Family Attractions

North Devon is a wonderful place for families, with so much to do—you’ll easily be able to fill your time with fun adventures, educational trips, and exciting family days out. Here are some of our top picks for you.

Highly recommended. Meerkats, Bug World, wolves, lions, sea lion shows, primates, birds of prey, reptiles, dinosaurs, and much more. There are also educational talks and daily wildlife encounters—an enjoyable family day out.

This is the biggest all-weather attraction in North Devon. There are excellent birds of prey shows, five major rides, a huge indoor soft play area with death slides and ball pits, and a separate play area specifically for babies and pre-schoolers. You’ll experience no hidden extras as all the rides, shows, and play areas are included in the entrance fee. There’s genuinely something for the whole family, and it makes for a brilliant day out.

This lovely zoo is committed to conservation and education, participating in over 35 international and national animal breeding programmes. Here, you’ll find the beasts of Exmoor—the only pair of black leopards on exhibit in the UK. There are also African wild dogs, wallabies, howler monkeys, parrots and… tarantulas (eeek!). Plus, there’s a range of experiences on offer—including joining the team as a keeper for the day.

Forget Ascot, go to the sheep races.The Big Sheep is one of North Devon’s most eccentric and loved family attractions. It’s far more than just sheep racing too, with a large indoor play area, lamb bottle feeding, and tractor rides. It’s not all for kids though. The Big sheep has an onsite brewery and gin distillery. What’s certain, is fun for all ages.

More than a draughty old building, Watermouth Castle is a brilliant all-weather, all ages theme park. There’s something for everyone, from original antique pier displays, early 20th century slot machines and nostalgic displays, to a modern outdoor adventure park and ‘Gnomeland’, for younger ones. This attraction easily occupies kids for hours on end.