interesting.
Fatima — Google review
Amazing experience , guided 1 hour tour ….🤩👏👏👏👏
They also sell a really nice pizza at the restaurant. 👌
Deiauk — Google review
This is a fantastic family attraction and well worth a visit! There is a display of artifacts to explore before or after you go into the caves. The caves themselves are very interesting with millions of years of history. There are the classic stalactites and stalagmites. There is an excellent cafe and shop. But above all else. The staff were truly exceptionally excellent! Very educational, patient and engaging with both parents and children.
Lee Edwards — Google review
The visit to Kents Caverns was truly delightful, providing a wholesome experience reminiscent of stepping back in time to the era of cave-dwelling and pre-electricity days. Our tour guide, James, was not only informative but also made the historic details of the cave come alive with his engaging and enjoyable explanations. Additionally, the amenities such as the cafe and souvenir shop made the ticket price entirely worthwhile.
Boopathi K — Google review
It’s hard to imagine there is much to see and do in a cave, but the guide was very knowledgeable, explain a lot about the history of the cave, how it was made, a loads more. I’m not going to lie I was a bit sceptical, but it was rather good.
We didn’t do the out side bit, wrong time of year and the weather was horrid.
Adam Doyle — Google review
Great cave, would highly recommend. Staff were friendly. Can get busy so book tickets in advance.
Benjamin Murtagh (Benjamin Murtagh) — Google review
Babbacombe Model Village is a model village with 4 acres of miniature buildings, vehicles and people. It has a castle and a fiery dragon.
Good day out, spread over 4 acres. Is a bit hilly but can be accessed by wheelchair if your feeling fit. Fascinating to see whether your adult or child. Restaurant area and gift shop. Not far from bygone years which is also worth a visit at the same time and within walking distance.
Loraine ?Unic71? Lear — Google review
What a place! We visited in the summer of 2032 and spent a most enjoyable few hours touring the village. So much to see and masses of detail in every scene. We loved it, and had great fun spotting all the details. The crazy golf was free and was great fun too. Highly recommended if you want to be surprised and amazed at the skill of the model makers.
Wendy Brown — Google review
What a wonderful place. It's so well thought out, and the humour is great. Added bonus of free crazy golf. The grounds are well maintained. Love the new indoor mythic section as well. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area, you will not be disappointed! They update the models regularly as well.
R D — Google review
Great place for all the family. Kids love this place. So much to see and explore. The continuous work by the gardeners makes this place really special and magical. The café is a little limited but has a good selection of drinks. The car park outside is a pay and display Council car park and always loads of spaces.
Phil E — Google review
Possibly the biggest Model Village I have ever visited (ironically!) - very steep hills at the start and end though!
Clever little details like a lot of Model Villages, challenging mini golf included in the price which was good along with a few other displays in addition to the main village.
Fairly limited choice of food in the cafe, but all staff we interacted with were pleasant and welcoming.
Quite expensive parking though, but that is the local council, not the Model Village that sets that - they should lobby for lower charges to increase footfall.
Nice place to visit for a couple of hours! (the kids enjoyed getting the dragon to breath fire too!)
Dave Drinks — Google review
Went in a family group of eight, spent the afternoon there, the crazy golf was fun (which is included in the entrance fee). Everywhere seems clean and well kept and if you take your time you'll see more than you first notice. The cream tea in a box was tasty. Really enjoyed our time here, I recommend a visit.
Kathy H — Google review
I love a model village and I’ve been coming here for over 40 years. I still think this is the best in the country and it’s updated and changed so there is always something to see. First time I’ve been since they added crazy golf which was great fun.
Well worth a visit.
Jo Frazer- Wise — Google review
Truly is detail ! It is worth a visit never mind the kids it’s for everyone! Who enjoys more me or my son ! My wife loved it ! Well sign posted to spend time looking at the models to take pictures! Something for everyone & comical to laugh at ! Toilets fantastic! Cafe area fantastic well priced ! A beautiful sit down area out side to enjoy your food ! This model village is like a massive garden hidden gem ! They say at night it looks beautiful! Try it for your self & be a kid again !
Massimino Malacrino — Google review
How I want to give this a 5 star! But I cannot just for price reasons. £17.95 on the door per person...its an amazing model village, the first one I've been to since I was a child. But it was nearly £20 or £40 for two people, mentally it felt too much. I would of preferred it closer to £15 than £20. Anyway, the village was incredible, loads of unique things to spot, celebrity models to find and plenty of photo opportunities. You'll enjoy it, and it's just about worth it's money! (Or buy tickets in advance like we should of and save those extra couple of £££s.
Jake Phillips — Google review
It was such an amazing experience. From my point of view, besides the fun of looking at the buildings and the people, it's a great place to contemplate our lives from above. It's so well done. I recommend this location to everyone. It's great fun for children and adults alike.
Roxana Arsenie — Google review
Not visited here since I was young and walking in just brought back so many memories. The layout of the village is great, taking you down a hill. The place is very picturesque. We visited for one of the Summer Night Illuminations and it was great to see it all lit up. Had to use our phone torches towards the end to read the signs and properly view the exhibits. Maybe be worth having torches available for those who may not have a phone?
GSX Jen — Google review
Recommend booking online for a discount.
We were an hour early and the gentleman still allowed us with no issues.
Beautiful scenery even in bad weather.
Models are clearly well crafted with a brilliant sense of humour in mind for adults while children can marvel at the creations.
There are indoor models and of course outdoor ones. (Indoor has heating)
Nice that they have mini golf to break up the routine.
Overall, an amazing experience!
Don — Google review
Such an interesting model village, definitely one of the best I've visited.
Amazing detail in the models, some interactions and a "find where wally" for the children.
Has got accessible paths but very hilly and probably difficult to push wheelchairs about.
Thought it was quite expensive, but thoroughly enjoyed it.
Andrea McLean — Google review
I was very impressed with this model village, the detailing in the people was very good. Everything is well thought through. There’s arrows on the floor so you don’t miss anything. Very clean toilets. 4 acre plot with models all over. There’s crazy golf on site with a cafe and a gift shop. Overall a 5 star experience with reasonable pricing.
Dylan White — Google review
A brilliant day out which took us about 2-3 hours. Loved all of the displays and was great to see it's regularly updated with even small touches such as the recent FA Cup Final and King's coronation. You even get a game of mini golf!
Make sure you book in advance online for 10% off entry.
Mark Houlton — Google review
A lovely place with just a few issues. If disabled like myself the village is very steep in places so make sure you wear comfortable shoes and take someone with you and try to go on a dry day. Needs some extra rails in places otherwise an amazing place very family friendly and the staff was very helpful.
Jennifer Rowe — Google review
An enjoyable couple of hours looking around. There were nice plants to make it look pleasant. We played crazy golf for free, which was very unexpected. They had a cafe , that you could eat in or out. A little bit steep in places. We had a very pleasant day there.
Jan Langford — Google review
Simply amazing place.
Cost family of 4 £63 to enter, but don't let that put you off.
They clearly invest well back into the attraction which is beautifully clean throughout with ample clean toilets, a lovely cafe, good, fun crazy golf (included in admission fee), and of course a stunning and extensive model Village collection. Everything from old to future scenes with flowing water, trains, and literally hundreds of querky features and funny installations. Keep your eyes out for Where's Wally and friends, plus a fun Easter egg hunt (free with admission), which gives children a bracelet upon completion.
There is so much to see. You really mustn't rush, or you'll miss the detail.
Would highly recommend and definitely visit again when in the area.
Finally, the gardening is excellent throughout, and I love the use of alpines, confiers, and dwarf Acer trees throughout.
Order tickets day before to save around £1.50 per ticket. They don't take payment until you arrive.
:-)
Darren M (DMC) — Google review
We visited during the Easter break. We missed booking the tickets online so just turned up at the door as suggested on the website. I think during peak times this probably wouldn't work so plan ahead.
It was about £70 for a family of 4. We got a discount I think applied to larger groups.
We didn't struggle with parking but again it might be different during the summer.
The website recommends 2.5 hours which I say is about right. We played the mini golf before continuing with our tour so it could be less or more depending on whether you play and how long you take.
The children most enjoyed the interactive aspects including the fire breathing dragon but I enjoyed everything. The miniature train was a hit. They changed from freight train to passenger train in the duration of our visit so the excitement went up again 😂
Don't miss the indoor bits and do take a leisurely stroll.
The mythical kingdom is a matter of taste, we had divided opinions as you do with kids.
It's an attraction I would highly recommend even with its price tag.
The kids had fun finding the Easter eggs hidden in various displays.
If we lived closer it would be lovely to visit on some of their special events and themes
Melinda Barthel (NotJustAMum) — Google review
Very well presented. Could have saved a couple of quid if pre booked. Great history behind it. Spent about 2 hours here. Had a game of crazy golf too.
Stayed for coffee in the cafe.
Julie K — Google review
Wonderful little place....with council parking right in front of the venue....the miniatures are absolutely wonderful and kids loved it..... easily takes 1/2 day to stroll around the entire place
Bhanu Sriram — Google review
Lovely day out. Great for with the dogs and the staff were lovely ( even though my dog was a bit yappy 🤣) a lot of fun and so cute to take photos of the dogs next to the miniature scenes. If you go with a dog I'd go with a friend or someone else so that you can still look at the inside displays. I'd say it would be wonderful for all ages but if someone has mobility issues or is in a wheel chair they may struggle to get up the slope. Also as a future assistance dog handler it was wonderful to see signs saying no dogs except assistance dogs 🐕🦺 Vs the normal no dogs except guide dogs (for the indoor display areas where dogs can't go) I really appreciate it. If I come on holiday in the area again I will definitely be coming back. Thank you ☺️
Lucy Williams — Google review
Perfect for a sunny afternoon, our visit lasted around 2 hours. It’s a wee bit cheaper per ticket to book online in advance rather than just turn up. There’s a mini golf course of 9 holes and superb models on display. You can round it all off with a decent cup of coffee in the coffee shop too.
John Kentisbeer — Google review
Wow! So much to see here. The amount of detail in the houses and the sets is unbelievable.
You can spend a few hours walking around seeing everything, and your children will love it.
There's a burning house and a fire breathing dragon and so much more to see.
A great cafe ( the panini's are lovely) and handy toilets halfway round. There's also crazy golf if you fancy a game..
We went Halloween week and I think there were some items added for the occasion
Kevin Garland — Google review
This is one of the best model villages I've been to. The size and scale of some of the models and displays are wonderful and very skillfully done with a lot of humour included in the displays. Definitely a place not to miss.
Alan Amesbury — Google review
4.7
(5622)
•
4.5
(4545)
Hampton Ave, Babbacombe, Torquay TQ1 3LA, United Kingdom
The 450-acre country estate of Cockington offers natural beauty and tranquility in the heart of Devon countryside. The park features a thriving craft centre with over 20 studios, lovable village of Cockington with charming thatched cottages and a manor house, all in an enchanting setting.
Loved it here, lovely gardens to walk around with plenty of open spaces for the dogs to charge about. Loved the craft centre with its lovely shops, a great little find! There is a cafe on site serving hot n cold drinks, snacks and sarnies, which were very good! Then there is the lovely village full of thatched cottages, beautiful! Well worth a trip here!
Claire Cronin (All Things Dark & Dirty) — Google review
The village of Cockington is a real time machine, stepping back in time to days gone by! It is a quaint part of south Devon which is well worth a wander around. The highlight is the Country Park which is accessible via a number of reasonable car parks. The park is packed full of beautiful trees and plants, water features and hidden paths. It’s a haven for dog walkers with lots to explore for kids too.. would thoroughly recommend.
Beth Polak — Google review
Genuinely surprise!
Lovely area, ground are well kept, parking is a fair price, shame when we visited lots of things were closed but still enjoyable to walk around!
Just be warned on entry there is a narrow road, signs saying not to park but seems a lot of people just ignore the signs and park up in the lane
Darren Stead — Google review
What a pretty place! Lovely cream tea shop craft and gift centre and beautiful thatched buildings with amazing gardens...the hotel/pub beautiful with superb gardens
Karen , — Google review
Amazing park! I love this cozy side of Torbay, this fabulous park next to the cottages is just the definition of a fantastic day! I am fond of the lakes there and people are so friendly. I love the stories on the benches by the way, they are so touching!
Wala Awad — Google review
It's free 😁 . Very tidy. There is a free toilet by the kitchen gallery.
Rose garden was amazing,the smell was so strong and sweet. Watching glass blowing was fun.
Scenery was tranquil and beautiful. Thatched cottages everywhere. Food was very expensive imho But looked nice.
Bought rum n raisin ice-cream ,very large scoop in normal cone, £2.25 good value😁
graeme ?Gray? hellier — Google review
Brilliant day out,the walks round the grounds and lakes,the craft centre with blacksmiths and glassblowing amongst other crafts,plenty of Ben he's to sit and enjoy the fabulous views,cafes with wide variety of home made produce,quaint thatched roof buildings,not to be missed.
Harry Hodge — Google review
Great place to spend a day strolling through Cockington Village. A really well preserved Country Park with a blacksmith's, thatched cottages, a church, large manor house, shops and tea rooms. It feels like stepping back in time. There are expansive grounds, tarmacked paths and cross-country walks. All very accessible. When I was young there used to be shire-horses which pulled carriages you could ride. These seem to have gone now but still a really chilled place to visit.
Zack Highfield — Google review
A great day out with kids and dogs. Lots to explore and plenty of space for burning off energy. Spent about 4 hours here in total, including a drink in the pub.
