Devon in Feb half term - where to go?

[MichaelaS]

I thought I would consult the wisdom of Mumsnet before booking our break. My eldest has a medical appointment in devon on Weds 20th Feb and we are thinking of making it a short break as we will be driving all the way from London.

We were thinking 2 or 3 nights. The appointment itself will take 1/2 a day and is slap bang in the middle of rural devon. so we could go anywhere - torquay, plymouth, exeter, dartmoor etc.

We usually stay in premier travel inn type places, and enjoy swimming, beach stuff, shopping, zoos / animals, anything to do with busses or trains, and eating of course. We have a 3yo and a 9mo so needs to be fairly pushchair friendly so that rules out hiking over the moors.

Any good / bad experiences? What would you suggest?
Thanks
Michaela

Stayed here about 3 years ago and cant fault it
www.forest-glade.co.uk/
Very good local pubs a short drive away

Thank you! Anyone else?

Salcombe or Dartmouth

Instow - we had a great feb half term there a few years back - the beach is great and there is a fantastic cycle path (tarka trail) on the old railway, you can hire all sorts of different bikes. there is a premierlodge not too far away in barnstable or travelodge just outside the town here

Dartmoor is very bleak in feb. and if we get another cold snap you will be stuck. Not just snow, but ice is a big issue in the middle of nowhere on Dartmoor. But, even when bleak it is beautiful!

I would say, as I alway do - Totnes. It is beautiful, and central to lots of other places to visit - it is close to Plymouth, Exeter, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge, not far from the beach, from woods, river walks. There is a little arthouse type cinema at Dartington, lovely organic and fair trade cafes, boutique shops and art galleries in Totnes itself. There is a steam railway there that takes you to Buckfastleigh where there is a butterfly farm (not sure if it's season for that) and otter sanctuary. There is Totnes Castle to visit...

You can stay in a hotel or in a B&B in the town, or in one rurally in the local countryside on a farm, depending on how grand you want. But, I personally would do B&B as if you get the right one it can be fab, with grounds to walk around, organic breakfasts, etc.

also, take a look at Groupon for Exeter and Plymouth, they often do good deals in Devon this time of year, and sometimes are family deals not just couples.

sorry, saw you want travel inn type, they have those in totnes, and Paington Zoo is very close by (10 mins by car or so?) plus if you are brave enough in the cold you can go to Woodlands!

or maybe Paignton itself? by the sea, near the Zoo, near other places such as Totnes, Dartmouth etc. There steam railway also goes from Paignton to Kingswear (a castle there) and you can get a boat to Dartmouth from there (you can get an all-inclusive ticket).

In fact, I know what I am doing half term now!!!

oh it's a shame you weren't planning a full week. If you can stretch, I would recommend North Bradbury Farm. It's not far from Barnstaple and they are running a special offer - the week for £720 (20% off). It is an amazing place, and handily located for Barnstaple, the moors, lovely little beach villages. We went in October and the kids had a brilliant time, helping out with the animals every day, playing on their adventure playground, pony riding. Chris and Tracey are so friendly, you feel more like family than guests, and they can advise on pushchair friendly walks, oh and the barns are gorgeous.

linky

You can stay in Paignton for about £129 for 7 nights with www.abbycaravans.co.uk

Just wanted to say thank you all and sorry I disappeared off the thread. Loads of great ideas so now I will do some research!

We were visiting family in Exeter and the weather was terrible so we ended up going here (www.crealy.co.uk/devon/) everyday - the kids thought it was awesome. It is enormous and they have everything - a funfair, a nice pizza place, soft play, kids shows & a petting zoo. You pay once then can go back every day for a week, so it can be quite good value. We stayed at a travelodge nr Exeter.

Am guessing you've been and come back, but we have just found a a lovely house to rent in Teignmouth south Devon. www.teignmouthtownhouse.com It's new and lovely and clean. Loads to do in and around the area, my 2 boys love going there and just scooting along the sea front (no expense!!!). The house is well kitted out for children. Its much better than many of the other holiday rentals we've stayed in!