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Child friendly

Holidays are the stuff memories are made of so fill your little ones' days with all the fun things to do in the South and West that they'll remember for years to come. From child-friendly restaurants to the best activities for children, we've played at many an attraction to be able to share it with you.

Best things to do in St Ives

A picture-perfect fishing harbour and quaint seaside town in West Cornwall, St Ives is an exceedingly pretty place to visit with a wealth of things to do.

Abby Driver

Woodland walks in Devon

Follow winding rivers, tranquil valleys, and rugged moorland as you explore Devon's incredible woodland walks, from wild Dartmoor to the balmy south coast.

Elizabeth Dale

Things to do in Shanklin

Home to a popular seafront, beautiful thatched cottages, and one of the oldest attractions on the Island, Shanklin is chock-full of things to do.

Robbie Lane

Festivals in Devon 2024

Whether music’s your jam or actual jam, Devon has a whole roster full of music, culture and food festivals to get your 2024 going.

Annie Cowen

Places to eat in Falmouth

Take a dive with us into the eclectic, gastronomical delights of Falmouth, guaranteed to leave you hungry for a visit…

Stef Parr

Things to do in Cornwall on a rainy day

From fascinating attractions the whole family will enjoy to wonderfully refreshing walks, there are many great things to do in Cornwall on a rainy day.

Annie Cowen

Best cream teas in Devon

We all love a cream tea, but where is the best place to get one in Devon? From quirky cafes to historic houses, here's our list of the best cream teas in Devon.

Annie Cowen

Rainy day activities

Sometimes the weather doesn't always go our way, but that doesn't mean those rainy days have to be a write-off!

Philip Eley

Cornish Smugglers' Trails

Retrace smugglers' steps by following these cornish coastal walks. No Cornish history lesson would be done justice without attention being turned to smugglers. Whether they were liberators, criminals, pirates or local heroes, they covered the Cornish coastline with their illicit trade and made history through their dealings.

Lizzie Heather

Falmouth Week festival

Falmouth Week is a family friendly festival in Cornwall with a full schedule of activities and entertainment carefully organised for every day of the week. Take the little ones, take the older ones, take everyone or just take the two of you in August and indulge in the true spirit of the town.

Katie Chown

Cottages with tennis courts

If you've been inspired by Andy Murray's recent ascent to the world number one title, why not book a cottage with a tennis court for spring or summer? Practice your backhand lob in the privacy of your own garden.

Kayleigh Hardy

Crealy Theme Park

Visit the largest theme park in Devon for the best family day out. Welcome to Crealy!

Philip Eley

Caerhays Castle and Gardens

Explore one of the great gardens of Cornwall during it’s exclusive spring opening hours. Perfect for a family friendly day enjoying the fresh air.

Kayleigh Hardy

Porthleven Food and Music Festival

With every taste you could think of, Porthleven Food and Music festival suits all palates. And there's plenty of extra fun thrown in for the weekend.

Kayleigh Hardy

Things to do in Bude

Voted the Best UK Coastal Resort at the British Travel Awards in 2015 and 2016, Bude has lots of things to do. Visit for your holiday or simply a day out while staying in one of our Cornwall cottages.

Abby Driver

River Dart Country Park

With walks, play areas and adrenaline adventures, River Dart Country Park has everything you might need for a fun-filled family day in Devon.

Philip Eley

Overbeck's

Overbeck's is not the largest of stately homes and the drive up to it is hair-raising, but if you like tales of eccentric inventors and macabre collections made by a mad-cap genius then Overbeck's is well worth a visit.

Philip Eley

Ice skating in Hampshire

Get your skates on for a festive activity to remember. Keep kids busy with an exciting session on the ice at these popular ice rinks in Hampshire.

Kylie Barton

Child friendly Isle of Wight

Hop on the steam railway, step back in time or get out on the water with our top child friendly things to do on the Isle of Wight.

Anmarie Bowler

Ghost hunting haunted places in south Devon

Do you like to visit a place with a spooky story? Do you dare visit my list of most haunted Devon places with a ghostly connection? Don't just wait for Halloween at half term, Devon ghost hunts can be enjoyed year-round.

Philip Eley

Things to do in a forest

Any time of year is always great for resurrecting some of the simple pleasures of yesteryear. Forests become wonderlands of fun, discovery and adventure. Here’s a round-up of some simple forest fun ideas to try.

Philip Eley

Our holiday in the New Forest

Do I really only get to stay here for the weekend? Perhaps I will call in sick on Monday and stay just a little longer.

Faye

Lyndhurst and the New Forest ponies

We had driven through the town of Lyndhurst earlier in the day and made a note to stop off on our way back to our holiday cottage in Lymington, not least because of the large number of New Forest ponies we had seen just on the outskirts of the town.

Faye

Jubilee Pool in Penzance

Make a splash in Penzance’s art deco sea pool, an iconic place to go on your next Cornwall holiday.