Only problem we had was the card machine in car park wasn't working and we didn't have enough change, luckily a very kind lady gave us some.
Gemma Prangnell — Google review
Excellent place for walking (especially of you have a dog)! Nice coffee shop in the main house. Lovely walks through the park. Excellent craft shops on site as well - highly recommended.
Rich C — Google review
Great time here, great place for bringing dogs too, nice artisan stores, also blacksmith and glassblowing. Pretty rose garden and cafe
Lisa Boulton — Google review
We love popping in to Cockington but was disappointed that our favourite Afternoon Tea venue has closed and now for sale sign of the times, over the road is a new Café opened with substandard Scones, dirty water for the Puggies, nit been cleaned for ages. They gave treats at least. The parking is OK with a friendly traffic warden as he takes a photo of your car for later when you are enjoying yourself so much he gives you a ticket, no phone app sadly you have to use a credit card or real money. A lovely place to visit and a few Craft shops and a pub etc
Stephen M Goldsmith — Google review
Explore the woodland walks if you go here. Too many people miss these areas. Review update following covid and staffing shortage the rather nice clocks cafe is now fully open with real cups again
Outside The Box — Google review
Brilliant place to visit and the staff are so friendly. The cafe is lovely and the ice cream portion very generous, will definitely return when back in the area.
Mollie Maynard — Google review
Excellent old countryside village in England. Beautiful old cottages. Some classy gift shops. Green landscapes. Walking trails. Ample parking. Nice pub near parking.
Sunil Gokarn — Google review
There are beautiful houses.
In the park there is a beautiful church that you can go inside.
There is a lot of different walking paths and one of them takes you to the beach.
There is a beautiful garden there is a shop that you can buy hand made things that are made by the blacksmiths there.
Parking is at the place as well.
Sylwia Hukowska — Google review
Very pretty village especially during spring/summer when the flowers bloom.
Nice café there too that does yummy chocolate scones
Also Drum Inn pub is good. There is a small playground for children. Beautiful lakes. Great for dogs to run around 🙂
Filipa Fernandes — Google review
A great place to spend time and in good weather the day ,with a stunning location with lots of marked out walks ,also a craft market with live demonstrations and glass blowing etc. Also places to eat children's play areas and pick nick areas .👍👍
Dave Parnham — Google review
Cockington park is a beautiful place to visit with quaint 16th century thatched cottages, a visitors centre, craft shops, gift shops, gardens, children's play area, pub, tea rooms & a country house with sculptures & art inside & out. It's ideal for walking or picnicking & dogs are welcome. 🙂👍
Just make sure you have change for the carpark because the card machine doesn't work.
Paignton Zoo is a large zoological park in Devon, England. It has a wide range of animals, including many endangered or critically-endangered species. The zoo also features a variety of exhibits and activities for visitors to enjoy.
Booked tickets online so straight forward process on entry. Easy to follow map. Plenty of animals to see. Lots of work also being done around the zoo. Park area for children and plenty of picnic benches. Missed seeing the train that use to go around the large pond. It was just nice to be able to visit on such a nice day after so long.
Sharon Miles — Google review
My wife uses a mobility scooter, on this occasion we hadn't charged it sufficiently and it powered down. Luckily we were just inside the zoo. I spoke with a chap at reception who supplied us with a wheelchair and stored ours securely during our visit. Extremely helpful and pleasant, I think his name was Jamie.
Just for information, the zoo is particularly hilly and has several inclines, only the most robust of mobility scooter would cope with the terrain.
We enjoyed our day, ate in the restaurant and once again the chap that served us was very pleasant and helpful. The food was good too.
Clive Humphries — Google review
This trip was my first visit since Duchess the elephant passed away in 2019. Before that I used to visit almost weekly and take a stroll around the zoo.
4 years after my annual membership comes to an end, I visit again, however, this time I was more disappointed than happy.
A lot of sections were closed off for renovation -which is great for the animals - but i think the list of animals that we couldn't see would outweigh the list of animals that we could see.
We stopped in the restaurant for some lunch. Possibly a little over priced but it did taste good.
Overall I think Paignton Zoo is an expensive day out. If you plan on making a family trip, I'd recommend bringing your own picnic to save on costs and booking tickets in advance.
Positives: the car park is extremely big and free.
Walking around the zoo is great excersize.
The renovations shouldn't take too long to finish and the animals will have nicer enclosures :)
I wish Paignton Zoo all the best.
A Jenkins — Google review
Great zoo. Been to Paignton many times but this was a first visit to the zoo. Great offer of kids go free with paying adult meant we paid £40 for a family of five. We spent three hours there but could easily have done more. Be prepared for lots of walking and some steep slopes. Several enclosures were going through renovation but there were still plenty of animals to see. Would definitely visit again.
John Newman — Google review
It was a nice day out however we were slightly disappointed by the lack of animals. A few of the enclosures were empty with no sign of why, whilst others were empty with signs stating that work was being done. This was fine.
The fact that the park is so big and hard to navigate made the day slightly more frustrating. The guide (map) was £3.50 on the way in which is a clear money making scheme and there were no maps on the way around to see where we were or where we were going. We ended up walking up dead ends, away from all the animals and this was extremely frustrating as someone who is 8 months pregnant trying to make the most of the school holidays with her children. We missed a number of animals simply because we couldn't find our way to them. Yes we could have bought a guide, but £3.50 for something you throw away when you get home, on top of the price of food and tickets, was unreasonable to me. Other zoos I have attended provide these free on the way in and provide maps whilst navigating the area.
Ice cream was overpriced, but to be expected for an attraction area such as this.
Gift shop is located on the way in and way out, another clear money making scheme however the items in the gift shop are nice and have a good range.
There is a lot of walking included in the visit and a very small amount of it is flat, this is something people should be aware of if walking or in mobility scooters as the land is sometimes uneven.
I'm very unsure if I'll be attending this zoo again as I have found others that are more beneficial and animal focused.
Jasmine Miles — Google review
Fantastic Zoo with fantastic enclosures. We went midweek and the zoo was quiet enough to enjoy at a pace we liked. Having the mobility scooters for hire was absolutely fantastic, it meant I could ensure the experience with my children without worrying about the repercussions later. The food was lovely and had great portion sizes. Overall a fantastic day with very helpful and attentive staff.
Christine Freeburn — Google review
We visited during easter. The zoo has plenty of parking. Unfortunately it was a rainy day when we visited, however the staff had set up arts and crafts in sheltered places to occupy the children while everyone got out of the rain.
When we visited we converted to an annual pass, so although it is dear, if you were local you would get your money's worth back.
We were fortunate enough to see most of the animals so it was a successful visit in spite of the weather.
I think it's a lovely zoo with a layout which means you are not on top of each other with other visitors.
We went to the canteen when it was pouring at some point and though not gourmet, the portions are generous and reasonably priced.
What we didn't do well was plan our trip aligned to some of the feeding times and talks. I would advise finding out about these in advance as they are worth it.
Would definitely say it's a good day out for the family. I only wish you better weather.
Would not hesitate to return given the chance in the next 12 months.
Melinda Barthel (NotJustAMum) — Google review
Surprisingly spacious zoo with so much to do and so nicely laid out!
The zoo itself was super clean too and we went on a busy weekend.
Make sure you bring your walking boots though as it is super hilly but well worth the trek!
Sian Atkins — Google review
What an amazing zoo, we had such a wonderful day! Really lovely enclosures and seemingly happy animals! Friendly staff, good choice at the Island restaurant and very nice gift shop. We visited on a Tuesday in winter so it was very quiet with no queues and no problems seeing all of the animals!
Shelley F — Google review
Really nice place it does have slopes. Friendly staff who are always happy to talk about the animals. Food is quite expensive and there are a lot a seagulls just ready to pounce. All in all a great day out for the family.
John Butler — Google review
It was such an amazing experience we had in here! I visited this place with my kids and spent the whole day here. Animals are well kept, and the stuff was helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. This zoo is definitely worth a visit 🥰
Krisztina Dozsai (Kyra.) — Google review
Lovely day out. But can't help but feel the zoo is lacking somewhat, lots of empty enclosures, and things being moved. Kids went free which is good, can't say I'd be overly impressed if all paid full price.
Staff were lovely, friendly and welcoming.
Will probably wait for news of new animals before returning.
Simon hill — Google review
Great Zoo! My disabled wife, teenage son , teenage daughter and I visited the zoo on 23rd October and discovered Paignton Zoo really cares about their animals and their customers.
We booked tickets online as requested and arrived at 12.30pm there was plenty of free parking but be advised the Zoo is on the side of a steep valley which if you have a self propelled wheelchair, like us, is going to be challenge.
When booking online and providing you supply proof, one carer can be submitted free of charge, which I thought very generous.
We entered the Zoo and discovered really helpful staff who offered us the opportunity to rent an off-road electric scooter for just £20 for the duration of our visit. We also had to pay a £20 deposit which would be refunded when we returned the scooter undamaged. We were in two minds whether to take this offer but this turned out to be a great investment as the hills were steep and the paths were long.
They also provided us with a map marking out the routes and attractions available via scooter or buggies. There was a real focus on making disabled customers and families with buggies/prams welcome in all areas of the zoo.
Toilets and refreshment stalls were dotted around the zoo keeping kids happy and the animals and attractions were accessible for all to see. Even though maintenance was taking place all animals were accessible, bar the giraffes. Apparently, they had a wild time the night previous and just couldn't face dealing with the public with hangovers.. we've all been there!
The zoo wasn't over crowded, there was no waiting in-line for anything even though it was quite busy. Food was lovely and we all had a really good time. We would definitely recommend a visit and don't forget to leave a donation as they get no financial support from the Government.
Mark Brace — Google review
We had a lovely time, despite being a chilly winter day, mid-February. It did mean most of the animals were staying tucked up inside in the warm. But we could view them in their quarters, apart from the Giraffes.
My 3 year old granddaughter loved it.
They are doing renovations for some of the enclosures and public park areas, which I'm sure will be fabulous by the summer.
They have some great birds and lots of cheeky apes.
I would say the Baboons need to be next on the list for a regeneration.
Fabulous, reasonably priced coffee.
Caution ⚠️(parents with little ones) The shop with delightful toys is on full view when you enter! Haha
Car parking is free.
Cindy White — Google review
We have a family pass so we can go as many times in 12 months which is amazing. The facilities for kids are great such as the soft play area that is broken down into areas for age groups. The animal enclosures are well maintained and it is clear they invest in the animals and the site as a whole.
Josh Walford — Google review
Lovely place with lots to see. Many animals stayed inside due to the cold which was a shame. Lots of walking which was great. A fabulous day out for little ones too with a couple if decent play parks. No hot food for customers from the cafe though, only hot pizzas for the workmen! Disappointing as they had run out of pasties which was the only thing available and nothing vegetarian either.
Annette Laurie — Google review
Lovely zoo with many interesting animals. Some good improvements being made to some enclosures with animal welfare being focused on. Good access for those needing, good to book a scooter beforehand, with good instruction on areas to avoid. Lunch options cater for most tastes with a number of cafes scattered around and the main restaurant well placed.
Brendan Wheeler — Google review
Took our (nearly) 3 year old here for the day and she had the time of her life. The zoo itself is more like a sprawling lush subtropical garden paradise with animal enclosures dotted throughout. The animals were all well cared for and healthy looking. The restaurant was nice too, offering a cool break from the heat outside. Make sure to take plenty of water in the warmer months! Highly recommended.
Lance Hambly — Google review
It has over 2,000 animals, however no elephants.
The giraffes are my all time favorite, wish we could get up close and personal with them.
Very clean, lovely walks on steady paths, great for disabled persons and also offer electric scooters for those that can't quite walk all the way around.
The crocodiles have been taken out of the zoo due to power shortage from the weather, but great zoo all in all.
Take a pack lunch or a picnic so you are saving on money.
kristy Smith — Google review
This is my first time to Paignton Zoo. It seems that a lot of the animals weren't there, or hiding lol. The zebra and giraffe areas looked like a building site but it does say that they're improving it at this time. I still have 5 stars because it's all about looking for the animals.
Stan Kempton — Google review
Getting to the Zoo was no problem at all after arriving at the booked time slot. It was fascinating to see the different types of animals in their almost natural enclosures. The information boards were packed with key facts and information to provide insight to what the animals eat and what are like out in the wild. We spent the whole day here which was good considering how much you are paying to gain entry. Would advise bringing a picnic but beware of the seagulls. All round good day out for two.
C R — Google review
Visited numerous times as a member. Great if you want to do something for a few hours or spend a whole day. Staff are always friendly and helpful and zoo keepers are very knowledgeable. Worth getting the membership if your are local.
Nina Goodwin — Google review
Lovely open space to walk around and explore the animals. Indoor viewing areas help when the weather is not so dry. Great cafe with a good choice of food at reasonable prices. You can also bring your own food and picnic on the benches whilst watching the animals
Carole Mead — Google review
A lovely zoo to visit on a nice day, there were four of us who went, myself and better half and two small ones (both under 3), parking was easy to find and get into with a short walk to the entrance where you’re able to view flamingos before entering, staff are warm and welcoming and seem genuinely helpful. There are a good deal of animals to see across different species along with different habitats such as an insect room and reptile house. There are opportunities to have an experience with talks and feeding sessions throughout the day for you to attend with times prominently displayed as you enter. The on site cafe and restaurant is a little expensive but not drastically pricey and the same goes for the gift shop on site as well, we came away with, I think 4, small souvenirs which totalled just above £20. The only drawbacks I experienced were some of the doors were a bit of a challenge to navigate with a double pushchair and some of the enclosures were quite far apart from each other so sensible footwear and clothing is a must. But overall a genuinely fun and engaging day out with the family
gareth puzey — Google review
Very quiet on a Friday morning into early afternoon visit. With just young families and the odd members walking around it felt like we had the place to ourselves. All the animals were visible and we saw all the new arrivals since our last visit. We also had lunch in the restaurant which was quick and convenient.
