South Devon. Days out tips please.

[tobiasfunke]

We're off to Ladram Bay at the end of the month with our 6 year old Ds. I need recommendations for days out. Anything up to an hour and a half away if it's good. We like all the usual stuff - castles, beaches, fun parks as well as comedy museums. Any good cafes or pubs to eat in?
I want to do the full SW experience and visit to the the Eurosceptic outlet shop I heard about on here- what's it called again?

Normally I have done loads of research before holidays but we've been mad busy recently.

[justcallmethefixer]

Ahh I think you mean Trago Mills.

Other days out in the area area Paignton zoo & living coasts, Crealy Park, Woodlands, and of course all the beaches.

[tobiasfunke]

Thanks. Trago Mills. That's the place. I can't wait.

[ColdCuppa]

There's the aquarium in Plymouth - plus The Hoe, Tinside pool etc.

There are outdoor swimming pools in Topsham, Bovey Tracey, Exeter University, Moretonhampstead (there's the Dartmoor miniature pony centre there too, loads to do).

Exeter Museum - the Royal Albert Memorial is great for a wet day, and the new library in Exeter is close by and worth a look.

There's The World of Country Life in Exmouth, right next to the Sandy Cliffs. Near the main sea front in Exmouth there is a fun park with crazy golf etc.

Paignton has Quaywest waterpark as well as the Zoo and Living Coasts.

[Heels99]

Lol eurosceptic shop! Love it!

[ColdCuppa]

Bicton and Escot are both great too.

[Biscuitsneeded]

Escot is fabulous. Really worth the money. Also really great for a 6 year old boy is Pecorama at Beer. Watch model trains, operate some, then have a ride around the cliffs on a proper mini steam train. I can't quite explain how lovely it is! The Donkey Sanctuary is also nice to pop into, Paignton Zoo is great, Dartmoor is fab for wild walks. Have cream tea at the mill in Otterton (very near Ladram Bay), have ice cream in Budleigh from the shop with loads of flavours. Sidmouth is a nice town with shingle beach; if you want sand and typical English seaside go to Exmouth. Oh, it's all lovely down there...!

[CakeUpWall]

Everything Biscuits said (we used to go to Escot & Pecorama loads when DCs were younger) plus House of Marbles. Great rainy day outing.

[ColdCuppa]

Decoy country park with lake and splash zone is good in Newton Abbot.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

The Donkey Sanctuary just outside Sidmouth. We absolutely love it (and free entry too!).

Afternoon tea at Otterton Mill (which you will pass on your way through to Ladram Bay).

I would strongly recommend the coastal path walk from Ladram Bay to Sidmouth - although it is a steep climb at times the views are absolutely beautiful and you can always reward yourselves with an ice-cream from the 'shop of many flavours' near Sidmouth seafront (Ice-Cream Paradise I think it's called?)

I second World Of Country Life at Sandy Bay, Exmouth. 6 is a good age to get the most out of it (play areas, deer train, goat walking, ferret racing etc.) My boys are older now but both loved a day out there when they were younger.

Pecorama (Beer/Seaton way) - excellent if your DS likes trains. Just remember to check opening times before you go, because it didn't used to be open everyday when DSs were younger (although that could have changed now of course).

Crealy near Exeter (just off M5 J30) is also good fun & the rides are pretty much all suitable for a 6 year old (but probably not the Go Karts). We haven't been yet this year, but last year they did "free returns" too. So if you paid for one day's entry you could return for free whenever you wanted for the next 6 days.

Going a bit farther afield, The Model Village at Babbacombe (Torquay) is always worth a visit as is Bygones just around the corner from The Model Village on the main street. Bygones is a Victorian museum in a shop really. It has a recreation WW1 trench, a Victorian village street with little shops (not working shops) etc. etc. An excellent rainy day visit. We also love the cliff railway down to Oddicombe Beach which is just there in Babbacombe too.

Paignton Zoo is amazing - the best zoo I have ever been to. It is huge & definitely takes a whole day out but is well worth a visit. It is quite expensive though, buying tickets in advance online is slightly cheaper if you have wifi access.

Brixham is a lovely little town (and where I plan to move to when the DCs finish school). Again, well worth a visit.

Sorry for the essay . If there is anywhere in particular you are thinking of let me know - chances are we could give you a review .

[tobiasfunke]

Thanks everyone. I have taken notes and packed them in my suitcase. I am so desperate for a holiday- it's been a long year.