Kayleigh Hardy

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Let yourself be whisked away to a bygone age with a nostalgic ride on the Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Philip Eley

Family friendly walk around Fort Victoria

Get a breath of fresh air with a family walk along the beach and through the woods near Yarmouth. This dog friendly beach means every member of your clan can enjoy the Great Outdoors of the Isle of Wight.

Kayleigh Hardy

New Forest Wildlife Park

The wolves and chatty giant otters were a big hit, the stories of their conservation making for heart-warming reading and the friendly deer that were free to roam around the park added a magical touch.

Faye

Beaches of the New Forest

We decided to work our way back along the beaches of the south coast despite it being a somewhat dreary looking February day

Faye

Exmouth beach review

Exmouth beach is ideal for a day of classic activities like sandcastle-building, paddling and eating ice creams.

Philip Eley

Grand Pier beach review

A great beach for sandcastle-building and a family friendly day out, welcome to Grand Pier beach.

Ruth J

Tudor Day at Compton Castle

Enchant little ones with a trip to Compton Castle in the school holidays and let their imaginations run wild.

Philip Eley

Gyllyngvase Beach review

A small but busy beach close to Falmouth. Great location for a quick walk or a whole day of swimming, kayaking, sun-bathing, paddle boarding and general beach fun.

Kayleigh Hardy

Family fun on Hayling Island day trip

When you think of a UK summer holiday, what comes into the mind's eye? I would hedge a bet that it may involve a pebbled beach, seaside huts, little ones playing in the water and perhaps an amusement park or two. Enter, Hayling Island.

Kylie Barton

Somerset Animal Sanctuary

A true sanctuary - for you and the animals - there really isn’t anything better for the soul than spending the day out at a true animal sanctuary.

Kylie Barton

Summer festivals in Hampshire

Summer is a time for festivals. Whether it be dance festivals, family festivals, music festivals, or anything else in between. Hampshire certainly has its fair share of them.

Kylie Barton

PYO Fruit picking at Ashprington

Pick Your Own Fruit Farm does not sound like a thrill-a-minute day out for children used to theme parks and soft play areas, but I defy any child not to love the experience of standing in a warm field eating just-picked fruit with berry-stained fingers.

Philip Eley

Free things to do with Children in the South Hams

The area has beaches, coastline, moorland and gentle hills, so it is a great place to come on holidays with children. With so much natural beauty it is not difficult to find lots to do to keep the family busy, whatever the weather.

Philip Eley

Moors Valley Country Park

I cannot recommend Moors Valley Country Park highly enough, in fact I've already sent a number of friends and family along and hope to go back again myself soon.

Faye

Out to eat in Lymington

Charlotte and I decided to see if we could find a takeaway for dinner. Yes, there was a fully equipped kitchen to cater to our self-catering needs, but being so close to the sea, our hearts (and stomachs) were set on a fresh fish supper. So fish and chips it was to be.

Faye

Visit Hannah's at Seale Hayne

Finding somewhere new that keeps 3 small children entertained for a day and has free entry and free parking is like the Holy Grail for a parent, especially over the summer holidays when paid-entry activities soon mount up. Hannah's child friendly and cheap place for families to visit.

Philip Eley

Living Coasts Zoo and Aquarium in Torquay

we loved Living Coasts, it was a constantly entertaining mix of great animals and special activity areas which meant that they never got bored. A great day out for all the family in Torquay.

Philip Eley

Best places to fish in Hampshire

Fishing can be a great day out for families, couples, parent and child, or even solo. Whether you are new to the activity, or you have brought all your gear on holiday with you, there is something for everyone here in Hampshire.

Kylie Barton

Things to do in Buckfastleigh

Buckfastleigh is a small but charming market town on the edge of the Dartmoor. It is set in perfect rolling countryside, and has the standout attraction of the beautiful Buckfast Abbey; but there are many more reasons to visit this pretty town, so here is my guide to things to do in Buckfastleigh.

Philip Eley

The 5 best outdoor swim spots in Cornwall

Choose your location, time and company (obligatory) carefully - everyone has their own secret swim spots in Cornwall and here are my top five (but ssh!)

Rachel Wilson-Couch

Things to do in Bournemouth

There is so much to see and do that I have narrowed down the selection to my top two places to visit, which can both be seen in one day if you’re on a short visit, or equally spread out over several days if you’re on a longer holiday in Bournemouth.

Becky Bye

Geevor Tin Mine

For my family, day trips normally involve beaches or stately homes, but whilst holidaying in Cornwall this half-term the bad weather forced us to think creatively. And so feeling the Poldark effect, we found ourselves at Geevor Tin Mine.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Newport, Isle of Wight

At the heart of the Isle of Wight, Newport is an excellent base for adventures across the rest of the island. Perfect for your first Isle of Wight holiday.

Kayleigh Hardy

Ventnor Botanic Gardens

A former lung hospital, Ventnor Botanic Gardens are a real breath of fresh air when it comes to family days out on the Isle of Wight.