Pete Lymn — Google review
Quite hilly to walk around and to/from the car park, son was excited to realise this is where the CBBC The Zoo is filmed after recognising different areas.
Pleasant day out, a few empty enclosures but signs explaining moves around but some just closed (Black Rhino) with no explanation. Some areas were a bit tatty needing a bit of tidying up, but given the poor weather recently this is understandable as not ideal conditions to be doing these sorts of repairs.
Would perhaps be worth considering a little shuttle up to the car park as it was a long walk at the end of the day!
Dave Drinks — Google review
Pity a lot of the animals were inside their huts as we only got to see about half of the animals. Some of the snack type facilities weren’t open & it was a case of going back to the restaurant for food. Thought the prices in the restaurant were very reasonable. Paths around the zoo were good but be warned that it’s not all on a level ground.
ian parker — Google review
A great day out! Lots to see, ample parking, friendly staff. The only bad mark was that some exhibits at the time of vist (I.e. Kangaroos) were empty and this wasn't informed, but plenty else to see
Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park is a fascinating destination that offers both education and entertainment for children. This exceptional spot provides opportunities to encounter various animals, including furry, scaly, and creepy crawly creatures. Additionally, visitors can enjoy an indoor theatre and children's entertainment. The woodland and waterfall walk on Dartmoor is a challenging adventure that allows kids to explore ancient woodlands and observe wildlife while climbing over boulders.
Really beautiful place. They have 3 walks, red, blue and purple. The purple walk is definitely not for the faint hearted but stunning if you're fit and able. The blue walk takes you around the beautiful forest area. The red walk takes you to the waterfalls.
Also a nice cafe and gift shop and animals as well.
I would definitely go back, it's beautiful.
Helen Hadley — Google review
Great place for children and fit adults. The area is beautiful and the Falls are attractive. If you find walking over rocks and tree stumps difficult then this may not be for you. The animals, birds, reptiles and insects on display are brilliant.
Geoff Ansell — Google review
Amazing, good day out, take a harness for babies, no pram. There's a small cave half way down and you can find bats in there. Be careful of the spiders in there, many false widows! Highly recommend this place.
Daniel Robson — Google review
Well, this place really did surprise us, a great fun, active, day out, set in a fantastic scenic forest, which you can choose your own path, depending on whether you want a good workout or an easy stroll, but whichever you choose, trekking through the forest with the falls right there, is brilliant. To add to the day, is the animals and creatures area. Let's not forget the delicious ice-cream from the cafe on site. All in all, excellent value for money
Steve Bailey — Google review
Fantastic day out with the kids. They enjoyed the activities which kept them motivated to follow the trail. We did the blue trail which is ideal for anyone of walking age; we want to return with the older children to do the other trails. Lots to see and do. Talks from the animal keepers, opportunity to feed meerkats and see the snakes up close. The animal enclosures and buildings are wheelchair/buggy friendly but as the reserve is based around natural landscapes, the trails are not.
Samuel Snelling — Google review
This is a must go if you are in the area. The tickets may seem pricey, but for the amount of stuff there is to do, it is so worth it. If you come before 1 p.m., you can do a Feed the Meerkats session (£1 pp). It was quite fun, especially since the keeper was nice and explained everything quite well. There's a bunch of other animals to check out, and the walks are really good as well (we did the blue trail, which was really pretty). It's definitely a place to visit!
Harshvardhan Amane — Google review
Had no clue what this place was. Just stopped off on a drive with the kids and spent three wonderful hours here. Cost us £30ish for a family of four but well worth it for the conservation efforts the staff and owners of Becky Falls put in. Would go back again for sure. Kids loved it (they are 12 and 13 by the way).
Mark Minehan — Google review
Really enjoyed our time here.
Fed the goats for 50p
Wonderful variety of walking trails. Lovely climb up alongside the waterfalls. Wonderful even in wet weather. Warm restaurant with animal feeding times throughout the day. Meerkats, invert house, rabbits, pigs, goats, owl and chickens.
Sophie Lines — Google review
Amazing place. Don't want to spoil the surprises but a nice selection of animals to see but the star of the show are the falls and the trails down and back up. Red and blue blue trail is nice and easy, red trail definately.more strenuous as you go further down the river and it's not too bad going down but would want a relative level of fitness to get back up without it being too much of a struggle. The full route including the purple route, is the longest and goes the furthest down to the bottom, bit of far more difficult of a trail and it recommends good footwear. Which I found essential. No flip flops or loose fitting footwear on there and a good level of fitness as the ground will be quite difficult at times right alongside the rocky stream. Even if you don't do the full route, and just do the blue and red and leave the more difficult purple route, it's still a lovely, well worth it visit and walk. Highly recommend and bringing a picnic along is a great idea but there is a cafe at the top before you start and when you end of you want some refreshments or bites to eat. 5/5
Kelvin Wolstenholme — Google review
Lovely place to visit, had a lovely day there, see all the animals and done some lovely walks. See the falls and had a lovely cream tea in the cafe on site. Parking was good. Booked on line for tickets really easy to book etc.
Lynn Sells — Google review
Quite unique. Animals too see, picturesque views everywhere. The walks down the stream are stunning, with easier trails for those that need it, finished off with a visit to the cafe on the way out. A nice way to spend a good few hours.
Quince Honey Farm is a working honey farm that offers honey factory tours, an exhibition on honey bees, nature trails and play areas for children.
Very informative tour with lovely guides. Learned so much about bees!
Cafe offers a wide selection of delicious food, many dishes incorporating honey.
Excited to come back in a few years to see how the gardens have developed.
Megan Currie — Google review
Bees are amazing. Fact.
No bees, no life on earth.
This place is great. We went because I think bees are pretty dope little critters but this place has so much more to it.
Enter through the gift shop and there’s a cafe in front of you. We had lunch there. The service was really pleasant and the food was delicious.
We bought out tickets for the gardens which are really special and designed specifically for bees.
We took the tour which was really well paced and they offer insights into all aspects of the bee life and the products they create. You get to roll a beeswax candle and keep it, learn about the flowers that are bee friendly for you garden in the tour (my wife took lots of notes), plant and keep some seeds, hold some giant bugs, and look inside a couple of hives.
Fascinating day with more than we expected. Really relaxed with passionate staff. Thoroughly recommend.
robert robertson — Google review
Lovely family full day out! Come rain or shine is what is says and it certainly delivers! It rained on and off all day and there were lots of fun activities in the sheltered areas to keep both children (5yr old and 2 yr old) nice and busy! Will definitely be coming back on a nice hot day as think the garden will come into it's own and the children would love the outdoor play area too. Thank you for a wonderful day full of memories
Lucy Ladd — Google review
Such a fantastic place and so informative the staff are all kind and willing to help. The candle making was a really fun activity to do. You got a tasting of the honey and you got a full talk from a bee keeper and all about the bees. The cafe was really nice as well and huge portions.
cooking with yanny — Google review
Had a visit in a wet and cold April afternoon. Kids loved the soft play and grown ups loved the food in the award winning restaurant. Interesting well planned tour around the gardens and factory made it a good value day out. Stayed for 5 hours!
Penny Benjamin — Google review
Lovely few hours spent here. You can take your dog and enjoy a well equipped gift shop pertaining to bee household good quality items. Drinks honeys, chutneys, lemon curds and marmalade all made from the bees 🐝 lots to choose from. Lovely staff .really lovely large comfortable cafe and outside area. You can pay to have a tour around the grounds taste honey and watch candles being made. Worth a visit.
Dawn Scammell — Google review
If you went to the old building, go again, a lot has changed and for the better!
What a brilliant place. Absolutely fascinating tour with a lovely keeper who was not only knowledgeable but super friendly and approachable.
We loved making a candle and bee friendly plant pot.
Families will have a great time and there is a huge indoor soft play and outside play area.
The shop and restaurant is free and does some lovely gifts and we had a great lunch.
Phil Clark — Google review
Absolutely loved our visit. Staff really knew their stuff and their passion for bees was contagious. Cafe food was very tasty and worth a visit just for lunch. Bought our own body weight in honey and other goodies in the shop.....Will definitely revisit 🥰
Sarah Clare-Down — Google review
Really lovely place to visit. Lovely lady doing excellent talks about the bees. Looking forward to coming back in the summer
Stephen Burton — Google review
Fantastic place to visit, highly recommended! This place is completely voluntary and self supported, in other words, the don't have govt funding, so rely heavily on public support. They are doing research into bees and have a high knowledge base. They keep their own bees and produce their own honey. There is a cafe here which serves breakfast up until 12 with plenty of seating indoors and outdoors.
They have a shop here where you can buy all sorts of bee related products too. You can buy a tour of their facilities, which if you do, make sure to put 3 hours of your time aside. This is a brilliant tour and highly informative, all for a very reasonable price. They also have their own honey extraction and bottling factory. There is a playground for energetic children
Desiree Mahase — Google review
We couldn't bee-lieve it when we arrived. Minutes off the A361, Quince Honey Farm is a wonderful, easy to get to family day out. The staff are welcoming and friendly. As soon as we were in, only £10 per person, so for a family attraction makes it an amazing experience on a budget, we were told all that the day had in store. We got there just in time for the bee keeper talk, all about the structure and inner workings of the hive, which was fun and informative. Shortly after the same bee keeper talked us through the process of the honey factory, with a cheeky tasting at the end! For an extra £2 per person the bee keeper gave us another talk of the many uses for bees wax showing us how to roll our own bees wax candles to take home. All the talks were fun and interactive and our bee keeper was brilliant. We stopped for a bite to eat in the nectar cafe, so sadly missed the plant potting talk. After all the activities we ventured into the indoor play area so the more energetic and younger ones could blow off some energy, with a small cafe offering an assortment of hot and cold food and drinks. With a quick trip to the outdoor play area for another round of playing we headed to the beautiful gift shop to get our hands on more of that delicious golden goodness to take home.
Quince Honey Farm we will be back for another jar or two!
Weekend Wildness — Google review
We came off season and it was very quiet, which meant we were the only family on most of the activities, Our own personal tour!
The women who did the activities was fantastic, she was very engaging and so good at interacting with our toddler.
The food in the cafe was great! Really recommend.
The soft play was good, quite large in terms of height so easy so parents to clamber around.
The biggest hit of the day for my toddler was the set of tractors/diggers and spades.
Sophi — Google review
Fantastic day out with a toddler in tow, the indoor Play Hive was a real hit!!
Found it really interesting learning about the bees and seeing them in action.
Food in the restaurant was excellent and tried the famous Quince Honey Farm Honeycombe Cream Tea!! STUNNING!!
Staff were pleasant and polite throughout!! Talks given were of a high standard and you see the passion was there!!
Fiona Turner — Google review
A beautiful place with lots to do and look at, great for kids as well with indoor and outdoor play areas. The cafe food was amazing and the chef came out to check a few things with us due to allergies - extremely efficient and friendly chef! The shop is full of beautiful things to buy. The educator today was full of enthusiasm, he made the talks interesting and also funny, you also have the opportunity to roll your own candle and you get to take home your own planted seed to attract the bees. Quince Honey Farm is now in my top ten of places to visit, we had such a wonderful time and couldn’t believe how long we spent there, almost a full day.
Lindsay West — Google review
Fun day out even on a wet day.
Staying locally we knew the weather in north Devon was going to be dull so, we looked to see what was nearby for a young family.
Cafe is very spacious and offers a great variety of food, I had their own version of a cream tea with honey instead of jam. It was delicious.
We seemed to miss all the talks and workshop but they did seem to be running frequently.
If we are ever in the area again we will definitely go back.
Daniel Pattingale — Google review
Absolutely delicious Christmas Eve Brunch, great atmosphere and friendly staff, would certainly recommend also the shop was looking lovely bought three jars of honey from there. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all 🧑🎄🌲
Carol Higgins — Google review
What an amazing day! Staff were super knowledgeable and passionate. We spent 4hrs going to all the talks, shop, cafe, candle making. Could easily have done a whole day to make the most of the soft play, outdoor play area and meadow trail. Highly recommend!
Holly — Google review
4.5
(1935)
•
4.0
(868)
Aller Cross, South Molton, EX36 3RD, United Kingdom
Castle Drogo is a medieval-style castle located three miles northeast of Chagford, England. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for Julius Drewe, a self-made food millionaire, and constructed between 1911 and 1931. The castle was meant to have all the amenities of a country house but has not aged well over time. Currently undergoing extensive renovations that are expected to last six years, parts of Castle Drogo remain open for tours.
Overbeck's Garden is an Edwardian country house located at the Salcombe estuary mouth, boasting lush and subtropical gardens with stunning sea views. Formerly owned by Otto Overbeck, a renowned inventor who created the Rejuvenator machine, the property contains countless curios and quirky historical collections. The garden itself is home to a diverse collection of exotic plants such as palm trees, banana plants, citrus trees and olive trees that provide visitors with a hidden paradise to explore.
A fabulous place to visit if you love plants. There's lots of different areas to enjoy and it is so well kept. The views are spectacular too! It is a bit of a trek up the hill so best to book parking if necessary.
