Local Area Information

This property is located in a lovely tranquil location in the North Devon countryside, and yet enjoys easy access to many of the region’s best-loved attractions, popular towns, and most attractive beaches. The town of Barnstaple is just nine miles north of the property, perfect for those who love exploring new towns, whilst, for those who enjoy more active pursuits, Exmoor is within a thirty-minute drive, and offers scenic walks, stunning views, and a wide range of wildlife. For many, a trip to Devon would be incomplete without a day spent at the beach, and there are several to choose from within easy reach, not least, the vast expanse of sandy beaches at Westward Ho!, Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe. There are plenty of local surf schools for those who want to take on a challenge.

Places to visit
http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/things-to-do/Barnstaple

Family days out near to Barnstaple(the mileage shown is from the centre of Barnstaple and not from Forest Park Lodges):

Barnstaple
North Devon Leisure Centre Standard swimming facilities with 1m and 3m Springboards. Creche and indoor soft play area also on site.
(< 1 mile)

Barnstaple
Funderzone Indoor Soft Play Centre Indoor soft play centre for children from toddlers to 12 year olds. Activities for all ages, babies and toddlers have their very own play area. There are ball ponds, astro slides, cargo nets, spooky maze + Great kids day out in Devon. (2 miles)

Newton Tracey
North Devon Falconry Enjoy a day hunting with our trained Harris' hawks in some of the UK's most beautifull countryside. (3 miles)

Barnstaple
North Devon Farm Park A petting farm with rare breed traditional livestock. See and feed a range of sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and many others, including the rare Mangalitza (curly coated) pigs, and Mary and Massey, the Farm's Clydesdale and Shire horses. We also have indoor play! (4 miles)

Braunton
Saunton Sands Miles of soft sand backed by the UK's largest dune system but in places it is dangerous for swimming. (5 miles)

Braunton
Cascades Tropical Adventure Pool Experience the thrill of Cascades 84-degree tropical adventure pool with its giant 230ft flume and rapids ride. Safe pools and mini-waterfalls for younger children, Jacuzzi and bubble lounger. Award-winning spectacular sandy beach which is patrolled by lifeguards in season. (6 miles)

Arlington
Arlington Court An attraction with many things to offer. The National Trust of Carriages, a bat cave and an intriguing house full of items and souvenirs amassed by a famous bunch of travellers! (6 miles)

Bideford
Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre Get wet, climb high, stay low, whatever you want, you can do it! Skern Lodge Outdoor Activity Centre will give you a day to remember. Play as a family or leave the adults at home, either way everyone can find fun, challenge, inspiration and laughter at Skern. (7 miles)

Westward Ho! Beach Blue Flag award winning sand and pebble beach offering good swimming, water sports and some local entertainments. (8 miles)

Exmoor Zoo There is only one place you are guaranteed to see the elusive Exmoor Beast and that is in the grounds of Exmoor Zoo. The beast is one of the zoos many highlights. It is a rather large black leopard that is likely to spot you before you see her! Discover whether wild beasts really do roam the moors and decide for yourself whether the stories are fact or legend! Exmoor Zoo is an award winning zoo set in a delightful location. It is nestled in rolling valleys in the heart of North Devon. The zoo has retained much of the beauty of the surrounding countryside and homes over 200 different species of animals and birds that you can discover round its winding paths. If you want to get up close to animals, then this is the place to come. Every day is packed with a choice of activities. These include keeper talks, animal feeding sessions and animal encounter sessions where you can get up close to animals and even feed some of them yourself. All year round you can stroke and feed our wallabies, hold a snake or big hairy spider (if you dare) and see Otters, Penguins, Cheetahs and the Exmoor beast being fed. Meet the friendly keepers who will give you an interesting and entertaining insight into these animals whilst they feed them. Spring and summer brings many baby animals and the chance to meet and stroke some of these new arrivals. During summer you also have the chance to hear about our Lemurs, Gibbons and ever popular Meerkats who are always on the lookout for new visitors! Come along to these activities and you will be amazed how quickly the day zooms by. There really is something for all ages at the zoo. Young ones enjoy filling in our fun trails and we have a variety of animals and activities to capture everyone's attention. The zoo homes many unusual creatures not often seen at other zoos and we even have some free range animals which you are likely to encounter along your way. Exmoor Zoo and its range of animals are always changing. New arrivals for 2010 include a Puma, Spider Monkeys and a curious looking Tapir. (8 miles)

Umberleigh
Cobbaton Combat Collection 'Military museum and tourist attraction, this North Devon collection covers mostly World War Two and the years 1939 - 1945, but with exhibits from the Boer War right up to the First Gulf War. Ranging from military surplus British Army - plus Canadian and Russian Forces - tanks, guns, helmets, artillery, grenades, and bombs to Home Front ration books, gas masks, ARP and Home Guard uniforms and blackout lamps.' (8 miles)

