Fun Day Out at The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth

We really are spoilt for choice for fun days out in Devon, whether you are looking for some free fun or a jam-packed day out there really is something for everyone. 

The National Marine Aquarium 

A few weekends ago we visited the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. It's the UK's largest aquarium attraction and a great day out! 

As an added bonus if you pay once you can visit again free for a whole year! That makes it great value for money if you are local. 

We had a guided tour of the aquarium which the kiddies loved! 
They have different zones throughout the aquarium including...

• Plymouth Sound
• Eddystone Reef 
• Ocean Drifters 
• Atlantic Ocean 
• The Biozone 
• Great Barrier Reef

As well as being a fun day out the aquarium is also a marine charity. 

'The National Marine Aquarium is the charity dedicated to raising awareness of the oceans, the challenges they face and the ways in which we can all help ensure they have a sustainable future. With this in mind, our mission statement is to drive marine conservation through engagement and we do this through visitor interaction, teaching more than 30,000 school children and running conservation projects here in the UK and abroad'.

You could easily spend an entire day there as there's so much to see. They have a cafe (with amazing views) on site or alternatively, you can pack a picnic and use their dedicated outside picnic area (if the weather is nice). 

The boy loved walking under the sharks! He just couldn't get his head around how we were underneath them and kept ducking every time they swam over us. 

We had a really lovely day out and would definitely recommend the aquarium if you are looking for a fun indoor day out in Devon. 

Useful Information  

Opening Hours

Aquarium

Open Daily 10:00–17:00
Latest Admissions: 4pm

How to Get There

National Marine Aquarium
Rope Walk
Coxside
Plymouth
PL4 0LF
United Kingdom

To find out more about The National Marine Aquarium visit their website. 

Devon Egg Hunt - Easter in Devon

This week we have been taking part in the Devon Egg Hunt with Devon Top Attractions. 

Day One - Crealy

On the first day, we visited Crealy near Exeter. The weather was amazing!

The boy finally plucked up the courage to go on the Twister roller coaster!

Event: M'egg'a Easter Egg hunt.
Date: 14th - 17th April 2017

'Taking place over the bank holiday weekend (*14th - 17th April 2017), join us for our biggest and best Easter egg hunt ever where we will be giving away 10,000 free eggs! To get yours, simply collect your map from Guest Services, follow the clues to find the stamps, and once you've found them all you can collect your egg from Guest Services or from Buttons the Bunny on the Piazza Stage at various points across the weekend.'

Day Two - Kent's Cavern

We spent the second day at Kent's Cavern in Torquay. Lowenna was a little scared of the darkness in the cave to start with but soon got used to it. 

They both really enjoyed digging for gem stones in the kids activity area. Henry really surprised me as he already knew most of the names of the gem stones. Apparently, they are all in Minecraft. Who knew Minecraft could be educational!

After we went into the caves the kids completed their dinosaur trail. 

Events: Dino Quest & Easter Egg Hunt

Date: 1st - 23rd April 

'Go underground this Easter! Fun cave tours all day every day with lots of Easter activities to complete - you'll even get an Easter surprise'

Day Three - Powderham Castle

The third day we spent at Powderham Castle, also near Exeter. We visited their science lab where the kids learnt all about eggs. They also did some Easter crafting. 

We completed two of their trails and the kiddies got a medal each at the end. 

Events: Mad Science & Easter Fun

Dates: 2nd April - 13th April & 14th April - 17th April

"The Essence of Eggs - an egg-themed mad science  event, with an egg quiz, egg decorating, egg display and egg-speriments!"

'Children can join in the Easter fun and games and follow the bunny trail to win a tasty treat from south west chocolatier Chococo!'

It's been a very busy 3 days! What are your plans for the Easter holidays? 

Family Friendly Things To Do for Free in Devon

I've recently wrote an article about Family Friendly Things To Do for Free in Devon. Check it out here. 

WIN a family ticket to Devon's Crealy - and the new Lost World of Atlantis

Hello lovely Devon folk,

We are currently running a fab competition on our Mumsnet Devon facebook page to WIN a family ticket to Devon's Crealy - and be one of the first to see the 'Lost World of Atlantis' (opening this half-term).  But HURRY- competition closes Monday & winner announced Tuesday so ticket can be used during half-term (or after).

You can either enter here (see below) or on our Mumsnet Devon facebook page. Good luck everyone :-)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

WIN A Family Ticket To Picnic With Father Christmas

There are 4 tickets to be won altogether so there’s a better chance that you will win. The competition is only running for 2 weeks so hurry to be in for a chance of winning. A family ticket is 2 adults & 2 children. 

The dates for the tickets are the 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd of December 2013.