Debs Middleton — Google review
Pleasant day out in an interesting garden where (in my opinion) native plants are mixed with some more exotic ones.
If travelling by car, the walk from the NT car park is about a mile with the last bit down to Overbecks more of a trail than a path.
John Charlick — Google review
Had this location on my list for quite a long time, finally had the chance to visit! Such a beautiful and peaceful place, very clean, well maintained. Unfortunately the house was close due to renovation when I visited, better luck next time. Didn’t know that the entrance had a price, £8.50 per adult, the parking is £6 all day, or if you’re lucky will be free if you find parking at the beginning of the entrance. If you are visiting Devon, Overbeck’s Garden worth visiting!!💚
Maria Sociu — Google review
Nice garden bit of a hilly walk but no problem. Difficult to find and very small car park, so arrive early. Lovely views
Charles Elwell — Google review
Wow what a beautiful garden, very well kept. It is a hidden paradise! Absolutely breathtaking views and a wonderful selection of interesting plants. Great nature hunts too to keep any children entertained. Due to the hilly location it might prove challenging for anyone less stable on their feet.
Miss B's Plan B — Google review
As printed in brochure lovely little nook. Great place to just relax, unwind and breathe. If you have trouble going up steps or step inclines you may want to give it a miss. The car park only had room for about 10 cars so be wary as very narrow lanes. But check out my pics for an idea of what to expect.
G Muller — Google review
Stunning sub tropical gardens with superb views. Follow the recommended route to see everything.Catering van outside for tea, coffee and snacks. House closed at present for structural work.
Roger Dobbs — Google review
Absolutely loved our trip to the gardens. Staff were super accommodating, venue is beautiful and looked after extremely well. Has one of the best views of Salcombe estuary and the coast. Highly recommended and on the 'must see' list when in Salcombe
Alex B — Google review
Really lovely NT place with stunning views (when the weather plays nicely! 😉) and an amazing array of plants, shrubs, and trees. Listen out for the Polyphon as you wander the grounds...a real treat.
Andy Goodwin — Google review
So good. Lovely amazing gardens. Lovely snacks and refreshments from a small cafe with outside seating. Highly recommended.
mick raymond — Google review
Lovely gardens. Would be great if the house could be open too
Richard Bodenham — Google review
It was such an amazing feeling up there, It felt like a tropical country the enriched flora and fauna are simply phenomenal. Its history is even more surprising and holistic. Incredible effort from the gardeners and volunteers for keeping it so natural. The only disappointment was the house was closed for renovation but let's hope it opens soon.
Aami A — Google review
It’s considerably more than a tropical garden, there is a woodland walk, but the hot herbaceous boarders are at their peak spiciness as are the terraces of agapanthus. All areas were immaculate too.
Don’t miss the beautiful small greenhouse with some lovely found nests retrieved from the garden. It’s also a rare pleasure for a garden to facilitate a picnic and what a view!
The staff were some of the friendliest NT volunteers I’ve met too.
Alison Medd — Google review
This is an absolutely fabulous garden. It is well worth driving down the very narrow roads to reach it. There is a huge range and quantity of sub-tropical plants. There are plenty of benches to sit on and the views are to die for. We entered the grounds armed with delicious coffee and pastries from the extremely well stocked catering van parked at the entrance. This could well be the best garden I have visited.
Rustic-chic pub offering understated rooms & a cottage, plus sea views, a terrace & free parking.
June 22nd. Lane's to Hope cove are tight but just take your time over the last couple of miles and be prepared to reverse for farm vehicles and lorries.
Parking was no problem and done with the RingGo app.
Beautiful little hidden away harbour great for kids and swimming. Boats to hire. Plenty of places to eat and drink and for the more adventurous walk the coast path to the old iron age settlement.
Dogs can go on the beach but only on a lead.
John Arundel — Google review
Lovely village, very friendly locals, had a great time in The Hope and Anchor.
Excellent food, the Dark Chocolate mousse was divine. Yum 😋
Julie Hickford — Google review
What a place! We’ve just stayed there for 2 nights.
Staff are wonderful. Could not do enough for everyone.
Food was exceptional. Anything you want they’ll do. Mussels are outstanding by the way!
We are definitely going again.
Thank you for everything 👏
Nikki Nelson — Google review
We stayed here as going to a friends party. The welcome as we arrived was warm and friendly. There was a lovely buzz throughout the pub and the show round to our room a great touch.
We ate but hadn't booked, this was not a problem we were well looked after with attentive service. A great team who looked after everyone who came into the pub to stay, eat or have a drink. Thank you to the Hope and anchor team.
helen sprason — Google review
It's worth the drive along the narrow access road. Parking was easy on the day we were there as the weather was a bit breezy, to say the least. A small beach backed by a small number of houses and pubs, there wasn't a great deal of walking to be enjoyed unless you were tackling sections of the coastal path.
Chris Booth — Google review
Beautiful place! We walked down to Hope Cove from where we were staying. Heard it is difficult to park there. Roads are also very narrow.
Lovely sandy beach. Great for kids. There is a post office, convenience store (selling Salcombe ice-cream) , a couple of pubs, a great little art/craft gallery and public toilets.
It is quite hilly, so not great for anyone who struggles to walk.
Definitely recommend!
Jo B — Google review
We had a very lovely lunch upstairs looking at wild sea with friends. The food was excellent especially the fish finger sandwich and fish n chips the gluten free menu was amazing. Pie was good also. All served by a very attentive waiter Lee was a fair price.
Lesley Treloar — Google review
Every time I've come here, it's been a blast. There's a lovely view, lovely crowd and lovely staff. I love the Wednesday quiz nights. Won't forget the bartender Sam, what an amamzing guy. Lovely every time! I will be down here again!
Dominic Seymour — Google review
We love this beautiful little cove, lots going on in and around the harbour, plenty of people enjoying the water on boats, canoes, paddle boards etc, a couplr of eateries, a shop/ post office, small church and even a gallery.
Cheryl Taysum — Google review
Lovely hidden Devon village with great beaches and lovely walks along the cliffs. If you're lucky, you'll catch a sunset here. Unforgettable!
Marc Heaselden — Google review
Gorgeous spot! We’ve eaten here many times now and the food is good, but what really makes it is the location and the service. What better way to spend an early evening sipping wine in the outside terrace watching the sea. Peter looked after us and our dogs so well - we felt very welcome. We would recommend a visit if you’re in the area.
Jaquie Eames — Google review
Seven of us, fed well. Nice food served together: steak fries went down a treat, naan chicken likewise. My southern fried wrap was nicely flavoured but I could have done with some chips rather than crisps. Perhaps better for those seeking light rather than bigger lunches. However, pudding brilliant: the brulee rice pudding with raspberries was delicious, as were the other puddings. Beer good, tea quite funky with very stylish teapots.
G Hartland — Google review
Hope cove is a proper secret of the South Devon coast, this pub is perfect for the location. Plenty of tables, right on the beach, good food, friendly worth a visit. Although the menu is good , i hope that in due course, they will change it from time to time as we visit there many times. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, I haven't stayed in the rooms but I have seen them and they look really nice.
Youngie — Google review
We were staying in Hope Cove as we frequently do this last week. We went to the Hope and Anchor for a drink in the evening before launching ourselves up the cliff path to the Lanterns. We received a very warm welcome from Sam, behind the bar, who was very attentive to our needs and provided a superb service. The other staff were helpful too.It felt really good to be there and so we attended the following night, on Sam’s invitation to the quiz night. What a great fun time that was! It was well executed with good humour and one of the best pub quizzes I’ve ever been to despite the fact our group of four came out bottom (the free consolation prize was very welcome and made getting questions wrong, feel alright£. I would say this well run warm inviting place is a must for anyone visiting Hope Cove. Thanks everyone for. Please pass on our well deserved gratitude, Terry
Terry Sankey — Google review
Lovely pub. Very welcoming. Fab location in Hope Cove. Food looks off a high standard although we didn't eat. Very dog friendly. Quiet in low season but imagine it would be very different in high season.
Robby Elliott — Google review
great location, very friendly welcome and service, food is good and as you’d expect from a st Austell brewery hostelry establishment, very much appreciated (well honey did) the welcome doggy basket, containing bowls, poo bags and a bag of treats….. lovely touch and definitely softens the £15 dog surcharge, evening meal was good and breakfast was what we all have come to expect from these and premier inn type establishments. Definitely recommended
Michael Wright — Google review
A lovely Saturday afternoon lunch. Booked in advance and got a table upstairs with a view of the beach. Water on the table, menus & orders placed promptly. Food was very nice & service friendly and without fuss or intrusion. Very relaxed, family friendly spot.
Sean Paull — Google review
4.5
(1363)
•
4.5
(683)
Anchor Cottages, Hope Cove, Kingsbridge TQ7 3HQ, United Kingdom
The Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park is a family-friendly zoo in Devon with an indoor soft play area, a train ride on the Dinosaur Express, a dinosaur museum, and more.
Came here with my 5yo son had a great afternoon! Lots to see and explore.
The sea lion show was a bit of fun, but, my favourite thing was feeding the South American tiny monkeys strawberries (not sure if this was allowed?).
The cafes and shops are very reasonably priced which was a nice surprise!
I think this place would suit all ages and obviously animal lovers (though most creatures are caged).
Definitely worth a visit!!
Kevin De Carteret — Google review
Order tickets in advance (online) for a discount, even on the morning of the same day qualifies.
Lots of parking on site, but steep walks to and from the car park. There are also lots of steps throughout the park, which are wide enough to get a pram up and down, but there are no routes around them, or slopes/non-steps routes that don’t skip huge areas of the park.
The park is setup as 2x trials through the woods with animal enclosures and plastic dinosaurs (some animated/mechanised). None of it is too scary however, with our 1.5yr old being perfectly happy all the way through. There is also a soft play area at the start of the park (access included in the ticket price)
Alex Smith — Google review
Visited when I was younger year after year, 20 years later went with my girlfriend and recreated some old photos 😅. Quality day out, cafes, all sorts of animals you could think of, museum, Tombs everything. It's like many parks all In one, ever in Combe Martin this is a must visit for the family, couples, everyone.
Carl Burgess — Google review
Loved it here we went with our nearly 2 year old and she loved the train and soft play as well as all the animals. Only down side is the amount of hills and disabled/buggy access restricting you from seeing some areas.
Missi Mo — Google review
Wow! Really enjoyed it here. Staff were super friendly, all animals were amazing. Lots of great talks that happen daily I think! Very knowledgable staff. Meerkats and sea lion talks are a must! You can get cheaper tickets if you purchase online. Great picnic area. Dinosaur area for kids, and adults that are interested! There was also an east egg hunt when we went that was great fun. Only negative is that it’s a very vertical site. Wheelchair users, prams and the elderly may struggle.
Adam James Photography — Google review
Great day out for all the family, dinosaurs and wild animals everywhere.... watch out for the cheeky parrots in the trees. All the animals are well looked after and it shows as they are lively and out to greet you. The wolves are very lively and watch you as you walk past the enclosures. The primates area was the most entertaining with the lemurs jumping everywhere. We loved the meerkat also watching them going along there daily business. Food was very good. I recommend the bacon brie and cranberry baguette. Almost forgot about the sea lions, they were amazing and we timed it just right with feeding time.
T_P Outsider — Google review
When reading reviews and seeing people say how steep and hilly it was, I didn’t actually think it would be that bad! However, pushing a pram was rather challenging. I would also avoid if pregnant as it is hard work! I would also think again about taking kids who are not fans of walking as this would be challenging. Some of the paths in the dinosaur area / Japanese garden are not wheelchair or pushchair friendly. Steps appear out of no where and no alternative route but to turn back.
The car parks are so steep there’s even signs saying please apply handbrake ect!
The park itself was good value for money! The sea lion show was funny!
Some parts of the park need a lot of TLC. Especially the Japanese gardens, there was hardly any water flowing down the steam. You could tell it needed a lot of work but has such great potential to be beautiful.
The park itself is a little hard to navigate, the maps are not accurate and they are located on little signs on the walls. There’s not much clear signage as to what part you are going.
The train ride however was the biggest waste of £1 each i have ever paid. Kids on the train even passed comments on how pointless it was!
Food was lovely and had great variety. The kids meals were great value.
Soft play was also a bonus that they have there!
However entrance to the park was shocking, there’s no ticket or anything you have or band / stamp to say you’ve paid. You can walk into the park through the disabled car park and there’s NO form of security / ticket office what so ever! I could have literally walked in today and not got caught or questioned by anyone!!
Overall, a good day but I don’t think I would return again! Especially because of those hills!
Roisin M — Google review
Lovely place. not overly busy and in a beautiful valley setting, our son loved it.
The animals are beautiful and hearing the wolf howls echo around the valley was amazing.
As its in a valley there are steep paths, so differently abled people may find the going a little slow. The only real negative was the train raid, it was over in less than 5 mins and our son was upset. We thought perhaps it took us around some of the animals but its literally a quick forward and back ride to a small waterfall. Other than that it was a great day day trip on our short holiday.
Andrew Hussey — Google review
Mixed feelings about this wildlife centre, while there were many animals here which were under preservation, I do think some of the enclosures could be bigger - especially for the lions and the wolves. I understand this would mean a higher budget than the centre could afford but it seems a bit unethical to keep animals known for being in huge plains stuck in relatively small area.
Apart from this, I think keeping some of these animals from extinction to be an actively good cause and I liked how the wildlife centre put up notices about climate change, litter, and respecting the animals.