Ilfracombe
Keypitts Quads offer four types of ride and they start with the badger ride which has been tailored for the 6 year olds and over using our all terrain adventure track. (9 miles)

Combe Martin
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park - the land that time forgot. A sub tropical paradise with exotic birds and animals and the most realistic Dinosaurs on the Planet! Daily Sea lion Shows, Falconry Displays, Lemur Encounters and magnificent Lions. Spectacular lightshow, Earthquake Canyon Train Ride, Tropical Butterfly House and 'Tomb of the Pharaohs'. (9 miles)

Bideford
Bideford Railway Museum Bideford Railway Museum - Although regular passenger trains ceased in 1965 with the notorious 'Beaching Act', the line from Barnstaple - Torrington - Meeth remained open for milk and clay traffic until 1982. (9 miles)

Woolacombe
Woolacombe Sands Blue Flag awarded sandy beach good for swimming, surfing and exploring. Boat trip to nearby lighthouse available. (10 miles)

Bideford
Discovery Island or a real adventure pick your way through the Mystery Maze or hop aboard the Pirate Galleon. Who knows, you may even find lost treasures whilst panning for gold.. Good idea if you're after fun things to do in Devon with kids. (10 miles)

Ilfracombe
Watermouth Castle and Theme Park Mechanical music demonstrations, model railway, domestic dairy, cider-making exhibits, cycle museum, smugglers' dungeon, maze, water show, rides, gnome village, large slide, water play, antique arcade, crazy mirrors, gardens, children's animations, 'Merrygoland' and much more. (10 miles)

Ilfracombe
Ilfracombe Aquarium 'Experience the fascinating journey from an Exmoor stream to the Atlantic Ocean'. (10 miles)

Great Torrington
Dartington Crystal Glass 'Around 200,000 people visit Dartington each year - A Great Day Out for all the family. Whilst here you will learn about the 40 years of history with Dartington Crystal at the Audio Visual Theatre, follow the Dartington Timeline from 1967 to present day, then watch the expert Master Engraving demonstration; even buy that special piece and have it personalised. You can then watch the live demonstration of Studio Glassmaking and try the many hands on activities we have to offer.' (10 miles)

Great Torrington
RHS Garden Rosemoor Here at Rosemoor we pride ourselves on offering something for everyone to enjoy, whatever your age or interest! Our enchanting 65 acres of garden is constantly changing with each season bringing new delights in scents and colours. Follow the children's trails and discover a whole new world in the garden. (10 miles)

South Molton
Quince Honey Farm 'Here in our world famous Honey Farm you can stand and watch these wild and wonderful creatures from the distant past. The unique design of the indoor apiary allows close up viewing in complete safety. The glass booths expose the working colonies of honeybees without interfering with their natural lifestyle. (11 miles)

South Molton
Rock and Rapid Adventure Centre Indoor climbing centre and Outdoor Activity Centre catering for children to the young at heart. Why not try some new exciting activities? (11 miles)

Parracombe
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Once one of the world's most famous and picturesque narrow gauge railways. An initial mile has so far been reopened within Exmoor at Woody Bay Station. The railway has fast become one of the top must-see attractions of North Devon and Exmoor, and definitely has something to offer for all the family! (12 miles)

Lynmouth
Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway No family trip to the picturesque towns of Lynton and Lynmouth would be complete without a trip on the world famous Cliff Railway – it's the best and most exciting way to travel between these two historic towns. It will be one of the highlights of the day – for Mums, Dads and the Kids! (15 miles)

Lynmouth
Watersmeet A Fishing lodge completed in c1832 surrounded by 'varied Exmoor landscapes of rocky coastline, heather moorland, wooded valleys and fast-flowing rivers.' (16 miles)

Bideford
Milky Way Adventure Park One of Devon's biggest and best. With Devon's largest rollercoaster, a caterpillar ride that's designed just for little ones, driod destroyer dodgems and fantastic live shows throughout the day, there really is something for the whole family! All the rides, shows and vast indoor play areas are included in the price! It's a great day out whatever the weather. (16 miles)

Bideford
Clovelly Village A magnificent and unique location in the West Country, not to be missed! (17 miles)

Crediton
Waie 2 Play Pleasingly large indoor and outdoor play areas with features like air cannons, zip wires and plenty of climbing frames. (22 miles)

Bude
Harlequinns Leisure Screamers has six fun packed levels for up to 12sincluding a separate toddler area. Ten pin bowling, cafe, and arcade with air hockey and dance machines all also available on site. (23 miles)

