School's Out, Scream & Shout!

Guest Blog Post - Devon's Top Attractions

What’s on in Devon this Summer?

School’s out! The sun has got his hat on and is coming out to play! The summer holidays are here and it’s time to get planning some fun filled days out to enjoy the sunshine!

Devon’s Top 40 Attractions are here to help you make the most of summer, offering top quality visitor attractions across the county. 

Summer 2016 sees some fantastic events and some major new developments. The BIG Sheep welcomes visitors of all ages to ride its new state of the art rollercoaster. Thrill seekers will love to zoom down the new family toboggan ride at Watermouth Castle, enjoying the beautiful view along the way.

The Top 40 Attractions are always offering great days out in Devon and there are plenty of special events happening during the summer holidays. Parents will find over one hundred events throughout July and August by visiting www.lotstodo.co.uk, ensuring a day out to suit the whole family.

A place to enjoy the wild outdoors, Wildwood Escot in East Devon are now offering the chance to come face to face with wild animals including wildcats, lynx and red squirrels. You can now visit their brand new rare Scottish Wildcats kittens.  But hurry, they grow up fast!

Upcoming Events

Everyone’s favourite characters will be making special appearances at attractions across Devon, including Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, Titan the Robot and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Harry Potter fans unite! There is a summer outing made just for you at South Devon Railway in collaboration with Hannah’s at Seale Hayne who have a stunning exhibition called Illustrating Harry Potter. Climb aboard the Magic Express on four special Saturdays throughout July and August and enjoy a magical round-robin trip. The steam train will take you from Buckfastleigh to Totnes, you will then take a vintage London Double Decker Bus to enjoy the exhibition before the bus returns you to Buckfastleigh.

There’s nothing better than messing about on the river in the summertime. Visit the River Dart Country Park for picnics by the waterside and outdoor activities for the whole family. Or feel the glorious cooling spray of the waterfalls at Canonteign Falls whilst taking a walk on their nature trails. Perhaps you prefer to learn more about the creatures of the deep during Super Shark Summer at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth.

There’s some Wild West fun over at The World of Country Life, every Wednesday through the summer holidays. Enjoy some wacky Wild West games as well as the usual daily activities with the animals. Get into the carnival spirit of the Rio 2016 Olympic games over at the Miniature Pony Centre, where there will be a fortnight of Pony Centre Olympic games from 5th - 21st August with their own ‘Rio Pony Show Girl’.

There is plenty of special entertainment going on at Pennywell Farm, including the multi-talented Mr Phil who will amaze you will his juggling, magic skills, games and comedy! Love donkeys? You can have the ultimate donkey experience at the Donkey Sanctuary over several dates this summer including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. Exeter Cathedral have some fun educational activities for kids, including a Time Travellers Club and workshops to learn more about skills such as Archaeology. 

Why not enjoy the balmy summer evenings with a picnic and some outdoor theatre, set in the beautiful grounds of a Devon National Trust property? Arlington Court, Killerton and Castle Drogo are all offering theatre shows in the coming weeks. 

For the adults, there will be plenty of live music and entertainment to while away the relaxed summer evenings. Beer and music lovers will find lots of events happening across the county.

You can experience an evening of “Allo Allo” at Seaton Tramway on 23rd July. The unique tramway and tourist attraction has teamed up with the Moonstone Theatre Company to present an interactive comedy and dining evening in the Café René at Colyton Station. Watch hilarity ensue when the French café owner is caught between the Gestapo & The Resistance and forced to work for both.

To find out more details and to see the full list of events see their website www.lotstodo.co.uk.

About Devon's Top Attractions

The Devon Association of Tourist Attractions represents over 40 of Devon’s top attractions. Members are regularly inspected to make sure they meet the rigorous criteria and quality standards. Ensuring that visitors experience quality in terms of venue, facilities, content, service and value for money. DATA members continue to work together to raise and maintain the standard of tourist attractions across Devon. Many members have obtained awards from the Devon Tourism Awards, South West Tourism Awards, Visit England, Green Tourism Business Awards Scheme, Travel Awards, Trip Advisor and many more. Their website is  www.devontopattractions.com

Like and follow them on Facebook  @Devon’s Top Attractions and Twitter @DevonTopDaysOut
The Complete Guide to Devon leaflet comes with free road map, beach guide and tide table.