So many of our Leisureshopdirect customers visit Devon………some year after year and it’s not really surprising as Devon really has so much to offer and is without doubt quite unique. It most definitely has stunning beaches and absolutely beautiful hilly countryside, with quaint villages and towns boasting rural markets to buy local produce. The spectacular National Parks and numerous historic buildings and ruins make it a very diverse destination. With plenty of places to stay in Devon, the most difficult decision you’ll have to make is where in this unique area of the UK you want to visit first! So in this week’s blog Leisureshopdirect has decided to focus on amazingly fun places to visit in this beautiful county. As the summer holidays are rapidly approaching we thought we might delve into the delights of some of the local theme parks, as great ideas of things to do in Devon. Most of us have got our caravans, camper vans, motorhomes or tents into tip top shape in the last few months, fixing any leaking taps, broken cupboard door stays or fridge hinges! If you have any last minute needs though, don’t worry as Leisureshopdirect has any small parts you may need to refurbish items like cookers, water heaters, fridges or taps. Perhaps you need to completely replace caravan parts………..whatever you need to make your holiday just that bit more relaxing, we will have it here,
Caravan spare parts and accessories. Now let’s move on to some great days out in Devon………….
There are so many Devon attractions, but Woodlands Park has to be one of the best and is is set in absolutely stunning countryside, only 5 miles from the historic town of Dartmouth. It is reported to be the largest theme Park in Devon and without doubt has something for everyone in the family………white-knuckle rides for the more daring adventurers and adrenalin junkies, fun rides for those that don’t like rides that make you scream and then tonnes of activities, mazes, animals and shows for those that just like to wander and watch! Worth mentioning…….one of the things that my family like most about Woodlands Theme Park is that the air is so fresh. It is way out in the countryside and so near to the coast. You really feel you are going somewhere special and different to everyday life……..it has a magical feel and is most certainly one of the great things to do in Devon!
As you drive into the park, the first ride to emerge from the trees is the Sea Dragon Swing Ship in the Sea Monster Zone. Now this ride is not for the faint hearted and most definitely makes most people scream or shout out! It is a huge swing ship and there seems to always be a rush for the back seats where the G force is at its max………its sure to give you the best ever buzz. This is our 5 year olds favourite and he will go on it time and time again! If you or your little ones take one look at the Sea Dragon Swing Ship and say no way, then the Rock n Roll Tugboat will be for you. Although definitely not as scary as the Swing Ship, it still has a few tricks up its sleeve with how it rocks, rolls and spins around. Don’t miss out on the Seascape Mirror Maze and Bumper Boats in this section.
The indoor Sea Monster Zone is simply awesome! Especially on a rainy day………and let’s be honest we do have lots of these, even in sunny Devon! The Empire of the Sea Dragon Indoor Zone is reported to be the biggest indoor venture centre in the UK and when you enter you children will simply be mesmerised…….until they take their shoes off and then they are gone into a magical world of Sea Adventures! The slides are great……the Barracuda has six lanes so you can have family races, feel the 40ft of negative G of the Deep G dive slide, or you may fancy the Triple Drop Slide which apparently feels like your heart comes out your mouth! (no one in my family has dared these last two yet!).The twin tubes of the Sea Serpent twist you round and spit you out below. Basically there are slides for all the family here, along with 5 floors of net towers and bridges, huge ball pools, climbing ropes and swings, tunnels and balancing apparatus; this place is built for you to have mega fun. Little ones can also play safely in the Penguin Ice Palace, running around, sliding down, shapes to tumble over, ball pools to hide in, steps to climb up, rope bridges to navigate and small places to crawl through. This will tire out even the most energetic of toddlers. The best part is the Mums and Dads can enjoy a tea or coffee in comfort whist the small ones are safe in the Penguin Ice Palace. Also in this indoor zones are some great rides…..the Trauma Tower is awe-inspiring when it hauls you up 50ft, pauses you in mid-air and then terrifyingly, suddenly drops like a stone, whisking you back up to do it over and over again. Amazingly, another favourite of my 5 year old son……………another reason to make him want to keep going back to Woodlands!
Another of the best zones in Woodlands has to be the Cyclone Canyon Zone. The three water dingy rides here are simply brilliant fun…..the Side winder Water Coaster gets you the wettest, the Rapids Water Coaster has you free-falling at points and the Twister water Coaster has you shooting through coils. If you don’t want to get wet wear waterproofs or at least take a change of clothes if it isn’t hot. The Tornado Toboggan Run is nearby and one the kids will love….500m of track with an initial scary steep incline and then you need to hang on tight as you reach top speed, skimming into the bends on the way down.