I guess zoo’s and wildlife centres have become a moral grey area! I just want the best conditions for these animals but I’m sure the workers there want that too.
Lastly, here are some pictures of all the amazing animals I met :)
jamie montgomery — Google review
Another fantastic day out although very sad that both lions have died since our last visit but they now have lots and lots of Wolves, lovely day out, great indoor soft play, car park and entrance is very very steep so keep that in mind, parts of the park are also steep so if you are taking people in wheelchairs you might want to avoid or make sure the wheel chair is powered, also elderly people or people will l with health conditions might struggle with parts of the site. Totally worth a visit though, for kids and adults of all ages. Buy tickets online before your visit to save money.
Paul Knox — Google review
Nice afternoon out. I thought it'd just be for the kiddies, but very interesting about how our planet was all those millions of years ago.
Some nice animals to see as well, including 2 full grown lions, & also a sea lion show. I thought it was well worth the £16 entry fee. Only negative is it's not for those who aren't very mobile on the old legs, it's very hilly.
Paul Barratt — Google review
Our son loved it, it's the perfect combination of zoo and dinosaur park making it ideal for an enthusiast of both. Easy to find and lots to look at, it's a great day out. Make sure to find time to watch the sea lion show and listen to some of the talks.
Jonathan Hateley — Google review
Amazing place that really cares about its animals.
Supports many projects that benefit animals worldwide, is set in beautiful landscape, has a great selection of animals to see, and the staff are always really helpful and genuinely love their job.
All of this at an excellent price!
Can't recommend it highly enough.
Some steep terrain around the park, so be prepared for some walking!
Samuel Rakic — Google review
Absolute Joy to visit here once again , was just my wife and I this time so we could go slowly and enjoy the parks offerings , some of the dinosaurs are looking a little dated and in need of a little repair but it didn't ruin our trip , absolutely loved the Howling Grey Wolves too !
Ben ?Lenny B 84? Lane — Google review
It's a nice day out, but it's looking so run down and tatty. It's a shame to see it like this as I remember as a child it being so much better. Animals look comfortable and looked after.
Stacey Vallins — Google review
Good selection of animals, with decent sized enclosures. Sea Lion show is a must, Morgan is a legend ! Enjoyed the dinosaur theme too and the Egyptian tomb. Very steep coming down from the carpark, so probably best to drop off anyone with mobility issues at the bottom. Really good day with the family, would definitely recommend.
Robin Marchant — Google review
Visited here in the summer. Had a pushchair with me which was doable but it is extremely hilly and a few sneaky steps too. Spent around 4 hours here with my little boy. Steep climb back up to the carpark. But 100% worth it
Great to watch some of the Animal talks and chat to some of the keepers
Kails C — Google review
We really enjoyed our afternoon in the wildlife and dinosaur park. The children loved the jungle Dino section and the sea-lion presentation.
Lots to see throughout the park.
They had fun in the indoor play area whilst the grown ups enjoyed a coffee.
laurie wilson — Google review
Friendly welcoming staff and a zoo with a look of quirks. Staff are knowledgeable and genuinely interested in questions. Gift shop is reasonably priced and the animals all look well looked after. Be wary it is incredibly hilly and a hard walk
Jade Hart — Google review
White a small park with not a lot to do so don't take all day. One of the best thing here in my opinion is the sea lion show which I would recommend. On the other hand the small train was a £1 pp on top of the entry fee. Oval My family enjoyed our time here but will not be returning.
Wesley — Google review
4.3
(2635)
•
4.0
(1826)
Combe Martin, Wildlife Park, EX34 0NG, United Kingdom
Damien Hirst's public sculpture, Verity, is a 20.25-meter tall stainless steel and bronze statue of a pregnant Amazonian figure with a sword. The sculpture overlooks the historic harbour of Ilfracombe in Devon, England. It has received mixed reviews from art critics for its uncompromising nature and resemblance to the Statue of Liberty.
Absolutely stunning piece of artwork by Damien Hirst. Parking (payable) available right next to her, but do walk around the harbour and admire her from afar too.
Tara Sanders — Google review
Wroth visiting for the wonderful piece of art! Love the story behind it and what she represents. I highly recommend visiting if you are into looking at art installations!
Chloe Westall — Google review
This is a piece of public opinion dividing art!..stunning large sculpture of Verity in the harbour looking out to sea. Thought provoking and debate making work by Damien Hurst. I can imagine how much this could have caused some concern when erected by the local people as some would feel the sculpture rather graphic. Personally I really enjoyed seeing her set against the sea with a church on the cliff top to the left of the harbour bringing further reason for conversation. Parking in the harbour area and several other tourist information signs for other parking with views of the sculpture. Outside attraction so except for the parking charge free to view. Disability access throughout and public toilets in the harbour car park with disabled access.
Her Indoors — Google review
Just beautiful, especially when you realise what this sculpture represents. I love Verity and have visited her everytime I've come to Ilfracombe.
Nic Wilding — Google review
What an amazing statue. Standing so tall and strong. It's beautiful and gross at the same time but when you really look at it it's amazing.
lynn buckey — Google review
The stature looks awesome! It's cool to see the baby inside her belly. I like that she symbolises truth and justice cause it fits. The scale in her hand shows justice and the torn skin the truth (cause you can see everything (literally!))
Also the cliffs there are stunning and you can make a historic tour on a lifeboat! And a parking area is there too.
Greenapple Arrow — Google review
Very impressive sculpture but a bit weird.
When stood below, the size of the sculpture is insanely beautiful. Stretching up into the sky above you. However its a bit weird in terma of subject matter and shows the inside of a pregnant woman. I know its art but I think its a bit weird.
However from this point the views of the harbour are stunning and not to be missed.
Phoebe Hunt — Google review
Beautiful sculpture. If you walk around the bay and pick the coastal walk heading towards Hele Bay you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the harbour and Verity herself.
Karla Barrett — Google review
A beautiful statue one of the best I've seen in the world. And a great place for it with the sea in the background I imagine it looks even better in stormy weather
Stephen Wicketts — Google review
We visited 'Verity' on a holiday in North Devon. It is a somewhat controversial statue liked by some people, disliked by others and thought about by others. It is a pregnant woman standing on a pile of legal tomes holding the scales of justice by her side and a sword aloft. It is constructed using stainless steel and bronze with a polymer strengthened glass fibre sword. To many people seeing the statue from one side is too much, you can see a foetus inside the body as the skin has not been included. Damien Hirst, the sculptor describes it as an allegory of truth and justice. It made me think, and that is a good thing, in my view statues should be more that a pretty object.
Gerard Harris — Google review
Visited Ilfracombe yesterday and came across the sculpture of Verity, quite a thought provoking statue, I had to look at it from all angles, such an amazing piece of work ❤️ I can't wait to look up the background into the statue, thank you Damian Hirst for such an amazing piece of art
Vivian Bebbington — Google review
Well worth a visit verity is wonderful. Make sure to view it from all sides.
Woolacombe Beach is a long, sandy beach located in North Devon. It's known for its surfing waves and expansive views, as well as its dog-friendly policies in the summer. The beach is also popular with kitesurfers and surfers due to its consistent waves and breaks.
Fantastic sandy beach which is a surfers paradise. There's an added bonus of beach tent hire as well as beach hut hire. These are ideal if you're wanting to spend the day at the beach and will be in and out of the sea. There are surf lessons available, aswell as surf board and wetsuit hire. Dogs are allowed off the lead on half of the beach, which is actually the nicer area as it tends to be a bit quieter. Fab day out and a gorgeous beach
KLD84 — Google review
One of the countries best beaches - but it gets full, if your prepared to walk a ways you can find space and enjoy this two mile beach. The car park is six pounds per day so you can arrive when ever you want. The sand dunes at the back of the beach look spectacular. The Eid off the sea can be cold
Graham Short — Google review
Such a big beach and lovely to walk along or sit down to relax. Part of the beach is dog friendly and the other half is not so all are welcome. There is a cafe down there also if you want a bite to eat. The only thing is that the parking everywhere is a bit of a rip off ranging from £5-10 depending on the time of day for whatever duration you choose to stay, even if for an hour or 2. Overall would visit here though if you haven't.
Holly O'Sullivan — Google review
Great day out great venue, been coming with the children for over twenty years. Now children all grown up they still come with use. Great place to walk the dogs. Great venues locally for food plenty to choose from. Plenty of parking as well.
Andy Outten — Google review
A lovely beach. Smooth sand and clean water. Good amenities close by and a nice place to spend the day.
Julian Purchase — Google review
A beautiful beach very calm excellent sand dunes lots of people enjoying the waves surfing and using body boards. Great views and fresh sea air very tidy beach well worth a visit. Excellent for a little exploring in the sand dunes for kids.
Garden Yard Gainz (Boom) — Google review
Fantastic beach great for all the family once you get past the first 100m of crowds. We'll worth parking on marine drive and enjoy the cafe.
Simon Bond — Google review
Gorgeous beach. Feels like you are abroad! Massive and has a grass bank to sit on. Great day out with friends. Have plenty of food places for chips and icecream. The toilets/ changing rooms are clean and kept to a high standard
casey parks — Google review
This is a lovely sandy beach you could spend a day here it has sand dunes walkes but so peaceful miles of sand
Gillian Clarke — Google review
Beautiful beach! Very clean and tidy and dog friendly too.
We interesting display by the car park telling you all about the history of the area in the last 200 years.
Jason Owen — Google review
The most amazing beach. We were so lucky to catch such a beautiful sunset on the beach one night too, which I will remember for a life time.
The beach is clean and has facilities near by. Large car park and the beach is so large it never gets too over crowded.
A must visit!
Georgina Bone — Google review
Wonderful clean, sandy beach with dedicated dog areas. The dogs loved it and do did we... So much so we visited twice during our week in the area
Michelle Dugard — Google review
One of the best beaches I've ever been too. Extremely clean and very very big. A great walk is from one end to another and end with a good lunch at either end.
Lifeguards great as always and water very clean. No litter visible
Olly Stump — Google review
Calm and clean sandy beach. Pet friendly. Easy access from parking. And one of the best place to see the sunset, make sure to take beach rug/mat or chairs (and some wine too if you wanna make it more memorable and romantic😍) There is a nice pizza takeaway in the parking too.
viral mac — Google review
It's a great beach for all sorts of outdoor activities. Parking is the issue during busier times, but there is plenty of room on the sand.
Lazarus — Google review
Stunning, clean, flat long stretch of sandy beach in beautiful north Devon. Perfect for running or walking the dog as there are compact bits, kids swam on a particular hot day. It's great for paddle boarding. Seen two life guards vehicle on beach.
There are plenty of car or caravan parking spaces available in front of beach. Remember it's not free parking lol. Over all one of the great beach I have been to.
AJMAL KAZMI — Google review
Great beach split into dog and no dog sides ,
Food stalls and bins on the beach life guards
Very clean can get very busy but there is plenty of space parking available on the road and carpark at 10 for all-day or 5 for after 4pm
Troy Bailey — Google review
One of the best beaches around uk for relaxing and surfing. You cannot go wrong with this place. Very very busy in high season but definately worth trying. Lifeguards are on duty on both sides of the beach which is divided for dog friendly or not. Plenty of car parking spaces within very short walking distance. Surfing equipment avalible, as well as ice cream coffees and quick snacks.toilets are avalible free of charge on each side of the main entrance.
Michal Sawa — Google review
Fabulous beach. Surfing, lifeguards attentive and vigilant. Toilets, litter bins in various spots along the beach. Food options. Clearly signed areas for: emergency access, dog free areas, dog on lead, off lead and surfing zones. A great day out.
Clare Eames — Google review
4.8
(3043)
•
4.5
(3807)
United Kingdom
I'll never travel to Newquay without this trip planner again
The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth is a popular tourist attraction with a waterfront location. It features many enormous tanks and aquariums, as well as the cafe offering panoramic harbour views.
We had a great time in here, plenty to see, do and read about. Lots of seating areas to just relax and sit and watch the fish. Ramps and lifts for disabled access / prams. There is a cafe for refreshments. At various times throughout the day you can watch talks about different creatures. Very enjoyable, entertaining and good for learning about the environment. Must prebook to go in, can’t just walk up and go in.
Claire Cronin (All Things Dark & Dirty) — Google review
National marine aquarium is great for a few hours. Well set out and a lot of exhibits for children and adults. For some reason I was allowed to convert a normal ticket to a years ticket for free. A nice surprise. You won’t find anything else quite like this in the UK if you are into sea creatures
Geoff — Google review
We had a delightful visit today. The staff was pleasant and attentive. The aquariums were alive and teeming with underwater wonders.
The entire place was impeccably clean, and it was evident that the animals were well taken care of with dedication and love. This added to the overall experience of observing the thriving and healthy creatures in the aquariums. The larger exhibits were incredibly fascinating, captivating us for extended periods as we constantly discovered new things. While the price may be a bit high, the fact that it's valid for an entire year makes it well worth it, especially if you live within driving distance.
Daniel Adalist — Google review
First visit having seen the documentary. Great use of space and exhibits. Good that there is more than one viewing area as we visited on a weekend and with families it was very busy. Very good information and signage, best take your time viewing as not able to backtrack easily to re-see things you may have missed.
Donna Stevens — Google review
Had a great time here. Quite busy, 12-3 on a Saturday. Very good wheelchair access.
Spent ages just watching the huge tanks, better than TV! Staff all very helpful.
