When you’re coming on holiday with little ones, it’s always reassuring to know that there’s something to do, whatever the weather! Here at Combrew, we’re surrounded by the greatest playground there is – the coast and countryside of North Devon. Let your kids get back to nature by spending your days swimming in the sea, playing at the beach, or exploring the country lanes.
However, if the weather lets you down and you need to let the kids run off some energy, there are plenty of nearby attractions for all ages. Take a look through our top pick of children’s attractions below and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, please feel free to pick up the phone.
Whilst you’re here, take a trip to our Information Room with the kids and let them flick through hundreds of brochures and leaflets from local attractions.
Exmoor Zoo prides itself on being a family orientated zoo that places emphasis on education and conservation. Wildlife from around the world can be seen here – from the ‘Exmoor Beast’ to the singing dogs of Papua New Guinea!
The Zoo runs a number of ‘Experience Days’ that allow you to get up close and personal with animals and experience life as a zoo keeper. They also offer ‘Photography Experiences’ that provide you with a unique opportunity to photograph animals from exclusive locations.
Every year, Exmoor Zoo runs an exciting programme of events and shows, including themed events at Easter and Halloween. It’s well worth checking out what’s on during your time in North Devon!
For more information, click here.
Located on Pottington Business Park in Barnstaple, Let's Go! is an exciting entertainment complex with something for all the family. Try out ice skating on the UK's first eco-friendly ice rink, compete against the family in a game of ten pin bowling, sing your heart out in one of the karaoke party pods, or relax with a game of pool – with so much to do, you can spend the whole day there!
For the ‘big kids’ and sports enthusiasts, Let’s Go! has a fully stocked free house with a huge selection of extra cold beers and bottled drinks. Spend the evening enjoying a few pints whilst watching sports on their 6ft wide HD screen. When you’re ready for food, there is a Burger King next door with eat-in and drive-through options.
For more information, click here.
Come rain or shine, The Milky Way is a unique adventure park with indoor and outdoor attractions for all ages.
Let the kids run off some steam in North Devon’s biggest indoor adventure play area, complete with challenging assault courses, ball pits, and massive slides – will you take on the huge ‘death slide’?!
For 0-6 year olds, ‘Little Stars’ offers a variety of interactive play facilities, including slides, tunnels, assault courses, dress up, and soft play. There is also a seating area for parents to relax with a coffee whilst the little ones play.
A selection of live shows take place throughout the week, including performances from Merlin (from Britain’s Got Talent), a ‘Nerd Alert Science Show’, an ‘Under 5s’ entertainment show, and fantastic displays from the North Devon Bird of Prey Centre.
Before you leave, don’t forget to take a trip through the Clone Zone, an interactive dark ride with aliens and a roller coaster, and take a ride on the Cosmic Typhoon, one of Devon’s best outdoor roller coasters… but hold on tight; you’ll reach speeds of over 40 mph! If your little ones aren’t quite big enough for the Clone Zone or the Cosmic Typhoon, the Cosmic Caterpillar ride has been specially designed so that smaller visitors don’t feel left out!
For more information, click here.
As one of the best all weather attractions in North Devon, The Big Sheep offers indoor and outdoor fun for all ages.
The ‘EWEtopia’ indoor adventure play frame boasts a massive selection of slides, ball pits, obstacle courses and rope bridges that can be explored by kids, parents and grandparents! Although, if you don’t feel like throwing yourself down the free fall slide, you can always choose to sit and watch with a coffee!
New to the Big Sheep for 2016 is North Devon’s biggest, highest, and fastest roller coaster – “The BIG One”! Millions of pounds have been spent on getting this exciting new attraction to the Big Sheep, and it’s certainly paid off! The roller coaster is a whopping 400m long, with a top height of 13m and can reach speeds of 27mph.
Other family friendly attractions at the Big Sheep include: Archery Tag, Splash Zone, Jumping Pillows, Battlefield Devon (laser adventure), a climbing wall, and mountain boarding.
