Devon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-national-aquarium-plymouth"><a href="https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk">National Aquarium</a>, Plymouth </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="972" height="558" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/marine-aquarium.jpg" alt="National Marine Aquarium " class="wp-image-63689" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/marine-aquarium.jpg 972w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/marine-aquarium-800x459.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/marine-aquarium-768x441.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px" /></figure>



Why? It&#8217;s the UK&#8217;s biggest, home to over 5,000 animals. 



What&#8217;s on? You&#8217;ll find seven major zones, showing exhibits and sea creatures of different habitats, including the local Plymouth Sound, Seagrass Shores, Eddystone Reef, plus Ocean Drifters, Atlantic Ocean, Biozone, Seagraass Laboratory and Great Barrier Reef. That&#8217;s an impressive tick list &#8211; sharks, stingrays, octopuses, jellyfish and two very cheeky turtles. They also hold quirky events such as overnight stays under the sharks, and there&#8217;s a café and shop for souvenir hunters.



The damage: From £22.50 to £25.00 adults/£11.25 to £12.50 kids/under 3s free. Tickets come with a complimentary Annual Pass so you can revisit free of charge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhs-garden-rosemoor-great-torrington"><a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor">RHS Garden Rosemoor</a>, Great Torrington</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="940" height="627" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/Web-Use-20220723_RHS_Rosemoor_Summer_Card2_091final.jpg" alt="family enjoying RHS Garden Rosemoor" class="wp-image-60171" style="aspect-ratio:1.4992025518341308;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/Web-Use-20220723_RHS_Rosemoor_Summer_Card2_091final.jpg 940w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/Web-Use-20220723_RHS_Rosemoor_Summer_Card2_091final-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/Web-Use-20220723_RHS_Rosemoor_Summer_Card2_091final-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/10/Web-Use-20220723_RHS_Rosemoor_Summer_Card2_091final-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></figure>



Why? Well, 65 acres of life-affirming gardens, for starters, and just 15 minutes from the Atlantic Highway.&nbsp;



What&#8217;s on? Here’s the perfect cross-generational family crowd-pleaser. Far from being all formality, there are two dedicated play areas suited to young and older kids; the Brash has a slide, sandpit, bug magnifiers and climbing features, or pack them off to The Copse to make, er, beautiful, music on the spiro-giro musical pipe. The paths are buggy-friendly, or if you&#8217;re with parents who’re not so good on their pegs, hire a tramper. Not forgetting a number of excellent eateries, all the half-term workshops and annual events, including the August Flower Show in August, and their stunning Christmas light trail, Glow.



The damage: An annual family membership is £110 (currently reduced to £82.50); non members family tickets £38.10.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tarka-pottery-little-torrington"><a href="https://tarkapottery.co.uk">Tarka Pottery</a>, Little Torrington </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1.jpg" alt="Tarka Pottery " class="wp-image-57133" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/07/High-res_Tarka-Pottery_Poppy-Jakes-Photography-1137-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Why? What family wouldn&#8217;t enjoy a chance to mock each other&#8217;s attempts with slippery clay on a pottery wheel? And it&#8217;s super inclusive, so kids from 2+ can have a go.



What&#8217;s on? This rustic studio has curated a brilliant range of pottery experiences, from working clay by hand, to throwing on a pottery wheel. We have been to <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/tarka-pottery-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> (no rude remarks about our attempt, thank you!), and you&#8217;re sure to be superbly well-supervised, meaning you&#8217;re sure to come away with something you&#8217;re proud of making. Plus, experiences are well priced to suit a range of budgets.



The damage: From £24-£100 for a family pottery session.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-donkey-sanctuary-sidmouth"><a href="https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Donkey Sanctuary</a>, Sidmouth </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="507" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/festive-donkey.jpg" alt="visitors patting donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth" class="wp-image-63662" /></figure>



Why? It&#8217;s free to visit, open 264 days a year and in a gorgeous setting overlooking the sea at Sidmouth. It&#8217;s a no-brainer.



What&#8217;s on? It&#8217;s full of adorable donkeys which have been rescued from all over the globe. There’s a rustic play area designed for very young children, with mini wooden donkeys to ride, an old tractor and a little barn for the young farmers, and an Understanding Donkeys Zone with lots of interesting facts for kids and adults. Plus, it&#8217;s dog-friendly, there&#8217;s their huge buggy-friendly and Taste of the West Award-winning Kitchen café, and a maze to lose the kids in after a cuddle with the hee-haws.



The damage: Free entry and parking! But all that hay doesn&#8217;t come cheap, so donations are very welcome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-market-hall-plymouth"><a href="https://real-immersive.realideas.org/market-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Market Hall</a>, Plymouth </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="972" height="558" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/sea-monster.jpg" alt="Market Hall, Plymouth " class="wp-image-44811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/sea-monster.jpg 972w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/sea-monster-800x459.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/sea-monster-768x441.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/sea-monster-900x517.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 972px) 100vw, 972px" /></figure>



Why? It&#8217;s the first of its kind in Europe &#8211; a £7.6 million re-furb of&nbsp;The Market Hall in Devonport, and home to a state-of-the-art 15m 360°&nbsp;immersive dome cinema (think planetarium except with beanbags instead of seats).



What&#8217;s on? Regular weekend screenings showing a wide variety of content that’s perfect for the whole family, from BBC Earth’s Antarctica to screenings about dinosaurs, outer space and under the sea. Plus, in 2024 &#8211; candlelit concerts from Fever, and tech-oriented workshops for older kids. There&#8217;s also a big, airy café serving barista coffee and a child-friendly menu.