Sharon Hanna — Google review
Was really good, went here for my girlfriend's birthday and we both loved it and will be back. Highlight is definitely the massive tank, where you get three or four views into it, including a massive, floor to ceiling, curved window that allows you to see the whole thing. On top of that, you also get free return within a year when you visit, all in all super impressed!
Matt Bulbeck — Google review
I've made the online booking, and it was easy to enter the building. The staffs were really helpful. I have opted for the morning 10 to 11 slot, which was less crowded. Aquarium is good and well maintained. However, I felt like 25£ per adult is too much, but kids or toddlers would definitely enjoy this place.
Akash Surendran — Google review
Fantastic day out - staff obviously love their jobs and I can see why.
Amazing place to spend time - clearly they are passionate about the Aquarium and the animals they care for...
Saw this on Secrets of the Aquarium and was determined to see it for myself... my son and his family along with my sister, her daughter and I had the bestt day out there...
Interesting, informative displays, excellent facilities and a perfect chilled put vibe... 👌
Perfect
Louise Sills — Google review
Really fun place to visit. Great for adults and kids. There were a few areas that could have done with a bit more info. Lots to see and do, even a boat wreck to see with the sharks!
Only negative was the cafe, food looked past it’s best, with a very limited menu so we ate elsewhere.
Alison Rennie — Google review
Absolutely amazing experience! The tanks are very well designed and their marine environments perfectly compliment the beautiful fish inside them. The shark tank was great as was the huge 'cinema' tank with seating to relax for awhile and maybe catch a talk or two from the very knowledgeable staff. All the displays have tons of information and the language is accessible to all ages. Definitely recommend a visit. Please beware the café and bar are a bit expensive, so budget that in.
Graeme Harris — Google review
Fascinatling, especially very big aquarium with sharks and stingrays. So many different species of fish and sea creatures. Had a wonderful few hours. Definitely will go back in a future.
Briga Honda — Google review
Amazing for the kids. And oldies alike. Amazing collection and very well presented in a modern aquarium. They let you make multiple visits during one year of buying your tickets. Worth every penny
Suḍāka Dh. — Google review
Went in summer holidays so very very busy. Ticket price 25 pounds per adult !! and add parking your car in a very tight car park 8.50. All indoors, cafe and toilets. Had a nice day but would say go in winter months.
Amy Hill — Google review
Good for all children, big and small! Parking is close by which is not too expensive but not the cheapest. This is not run by the aquarium, so they have no control over it.
Lots of great exhibitions showing loads of marine animals from over the world.
Extras you can do are private feeding and backstage passes.
Matthew Robinson — Google review
This surely must be the jewel of Plymouth. What a fantastic place and venue. Most weekend's you'll find the aquarium turns into a concert venue and puts on Candlelight concerts featuring: Vivaldi, Coldplay, Taylor Swift etc. Great staff, food and now offering a ticket deal where you buy one ticket and get access for the whole year.
Marc Salter — Google review
A wonderful collection of marine nature. We visited in the year it opened 1998, and it was marvellous. Having just visited in 2024 it did not disappoint and is as exciting, educational and enchanting as ever. The staff are all very cheerful, helpful and knowledgeable. We will be back hopefully sooner than 2050!
Fraser Bishop — Google review
So what do you do when you have guest? Well you go to the Aquarium is what you do. Great location, excellent staff and the fish are well behaved HA! At first you do think it's a little pricey, however the tickets last a year and you can visit again and again.
So give it a go, we will again.
Mark Davies — Google review
Very nice place to go around, BUT it was very expensive, just the two of us . The price was £ 41.00 .but saying that it is worth a day out. The staff are very friendly and helpful. When you get to end, you can sit down in the
In the cafe and something to have a drink and food .
Graham Eckley — Google review
A good 2 hour experience and plenty of close up action to large fish, rays, sharks and a cheeky turtle called Friday. Hang around for the interesting talk about sharks - get there at least 15 minutes early for a seat.
I honestly thought The Deep at Hull and the Blue Planet Aquarium near Chester were better and the shop here wasn't very good but the kids loved the fish displays and your ticket gives you free entry for a year and all ticket proceeds go to charity.
David Wood — Google review
4.4
(5808)
•
4.0
(2780)
Rope Walk, Coxside, Plymouth, PL4 0LF, United Kingdom
The Barbican Kitchen is a classic, internationally influenced brasserie in a famous distillery. It offers fresh fish and chips as well as other British seaside town staples like pies and pasties. The area around the restaurant has been restored after the Blitz bombings, so it's charming and cosy with great views of the marina.
Went here for a meal prior to a night out. 7 of us enjoyed fabulous food. And great service.
The food was divine.
Thank you for your service. We will be back soon!
Philip Partridge — Google review
A great place in a lively part of town. Offering a great selection of food, generous portions and all perfectly cooked.
We had squid and parfait to start, squid was delicious and tender. We were lucky to have the Chateaubriand, there was just one available (worth calling ahead)
Definitely recommend booking ahead.
Mass Barbato — Google review
Great food and the truffle mayo and parmesan fries were the best ever!! Staff friendly and professional. Only down side was the mashed potato hubby had, was on the cold side of aired - admittedly they replaced it straight away with an individual bowl of the same, unfortunately this too was aired at best. That being said hubby was happy with rest of the meal, with the steak cooked perfectly.
Hilary Ford — Google review
Not a cheap place by a long shot. But you get what you pay for, we'll worth it. Food was amazing. Service spot on.
Would definitely go again for next special occasion.
Jem Jennings — Google review
Had been before, enjoyed, come back again and enjoyed. Very reasonable menu, reasonably priced, well prepared and presented. Not mind blowing, but bank busting either. Pleasant ambiance and friendly service. Enjoyed the evening, would recommend and will be back.
richard cope — Google review
A real gem in the South-West!
We have visited Barbican Kitchen 3-4 times now, on our visit to see family in Plymouth, from London. We always make a point to have a date night here. It is our most favourite place to eat, even amongst the Michelin-starred restaurants we have been to. We just love the cosy, unstuffy, relaxed atmosphere of this restaurant. The ingredients are always the best quality, seasonal and fresh- this is reflected on the pleasantly ever-changing menu.
We love trying different plates and love the recommendations from the staff. The prices for plates are more than fair - they reflect the quality of the cooking, the ingredients and the service. We know that if this were in London, we'd likely pay more than double our bill for the same food!
The variety of options are truly exciting. Portion sizes are just perfect, if not generous. There is something for everybody and every 'food-mood' you are in. My partner has thoroughly enjoyed their beef burgers and loves their grilled steak options!
I have a personal affinity for the 'catch of the day' and the other fish dishes on offer. I also often find myself dreaming about my next encounter with their sticky toffee pudding...
A special mention must be made for the staff that work here (won't name names for privacy reasons). Attentive, not intrusive or pressurising and incredibly welcoming. Always vigilant of when we need a top-up of water!
We love how friendly, polite and genuinely informative the staff are here. They go over and beyond to make sure that you are well looked after. They are the real gems of this place along with the exquisite food; just seriously lovely people that you want to see again.
Well done, Tanner Brothers!
See you soon!
R S — Google review
We chose this place at random. Excellent decision! Lovely friendly staff and a good atmosphere. Good choice on the menu too.
I had the ox cheek which was delicious and almost melted in my mouth. My husband had the hake which he thoroughly enjoyed. We treated ourselves to pudding, I had chocolate fondant and Simon had the cheeseboard.
Overall a great experience and if we were to visit Plymouth again we would definitely eat here.
Rebecca Alexander — Google review
Sharing some photos of a memorable meal at the Barbican Kitchen. There was a relaxed informal atmosphere, excellent food and friendly, efficient service. I was pleased to see that the menu has a varied list of vegan choices as well as vegetarian and meat-containing options. Good to see that there is a set menu as well as à la carte options.
July 2023: another excellent meal with good atmosphere and excellent service. Please see the photos of hummus, sweetcorn risotto, ribeye steak and chocolate mousse.
Andrew Miller — Google review
Exquisite meal here last night, which also happened to be my first visit at The Barbican Kitchen.
It is on the pricier side, however the quality of the food is amazing and very well presented which makes it worth it.
I’d recommend the caramelised onion and goats cheese tart and butternut squash risotto…. both were divine.
The truffle and parmesan fries are also a MUST - they’re the best I’ve had!
Service was friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself was cosy and inviting.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for somewhere just that little bit more special.
Megan Green — Google review
Food was very tasty however prices were on the high side. There was a good range of dishes on the menu, however service was a little slow and the waitress wasn’t the most welcoming. Probably would visit again but for the food only. It is however in a pretty location and decor is nice.
Tobias — Google review
Amazing food, service and setting. Tucked away. Its a real gem. It has a lift as well.
matt crisp — Google review
31 May 2023
The Barbican Kitchen is located in the same building as Plymouth Gin Distillery, and has been one of our favourite since we've studied 14 years ago. It's owned by Tanner brothers whom used to have an amazing Michelin star restaurant (sadly closed down) nearby.
It was a natural choice for us to dine here on our last night in Plymouth, and it really did not disappoint! I had pressed plum tomato terrine and seared wild sea bass and hubs had chicken liver parfait and slow cooked Westcountry lamb shoulder... all of which the ingredients were so tasty and didn't need much sauce. Tomato were bursting with flavour, sea bass and lamb were really really nicely done.
Minako Ishibashi — Google review
Great food. Duck egg starter was absolutely excellent and pork belly main also. Attentive, but not pressured service. Price reasonable as well for quality. All round recommend.
Ian Bond — Google review
3 of us had the spider crab as a starter.
Fabulous!
All mains were good too.
Service was excellent.
Consistently good. And a firm favourite.
Jan Thompson — Google review
Wonderful restaurant, nice and relaxed atmosphere. Service was great, staff were attentive, very friendly and professional. Food was delicious, good value for money and generous portions!
Leah B — Google review
4.6
(578)
•
4.5
(1740)
Black Friars Distillery, 60 Southside St, Plymouth PL1 2LQ, United Kingdom
The Plymouth Hoe Holiday Apartments are a luxurious self catering holiday accommodation in the heart of Plymouth. The property overlooks the Royal William Marina and is dog friendly.
Self catering holiday apartment, dog friendly and in a great position next to the Hoe and Barbican.
alan melhuish — Google review
I accidentally called this number looking for a different company of the same name. The woman who answered was abusive and extremely rude towards me and my company - she has never met or spoken to me before and knows nothing of my business but felt she was in a position to criticise me personally and professionally. I wouldn't stay here and would advise others to avoid it as well if this is the way she feels is reasonable to speak to entire strangers.
Gilly Swift — Google review
noted in the Theatre Royals dig's list as 'Highly reccommended'
wafer guitars — Google review
A lovely clean well looked after apartment.
Susan Guess — Google review
3.7
(3)
•
4.5
(3483)
229 Citadel Rd E, Plymouth, PL1 2NG, United Kingdom
The River Lyd has carved a stunning one-mile-long chasm through the rock in Lydford Gorge, located near the picturesque village of Lydford. The gorge is considered to be the deepest in the southwest region and can only be accessed via a 1.5-mile rugged hike along the riverbank, passing several bubbling whirlpools, including the notorious Devil's Cauldron before reaching its thundering waters.
such a beautiful walk! great Sunday activity
Jessie Sydenham — Google review
A pleasant enough half day with mixed scenery and some focal points to build in en route. You need to be able to walk freely though.
Rob — Google review
place is pretty cool been here a few times with my mum and sister on holidays
Jacob James — Google review
Nearest thing you will get to being Indiana Jones in Devon, fabulous steeps in to the rock only for the sure footed, in the gorge itself
Adrian Pearce — Google review
Scenes change as you walk through the gorge from peaceful to dramatic.
The BIG Sheep is a family-friendly amusement park in North Devon that offers rides, an indoor playground, and animals galore.
Always a great day out with so much to see and do for children and adults. The staff are fantastic, helpful and friendly. The animals are beautiful especially the lambs, pigs, goats, puppys ....
Tractor ride is a must, ( the driver's jokes are very good).
Put a day in your diary; you will love it.
Geoff Ansell — Google review
Lovely day out, went on the last Saturday of half term, thought ticket prices were a little expensive for what's there. But enjoyed feeding lambs and seeing all the different sheep. Soft play was pretty good, limited table space though. There are rides available, but we didn't use them, so I'm unsure if they are an additional cost or not. We paid extra for a pumpkin (£2 - which was reasonable compared to other pumpkin picking places), and the pumpkin activity tent was nice. Its a shame my toddler was more interested in puddle jumping and leaf throwing rather than anything else there 🤦🏼♀️🙈. Gift shop has some quite reasonably priced products.
Char — Google review
Really good day out for the family. We went with our 1 year old and they had a fab time getting up close and personal to the animals. Lots of wash stations around for when you have touched or fed the animals.
We felt the park need a few more signs at the enterance area to know where everything is especially with a buggy.
Staff friendly and entertaining in the shows. The jokes and banter just made the shows even better. Some parts could be more interactive for the younger children but they were short and sweet so you didn't get bored.
Gutted the animal safari wasn't open today but apparently they are renovating that area, so it's good to hear they are improving things. On that note some areas need a new lick of paint.
Cracking soft play area for kids and adults!! Lots of variation but beware adults that you don't get stuck in the under 3ft area. There aren't many exits and areas are low.
Cafe had a range of drinks and cakes. Slightly overpriced good but super tasty hot chocolate.
J WE — Google review
More than just sheep! Great day out. With lots to see and do my grandchildren and me loved this place. The live shows were well ran by Zoe who was entertaining and informative .
Lunch was very good Cornish pasties.
