| Great Escapes - N Devon 6 |
There are always times on holiday when children become bored and restless but don't despair, visit some of the great family attractions we found and put a smile back on their faces.
1. Watermouth Castle, Ilfracombe
The start and finish for this route is Ilfracombe's Watermouth Castle. To get there, take the A361 from Barnstaple for 12.5 miles. Continue up High Street, and bear right at the fork in the road (13miles). Watermouth Castle is on your right, at 15.5 miles.
You could easily spend a whole day out at Watermouth Castle. Inside, there are sound and light displays, a model railway, a doll collection and recreations of Edwardian life. If you dare, go downstairs to the haunted dungeons and see the kids' favourite fairy tales, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs come to life before your eyes.
Outside, in the landscaped gardens, there's Merrygoland with its mechanical rides such as the carousel, and Gnomeland where, for example, you can explore the mine workshop.
2. Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park
Zero your trip meter and turn right out of the Castle car park and continue on the A399. Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is 4.1 miles away.
The Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is set in woodland with streams, cascading waterfalls and ornamental gardens. There are 30 acres of sub-tropical gardens too, with 250 species of animals and rare, exotic plants. You'll find the great big dinosaurs lurking in the woods.
Thrill-seekers should try the Earthquake Ride but a more peaceful time can be spent in the oriental gardens or the sea lion shows and falconry displays – you can even arrange to swim with the sea lions if you fancy it.
3. The Big Sheep
Turn right out of the car park on the A399, southbound towards Blackmoor Gate and South Molton. At nine miles, turn right onto the A39 for Barnstaple. At 19.4 miles go straight across the next two traffic islands and follow the road, which skirts the town centre, until you meet a roundabout at 20 miles. Take the third exit, at the lights, which takes you across a bridge over the River Taw. Continue straight across the next traffic island on the B3233 and take the second exit at the roundabout at 20.8 miles, signposted Instow. Continue on the B3233 then, at 28.1 miles, turn left then immediate right onto the A39 towards Bude. At 30.7 miles, turn right then left for the Big Sheep.
This unique, all-weather venue is a working farm turned tourist attraction. Only part of it was open as we went to press: sadly, the current restrictions of the 'foot and mouth' crisis means that visitors will be unable to enjoy the sheep racing events or tour the indoor lambing area. Nevertheless, there are still some great spectator sports to enjoy such as 'duck trialling'
– a lot like a miniature sheepdog trial only the dogs are running ducks – and cheese making.
For the children there's the Ewe-topia Adventure Zone, with everything from 'free-fall' vertical-drop slides to toddlers' play zones, all bound to put a smile on their faces. And when they get get hungry, The Shepherds restaurant serves a lovely farmhouse lunch or cream tea.
4. Milky Way Adventure Park
Return to the A39 and continue west towards Bude. At 38 miles turn left for the Milky Way Adventure Park.
Milky Way was named amongst the best 50 theme parks in the world by The Independent in 1999. It's a large, family entertainment complex unlike anything else you're likely to encounter for the sheer diversity of activities on offer.
There's a huge, indoor play area which will suit children and adults alike. Take your pick from the extra-terrestrial-themed Time Warp adventure play area, with its Black Hole 'drop slides', the new and popular Droid Destroyers (dodgem-type rides), or the hair-raising Clone Zone thrill ride. And, there's a safe play area for the very young.
For those of a sporting bent there are golf nets, an 18-hole mini-golf course, archery (with tuition) and laser shooting.
Deservedly popular spectator events are the flying displays by birds of prey, where peregrines make dramatic dives overhead, and the entertainment in the Night Time Owl Theatre.
At the pets' corner, children are encouraged to feed and cuddle the lambs and goats, although this is unlikely to be operational during the 'foot and mouth' outbreak. Phone 01237 431255 to check the current situation at Milky Way.
5. The Gnome Reserve
Turn left out of Milky Way, then immediate left on an unclassified road. Take the left fork at 39.5 miles, then left again at 40 miles. Turn right at 42.6 miles, then left again at 44.9 miles for the Gnome Reserve.
The Reserve was created more than 20 years ago by Anne Atkin, an artist, who still owns and runs the place. It is set amongst a two-acre spread of ancient beechwood with a small stream running through it, and attracts up to 30,000 visitors a year.
To wander around the grounds, you'll need to don the pointed red gnomes' hat, just for fun. You'll encounter more than a thousand gnomes engaged in various, traditional gnome activities such as fishing, pushing wheelbarrows and sitting on toadstools. Others break with convention by playing chess, sunbathing, gambling, mining, motorcycle scrambling and
queueing for a bus. Returning your hat to the shop, you can see garden gnomes and hand-painted pottery pixies being made, ready for sale.
Next, head out for a look at the wild flower garden where you can soak up the sights and smells of over 250 labelled species of wild flowers, herbs, grasses and ferns.
6. Quince Honey Farm
Return the same way that you came to the A39 and turn right towards Bideford and Barnstaple. Continue past Bideford, for Barnstaple, then turn right at the traffic island at 63.8 miles onto the A361 for South Molton. At 72.1 miles, turn right (third exit) at the roundabout. At 73.7 miles, turn right into the Farm car park.
Quince Honey Farm is not so much a theme park as a themed farm, but it's a very different kind of farm experience which, as we went to press, was unaffected by the 'foot and mouth' outbreak (but phone 01769 572401 to check the current situation).
The farm has been producing honey for over 50 years and you can see the busy bees labouring and living in their hives to produce the honey. It's fascinating to watch the whole process of honey-making: watch from a viewing gallery as the honey is extracted, filtered and bottled. And, of course, be sure to see the end result of all the bees' hard work. In the shop, there's everything from honey marmalade to honey chutney on offer.
7. Once Upon a Time
Return to Barnstaple on the A361. Follow signs to Ilfracombe, via Barnstaple. Continue through Braunton towards Ilfracombe, then turn left at Mullacott Cross at 94.5 miles. Follow the road to the left and see Once Upon a Time at 96.8 miles.
Here, children can lose themselves in the Wild Boar Adventure Trail, try their hand at crazy golf, take a ride with their parents on the Huff 'n' Puff ship, or enjoy a ride on the train. They can even learn to drive at the driving school, which leads to a special licence at the end.
• Return to the Mullacott Cross roundabout and turn left. Continue through Ilfracombe and back to Watermouth Castle at 104 miles. |
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Distance 104 miles.
Time If you spent an hour at each theme park, you'd complete our theme parks tour in roughly
10-12 hours. This would be a long day for any family, and besides, many people will want to spend much longer at each theme park, so why not pick a park a day for a week?
Suitable for Kids of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers. There's plenty to do for adults at these parks, too.
REFRESHMENTS
Rock Inn, Rock Hill, Georgeham. Tel 01271 890322
Old Union Inn, Stibbs Cross.
Tel 01805 601253.
Chichester Arms, Mortehoe.
Tel 01271 870411.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Barnstaple Tel 01271 375000
Bideford Tel 01237 477676
Ilfracombe Tel 01271 863001
TIP
A number of Devon's attractions are marked on major roads with the Red Rose tourist sign – this is a Red Rose on a brown background with white detailing. So, if you ever become lost on North Devon's unclassified roads, keep an eye out for these useful signs. |
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