Finlake Dartmoor/Devon

[mrswobblebottom]

Going in August, there is a review on mumsnet holiday reviews page but any tips for days out around the area or nice family pubs etc They have sent an email with activities to do during the week (like center parcs) wondered if anyone been and tried them?

There's Paignton zoo nearby and you could have dinner in totnes. Lots of beaches. How old are the kids and what sort of things do they like doing? There's a riding stables right next door but I'm not sure what it's like - you might prefer to drive to cholwell if you are into riding. My kids love the house of marbles which I always find surprising although their cafe is good and it's very close. Dartmoor if you like open spaces. And of course the trago mills experience if you don't mind tat! Going to trago can become a bonding experience with other trago devotees.

Also river dart country park if you're feeling adventurous although I think it's pricey. There's also some tree walks if your kids are older - I've heard good things but never been. Boat trips. Steam train from Paignton or one at buckfastleigh. That's next to a butterfly farm (smelly) and otters.

Thanks for all those ideas, got 2 DS teenagers and DD age 8, was imagining a yomp on the moor if I can make it sound exciting enough! I think beaches are a bit more of a drive arent they, is Blackpool sands supposed to be lovely?
worth the drive or not?

My late FIL told very funny story of being taken on a trip to Trago Mills, imagined a mill by river, oldey worldey, history etc, was gobsmacked to find a large shop when they got there, others knew what they were going to and his reaction was hysterical!

Look up the rock centre chudleigh for the tree walks - ideal for kids your age. You could combine a dartmoor yomp with riding at cholwell - they are good if a bit of a trek. Maybe try some dartmoor letterboxing nearby to make the walk more interesting (sorry am on iPod so can't do links but google should get you there).

Blackpool sands nice but all the beaches are really. Slapton for something different and a bit of history if you are out that way. Other nice beaches mothecombe (only open Wednesdays and weekends) and bigbury and bantham - not too much of a trek if you use the a38.

Yes trago really does need to be seen to believed. My kids love the playzone stuff there although I think it's hideous. Lighthouse/aquarium and boat trips aplenty in Plymouth.

Finlake itself has quite a bit going on as well - some smart lodges.

Thanks saintly! You must live nearby? All the above much better when its dry so fingers crossed for August.

We stayed in Woolacombe 2 years ago, remember Rescue Day in Ilfracombe with rain pouring off our kagools and umbrellas turning inside out, so pleased Olympics were on telly to watch!

We live nearby too. The rock centre at Chudleigh has a tree walk but so does River Dart - like a Go Ape for 8yos up. my dds did it last year there. I like River Dart, more worth it than some of the other overpriced "visitor attraction" rip-offs in the area.

Blackpool Sands, I'd say sniffily, is for people who don't really like the beach. It's pretty, pebble beach, with neat sandpits for the children. and a good organic cafe. Not good for watersports or small children to paddle in as it's quite steeply shelving, as pebble beaches tend to be.
Anywhere around Salcombe/Hope/Thurlestone/Bigbury is much better for proper beach.

Dartmoor has lots of very nice places. If you want to entice the dc, can you combine a walk with one of the places for swimming/paddling in the river. Spitchwick, near River Dart country park, is very popular, you can take rubber rings and bounce down the rapids. Or you can go to Fingle Bridge, which has a good pub and picnic area where children can paddle. and from tehre you can walk to Castle Drogo.

Or you can go up Hay Tor which is a very short walk but feels like a proper hill. Near Bovey Tracey.

Stover and Decoy country parks are both nice, I thikn, for gentle picnics/cycle rides/child-sized walks. Stover has a poetry trail and tree level walk, Decoy has fountains for playing in in the playground. All of those things are free and my children enjoy them.

Thank you Fennel, I will make a note of all those places, that is just the sort of info you dont get in the official tourist blurb.

Do any of those beaches have waves you can use body boards on or are they more North coast?

Have you got any other family pub suggestions in the area, not planning on doing much cooking!

Thanks again, off to google all your suggestions!

You can surf at Bigbury, depending on the wind and waves, it can be good. Or at Exmouth on the south coast. Otherwise the North coast has the better surf.

There are loads of good family pubs. not hard to find at all. I can't think of any in the Dartmoor area besides the Fingle Bridge one. but they are all around.
If you are going near Exeter then the Double Locks or Turf Locks on the Exe estuary are two of our favourites - the latter is one you have to walk or cycle or kayak to, no road access.

Discovery surf school is based at bigbury / you can have lessons/ hire boards etc.

Just back from Devon, thanks to all for suggestions. Finlake very nice, DCs enjoyed golf, tennis and swimming. All enjoyed walking/puffing up Hay Tor, had clear views from the top the day we went. Also Becky Falls boulder clambering went down very well.

Wasnt ideal beach weather but had a drive to coast Salcombe, Slapton then Dartmouth (looking at Blackpool sands from the car!).

Went to Kents Cavern, DD choice, on a wet morning, seemed a very popular place to keep out of the rain judging by the visitors!