The sheep racing was a real fun way to finish entertainment.
David Wheeler — Google review
Lovely day out with the family. The kids absolutely loved it. We visited during our short stay in Devon.
The sheep show was entertaining even for the adults.. the kids got to feed the lamb for a few seconds as there were so many children who wanted a go. The train ride which is around 5 mins long is good but the place is a little rundown which was evident on the train ride. Could do with a tidy up. No tractor rides when we visited in feb but the kids enjoyed the soft play indoors. Food ok priced. A bit expensive for what it is. My two month old had to pay £1 which I think it’s not fair as she was asleep in the carrier the whole time. Maybe start charging from 9 months onwards?
Betsabe Wedderburn — Google review
Was presently surprised by this place! - great value for money, and once in food, drink and even the shop are all reasonably priced!
Staff are very helpful... your overwhelmed by sheep at the end of the day though!
- dog kennels are provided! - we used them, although they're very basic, they certain do the job, and it's much better than leaving her in a tent/ caravan whilst on holiday! ...... more places should offer this service.
kyle chapman — Google review
We went as had a voucher for a percentage off and I'm glad we did as I would have been disappointed paying full price. We walked straight in and then went where we thought the main stage was and where to go after following everyone else. We ended up in a new tots outdoor bit, which was really nice but a bit of a confusing place to find ourselves. It's not very clear where anything is and we thought we was possibly not still on site as we walked past the bottom of the roller coaster and the path was gravel and weeds etc. It's difficult to push the pram up there. We ended up asking a member of staff who was the only one we saw when we was up at the tot area and they mentioned the new maps are not very clear. But we had to go back to where we came through and go between the toilets. There is no signs anywhere to explain this and we stopped several groups of people venturing up to where was was to let them know. Once we got into the pain part of the park it was alright. In the main show area we fed the lambs and watched the ducks get guided by the sheepdog. Chris the staff member was fantastic for both and so was Jess the dog. It was rather quiet when we visited but can imagine it would be difficult to get on anything when it's busy season. The indoor soft play was good, but only a very small area for toddlers. We went on both the train and tractor ride..both not really worth it but the staff were pleasant for both. The train ride goes around the park and you see different nursery ryhme characters but they all need some TLC. The tractor ride you go off up to the fields and back down again but the only animals you really see are the pigs, some donkeys and goats. Feels like again you could do more. It's a shame as it could just do with some small improvements and I would probably go back, but I wouldn't bother unless I had a money of voucher again to be honest.
Suzanne Mulligan — Google review
As always a lovely visit to The Big Sheep. We were lucky to see a sheep in lambing and see the farmers support a Ewe during birth and difficulties she was having during a tricky labour. So lucky to hold the 8 week old puppies, 3 day old chick's and a baby Goat.
Lots to see and do and all included in the entry price.
Reasonably priced gift shop and the brewery is interesting too.
We have visited so many times and will always come back.
Donna Griffin — Google review
Great recommendation by one of the locals to visit the Big Sheep with the family. Awesome if your kids are below 12 years of age and our looking to learn about animals, enjoy the rides, play in the soft play area and have a great day.
With 3 kids under 7 years of age, this was a fantastic outing. The sheep pen was fun watching all the different sheep types and their novelties. Followed by the ducks being hustled across gates and into their pond (fun tricks).
Plenty of open space, with trampolines and free play outdoor area for the kids. The soft play was neat and clean too - good variety to keep the kids occupied.
The Swan boating/paddling was fun too, a must do with the kids. There are some semi-adult rides with the large roller coaster and swings too.
Finally the sheep racing was great fun and excitement.
A great day out overall, will definitely recommend!!!
Neil Dsouza — Google review
Lovely place for children and adults alike. Lots to do including feeding lambs. Sheep jockey racing. Tractor rides and train ride around site. Lots of sheep. Cows and ducks and llamas to look at inside a nice open barn. Plenty of places to eat.
Shirley Sheppard — Google review
A brilliant place to visit with a variety of things to do, from animal shows (ducks, sheep), fairground rides and rollercoaster, plenty of things to play on and see. A great soft play for the kids with some giant slides and ball pools etc. The much hyped sheep race at the end of the day is fun if over a bit quick. Overall a great day out with a lot to keep everyone in the family entertained.
Richard Whillock — Google review
Fabulous day out for nanny. mum and 3 grandkids. So much to do and see. Lots if wonderful rides. Animals. We all loved the sheep shearing and the interaction between the staff and guests was warming. Our grandson is so looking forward to next visit.
Zoe Guilar — Google review
Fun family day out - plenty to do and see to keep the kids entertained (7 & 11).
The eldest is probably close to being too old for most of the activities - worth bearing in mind if you are planning a visit.
4 stars because the indoor play area with the drop slides is the main attractions - there isn’t that many rides and it isn’t always obvious navigating your way round.
Bryn Davies — Google review
This is a great day out for younger children with the rollercoaster to add a little spice for the grown ups and older ones. Plenty to keep them busy all day long with excellent live animal shows, which were quite funny too. Plenty of picnic tables around the place, so easy if you want to bring your own food. For me the food offer could be better as I'm dairy free but I realise it's hard to cater for everyone's foibles and the decaf coffee was OK and oat milk too.
We'll be back with the other set of grandchildren before too long.
Great value.
jerry stampfer — Google review
We had a brilliant time at October half term. We pre-booked using Tesco vouchers and arrived for10am so no queue.
The kids loved it all : the rides which they could all go on, the shows which were very entertaining, the indoor play area and the animals.
We had six hours of great fun and it wasn't too busy - no queues and loads of well published things to do.
A super day out for all the family :)
Daphne Partridge — Google review
We visited The Big Sheep with our 4 year son whilst on holiday in the area for Easter. It was still term time in the area, so some of the attractions here were not open, but it was a toddler takeover day, and our son loved it!
We were also really lucky to see a lot of baby animals in the barn and bottle feed a lamb.
The staff were all friendly and the craft activities etc set up for the little ones were lovely. We had a lovely time as a family. The only downfall was that it closed early at 2pm.
It's cheaper to book online, but you can pay when you get there.
Sara Anne — Google review
Had a great time here with our toddler! The sheep show and duck race were very entertaining, plenty of activites to do to occupy for a good few hours, the farm animal petting area or soft play area with big slides (indoors), we're both great, we even saw some brand new lambs being born! various outdoor bits too! World famous? Not so sure about that, but it's definitely well worth a visit for an afternoon!
Mike McGreal — Google review
Great family day out 👍 plenty of parking. Arrived at opening time and no queues. The Duck Trails were very good indeed and very funny. Visited during half term and got to carve out our own Pumpkin for free ( book tickets online). If you're staying at Bideford Bay Parkdean wait to check in and they will give you a flyer for money, which is a bonus. The soft play area is good for Children and a nice area for adults to sit and have a coffee. Reasonable price for food and drinks. Plenty of activities for children (the tractor ride was great) and feeding the lambs was a highlight. Spent a good 5 hours here and could have stayed longer. Staff very friendly and chatty 🙂 Buy some food for the animals (it's only £2.00) and get to feed lots of different animals 🙂
Nina Goodwin — Google review
We all Loved The Big Sheep!! We visited as a large group of 13 aged from 2 -70. There is loads to do here. A fantastic selection of farm animals to see and pet/feed, A rollercoaster, laser tag, swan boats, bounce bags, softplay, a family train ride and great animal shows throughout the day. The animal show make the day. Gives you something to plan your day around and they are great. There isa sheep show, teaching you about all the many types of sheep. There is a duck heading show and the main event is the sheep racing!! Even a small brewery and gin distillery!! Food is reasonable priced for a theme park. A great day out and would highly recommend visiting!!
tom hunt — Google review
Fab day out for our little one.
She loved feeding the sheep and seeing all the animals. We also went on the tractor ride and it was so Soothing she fell asleep! The soft play is big enough that your not all on top of each other and there was plenty to do for the different age ranges. Great day out, reasonably priced with plenty of parking.
Tanya Morton — Google review
Lovely family day out, and the baby sensory room is just lovely. Food was inexpensive compared to other attractions. We got to see a sheep giving birth. Loved the animals, and the indoor play area makes it an all-weather attraction. Staff ate lovely and very knowledgeable.
Amber Jones — Google review
4.5
(2678)
•
4.5
(3026)
Abbotsham Rd, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5AP, United Kingdom
Dingles Fairground Museum is a unique attraction that offers a blend of traditional fairground rides and a museum showcasing old vehicles, caravans, and steam organs. The fairground section features classic rides like bumper cars, ghost tunnel, and carousel rides which can be accessed by purchasing tokens. Additionally, visitors can enjoy various penny machines including one arm bandits and other gambling games. The museum area contains interesting displays with information boards but may feel somewhat empty.
Fantastic place to visit for the whole family and all ages. Adults can ride with children on fairground rides from the bygone era. Complete with museum, gift shop and cafe. Buy your ticket once and come back as often as you like for a year!! Great value
Cheryl Stewartson — Google review
This is a lovely place to take a wide range of ages. My Dad loved looking at the old vehicles and travelling caravans and steam organs. My oldest two enjoyed the rides and 2p machines and there was plenty for my little niece and nephew to do. I think in honesty you'd want to take little ones to get the most out of it. A huge part of the fun for us was taking the little ones on their first rides.
The place works on a tokens system which make a family saver ticket good value.
It has lost one star because I'm honesty you could tell it had been "hit by the times" in our most recent visit. Many of the organs were not in operation and there were many staff so waiting for and accessing rides was quite a bit more clunky than before but don't get me wrong the staff worked as hard as Miss Rabbit from Peppa pig! They put people's safety first and tried their hardest to make it a good experience.
We did eat there and it was a brilliant traditional funfair feast of burgers, hot dogs and candy floss which made it feel even more like the good old days.
Rides are on average 2 tokens per person so they go quickly when you have two hours to kill we needed 60 tokens for four kids and their "responsible adults" to access the rides. Just to try and give people an idea!
I would say go because the more people go the better it will get and it would be heart breaking to loose a lovely place like this. It isn't dear and it is fun let's keep it alive!
Amy Phillips — Google review
Absolutely loved it here! Lots of fun for a 4 year old on her birthday! She had the best day, the adults had so much fun too, the staff are lovely. Would highly recommend.
Helen Brown — Google review
Lovely,some amazing old fairground rides had a really great time,well worth a visit 😀
Nobby Kempster — Google review
Five stars - would be six! It's that good. Antique rides, some fairly uncomfortable by modern standards; hang on! And a good if quick ghost train. Helpful staff, especially young woman who did coffee and ghost train, wish I could thank her personally. Door staff sorted sorted my ticket chaos out patiently. Some wonderful showman's caravans.
Stephen Spicer — Google review
Fabulous attraction for all ages and well worth the entry fee. Being all indoors is a massive bonus.
Rides suitable for all ages, beautiful restored and historical pieces in the museum area.
The best thing about the place is the atmosphere, which is because of the staff who bring the place to life. They are all extremely welcoming and friendly.
richard law — Google review
This morning we visited Dingles, what a wonderful hidden gem. Amazing to see all of the fairground rides working, all of the team were friendly, helpful and went above and beyond to assist and ensure my granddaughter was comfortable and happy on the rides.
Thank you so much for a wonderful day
Zoe Holbrook — Google review
Great family day out. The rides are a lot of fun and they look magnificent. It's a very large collection with some really old items on display. Recommend for all ages.
John Glinister — Google review
I get around on a mobility scooter and was pleasantly surprised of how much room there was. There was a guy who started of on the speedway. Then on the hook a duck and then on the carousel, he was great on all, he was a big help to me getting on and off the 2 rides I managed to get on, a big thank you to him.
Debbie Heasman — Google review
This place was great, the age of some of the rides was incredible, lots are nearly 100 years old. We all loved the rides, playing the old arcade games and reading about the funfair history!
Joanna Lothian — Google review
Out in the middle of the countryside but worth a visit. Basically this museum is in two parts. A fair ground that contains a lot of traditional rides including bumper cars, ghost tunnel, carousel rides, slot games and the like you can pay to use. And a museum which is a bit empty but contains organs, some non functional rides and caravans with info boards. There are also penny machines including one arm bandits and other gambling games that are actually a lot if fun. The downside is it's pretty expensive, most rides costing 3 tokens or 3 quid. That said if you have visited once you get a season to jet that means you don't pay entrance again, so technically it's free to walk around but the rides are charged separately. Also it's open in two sessions, an am and pm, so no chance to plan a whole day if that's your plan. However given this is run mostly by volunteers this is absolutely forgivable. The flip side is it's pretty unique. There are toilets and a place to eat on site. Was nice to experience a blast from my past.
Rik — Google review
It is a lot more than just a museum, with several working rides and a coin arcade to enjoy. There are clean toilets including a disabled loo. Picnic tables outside too. A good 2 to 4 hours of entertainment and all indoors for those rare Devon rainy days 😜
movie bod (Moviebod) — Google review
Great place. Did the afternoon session to get out of the rain. Got the family saver ticket that included entry for 2 adults 3 children and 20 tickets, 2-3 tokens per person per ride. Very reasonable. Had to buy more to go on all the rides. £5 for 5 tokens using contact less machine. Food van reasonably priced for burgers and chips. Clean toilets. Bring your 2ps! Great selection of machines new and old. Kids and adults both enjoyed. Would recommend for something a bit different
Sophie Bulger — Google review
Really good fun day out for all the family . All the fun of the fair without pissed up youths wanting a fight . Definitely worth a stop and even better with the gift aid enabling you to go back free of charge for the year
Andy Payne — Google review
We stopped by on our way home and it was such a good idea. The staff are lovely and really seem like they love working there. The museum section was really interesting to see and the rides were great!
