Here are our top ten February half-term adventures in Devon. For us, days out at this time of year are more about finding an activity that doesn’t cost the earth, often outdoors to blow the cobwebs away and one where we can take a flask of something warm and some snacks to keep us all going.
The following days out vary in distance from us in Mid Devon from around 20 mins to around an hour. I try and see this length of journey as a good basis for tired littles to recharge from a busy half term at school. A few hours out doing an activity and then home for warm baths, pj’s, and hibernation with a film and a cozy candlelit family dinner.
For further information such as opening times and admission prices, just click on each attraction and it will take you to their webpage.
February Half Term Adventures in Devon
Wildwood Escott
This is one of our go-to days out when the weather is mixed and for those days when being home might involve a bit of refereeing! The distraction from seeing the animals and the play equipment dotted around the park provide us all with a good dose of fresh air and sanity!
Head to the Saxon villager as there are often craft activities to get involved with ( remember to bring some small change to take part) and then have fun trying to find each other in the maze next to the Saxon village!
Donkey Sanctuary
We love visiting the donkey sanctuary as they have a roomy cafe with a view, serving a wide range of food, snacks, and drinks which is always welcome in Winter. They have a spirit of Winter trail around the sanctuary (pick up a sheet in the gift shop), a play park, donkey talks, and plenty of space to walk around and visit numerous donkey sheds.
Kents Cavern
A cave tour will take you back to a time when the cave was home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping tools, and hunting prehistoric Ice Age animals. Visit Kents Cavern this February Half Term and learn about the origins of art!
Fossil Hunting in Charmouth Beach
Across the border into Dorset head to Charmouth Beach for some Jurassic digging! This is an activity that we would much prefer to do in the cooler months when the beach is less busy. Visit the fossil shop and the heritage center museum to extend your outing and learn about our exciting Jurassic coastline!
Ilfracombe Aquarium
This aquarium has been on my list of places to visit in North Devon. Situated on the pier this aquarium looks informative and fun, and is a perfect place to take shelter before or after a walk along the beach.
Zog Trail Haldon Forest
1.5-mile accessible trail for Julia Donaldson enthusiasts! Grab the Zog trail activity pack for £4 from the Info Pod.
Hound Tor Dartmoor
A real blow the cobwebs away walk up to Hound Tor and the medieval village. Great views, lots of scrambling over rocks and fun geocaching to be had.
RHS Rosemoor
Situated in North Devon, explore the garden with their ‘Houseplants in the wild’ trail, free drop-in workshops, and be part of a bean-germinating experiment or make an edible window box or a sun catcher, or create your own terrarium to take home!
Exeter Cathedral
Take a train journey (with a picnic of course) into Exeter and visit the Cathedral. This month the cathedral is home to the Gaia. Measuring seven metres in diameter and suspended inside the cathedral’s nave, Gaia features high-resolution NASA imagery of Earth’s surface and specially-composed surround sound.
Occombe Farm Park & Play
I feel that farm parks have got so big and so pricey and have moved away from being about introducing farm animals to kids and more about fairground rides etc. This attraction seems to have got a good balance and is a mix of indoor and outdoor play, activities, and farm animals all with a reasonably priced entry fee.
I hope that these top ten February half-term adventures for 2023 give you some inspiration for an adventure or two.
Leave a Reply