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The best theme parks in Devon holiday cottages

The best theme parks in Devon

Caroline Abbott 08 July 2024

Devon is packed with tourist attractions and if you’re bringing your family on holiday, a visit to a theme park is likely to be one of your best days out. The top theme parks in Devon offer fun for all ages, with features for everyone from thrill-seekers to animal lovers.

Get the adrenaline pumping on rollercoasters, waterslides and toboggan runs, and get up close and personal with some friendly farm animals and pets. Devon theme parks offer some unusual experiences too, which are bound to create long-lasting memories – you could watch sheep racing, or drive and operate a real digger! Crealy, The Milky Way and The Big Sheep make it into our guide to the best family attractions in Devon.

After a busy day out at one of Devon’s theme parks, your family will want a good night’s rest. We have a wide range of self-catering accommodation across the county, so you can spend less time travelling and more time enjoying yourselves. Click the button below to find a holiday cottage near your favourite theme park.


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Diggerland Devon

Photo of one of the rides at Diggerland in DevonPhoto credit: Diggerland Devon

Children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery at Diggerland, near Cullompton. There are 20 different rides and drives included in a standard admission ticket, as well as indoor and outdoor play areas. Optional extras include dodgems and quad bikes (£1 a go), and coin-operated rides. You can choose from a wide selection of hot and cold snacks, meals and drinks in the cafeteria. Diggerland is aimed at children aged 4 to 14 but visitors of all ages can enjoy an exciting and unique day out at this Devon theme park.

Good to know

  • Address: Verbeer Manor, Willand, Cullompton EX15 2PE
  • Price: Adults and children 100cm and over: £35. Over-65s: £17.50. Children under 100cm: free. Cheaper tickets are available by booking online in advance. 
  • Opening times: In July and August, Diggerland is open daily 10am–5pm. Outside of these months, opening dates and times vary.

Woodlands Family Theme Park

Photo of the waterslides at Woodlands theme parkPhoto credit: Woodlands 

Woodlands, situated between Totnes and Dartmouth, claims to be the largest family theme park in Devon. It certainly has something for everyone, from toddlers to “kidults”! It has one of the largest indoor play areas in the region, a ball pool, a sandpit, a paddling pool, and lots of rides including the Swing Ship, Bumper Boats, Watercoasters and Toboggan Run. 

There’s also a zoo-farm with a range of big farm animals, reptiles, birds and furry friends such as the raccoon, wallaby and meerkat. There are regular falconry displays, and Woodlands also puts on a range of events throughout the year including a Christmas Grotto and shows throughout the summer – you could meet Peppa Pig, Bluey or Chase from Paw Patrol. 

Hot food, drinks and snacks are available to purchase and there are picnic benches located around the park. Pets are not allowed in the park, with the exception of assistance dogs, but unsupervised kennels are available on a first come, first served basis.

Good to know

  • Address: Woodlands Leisure Park A3122, Blackawton, Totnes TQ9 7DQ
  • Price: Day tickets start at £18.20 for adults and children over 110cm, £13.48 for children 92cm to 110cm, £11.34 for over-60s and guests with disabilities, and free for children under 92cm. Prices are slightly higher during the summer holidays. Cheaper tickets are available by booking online in advance.
  • Opening times: During the summer holidays, it’s open 9.30am–6pm. Rides open from 10am. For opening times at other times of the year, see the website.


Splashdown Quaywest

Photo of the waterslides at Splashdown

Splashdown Quaywest is the UK’s largest all-outdoor waterpark, with adrenaline-pumping slippery waterslides and twisting tyre rides – and the Devil’s Drop if you’re brave enough! Splashdown Quaywest has been thrilling visitors for decades but recently underwent a multimillion-pound upgrade and expansion. Shipwreck Island – an aquaplay arena for children under 12 and their accompanying adults – is new for 2024. 

There’s a swimming area and sun terrace if you want to relax. The waterpark couldn’t be closer to one of Torbay’s most popular beaches, Goodrington Sands, as well as the boating lake and crazy golf course in Youngs Park, so the whole family could easily spend the entire day here. There are several food and drink outlets in the area.

Good to know

  • Address: Goodrington Sands, Tanners Rd, Paignton TQ4 6LN
  • Price: Day tickets cost £30 for those aged 9 and over, and £25 for those aged 5 to 8. Spectators that stay dry can access the site for £10.
  • Opening times: In the height of summer, the water park is open daily 9am–7pm. For other opening dates and times, check the website.


Crealy Theme Park and Resort

Aerial view across Crealy Theme ParkPhoto credit: Crealy Theme Park

Crealy, near Exeter, is a family theme park with more than 60 rides and attractions, live shows, seasonal events and more than 200 farm and zoo animals, from ponies and meerkats to crocodiles and tortoises. The outdoor fun includes the Twister rollercoaster, Tidal Wave log flume, and Vortex slides. There’s a Junior Driving School, Victorian Carousel and lots more. 

