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10 Child Friendly Places to Visit in South Devon

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I have just realised that as of next month we will of lived in Devon for a year now. I just can’t get over how fast time seems to be flying by at the moment and even though we have been here a year it still sometimes feels like we are on a very long holiday.

We keep discovering new and exciting places to go so I thought for today’s post I would share with you some of the fantastic child friendly places that we have found, especially with the forthcoming summer holidays.
 

1: The Wood Cafe

The Wood Cafe is a fantastic place that is set within a woodland Yurt Camp. They have a great range of food and drink available (their hot chocolate with marshmallows is lovely) and while you are enjoying your food the children can either play with the basket full of toys or go outside to the undercover play barn.  This place is definitely worth a visit.

 
 

2: Trago Mills

Trago Mills is one of our regular haunts with the kids, especially when we don’t want to spend a huge amount of money. There is so much to do there and you could easily fill up a whole day. (From an adult point of view it is all looking a little tired these days and could do with a good lick of paint but the children don’t care about that).

There’s an amusement park with a whole array of different rides, you can either buy a ticket for the day for these or pay as you go with tokens.
The little steam train is a great way to travel around the site and takes you from one end to the other.
 
My sons favourite part of Trago is the model railway which only costs a pound, there is also the animal farm, which is free to get into. Always a bonus.
For the adults there is a massive, and I mean massive, discount store. They sell everything from carpets to candles.
 
trago mills

3: Haldon Forest

If you fancy an active day, whether it be walking, cycling, climbing or flying through the trees, then Haldon Forest is the place for you. It is free to get in, you just have to pay for your parking. ( Peak – Up to 2 hours £3, Over 2 hours £4).
 
I love this place when I’m having one of those days where the aim of the game is to wear the kids out. They have some fantastic walks to suit all abilities and if you aim it right you can end the walk at the big sandpit play area.
Haldon Forest

4: The House of Marbles

Personally I love this place, I have a bit of a thing for glass. The House of Marbles is another place that is free to get into. There’s a shop, a restaurant, glass blowing workshop, outside games garden, marble museum and the fabulous marble runs (these keep my son amused for ages).
 
If you are looking to buy a unusual present for someone then this is the place to go.
 
Read: Our House of Marbles Review
House of Marbles Games Garden

5: Stover Country Park

Stover Country Park is another place that we regularly frequent. A bit like Haldon, it’s free to get in but you just have to pay for parking ( £1 for two hours or £2 for all day, I believe).
 
Right in the middle is the massive lake that you can walk around and feed the ducks as you go. There are interpretation boards dotted around the walk, an aerial walkway, a bird hide, picnic areas and a children’s walk with little wooden animal statues. You can also visit the Nature Interpretation Centre which is also free.
stover

6: Cockington Court

Cockington Court is a magical village hidden within the middle of Torquay. It has your classic ‘chocolate box’ style cottages with thatched roofs and horse drawn carts.
Cockington Court is right in the centre of the village and has cafes, play area, workshops and plenty of space for the kids to run wild and free.
 
You don’t have to pay to get in but again you must pay for your parking, quite pricey at around £6 but definitely worth it. There is often events going on here so worth checking out their website before you go to see what’s on.

7: Tumbling Teds

Tumbling Teds is one for those wet days that we seem to be having so many of lately. Ted’s is an indoor play place specially designed for under 6’s.

It’s great because you don’t have the usual worries that you have when you go to the other big soft play centres.
 
You can drink your tea in peace knowing that your little bundle of joy isn’t going to get squashed by a bigger kid or lost in a maze of colourful plastic.
It’s £3 per child for unlimited play and under 1’s go free. There’s a cafe, free parking and baby changing facilities.

8: Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust

If your daughter is anything like mine and has a new found fascination with animals then the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Centre is a great little place to visit. It’s free to get in but they are only open to the public on Sundays between 1.30pm and 4.00pm.
 
They have a small selection of ponies that you can see and stroke and even adopt one if you feel like it. (That might make it a bit of an expensive trip though!)
 
You can find the DPHT in the grounds of Parke a National Trust area which is also a great free place to visit with lots of beautiful walks along hidden rivers.
I suggest you take a picnic.
Photo by Globe City Guide 🌎 on Unsplash

9: Ullacombe Farm

Ullacombe Farm is one of mine and my partners favourite places to eat. The food is fresh, rustic farm food. It’s lovely!
The cafe has a small indoor play area for the kids, so you can enjoy your food in peace. It also has an outdoor play area, a farm shop and an animal barn.
 
If you are like us and still like to go out and enjoy good food but don’t want the stress of worrying about the kids then this is the place for you.
Ullacombe Farm shop Devon

10: Teignmouth Seafront

Teignmouth seafront is another place that we spend quite a significant amount of time, weather permitting of course. It has the best playground around (free) which also has a small splash park in it. The pier is also a great place to visit and again free to get in, we like free!
 
You can stroll along the seafront and take in the views, you could even have some yummy fish and chips. For older children, there is also a skate park and crazy golf.
Teignmouth Seafront

So that’s it, this is my life, all the places that we spend most of our time. If you know of any other great places in the area then I’d love to know about them.

You may also like: Things to see in Devon + 10 Reasons to Visit Dartmoor in Devon

10 Child Friendly Places to Visit in South Devon

Header image by Terry Montague on Unsplash

3 thoughts on “10 Child Friendly Places to Visit in South Devon”

  3. dragonfly crafter
    Reply

    cor, what a fab post! you have obviously been researching thoroughly :o)have tried some of these , but not all. will have to try them over the summer hols! thank u x

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