Dulverton
Exmoor Driving Spy Mission Trail Looking for a fun and interesting way to explore Exmoor? Don't just wander around aimlessly, do a Treasure Trail! These fun treasure hunts will teach you fascinating facts about the area and show you some beautiful scenery. Enjoy a fun family walk in the fresh air and solve an intriguing mystery at the same time. (23 miles)

Porlock
Exmoor Falconry and Animal Park Parrot handling; Dog training; Natural Herbal Remedies; Care of your pets; Alpaca Walks and Animal Handling Sessions. Hawk walks, Falconry Days, Courses, Half days, Owl Hour....... (24 miles)

Bude
Atlantic Pursuits Atlantic Pursuits offer an action-packed programme of outdoor activities for anyone, of any age and no previous experience is needed! (24 miles)

Okehampton
Okehampton Castle The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in an outstandingly picturesque setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle (24 miles)

Oakhampton
Museum of Dartmoor Life Dartmoor Life is a bright, novel, attractive place to visit. There you can discover what has happened to the Dartmoor environment over time and see how Dartmoor people have made a living and changed Dartmoor in doing so. See also how they have lived at home. You may even recognise your grandparents' kitchen and living room, but not necessarily the prices they had to pay for things in their time. (24 miles)

Minehead
Barle Valley Safaris The Perfect Way to Explore Exmoor, one of England's most beautiful National Parks, featured as one of Britain's 50 best days out. (26 miles)

Bude
The Splash Enjoy an all year round tropical atmosphere featuring a 33 metre, 5 lane swimming pool, with wave machine and flume. Spectators can also eat at the Beachcomber Cafe on poolside. The Splash is an exceptionally popular leisure attraction which offers general leisure swimming for all the family with the thrill of the wave machine and a chance to ride the flume. There are also a variety of other sessions run at Splash i.e. Length swimming, Parent and Toddlers, Over 50's and Aquafit classes. (28 miles)

Bideford
Lundy Island Why not take a trip out to Lundy Island - there are many guided rambles and walks and snorkelling safaris in the summer. Pub on island serving hot food. (28 miles)

Minehead
Minehead Eye Indoor Skatepark and BMX park with Games Consoles, ITsuite, DJ facilities, Pool, Table tennis and Football, Music Studios, Cafe, and all sorts of events! All equipment available to hire. You can even leave the kids there until 10pm! (28 miles)

Minehead
Queen's Hall Queen's Hall - With the free indoor soft play area, the kids will be amused for hours. There is also games machines, a pool table and football game. (28 miles)

Minehead
West Somerset Railway Great steam railway running 10 stations and 20 miles through the Somerset countryside, always a great family day out with the kids. (28 miles)

Minehead
West Somerset Sports & Leisure Centre The West Somerset Sports & Leisure Centre is a dual based sports centre within the West Somerset Community College. The Centre Offer's a wide range of Activities. (28 miles)

Minehead
Butlins - Minehead Over 50 FREE things to do and see including: Sub-tropical Splash Waterworld - Children's Play Areas - Great Shows - Funfair - with rides for all Sports Facilities PLUS so much more.Great idea if you are looking for family days out in Somerset. (28 miles)

Dunster
Dunster Water Mill The West Country's finest working water mill, built in 1680, the mill is set in magnificent surroundings alongside the River Avill overlooking Exmoor National Park, only minutes from Dunster Castle and High Street. (28 miles)

Minehead
Dunster Castle The site of the castle, which dates back to Norman times, the house and gardens provide a great space to explore with the whole family! Come along and discover the diversity of the wildlife in the gardens, find out about bats and find the secret passage way in the house! (28 miles)

Tiverton
Tiverton Castle 'Few buildings evoke such a feeling of history as venerable Tiverton Castle, which celebrated its 900th anniversary in 2006.' (28 miles)

Tiverton
Tiverton Museum 'Come along and explore some of our outstanding collections and trace the fascinating history of Mid Devon, its environment and the people who have lived and worked here.' (28 miles)

Dunster
Dunster Forest and Estate Go down to the woods today and explore our beautiful forest, see wildlife, try the adventure play area, walk or cycle waymarked trails or learn about our tall trees: including the tallest tree in England! (29 miles)

Exeter
Castle Drogo Visit the last castle built in England! (29 miles)

Tiverton
Devon Railway Centre - a popular Devon tourist attraction which offers a unique railway experience and boasts a host of attractions in one location. We offer an interactive fun filled day out. Our railways give unlimited train rides around the centre and opportunities for you to become involved! Children can clip the tickets and wave the flag to start our trains. (29 miles)

Tiverton
Monsters Mansion We are a children's indoor soft play centre in Tiverton, Mid-Devon, so come along and join in the FUN! Good idea if you're after places to go in Devon with kids. (29 miles)