North Cornwall and Devon are fantastic for families. There are plenty of free activities to occupy your little ones – from sandcastles and rock pools at the beach, to exploring moorland tors. However, as a treat why not take them to one of the area’s many dedicated family-friendly attractions? If we’ve missed your favourite, let us know in the comments or on social media.
Harlequinns Bowling & Jungle Gym Bude EX23 8AR
A large indoor adventure play-zone with the usual collection of ball pools, climbing apparatus and obstacles, along with a ten pin bowling alley. Good facilities and great value, and if that gets old there’s even the Splash leisure pool next door.
Splash Leisure Pool Bude EX23 8AR
When it’s miserable weather, how about heading into an all year round tropical atmosphere? This 33 metre, 5 lane swimming pool, features a wave machine and flume. Not the largest fun pool you’ll ever find, but still great fun.
The Gnome Reserve & Wild Flower Garden Bradworthy EX22 7XE
This quaint and quirky attraction is great for young children, featuring a wooded glade and a record-breaking collection of gnomes and pixies. Alton Towers it is not, but with good weather it is a pleasant way to spend an hour or so. Hats and rods provided.
Tamar Otter Park North Petherwin (nr Launceston) PL15 8GW
If your children are animal lovers, this wildlife park is a great option. As well as otters, they will also meet owls, meerkats, deer, chipmunks, polecats and more. Although there is a café to retreat to, this is a good one for dry days.
Dingles Fairground Heritage Lifton PL16 0AT
This is a large indoor museum charting the history of the fairground. It features lots of working exhibits, stalls, and activities for children. Like a typical fairground, once you’re in you need to buy tickets for some of the rides. Great for wet weather days.
Hidden Valley Launceston PL15 8SJ
Hidden Valley is a small and unusual adventure park ideal for primary age children especially. There are various trails to follow, a forbidden mansion with strange optical illusion rooms, a miniature railway and lots of puzzles and conundrums to solve.
http://hiddenvalleydiscoverypark.co.uk/
Trethorne Farm & Leisure Park Launceston PL15 8QE
Trethorne Leisure Park has an extensive indoor jungle-gym, drop slides, and games areas, together with a farm barn where children can meet animals large and small. There are also plenty of slides and play equipment outside. Not particularly cheap entry, but you can easily spend a whole day here and the children will not be getting bored! Recommended!
The Milky Way Clovelly EX39 5RY
North Devon’s biggest indoor adventure play area with assault courses & slides built for adults & children. There are also live shows, birds of prey and much more. A very popular attraction.
https://www.themilkyway.co.uk/
The Big Sheep Bideford EX39 5AP
Once a large sheep farm, the Big Sheep has evolved into an excellent award-winning farm park with live shows and demonstrations, sheep racing, massive play areas and much more.
Camel Creek Adventure Park (Formerly Cornwall Crealy) Wadebridge PL27 7RA
A bit of a drive, but this theme park set within 111 acres of Cornish countryside is one of the county’s premier attractions. It is a huge array of family-friendly rides, giant play areas and animal encounters – by far the most extensive adventure park in the area.
