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Things to do with informal opinion from our own experiences |
| Donkey Sanctuary
Pecorama
Dinosaurland
Lyme Regis Aquarium
Philpot Museum
Beer Quarry Caves
Trago Mills
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Crealys Adventure Park
Devon Railway Centre
Paignton Zoo
Bicton Gardens Colyford Motor
Museum Seaton Tramway |
 As it's right next door to Stoneleigh you can
visit the Donkey Sanctuary nearly everyday. It's free to get in and
there's lots to do if you are Donkey biased. At Easter 2004 'Ponk' was
born, joining over 8000 donkey's who have been through the gates (but
unfortunately never left!), letting them enjoy their Autumn years in the
company of fellow Donkeys. The surprisingly large park is very well
maintained and clean and great for letting kids run around safely.
Good snack restaurant, free admission and locality
make it a non-miss event.
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 Pecorama
is situated above the cliffs of
Beer and boasts one of the longest scale
Railways in the world at nearly 1 mile long. There are also many static
displays of model railways built using Peco Model Railway bits -
and a shop stocked with loads of Railway parts. The Model Railway is set in it's own park which
includes Crazy Golf, Maze, Play Areas and Colourful Gardens.
Our kids always enjoy going here (8 and 5) but
without kids you need to be a Model Railway Buff or enjoy the views across
Beer from the well laid out and maintained gardens.
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The
Dinosaurland Museum at
Lyme Regis,
housed in an old Grade 1 listed Church contains thousand of fossils and
models. There is a quiz for the younger visitor, but it's interesting for
all ages especially when it's raining outside. There is a small shop
selling e verything Dinosaur and Guided walks along the beach are organised
from here.
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 Lyme Regis Aquarium is unusual in that it is
based on the end of the World famous
Lyme Regis Cobb. Amongst the usual
selection of fish-tanks is a large U shaped tank with friendly Conger Eels
(so the sign says), Crabs, Lobsters and other sea living things. Most of
the fish are local to the area so you get some idea what's being landed 50 yds away at the end of the Cobb. Interestingly everything is emptied back
into the sea at the end of the season so the exhibits change annually. [Back to Top] |
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 The
Philpot Museum
at Lyme Regis is surprisingly interesting for young
and old alike. The building itself is very historic and is deceptive is
that they have squeezed three floors and a grand staircase into the
building. As this is at the end of the High Street it's easily accessible
from the promenade and high street. Another great place to go when it's
not so great outside.[Back to
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The
Beer Quarry Caves (near
Beer) is an interesting tour of the caves left by
extraction of the famous Beer Stone. Although interesting in itself, the 1
hour escorted walk brings it alive telling a story throughout the walk.
Some of the quarried rock can be found as far away as London but mostly
local churches are made of the stuff, including Exeter.
Not great
for the really small ones but other better than you might expect for the
medium to large ones. I would advise wearing some warm clothes as the
caves are 10oC no matter how hot it is outside. Opens daily from
April to October. [Back to Top]
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 One of two similar parks,
Crealys Adventure Park is just 8 miles towards Exeter. Quite a lot
for
the smaller visitor. Our 4 year old loved the place but our 7 year old had
seen some of it before. Lots of inside centres so the rain doesn't ruin
the day (we know!) and a small animal centre with pony back rides.
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The Devon Railway Centre is around 25 miles away and has a number of small
railways and picnic areas. There is also a number of model scale layouts
in some old carriages. Based in the old Bickleigh station the site is
still being renovated. Although more for the enthusiast than Pecorama,
there are some nice local walks being close to the river. [Back to Top] |
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 Paignton Zoo is located around 30 miles away and is a relatively large zoo
with a wide range of animals including Lions, Giraffes, Tigers and the
usual assortment of monkeys and birds etc. There are some kids play areas
too. Quite a bit of walking and the zoo is not laid out in a conventional
manner so assume to walk around twice. Also note you get a special price
if you also order a ticket to the
Living Coasts exhibit nearby. [Back to Top] |
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Bicton Gardens is around 8 miles away towards
Budleigh Salterton.
There is over 60 acres of woodland and gardens. For the smaller ones there
are play areas (one inside) and a small railway. Not a thrill a minute for
the kids but a great place to let them run around safely. For those with a
horticultural interest there are over 1000 trees , palm house, tropical
house etc. Best of all entry prices are reasonable and the season ticket
makes sense if you intend to visit again.
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 Colyford Motor Museum is based in a disused Petrol station built in
1928. It's greatest claim to fame is that Lawrence of Arabia used to top
up his motorcycle with fuel there regularly. Inside there is a small
museum with a few cars and vans and lots of Petrol Station bits and
pieces. There is also a 'spares' room with loads of old badges etc.
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Seaton
Tramway runs on the old branch line between
Seaton and
Colyton (stopping
at Colyford on-route). It passes along the banks of the River Axe estuary
and has great views across the countryside to Axmouth Village on one side
and the farmland on the other. We found it a bit crowded in August so
maybe something to do in the Spring or Autumn. We would also recommend
parking at Colyton and going to Seaton return to avoid car park charges
and the queues at peak times.
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Trago Mills is best known as an out of town shopping centre mostly
offering discounted goods and general merchandise. Worth a browse but we
have included it here because beside it there is a pay-as-you-go leisure
park with all sorts of activities. As the park is free to enter it seems
fairer on the wallet just paying for the things the kids want to go on.
Take a picnic, do a bit of shopping and spend the afternoon in the park
for a good family day out.
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Bovington Tank Museum
is around 50 miles away but a good stop if you are heading back to the
South East. As you might expect it's full of tanks (around 200 I think).
There is also a chance to ride in a half-track and special displays
throughout the year (see web site for details). This is also next door to
Monkey World if
you want to do two things in one day.
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