Crealy also has large, indoor soft and adventure play areas. Fans of Sooty and the gang mustn’t miss Sooty Land, where you can see a live Sooty Show, enjoy Sooty themed rides, get your photo taken with the iconic yellow bear, and pick up a souvenir from the world’s first Sooty Store! There are numerous food and drink outlets in the park. There are limited dog kennels which are free to hire in exchange for a key deposit – spaces can be pre-booked.

Good to know

  • Address: Sidmouth Road, Clyst St Mary, Exeter EX5 1DR
  • Price: Summer holiday tickets start from £24. Family tickets from £66 are available in the summer holidays and include a free return visit. Book online and in advance for the cheapest prices.
  • Opening times: In the summer months, Crealy is open daily 10am–5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. For other periods, check the website.

The Milky Way Adventure Park

Photo of a family on ride at the Milky Way Adventure ParkPhoto credit: The Milky Way Adventure Park

The Milky Way Adventure Park is located just 10 minutes outside of Bideford. It’s the biggest all-weather, family day out in North Devon and designed to be fun for parents as well as kids. The Ninja Stars games arena is for competitive families to enjoy together. There’s also the Cosmic Typhoon rollercoaster, Gravity Rider donut slide, Droid Destroyer Dodgems, bouncy Jumping Jupiters, laser target shooting, maze, mini golf, bird of prey displays and lots more. 

Sci-fi fans shouldn’t miss the collection of film and TV memorabilia. There’s plenty for little adventurers too, including a Little Stars play centre for babies to preschoolers. In the event that all of this fails to please your teenagers, the North Devon WakePark and AquaPark is located alongside The Milky Way – though it’s a separate attraction with its own fees. 

Good to know

  • Address: The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford EX39 5RY
  • Price: Prices vary depending on the time of year. In the summer holidays, standard admission costs £18.50 for adults and children aged 3 and over, £8.95 for children aged 1 and 2, and £2 for children under 1. 
  • Opening times: The Milky Way is open daily 10am–5pm in the summer holidays. For other periods, check the website.


The Big Sheep Farm and Theme Park

Photo of a little girl and baby sheepPhoto credit: The Big Sheep

The Big Sheep is another popular family attraction near Bideford – and another of the top things to do in North Devon. It has thrilling rides, live sheep shows, an indoor play zone, cute animals and live entertainment. Rides include the Rampage rollercoaster, Swing Boats, Swan Pedalos and Tractor Safari. The large indoor playground is fun for all ages and there are secure areas dedicated to children under 5 and under 2. 

There’s also a Baby Sensory Room for babies and preschoolers. Visitors can get up close and personal with the cute animals at the petting farm – it’s a chance for children to cuddle a puppy and meet a newborn lamb. As you’d expect from a working farm, you can watch milking or shearing – but the most popular show is undoubtedly the sheep racing! The Big Sheep has free on-site dog kennels available on a first come, first served basis – these can be pre-booked. There’s a cafe, farm shop and even a brewery on site. 

Good to know

  • Address: Abbotsham Road, Abbotsham, Bideford EX39 5AP
  • Price: Ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. In the summer holidays, tickets cost £14.95 for adults and children, £6 for children under 3” and £1 for babies under 12 months.
  • Opening times: Opening times vary depending on the time of year – check the website.


Watermouth Family Theme Park and Castle

Photo of Watermouth Castle and surroundingsPhoto credit: Watermouth Theme Park

Watermouth Castle near Ilfracombe has an enchanting mix of quirky rides and attractions to appeal to all ages, including a Toboggan Run and Big River Ride, a Fairy Museum, a mini golf course, a hedge maze, antique slot machines and a model railway. The rides are most suitable for children aged 2 to 13. Dogs on leads are welcome in the beautiful grounds but not permitted on rides, in play areas or in food and drink areas. There are cafes on site, as well as picnic areas.

Good to know

  • Address: A399, Ilfracombe EX34 9SL
  • Price: Peak prices (including school holidays) are £19.95 for general admission, £5 for children under 92cm, £14 for concessions and free for under-1s and wheelchair users. 
  • Opening times: In the summer months, the park is open daily 10am–5pm, with the last entry at 3pm. To check opening dates outside of the summer months, visit the website.


Map of theme parks in Devon

Please find all theme parks in Devon mentioned above with the help of our handy map.

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Stay with us in Devon

The theme parks in Devon are sure to excite and entertain the whole family – as long as nobody is expecting rides that could compete with the speed and height of the scariest attractions at the likes of Alton Towers or Thorpe Park.

Ensure you get a good night’s sleep so you’re ready for another day of exploring Devon by staying at one of our holiday cottages. If the ones mentioned above aren’t right for your family, browse the rest of the collection by clicking on the button below.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.

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