The damage: Family £15; Adult £5.50/Child £3.50; under 5s £1.50.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paignton-zoo-paignton"><a href="https://paigntonzoo.org.uk">Paignton Zoo</a>, Paignton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/giraffe-paignton.jpg" alt="giraffe at Paignton Zoo" class="wp-image-63679" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/giraffe-paignton.jpg 1200w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/giraffe-paignton-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/giraffe-paignton-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/giraffe-paignton-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></figure>



Why? At 80 acres it&#8217;s one of the UK&#8217;s biggest zoos, with over 3800 animals to see, including over 180 endangered species. If you&#8217;re into your plants, here was the first combined botanical and zoological garden in the UK, and the exotic borders are pretty cool too.



What&#8217;s on? If you&#8217;re not wowed by the sight of wading pink flamingos as you enter, the lions, tigers, giraffes, baboons, gorillas, cute red pandas, giant tortoises zebra and kangaroo are among the impressive range. Should it rain, you can duck into indoor exhibits, including Tropical Trails, Bugs at Home, Amphibian Ark and the Ape Centre, as well as the indoor soft play area for under 12s. There&#8217;s also an ethically-sourced toy and gift shop, a restaurant, and takeaways huts selling Marshfield ice-cream and places to eat a picnic. 



The damage: £22.50 adults; £16.85 child; under 3s free.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-box-museum-gallery-amp-archive-plymouth"><a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/">The Box Museum, Gallery &amp; Archive</a>, Plymouth </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry..jpg" alt="figureheads at The Box Museum, Plymouth " class="wp-image-27459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry..jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry.-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry.-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry.-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2020/12/The-Box-from-South-Hall.-Image-by-Wayne-Perry.-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Why? The city&#8217;s multimillion museum has critically acclaimed exhibitions from all over the globe, with a series of permanent galleries and spaces to explore. 



What&#8217;s on? There is much to interest kids here, including the cool ship&#8217;s figureheads weighing a collective 20 tonnes hanging at the entrance, free holiday drop-in kids&#8217; craft sessions and Friday story time sessions, a full-size replica Mammoth, a gleaming gallery devoted to a natural history collection featuring 1,000 pickled marine creatures, and a media lab where you can pretend to be a TV presenter in front of a green screen. They (and you) are sure to want to linger in the carefully curated gift shop, and the spacious glass-sided Kitchen &amp; Bar has something for everyone. Plus, for kids under school age, their &#8216;I Wonder&#8217; sessions are a great intro to their collections. 



The damage: Free, except for some of the visiting exhibitions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-orchard-alpacas-axminster"><a href="https://www.littleorchardalpacas.co.uk/">Little Orchard Alpacas</a>, Axminster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd.jpg" alt="Little Orchard Alpaca " class="wp-image-54420" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/03/alpaca-herd-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Why? All ages can enjoy alpaca, whether you book a meet experience or a walk. This gentle herd of 21-strong are cute and furry, love an amble, and will happily go back to munching in the field while you tuck into a homemade cream tea. They&#8217;ll even come to you &#8211; by appointment &#8211; they&#8217;re polite like that. It&#8217;s Muddy-approved, naturally &#8211; <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/muddy-reviews-little-orchard-alpacas-walking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">read our rave review</a>.



What&#8217;s on? Book the family in for a variety of alpaca experiences to suit all ages from 5+, ranging from a very easy alpaca ramble around the orchard to longer walks around the woodland. Having fed them their fruit and grass nuts, it’s your turn for a treat: tasty cakes and cream tea, all homemade by their knowledgable owner, Vic. 



The damage: From £15 for kids under 10, and £25pp for adults.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-splashdown-quaywest-paignton"><a href="https://www.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk/quaywest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Splashdown Quaywest</a>, Paignton </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST.jpg" alt="Splashdown Quaywest aerial shot" class="wp-image-45896" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/QUAYWEST-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Why? It&#8217;s the UK&#8217;s biggest waterpark, idyllically situated overlooking Goodrington Sands and colourful beach huts.



What&#8217;s on? Goggles on for nine adrenalin-fuelled waterslide rides for kids 5+ (a minimum of 1m tall), plus a couple of swimming pools, including one suited to the nippers. Here has the fastest ride in the UK, the Devil&#8217;s Drop &#8211; a 65ft near vertical drop and into a black hole before reaching the water, plus two super-speedy rides, along with rapids, twisters corkscrew and fun mat rides. Hang onto your budgie smugglers!



The damage: From £17pp; spectator £7.50.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babbacombe-model-village-torquay"><a href="https://www.model-village.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Babbacombe Model Village</a>, Torquay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/babbacombe-model.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/babbacombe-model.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/babbacombe-model-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/babbacombe-model-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/02/babbacombe-model-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Why? It&#8217;s like travelling back in time, and keeps kids engaged for hours.



What&#8217;s on? Four acres of gardens on the outskirts of Torquay crafted into over 400 miniature scenes, including many recognisable UK landmarks, such as Stonehenge and Buckingham Palace. It&#8217;s mesmerising for small people, while adults will appreciate the humour along with the incredible manicured setting and the reassuringly retro feel. There&#8217;s also a miniature golf course and an indoor animated Mythical Kingdom filled with imaginative fairies, goblins and trolls. It&#8217;s beautiful as a pre-Christmas visit too when all lit up at twilight with a twinkling of make-believe frost and snow.



The damage? From £17.50 adult; £14.25 child.

Are we there yet? 10 top family attractions in Devon

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