The Big Sheep’s on-site brewery, Country Life, is strictly for grown-ups! Established by Master Brewer, Simon Lacey, in 1998, Country Life is now North Devon’s largest brewery and produces 15,000 pints of award winning ale every week. Beer tasting sessions are available in the Brewery Shop from April - October, where they also sell a selection of bottles and kegs to take home.
And finally, no trip to the Big Sheep is complete without watching the Sheep Racing, and if you’re coming in the spring, make sure that you bottle feed the lambs and see the new puppies!
For more information, click here.
Overlooking the picturesque Watermouth Cove, Watermouth Castle offers a unique and fun day out, with attractions and entertainment for all children and parents alike.
The old Victorian Castle is steeped in history and is full of eclectic treasures, nostalgic displays and curios. There is also a fun filled theme park for children, with rides and play areas.
Activities include: Snake Tube Slide, Gnome-Land Tilting House, Steam Carousel, Adventure Play Area, Swing Boasts, Sea Lion Water-Go-Round and much more!
Outside, you’ll discover beautiful landscaped gardens and a maze to explore. With so much to do both indoors and outdoors, Watermouth Castle makes for an exciting family day out, no matter what the weather. The gift shop is packed full of pocket money toys, souvenirs, sweets, and post cards.
For more information, click here.
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park has been entertaining families for almost 30 years now, and it’s easy to see why! Set in 28 acres of beautiful sub-tropical gardens within North Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the park is home to monkeys, wolves, sea lions, otters, wallabies, exotic birds and many more creatures, as well as a family of life sized animatronic dinosaurs!
With a strong focus on education and hands-on learning, the Park runs regular talks, shows, and close-up encounters, all of which are hosted by highly knowledgeable keepers who are passionate about the creatures they work with.
Take a step back in time and go on a hunt through the Park to find the dinosaurs that lurk in the trees in the depths of the valley… watch out for the scary Spinosaurus, a family of Triceratops, and the British Dinosaur - the vicious Neovenatoral! Although be careful if you see a baby T-Rex, his mother is never far away!
In 2015, the Park opened a new dinosaur themed soft play area which has been a massive hit with kids. With 7,500 square feet of slides, tubes, scramble nets, rope bridges and ball pools to explore, as well as a dedicated area for under 2s, it’s one of the largest soft play areas in the area.
For more information, click here.
Ever wondered how honey makes it from the bee to the jar? Then Quince Honey Farm is the place to go! With an interactive honey production experience that spans 10 rooms, you’ll learn how bees are kept, how honey is made, and how other products such as honey lip balms, soaps, and candles are produced. Daily talks and special events will give you a real insight into the life of bee keepers.
In ‘Critter Cabin’ you’ll find over 20 species of creepy crawlies to get up close and personal with!
Quince Honey Farm also has a themed soft play area called the ‘Play Hive’, which features slides, climbing nets, and obstacles for little ones to explore, as well as generous seating for parents. In the café, you’ll find a great selection of drinks and snacks, as well as their signature snack – a Devonshire cream tea with honey! Don’t forget to visit the shop before you leave, the honey is too good not to take a jar home!
For more information, click here.
Funder Zone is North Devon's largest indoor soft play centre and is well designed for tiring out children under 12! The huge soft play climbing frame has four levels full of fun, and includes obstacles, tunnels, ball pools, cannons, rope bridges, log ramps, spider webs, punch bags and five slides for your little ones to explore! There is also a dedicated play area for under 3s to enjoy. For your peace of mind, a qualified first aider is on site at all times.
The Funder Zone Café holds a Food Standards Agency 5 star award, and boasts a well-designed menu that caters for adults and children. All meals are freshly made to order and their ‘healthy pick and mix’ is perfect for letting picky eaters choose their own lunch. Wi-Fi is available in the café so that parents can bring their laptop/tablet and enjoy a quiet coffee whilst the children tire themselves out!
For more information, click here.