I do think that the food stand needs to have one more person working on it to take orders so that the line can move a bit quicker, we ended up leaving the line so that we didn't miss out on the rides!
Will definitely visit again 😊
Jessica Jennings — Google review
Absolutely loved it here will definatly be going again. All staff are so helpful and lovely and the rides are very fun especially moonrocket.
This amusement park has attractions for toddlers and young children, such as a rollercoaster and railway, as well as an indoor play area. There are also attractions for older kids and adults, like a rollercoaster and dodgems. The theme park has falconry displays, exhibits about memorabilia and games for children up to 6 years old. There are two restaurants on-site: the Star Light Restaurant and the Galactic Cafe.
An unexpected gem!
We all really enjoyed our day at The Milky Way Adventure Park. We had two younger children (7 and 6 years) as well as our older niece and nephew (15 and 13 years). All of them had a fantastic time. Special mentions for David the falconer. The bird shows were really good. He has a brilliant demeanour, funny and engaging whilst being really informative. His birds are incredibly impressive in flight!
The dodgems were a lot of fun. Ninja stars also brilliant for all ages and very tiring!
Some of the activities incur small costs such as the penalty shootout, but this was well worth it in our view.
Everything is provided with a smile and the staff were very helpful and encouraging with our younger children.
I'll be honest, before arriving I expected things to be a bit cheap and cheerful. It was absolutely the opposite. Great value and lots of fun, for us adults too!
Mark H — Google review
We have been here loads of time over the years and always have a great time.
A great easy going fun day out for the family. All the rides entertainment is included in the admission price - entry is reasonable for a full day of activities.
Food and drink are well priced, but always best to bring your own and enjoy out on greens.
Staff are friendly and relaxed..definitely recommend this for a family day out.
Mass Barbato — Google review
First time on holiday with the kids to Cornwall and saw this was close by so checked it out. To say it was a brilliant experience is an understatement. Staff are really helpful and friendly, plenty of stuff to do for both kids AND adults which can be rare. It's been the highlight of our weekend and we cannot wait to come again next year to visit!!
Charlotte Hobbs — Google review
A nice day out for the whole family, spread out over a good size area so there were shorter waits and lots of space to move around. Nice Starwars exhibition of memorabilia. Nina stars course is like ninja kids so little ones liked that, a couple of rollercoasters for bigger ones and lots of other things like pottery painting and target shooting. Would recommend!
Daniel Fleshbourne — Google review
The kids absolutely loved it. I have to say this is one of the best value adventure parks I've been too and we were only here for half the day. Granted we came here off-season which I'm sure makes a big difference to how busy it is. Food options were also reasonably priced.
Mark Daykin — Google review
So glad we found this place. Its a small theme park but it had a lot to offer. A couple of small rollercoasters, a maze, indoor play area, a place to paint ceramics, birds of prey show, a space raider ride, a big slide and a mini ninja stars obstical course which I loved as well as my nieces. If you are in the area, I recommend paying it a visit and expect to stay all day as there is a lot to keep the kids occupied.
Clare Bradshaw — Google review
It was ok I lot better for younger kids . They wasn’t much there . Bummer cars ,slide , caterpillar ride . A small roller coaster. The best bit was the Star Wars collection that was in there that a man had lent them it was a huge amount of memorabilia . Take a pack up with you. There’s benches outside. They had a little maze too . For young kids it would be a good day out
carla ravey — Google review
Small family friendly theme park. Good parking little old fashioned and rides more for smaller children but great fun and nice to walk around. Thoroughly enjoyed the bird of prey show (not normally my thing) the guide/bird trainer was funny, interesting and a good showman !
Carole Daw — Google review
Great place with so much to do for children and adults. We were a group of 6.
7yrs to 65yrs and everyone had a great day.
The science show and birds of pray showers were amazing. Food was a good price. Definitely worth every penny .we spent the whole day there. Lots to do inside and out so great in all weathers. Highly recommended 👌
Carrie — Google review
Visited today with daughter, son in law and 5 grandchildren. Great day had by all. A little bit of something for everyone. Lovely staff and very good food available at reasonable prices.
Lesley Perrin — Google review
An interesting adventure park dating from 1983. Well kept and clean. Helpful, friendly staff. Includes several indoor play areas, entertainment halls, dodgems, later shot ride, Dr Who & Star Wars displays, small guage railway, outside maze, small roller coasters, external slides, bird of prey centre, cafes, gift shop etc. (too many to list). Plenty to do but with limited opening hours (10am-4pm, when we visited) it's best to plan your visit so you don't miss out on the things that matter most to you. Enjoy.
Al Jones — Google review
Fantastic little park with lots to do. Great family day out and it wasn't packed for our visit allowing us to go on the rides as much as we want 😁. The park was very clean and tidy and the staff were incredible! We watched two birds of prey shows, again the man doing this was so fun and funny. Couldn't have wished for a better place to visit on this holiday and only a 5 min drive from our holiday park. I would highly recommend a visit if you are staying local.
Kirk Brownen — Google review
Great fun for all ages, kids loved the rollercoasters and rode multiple times! Blast quest was super fun as well as the massive slide with the donuts. They really enjoyed ninja stars and the soft play area. Great fun for adults too who can join in many of the activities! The whole area was clean with plenty of parking space in the car park. Staff were friendly and happy to help.
Would definitely recommend 👌
Amy Showell — Google review
So - it’s the Easter Holidays and it hasn’t stopped raining the whole time. You have 3 grandchildren aged 9, 3 and 18 months, what do you do? Visit Milky Way 3 times where they are all completely entertained for the whole day, even then they don’t want to leave. With re admission tickets giving you 50% off (as many times as you like, until 2025) it’s a no brainer! Wonderful park, which is spotless, great rides, lovely staff, birds of prey centre (fascinating shows - indoors in the wet) it’s the best place to be.
Colin Smith — Google review
Highly recommend The Milky Way for a fantastic day out. We came today and the weather was typical for British Easter holidays. This being our first visit I wasn’t sure what to expect but we stayed over 6 hours with a 1 & 4 year old as so much to see and do.
Absolute highlight was the bird and science shows. Kept both girls mesmerised and us grown ups!
Love the fact they had separate areas for under 5s so the girls could run and play without us having to worry every few minutes that a big kid might knock them over by accident (happened often in other places)
Food was so reasonably priced for a place like this and delicious too boot.
All the Staff are so helpful and friendly. Easter bunny experience was delightful and the workers so patient with our shy one.
If you haven’t been, honestly you’re missing out on the best day ever! We are definitely going back soon.
Verity Clifford — Google review
As a family we love visiting the Milky Way. There is so much to do indoors and outdoors, its fantastic value for money. Its clean, its not filled with loads of extra stuff to buy and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
We particularly enjoy the shows, something different every time.
Lisa Murthen — Google review
Really enjoyed the baby story time here. Reasonable price for what you get :)
Also the baby sensory play room - it was enjoyed by all of us
Denise Thomson — Google review
It was really enjoyable. It was a very good day out with children nice and clean place, free car parking fun for everyone... inside and outside , Milky Way train ride , Star Wars, Soft Play, sand pit, shooting, football,painting, etc... if you are Devon
Don't forget to try farmer Tom's dairy ice cream 😋 ...
Clovelly, located in Devon, England, is a charming privately owned harbour village that has been managed by the Hamlyn family since 1738. The village features steep cobbled streets leading down to a picturesque harbor and is known for its historical buildings. Visitors are required to pay an admission fee, which contributes to the preservation of the area. The village offers unique attractions such as Quince Honey Farm and Tunnel Beach, as well as outdoor activities including mountain biking and surfing lessons.
Primate enclosures & caretaker tours on sprawling, leafy grounds with sea views & a gift shop.
Awesome staff who are all really knowledgeable and care so much for the monkeys in their care. This place well deserves people's support by visiting and spending money in the cafe and the shop. I was moved by some of the monkeys back stories.
Ruth — Google review
I've just completed the "keeper for a day" experience today. And what an experience, in the best, most life affirming sense of the word! A beautiful location and lucky enough to have had the best weather, with some of the most dedicated people guiding me through and providing a very friendly and informative day amongst the primates in their care (Kim, April and Luke to name only a few - apologies to everyone else, you're all absolute heroes). Want to buy someone a gift? This is highly recommended. And if you're stuck for a day out, this is definitely worth a visit. Thank you guys, I'll remember this amazing experience for a long time.
David Trinder — Google review
Good for a couple of hours entertainment. Very knowledgeable staff and three or four monkey enclosures with information, plus the gardens to walk.
Not a destination to go to if you have mobility issues of any kind, due to hillside venue.
Also not a destination for excitable children due to the requirement to be calm around the monkeys.
Cathryn King — Google review
We have been coming here years and glad to support this brilliant little sanctuary.
The back story to these rescued monkeys from laboratories and often ignorant owners is heartbreaking. Please visit to keep it open.
John B in Dartmoor National Park — Google review
This is such a lovely little place!! They seem to be struggling for funding so we made sure we had some food there and a drink. The monkeys are so beautiful and have so much space to run and play and they really seem happy. The grounds are quite hilly but no problem for us. Lovely little eating area, clean toilets and lovely views out to sea. The staff though...they are absolutely outstanding! All of them were so happy to stand and chat and tell you about all the monkeys, their characters and how they ended up at the sanctuary. If you can go and help keep this place going definitely do it!!
Natalie Williams — Google review
This place is pretty special for monkey lovers! It was amazing to see all the different species enjoying more freedom than what these poor primates have been used to and listening to the ir experiences from the passionate staff who work there! It was really moving to hear the staff speak and learn how individual each monkey is and the care they need. Hats off to these guys. Well worth a visit!
Siobhan Smith — Google review
Visited the monkey sanctuary yesterday and could not have been more impressed with the facilities and the work they do there. All staff members were clearly incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the monkeys and that was evident in the way in which they cared for them. It was wonderful to see how the monkeys had been rehabilitated after such terrible experiences and they all seemed so happy at the sanctuary. The gardens at the sanctuary were incredibly beautiful and well kept, and the view overlooking the sea was stunning. The all-vegan cafe with delicious pasties and treats really was the icing on the cake! Could not recommend this place enough, I even think they could charge more for entry and the food there to earn more money for the monkeys as it would certainly be worth it!
Emma Garton — Google review
A lovely spot, it's clear that the keepers really care about the animals. Even though it was raining and we were warned we might not see much, we saw all the monkeys and the kids loved it.
This isn't a big site with only a few enclosures but the wildlife garden, play area and games make it a good couple of hours. This is reflected in the very reasonable admission price, which gets you a full year's entry.
Sarah Kelleher — Google review
A lovely secluded monkey sanctuary with caring passionate staff. Lots of interesting things to learn combined with a beautiful wild garden and play area for the kids.
Ian Jackman — Google review
A lovely little place. Can look around in about an hour. Can stretch it to 2 if with kids playing and having a little nibble in the shop.
Sausage roll was gorgeous and the dessert I had.
The staff are very good and very informative about the species they have and the individuals themselves.
Was very interesting few hours out thankyou x
Laura at Time for you — Google review
Such an amazing day out. A must do if you are in the local area. Staff are full of knowledge and have a great care for all of the monkeys. Nice little gift shop and café all money goes back into the sanctuary. Play area and nice little walks. Activity sheets given out for kids. My 4 children enjoyed doing the activity. Fantastic day. Well worth the money for entry
marti walley — Google review
A fantastic place for all ages. Staff are so knowledgeable and passionate about the Monkeys.
A lovely setting with so many exciting and large enclosures for the Monkeys to enjoy, especially after their terrible beginnings before the sanctuary.
Our boys 7 & 9 both loved it. They said it was their favourite place of the holiday.
Shop has lovely well priced items to appeal to all, plus all profits go to the sanctuary.
With covid restrictions the cafe was shut but the gift shops sold snacks and drinks very cheap.
Plus entry is valid for a year-we will be back.
EMMA BURDETT — Google review
such a brilliant trip. the staff there are extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and you can tell they're totally devoted to the monkeys. it's like one big happy family there. also, your admission fee allows you to return for a whole year. massively recommended if you're in the area!
Matt Abbott — Google review
Some reviewers forget this isn't a play park or a zoo - this is a sanctuary where moneys that have been ill treated, kept in tiny cages or made to perform for money are rescued. The work the team do here is awesome, and well worth an hour of your time. The site is run through donations, so please be generous and help the animals that were harmed by others to live a natural and peaceful life.
John Pickering — Google review
Myself and husband visited this morning, it was drizzly and misty but we really enjoyed our visit. The staff were very informative and friendly. I personally was expecting a small set up due to the price but it was lovely seeing the monkeys in large enclosures. We also enjoyed the gardens.
I would recommend this for both couples and families 😊x
Lulabelle Coombes — Google review
4.2
(705)
•
4.0
(1048)
Murrayton House, St Martin, Looe PL13 1NZ, United Kingdom
Nestled along the captivating south Cornish coastline, Polperro is a charming fishing village with a rich history as a smugglers' haunt. Its narrow streets wind through the hillside, adorned with picturesque white-washed fishermans cottages that have inspired artists and poets. The shimmering turquoise waters and historic harbor attract artisans who showcase their creations in galleries and studios. Visitors can explore secret beaches, enjoy spectacular coastal views, or embark on fishing trips around the bay.