Kayleigh Hardy

Murder Mystery family activity in Totnes

Explore a new town and find things to do with children in Totnes - as we eliminated suspects and weapons we explored places with great names like Warland and Ticklemore Street.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Shaldon

Shaldon is a fantastic village facing an attractive estuary with a small village charm but also a good range of shops, pubs and cafes. It lies in a sheltered valley and stares out at the larger town of Teignmouth which it is connected to by a bridge and a ferry.

Philip Eley

A lazy brunch at Lounge in Truro

Don’t feel like you have to head there for brunch, I bet Lounge in Truro would be just as cool with a cocktail in the evening or a lazy early dinner with the kids when on holiday in Cornwall.

Abby Driver

Free things to do with children in Torbay

There are lots of great places to visit, and exciting things to do, which won’t cost anything apart from some parking fees. Here is my list of 10 free things to do in Torbay with children.

Philip Eley

Family Day Out at Paultons Park

Now theme parks may fill some families with dread – the queues, the food, the prices. But Paultons Park is a great fun day out for the whole family packed full of pleasant surprises.

Kylie Barton

Things to do in Bovey Tracey

Bovey Tracey is a welcoming town with many tasty cafes and restaurants. It is a great base from which to explore a lovely area so here is my guide to things to do in 'Buvvy'.

Philip Eley

Crabbing in West Bay

We swooped in and took over a vast expanse of sea wall with multiple seawater buckets, miles of tangled string, and a stinking bag of bacon, dried whitebait and squid. West Bay is a family favourite for crabbing competitions.

Emma L

Family Holidays: Donkey Sanctuary

Famously there is no entry fee and no car parking charge for visiting the Sanctuary. We’re an open charity and people are welcome to visit 365 days a year. The donkeys are here and need feeding, so we’ll be open!

James Chubb

Things to do in Dawlish

Dawlish is a seaside town in south east Devon with a gentle air of sophistication yet still a great place for traditional bucket and spade holidays. With both Dawlish and Dawlish Warren full of ideas for a fun break, here is my guide of things to do in Dawlish.

Philip Eley

Family things to do in Eastleigh

Situated just a few miles from Southampton, this small market town, has lots of hidden gems to keep you and your little ones amused for a day. There are lots of things to do in Eastleigh.

Kylie Barton

Things to do in Plymouth

Plymouth describes itself as Britain’s Ocean City. It is a vibrant, modern city with plenty of attractions and historic buildings, places to visit, things to do and see and lots of foody destinations.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Beaulieu

They say that good things come in small packages. In the case of Beaulieu, nestling in the historic heart of the New Forest, they're spot on. There's lots of wonderful things to do in Beaulieu.

Jonathan C

Things to do in Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot is a medium-sized market town, surrounded by great parks and beautiful countryside with access to great seaside one way and great moorland the other way. It also has some of the best parks and open space land you can find plenty of things to do in.

Philip Eley

Things to do in Wimborne Minster

Little known Dorset town Wimborne Minster has a lot of activities to offer, whether you are after a family day out, or a quiet relaxing weekend for two.

Becky Bye

Are we there yet: Colour Me In Rainbow Seagull

Save the image to your tablet for digital imaging or print off the pdf for traditional colouring fun - relieve the boredom on long car journeys with this quizzical seagull.

Katie Chown

A family day out mixing Legend and History at Tintagel Castle

A visit to Tintagel in North Cornwall is like taking a pilgrimage to a peculiarly mythical land. The castle ruins perched high on the clifftop are the quintessence of one of the greatest legends that course throughout Cornwall’s history.

Deb S

Things to do in Cowes

Renowned as the sailing capital of the world, Cowes has plenty of restaurants, cafes and activities to keep you entertained on your Isle of Wight holiday.

Kayleigh Hardy

Family Day Out at the New Forest Centre

The New Forest Centre is a hub of information and activities through which to learn about the beautiful scenery which surrounds you, and provides a great educational day out for families holidaying nearby.

Kylie Barton

Animal antics in South Devon

For small children, larger zoos can sometimes be overwhelming, so a visit to somewhere small, quiet and friendly can make a perfect day out. Here's some animal antics to spot in parks across south Devon.

Philip Eley

Simple Christmas biscuit recipes for kids

Enjoy the freedom of a self catering cottage by letting the kids loose in the kitchen with these festive (and easy) recipes. Just be prepared for the amount of sweet treats you'll have to try.

Kayleigh Hardy

St Michael's Mount day trip

You really wonder at the enterprise and sheer foolishness of building a stately home on a huge chuck of rock 500 meters out to sea

Philip Eley

A day in Kingsand and Cawsand

Kingsand and Cawsand are twin seafront villages on The Rame Peninsula in Cornwall. They have a rich fishing (and smuggling!) heritage and you can still spot the old fish cellars and stores along the coast.

Abby Driver

Lanhydrock Cycling

I was headed to the new cycling mecca: Lanhydrock - where there would be no cars, only trees, the rumour of cake and other lycra-clad illuminous beings.

Rachel Wilson-Couch

Cycling the Camel Trail to Padstow

Car parks in Padstow can be busy in the height of August, so I’ve always thought of the Camel Trail as the ideal way to travel there...

Sadie Phillips

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