Enter using the rafflecopter system below. The more options you do the better your chance of winning. Good luck.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In association with

 

WIN, WIN,WIN An Annual Family Pass To Babbacombe Model Village

To enter this fantastic competition simply go to Mumsnet Devon's Facebook page and click on the blue giveaway box at the top of the page.

Mumsnet Devon

Hi everyone, 

Sorry about the serious lack of posts in the last few months, things have been a little busy here.

I have now become editor for Mumsnet Devon alongside Clio who is covering North Devon, East Devon, Torridge and Mid Devon. My area is Teignbridge, South Hams, Torbay and West Devon.
So as you can probably guess I have been a bit preoccupied. 

If you haven't already checked out the site then please do. Also if you join a local group you will be notified of any mummy meet ups happening in your area.

If you have a Devon business then please add you listing to the site (It's FREE). :-) 
Also if you know of any events going on in Devon then please add those too (that's also FREE). 

Or if you would prefer to advertise on Mumsnet Devon then please email us at devon@mumsnetlocal.com and request a media pack.

Mumsnet Devon is also on Facebook and Twitter

I look forward to chatting with you on the site and seeing all of your lovely listings.

Crealy Discount

Check out the latest Crealy discount, £3 off per person, from the lovely Jill over at Dartmoor Accommodation

To get the voucher click here

 

Mumsnet Local Devon

I have just become a local ambassador for the Teignbridge area of Mumsnet Local Devon.

I will be arranging mummy meet ups in and around the Teignbridge area if you would like to be involved and meet other Devon mummies then join me on the Mumsnet local site here.  

We will be having meet ups at all sorts of places and in all different towns. if there is somewhere specific that you feel would be a good place for a meet then give me a shout either here on this blog or on twitter @Gina_Caro.

I look forward to meeting you.

You can also like Mumsnet Devon on facebook here or follow on Twitter here.

Play Cafe Torquay - Review

Today we visited the Play Cafe in Torquay for the first time and we had a lovely time.

I couldn't get over how clean and new it all looked, they must have spent a lot of money on it. (My rubbish phone photos doesn't do it justice!)

There is a big play frame in the middle and a smaller toddler frame to the side. There is also a separate baby area with a gate on it.

We personally didn't eat while we were there, just had a cuppa, but my friend had some food and it looked really nice and the prices seemed very reasonable. 

One thing that I was really impressed with is the toilets, yes I know I'm weird, but they were really good. They were great for little ones and had everything you need in there for potty training and nappy changes etc. They were also very clean. 

 

There was also very funky lights above the sinks which I thought was cool (simple things).

 

While I was busy admiring the toilets (I need to get out more) I noticed a poster for a Summer Special offer...

 So there you have it our first trip to the play cafe. It's a shame I didn't get some more photos, I was too busy nattering with my friends.

If you haven't been to the play cafe before I would definitely recommend it. We are looking forward to going back again.

Don't Forget Your Local Childrens Centres This Summer For FREE Fun

Summer Special

Money Off Rainbow Fun House - Torquay

Get your money off voucher for the Rainbow Funhouse in Torquay. 

Hurry offer ends in 2 days.

• Family entry of two adults and two (£5.50) or three kids (£7)
• Includes jug of juice

Get the deal HERE

Liverton Country Fayre

Hey everyone, don't forget that Liverton Country Fayre is on this Saturday. It is always a really fun day out with loads to see and do.

I'll be there with my stall, Caro Boutique, in the main hall. I hope to see you all there.

The Boathouse - Dawlish Warren

A few months ago now we went to the Boathouse in Dawlish for some lunch and I thought I'd share our experience with you.

 We decided to go and try out the Boathouse because I'd heard that it had an indoor play area for the kids. Which is always a plus for us as you can actually eat your food without getting indigestion! 

The play area is upstairs so try and get a table up there otherwise you'll spend the whole time going up and down the stairs to make sure the kids are alright. Or even better ring in advance and book a table upstairs just to be sure.

The play area was really good, it's not huge but was perfect for my two. It has a soft play frame with two levels and also some wooden toys attached to tables. 

The food is typical pub food, think burgers and chips. I had a hickory BBQ burger and chips which cost £9.25. Which I would say is about average pub food prices these days and it was really tasty!

They have a separate childrens menu with all the usual things on it, sausage and chips, burger and chips etc.

What I loved about this place was that after we had finished our meal we were able to sit for quite a while and have another couple of drinks, in peace, while the kiddies played. 

The whole place has a pirate theme which makes it great fun for the little ones and another plus is that it's right on the beach so you can go for a stroll along the seafront after you've finished your meal.

We will definitely be going back another day, perhaps when the sun finally makes a 'proper' appearance! 

 www.boathousedawlishwarren.co.uk