Picnic in the Park - Bovey Tracey

Pirate Adventure Deal

The Smuggler’s Story takes visitors on a swashbucklingly interactive journey into the lives of 18th- and 19th-Century Brixham smugglers. An atmospheric audio-visual experience takes guests into the home of notorious local Jack Rattenbury, and leads them on a night-time smuggler’s journey, involving an escape through a tunnel and exploring a smuggler’s cave. Once they make it safely out of the cave, visitors will be treated to 20% discount at the gift shop and café, which serves up delights including toasted sandwiches and traditional cream teas. Choose from the following options for entry to The Smuggler's Story experience:

• £7.50 for two adults (53% off)

• £12 for a family of four (52% off)

Get the deal here 

May Half Term Ideas in Devon

With May half term fast approaching I thought I'd write a post with some ideas of what to do with the little ones. As ever I am always on the look out to save money therefore I have tried to find events that are either free or very low cost.

Why not start your week surrounded by Pirates at the first ever Pirate Day in Teignmouth on Saturday 25th.  

The event starts at 11 am and goes through to 4 pm. There will be Shanty singer, treasure hunts, nail art, Pirate tattoos, demonstrations, amongst many other things. Also we will have Pudsey himself there and Captain Jack Sparrow lookalike Jacko Sparro.

 

For Sunday 26th if you are already a member of the National Trust then why not head over to Greenway House in Brixham for their Fairy Day:Fairy Magnolia and the Magic Pirates. Join the fairies to search for the presents and watch out for pirates on the way. If you aren't already a member then it will cost you the normal admission price which is £9.00 for adults and £5.00 for children. 

If you're not a National Trust member then why not take the kiddies to Dartmeet on Dartmoor for free where they can get some fresh air and paddle in the river. You can buy some little fishing nets from the shop at very low cost and see if they can catch anything. You can take a picnic or eat in the restaurant that's there.  

On the way home why not stop off at Pixieland and take your picture with some elves and faries (also free)...

I have two options for Monday 27th. For a free entry day head over to Berry Head Fundraiser - 10 - 4pm. A special day for the whole family to celebrate the incredible heritage of Berry Head National Nature Reserve. Step back in time to when Napoleonic soldiers marched the headland and join Brixham Heritage Museum on a Napoleonic boot camp. 
Take part in bushcraft activities with the rangers, help the friends of Berry Head cover a giant guillemot with coins and enjoy a BBQ and live music at the Guardhouse cafe from 12pm.  Berry Head is free to enter but we will be encouraging donations on the day.

If you don't mind spending money then the other option is to Meet The Animals at Occombe Farm. Get close up to our animals and help the rangers feed and care for our animals. Feed the chickens, ducks and alpacas and help our rangers lead our friendly goats on a walk around the orchard. Create your own farmyard mobile to take home. Parents will need to accompany children on this session. Wear suitable outdoor clothing and welly boots.  £5 per child.

 For Tuesday 28th why not head over to Paignton Seashore Centre for a Rockpool Safari. Go and join the Marine Rangers in exploring the incredible marine life that lives in Torbay's rock pools that have been created in the Geoparks 400 miliion year old rocks! Discover shining snakelocks anemones, daring devil crabs and beautiful starfish. It costs just £3.50 per child; no booking required. 2pm - 4pm. Suitable for all ages. 

For a cheaper option have a Day At The Races at Kingsteington, Hackney Marshes. Using hazel from Hackney, make yourself a hobby horse then put it through its paces on a course around the South Meadow! Rosettes for all. Only 50p for children and  adults are free. 2pm-4pm. All ages. 01626 215742 

greenspaces@teignbridge.gov.uk

 

 If your kiddies enjoy hands on activities then try the Family Firecraft Day at Occombe Farm on Wednesday 29th. Try your hand at building a fire under the expert guidance of the rangers. Have some campfire popcorn and toasted marshmallows. It cost £5 per child and £3 per adult, suitable for all ages. From 10.30am - 1pm.

 

 On Thursday 30th take part in a Pirate Treasure Hunt across the grounds at Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot. It's for children aged 5-11 and it costs just £2 per child including a prize and as a bonus adults get 10% off at the Bistro. The hunt is on 10am - 4pm daily from the 27th - 31st May so if you can't make it on the Thursday then there are other days to chose from.

Or why not try your hand at making a dream catcher in the Dream Catcher Workshop at Decoy Country Park. No need to book from 2pm to 4.30pm. For ages 7 to 11. Why not have a play on the park while you're there and don't forget your swimmers for the water area.

For the last day Friday 31st head over to Escot for a kids go FREE day! They have storytelling by the fire, toasted marshmallows, Camp Wild games, pond-dipping and bushcraft fun! A little taste of a Camp Wild summer- for free! As well as being able to use all of the other facilities at Escot including an indoor soft play barn, a maze and the scary death slide. Adults cost £8.50 each.

 

 For other events on in May check out my Events/What's On page.

What's on in Dawlish...

Crealy Discount

Bank Holiday Weekend Fun

We have been quite busy over the bank holiday weekend and I thought I'd share with you where we've been.

On Saturday we went to the Brixham Pirate Festival. We've never been before so thought we'd go and see what it's all about.

The weather wasn't great in the morning which was a shame but it didn't stop the kiddies having fun.

There was lots for the little ones to do including a puppet show which was very popular. My son also got to fight a pirate which he loved!

The big bear that was wandering around was also a bit hit...

The kiddies were also given free balloon swords and flags which was nice. There was live music on and lots of stalls selling all sorts of bits, in all it was a fun day.

On Saturday we ventured slightly out of Devon to the Wookey Hole Caves. We have been there before in the past but not since we've had little ones.

There is lots to see there as well as the caves and they have also added quite a few new bits since last time we went.

The caves are always great fun but the kiddies weren't too sure about it all, I think they were a bit young perhaps. 

They did however enjoy the arcade with the rides...

and the really enjoyed the mirror maze, even though they found it a bit  confusing...

There is also a great indoor soft play area next to the cafe with tunnels linking one room to the other.
My only problem with the place was the cost of admission, we thought it was very expensive! It cost us £36 to get in and we didn't have to pay for my daughter as she is under 3 and we also had a 'child goes free voucher' for our son. So that price was only for the two of us! Bit too much for us.

After we had finished at the caves we went over to the Wookey Hole Inn for lunch.

This is definitely one of my favourite places to eat and stay. The food is great and the atmosphere is very chilled out. Lj certainly enjoyed her ice cream and also the bits her brother left of his!

On Monday (back in Devon) we went out on the boat and sailed around the Hoe in Plymouth and then ended up in Cawsand (Cornwall) and sat on the beach.

However on the way back home I think all of the excitement over the last couple of days finally took it's toll on Lj so she fell asleep... on the steps!

 So it was a very busy bank holiday weekend but also great fun. What did you get up to?