3 ideas for family days out in Devon

Monday, 12 September 2011 4:45 PM

You could take family holidays in north Devon every single year and it is unlikely any of your brood would ever get bored of the destination as there is simply so much to experience there.

Indeed, narrowing down your itinerary from the vast list of attractions may be the greatest dilemma you face when planning your trip, so to find out more about three ideas that both you and the kids can enjoy, read on.

If you are intending to stay in holiday parks in the region then you will discover that one of the best attractions in the area is right on your doorstep - the great outdoors.

Devon is one of the most beautiful parts of the whole of the UK and there are a wealth of ways in which to explore the stunning natural surroundings.

The Tarka Trail, which runs between Braunton and Meeth, is one of the most popular routes to take and if you have ever read the classic novel Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson then you will immediately feel familiar with the landscape.

You and the rest of the family can hire bicycles for the day and set off down the trail, which makes use of some of the county's old, disused railway lines.

There are a choice of directions for you to take, but whichever way you turn you will be greeted with beautiful scenery to enjoy as you ride along. If you are a family that loves being active then this is sure to be an excursion that appeals to you.

If you want to learn a little more about the history of the area in which you are staying then there are many attractions in this part of the UK for days out.

One is Watermouth Castle, an old Victorian building that is home to an eclectic collection of the weird and the wonderful.

Inside you will be able to meander around a replica of a kitchen and dairy from the era in which the castle was built, while your little ones are sure to be fascinated by the extensive displays of toys and games from throughout the ages, including a model railway.

Outside there is even more to see and you can wander around the models in Gnome Land, have a go on the rides at Merry-Go-Land or challenge each other to a game of crazy golf - all without leaving the grounds.

Another top attraction is Exmoor Family Zoo. Your kids are sure to love the chance they get here to see a host of exotic animals, from cheetahs and wolves to penguins. There is even a real life Exmoor Beast to see - a beautiful black leopard called Ebony.

For decades, people have reported spying a large black cat on the moors of Devon and it is widely believed that the creature is a leopard like Ebony or a cougar that was released there many years ago.

There are around 200 other different types of animal to see while you are here and by planning ahead you could arrange for your kids to be zoo keepers for the day - an experience they are sure to love.

By the time you return to your holiday camp, you will all be tired out from your busy day exploring north Devon. And yet you have only scratched the tip of the iceberg so don't be surprised if you're back again next year!

Family fun activities weekend ideas from Campingninja

For those families looking to try their hand at something different this summer Campingninja has the answer, thanks to its Top 100 Random UK Events which the camping website has compiled. Events ranging from festivals celebrating food and drink, music and walking respectively, to raft races, bog snorkelling and triathlons.