Last week we were on holiday in Devon and we were lucky enough to have some amazing days out, but sometimes planning things to do with a toddler can be difficult, there’s a lot to think about, cost, activities, changing facilities, food, the list goes on. So here’s a run down of where we went and why we think they are awesome places to bring a toddler for some days out in Devon. 

National Trust Knighthayes – the gardens at Knightshayes are AMAZING, there are wild woods to walk around and find sticks, a walled garden with a pond full of tadpoles, grassy meadows that are great for a bit of toddler style hide and seek and formal gardens that are completely whimsical with dog topiary and willow unicorns hidden around every corner. The staff in the house are brilliant and made us feel very welcome even with a slightly unruly toddler in tow, and with little snails hidden in the rooms grown ups can actually have a look around whilst the snail hunt is on. The food is brilliant, the changing facilities are good and the gift shop has a great mix of stunning adult gifts and not to expensive child bribery toys. This offered a great mix of grown up and toddler fun and if you are planning some days out in Devon I’d recommend it.

Watermouth Castle – this place is truly magical, a castle with really pretty gardens filled with rides, gnomes, games, water features and everything cool thing you could possibly need when you are two and half years old. With ride heights at 90cm and 110cm things are really geared up for kids and we only found a couple of things L (who is 90cm) couldn’t go on. As grown up’s we thoroughly enjoyed the gardens, they made such a beautiful setting and we enjoyed exploring the castle. As a toddler L enjoyed everything. Once you’ve paid to get in everything is included, the few things that weren’t (arcade games and the like) were only 10p a go. There was a choice of places to eat, the changing facilities were good, the gift shop was easily avoidable but I wouldn’t because there’s a fudge shop at the back of it, yummy, and there was enough to do to fill an entire day.

The BIG Sheep – this was our second visit to The BIG Sheep as it was one of our favourite days out in Devon last year and it does not disappoint, with an amazing indoor play area where you can grab a bite to eat or relax with a coffee whilst your husband toddler plays on the slides and other fun equipment you are safe to visit rain or shine. That’s not really what The BIG Sheep is about though, there are rides, animals, shows and all in one very easy to navigate space, perfect if you have a pushchair. Getting to feed the sheep is great fun and if you get to catch some of the shows you really should. Oh and did I mention there’s a brewery on site, so it’s not just for the kids. The food is amazing, like so good, the changing facilities are brilliant and the staff all seem to be just about the happiest people in the world.

Quince Honey Farm – we almost didn’t make it to Quince Honey Farm, an epic nap in the back of the car nearly ruined our plans, but I’m so glad we made it. You can get really up close with the bees who they have made some epic hives for, it’s lovely to watching them flying in and out of their hives and getting to learn so much about them. There’s loads to see and buttons to press, this is important to a toddler, as are the bears, bears are also important to a toddler. As well as the bees there are also lots of creepy crawlies you can get up close and personal with, we arrived just as the snake was out to visit the kids, L didn’t want to meet the snake out of the cage but he loved watching it in it’s enclosure. He also really loved that they had steps so he could see in the higher enclosures without our help, There’s another brilliant play area, indoors and outdoors, fab food and honey, plenty of honey, even honey ice cream. I bought a few different jars of honey home with us, it was too good not to.

The Milky Way Adventure Park – if you are unlucky enough to have to plan for some rainy days out in Devon the Milky Way should come top of your list, there is a great under 6’s indoor play area with a great soft play, Wow toys, dress up and sensory areas. Plus you can enjoy your lunch whilst they play or grab a warm scone with clotted cream and jam. Then there are a couple of roller-coasters outdoors, one of which is perfect for toddlers, there are zip lines and bouncy pillows outside as well, plus the bird of prey centre. Everything else is indoors though, dodgems, tractor toys, a larger soft play with amazing slides that even had the grown ups excited and more activities than you could shake a stick at. Husb got to hit a few golf balls in the indoor nets, I tried to persuade L to paint some pots with me but he was having none of it, in comparison to everything else on offer that was too mundane for him, instead he went on the dodgems, again.

Devon Railway Centre – the was one of my favourite days out in Devon, I love trains and I love a good model village, but for toddlers it must be even more exciting. There are train carriages filled with model trains, lots of buttons to press to make them work and little stools provided so they can step up and see for themselves. There are train carriages filled with toy trains, a sand pit and a ball pool. Outside there is a gnome village, a train you can drive yourself, an awesome model village ad yes, you guessed it, train rides! Two in fact and you can even get off to have a picnic at a lovely little spot by the river with it’s own play ground. There are plenty of outdoor play areas and an indoors soft play that we didn’t even get too as there was so much else to see. We had some lovely food and were joined by a peacock that L started throwing his lunch too, he was in his element. A super fun toddler day trip.

All our amazing days out in Devon were arranged by Devon’s Top Attractions, for loads more days out, information and Devon news check out the website www.lotstodo.co.uk you’ll find loads of useful information and great resources to help make sure you get the most of your trip.

Disclosure – we were given complementary entrance to the attractions in return for our honest opinions.