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Don't let April showers ruin your day in Devon

8th April 2022

Categories: Visitor News

Though we’re predicted good weather for April, there is always the possibility that we might see a shower or two, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend the whole of your break holed up in your room, there are loads of things you can do in rainy weather while in Devon.

Here are some suggestions of things you can do on a rainy day in Devon.

There’s nothing worse than rain while on holiday with the kids, especially if they wanted to spend the day out and about on the beach or exploring. If you have young children, book a visit to Bear Town. This unique role play experience is set in an immersive town setting and is unlike anything else you will have done before. There are 12 different play areas and has been carefully created to offer a fun, educational day out where the kids can try something new, from being a vet, a mechanic, a hairdresser or more and the parents can spend some time relaxing in the café.

Not far from Bear Town is Crealy Theme Park and Resort, which is consistently named as the South West’s favourite family day out. Aside from the many rides and calendar of seasonal events, Crealy has 75,000 square feet of undercover play areas and plenty of indoor attractions to keep you entertained during bad weather. The site also features activities and rides that cater for the whole family, no matter your age or ability, so you can easily keep the everyone from the tiny toddlers to the troublesome teenagers amused.

Image: Crealy

If you’re in North Devon there is the Milky Way Adventure Park, an award-winning theme park catering for both indoor and outdoor adventures and over Easter has a host of fun additional activities taking place. Visitors from 0 to 100 with find something fun to entertain them and if you pick up a VIP super saver ticket while you’re there, you can have discounted future visits until March 2023!

Another option for family adventures is Woodlands Family Theme Park in South Devon. Woodlands is home to the biggest indoor play centre in the South West alongside an incredible zoo farm, daily falconry displays and a host of seasonal events and rides. Or at the other end of the county, there is the Big Sheep, which although famous for its sheep racing has a brilliant selection of indoor and outdoor activities, perfect for a day with dodgy weather. If it dries up, you can always take on North Devon’s largest roller-coaster or if you don’t want to risk it, sit in the undercover performance area and enjoy the regular carousel of hilarious family friendly performances.

If you like the sound of sheep racing and meeting cute animals while hiding from the rain, make sure to visit Pennywell Farm in South Devon. Home to hundreds of friendly animals and of course the famous Pennywell Miniature pigs, there are unlimited opportunities to cuddle one of the cute pigs throughout your visit as well as a chance to meet and hold a whole host of other creatures who call the farm home. Alternatively, if you’re in the east of the county, there is Wildwood Escot which also has a selection of amazing animals and indoor activities. There is also an authentic Saxon Village to explore and a host of adrenaline boosting challenges. Nearby is World of Country Life where you can hand feed a deer or llama or walk a pygmy goat. World of Country Life has an eclectic mix of museums, animals, play areas and entertainment both outside and under cover, ideal for days with questionable weather. New for this year, is Dougie the life size Digger, which younger kids will love. The World of Country Life pride themselves on being accessible to make sure that everyone has fun.

In Combe Martin, there is the popular Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park where you can find animals, both exotic and extinct – you can even see genuine and very rare dinosaur eggs! It is a great place for truly unique animal experiences and when the weather turns, there is the gigantic indoor soft play area.

Image: National Marine Aquarium

While no one wants to get wet, everyone wants to experience what life is like under the sea, so if you’re in Plymouth head to the National Marine Aquarium, the UK’s largest aquarium. There are exhibits and events all year around as well as interactive displays and 100% of the National Marine Aquarium’s proceeds go towards the Ocean Conservation Trust.

Those of you travelling with older kids or a group of adults, might be looking for other forms of entertainment. If that’s the case, why not hide away and enjoy some gin until the weather clears? In Plymouth you can visit England’s oldest working distillery where they have been making Plymouth Gin according to the original recipe since 1793, so arguably one of the best places to learn about the process and heritage of gin.

Or you could spend the day indulging in some retail therapy at one of the many shopping centres and outlets. In Dartington there is the Cider Press Centre where you’ll find a vibrant and eclectic range of shops offering perfect gifts with a focus on local food, drink and arts and crafts. It’s another great option for the gin lovers, you can book a session to create your own bespoke gin here too!

For a shop with a difference, check out House of Marbles, where you can shop for quality toys, games and gifts and enjoy watching the team from Teign Valley Glass create their amazing products using traditional methods and spend time in the four onsite museums, it is even dog friendly, so you can get your pets out of the rain too!

Speaking of museums, they’re a great choice for hiding from the rain, many of the region’s museums even have free entry. It isn’t just traditional museums that you can visit, Devon’s heritage attractions are also a good way to stay dry while learning something and seeing what life was like thousands of years ago. On the outskirts of Exeter is Powderham Castle where there is so much to see and do, you get a return visit for free to help you fit it all in. As the family home of the Courteney family for the last 600 years, it is a fascinating place to spend a few hours. Or there is Exeter Cathedral, located in the heart of the city and full of inspiration. It is no wonder why Exeter Cathedral is considered on of the most significant cathedrals in Europe and with their abundance of activities and collections, you can enjoy over a thousand years of history, stunning architecture and more.

This is just a brief selection of Devon’s rainy day activities and all weather attractions, if you want to see more, click here and create a plan for a rainy day, just in case!