There is so much else to do at Woodlands in the Ninja, Circus, Fantasi, Arctic, Action and Toddler Village Zones, not to mention the amazing walk down through the new Dino Trek. However, I must just mention one more magical place at Woodlands, the Falconry Centre. It really is a hidden gem……..all the Birds of Prey are so beautiful and they are in lovely conditions. The daily bird flying shows are fantastic to watch and provide a welcome, relaxing break from the excitement of all the rides!
Nearby Dartmouth is well worth a visit too……discover winding Elizabethan streets with boutique style shops, art galleries and an interesting local market. Dine out in scrumptious gourmet restaurants, bistros, bars and cosy cafes. There is so much to do in this area…….go crabbing, rock pooling, wakeboarding, kayaking, sailing, fishing, exploring the coast by boat or simply walking the South West Coast Path and lose yourself in the breath taking views. Relax on beautiful unspoilt beaches, or take trips on the river ferries or the steam trains. The heritage is in abundance with Dartmouth Castle, Agatha Christie’s National Trust house and the Britannia Royal Navy College to explore. So much to do and see!! So why not stay at Woodlands Grove, which is a holiday park designed with families of all ages in mind and for romantic getaways. It has excellent 5 star facilities and is simply in a superb setting, located down in a valley so you do not have to worry about any noise coming up from the theme park. Caravans, Motorhomes, Campervans and tents are all welcome, with a warm friendly greeting and generous sized pitches. There is a fabulous cycle trail through Millenium Wood so don’t forget your bikes when you visit. Here on Leisureshopdirect we have a great range of
Bike Racks that will transport your bikes safely and conveniently to your holiday destination. You will have some great days out in Devon if you visit Woodlands.
Another award winning Devon family attraction is Crealy Great Adventure Park. It is a very convenient place to visit as it is situated a short distance (just a few minutes!) from the Junction 30 of the M5, which is near the beautiful city of Exeter. Crealy currently has over 60 rides and attractions that are set in 100 acres of lovely countryside, along with over 100 animals and is one of the great fun things to do in Devon. There really is something for everyone in the family at Crealy…………from the adrenalin rides for the more daring, to soft play areas for the younger children.
There are tonnes of heart-stopping rides for the bold and brave. My family’s favourite was Maximus, a fantastic roller coaster ride that starts off from ancient Roman buildings and then races along exhilarating super-fast track that sweeps through tunnels and then plunges and lunges through the twists and turns! Don’t forget to hold on and try not to scream! Another rollercoaster ride not for the faint hearted is the Twister which basically has 310 metres of twisting track standing at 12 metres high! The spinning car swoops and swerves up and down the track at fast speed……definitely another to get you all screaming! If water is your thing then Crealy’s Tidal Wave Log Flume is for you. The Log boats take you high above the trees and then plunges you about 40 feet into the water below……..there is no chance of not getting wet but they do sell see-through ponchos if you have forgotten your jacket. This is without doubt another favourite of ours……..we went on it three times in a row on our last visit! These are just a few of the scarier rides and then are lots of rides suitable for younger children or just for when the family needs a more relaxing time! Dino Jeeps, Flying Machine, Neptune Sea Cups, Safari Train, Super Subs, Aqua Blasters and the Vortex are just a few that will ensure you have a fun-filled day.
To be honest there is way too much here to do in one day, so you may like to stay for a few days and where better than Crealy Meadows? There is a lot to do in the surrounding area with the dramatic Jurassic coastline nearby and many quaint towns and villages like Sidmouth and Branscombe . There is a huge area of outstanding natural beauty that is protected like a National Park so there are tonnes of beautiful walks and places to explore. Crealy Meadows allows visitors to park up in there caravan, motorhome or campervan and if your family enjoys camping more, then pitching a tent is also fine. However the glamping options really are something to boast about with their amazingly furnished medieval and safari glamping tents. It is not a bad idea to take along a cool bag with you. You might think the entry price is very acceptable, but by the time you have bought drinks, snacks, ice lollies, lunch and then more drinks and snacks in the afternoon, it can all soon add up. We are finding that cool bags are one of the latest must-haves and they are literally flying off the shelves. They will enable you to make a scrumptious lunch and keep it at the right temperature so it tastes just as fresh at lunchtime. Your drinks really will be refreshing. They mean that there is no need to lug a hugely cumbersome and ridiculously heavy box . These days your electric cool bag is going to be made from versatile materials designed for both comfort and performance; it will be light in weight and you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the amount of space you'll find inside even a small cool bag... you might even like the look of a modern electric cool bag! For many fantastic designs at very competitive prices check out Leisureshopdirects
Cool Bag section.
We hope you have a fabulous time when you visit these theme parks and watch out for more blogs on Devon attractions.
