Accessible Attractions in South Devon

South Devon, with its stunning coastline, rolling countryside, and charming towns, is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. But what makes this region truly special is its commitment to accessibility, ensuring that everyone, regardless of mobility or sensory impairments, can enjoy its wonders. Here's a guide to some of the most accessible attractions in South Devon. 

Crealy Theme Park & Resort, Exeter 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes  
• Full Wheelchair Access – Yes 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes  
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes  
• Wheelchairs Available – Yes 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Located on the outskirts of Exeter, Crealy Theme Park & Resort is the largest theme park in Devon. Home to over 60 rides, attractions and live shows, it’s a much-loved day out for the whole family!  

It’s also one of the most accessible attractions in South Devon. Designed with disabled guests in mind, they proudly state that all the rides and indoor attractions are wheelchair accessible. They also permit fully-trained service dogs inside the attractions (although not on any rides for safety reasons) and offer a ‘Ride Access Pass’ for those who are unable to queue.  

Find out more about Crealy Theme Park & Resort here.  

World of Country Life, Exmouth 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes  
• Full Wheelchair Access – Yes 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes  
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – Yes 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Located at Sandy Bay, on the outskirts of Exmouth, the World of Country Life is a family-friendly attraction that offers a delightful blend of farming heritage, outdoor adventure and interactive exhibits. World of Country Life brings you up close and personal with a variety of farm animals. From bottle-feeding lambs and calves, to cuddles with small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs, the hands-on experiences are perfect for children and adults alike. The animal paddocks are well-designed for easy access, allowing everyone to enjoy these encounters. 

The park is easily accessible via wide paved paths with plenty of benches along the way, and they also have wheelchairs available for loan, free of charge. Plus, they have two mobility scooters available, which are £5 to loan for the day; all proceeds go directly to their sponsored charity. Additionally, all of their staff receive regular training that includes disability awareness and first aid training. Service dogs who are fully trained are permitted at the attraction, but are not allowed to enter any of the animal barns, courtyards, or the Birds of Prey Centre. 

Find out more about World of Country Life here.  

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes  
• Full Wheelchair Access – Yes 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes  
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

If you have a family of animal-lovers, Pennywell Farm is the attraction to visit for a hands-on experience. This award-winning attraction is a firm family favourite, offering a wide array of animal activities; from miniature piggy cuddles to goat feeding, there’s plenty of ways to interact with Pennywell’s array of farmyard friends.  

Visitors can access all parts of the attractions, find step-free access at the entrance, and there is also disabled parking, accessible toilets, and reduced carer tickets available. They also happily welcome assistance and guide dogs who have received their full training and must be booked in upon arrival.  

Find out more about Pennywell Farm here.  

Haldon Forest Park, Exeter 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Free entry for all 
• Wheelchairs Available – Yes 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Haldon Forest Park is a huge 3500-acre woodland, located just 15 minutes from Exeter with a range of trails and footpaths to suit every ability. Offering endless activities and miles of trails, the park is set in the heart of Devon with unbeatable views of the surrounding countryside. Whether you want a gentle stroll or a strenuous hike, there’s a route for all.  

For visitors with limited mobility, they boast four off-road mobility scooters available for hire as part of the Countryside Mobility Trust Scheme, and Forest Cycle Hire offers a range of disability options including e-bikes. The most popular trail is the Discover Trail, which offers a surfaced trail with regular resting points and is suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility vehicles.  

Alongside disabled toilets in the main information area, there’s also access ramps into the Café and disabled parking bays near the drop-off point. The park is also a sunflower-friendly destination with a friendly team who have complete disability awareness training.  

Find out more about Haldon Forest Park here.  

Paignton Zoo, Paignton 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Home to over 2,000 animals, Paignton Zoo is one of the best zoos in the South West, spread across a huge 80-acres of land! With a big emphasis on wildlife conversation, Paignton Zoo aims to educate and entertain their visitors, as well as showcase their huge array of animals on offer.  

Paignton Zoo is a haven for animal lovers and a pioneer in accessibility. The zoo's pathways are mostly flat and wide, making it easy for wheelchair users and those with mobility scooters, but please note that there are some parts that are hilly and steep, and therefore less accessible than others. Accessible toilets, wheelchair hire and dedicated parking spaces are available, and assistance dogs are welcome.  

Find out more about Paignton Zoo here.  

Powderham Castle, Kenton 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

If you’re looking for an accessible attraction full of history, pay a visit to Powderham Castle. Take part in one of the entertaining guided tours of the fortified manor house to learn about the fascinating history of Powderham, or explore the acres upon acres of stunning grounds outside which overlook the River Exe Estuary. They also host a play area and a small petting zoo, complete with guinea pigs, donkeys, ponies and alpacas.  

The entire ground floor of the castle is wheelchair accessible, as is the walled garden, play area, pets corner and café. For those who want to explore outside, Powderham offers an all-terrain tramper vehicle to help those with limited mobility discover the grounds. Powderham Castle also offers ‘Quiet Hours’ for visitors who prefer to visit during calmer times.  

Find out more about Powderham Castle here.  

Wetwheels Torbay, Torquay 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes 
• Full Wheelchair Access – Yes 
• On-site Disabled Parking – No 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – No 
• Wheelchairs Available – Yes 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Wetwheels Torbay is dedicated to offering thrilling power boating experiences to individuals with disabilities, including those with profound and complex needs. Fully accessible, Wetwheels Torbay allows everyone not only to be a passenger but also to take the helm as the skipper. Here, everybody gets the chance to drive! 

With scheduled trips and customisable experiences departing from Torquay, Wetwheels Torbay can tailor adventures to suit your group's preferences. Whether you're interested in wildlife spotting, searching for seals and dolphins or simply want to enjoy the coastline from a unique perspective, they ensure that everyone can join in the excitement. 

Wetwheels Torbay are located at MDL Marina in Torquay, and so, they don’t have any parking permits. Unfortunately, the closest car park – Torquay Marina Car Park doesn’t have any disabled spaces and so the closest car park with disabled spaces is at Shedden Hill Car Park, a 12-minute walk away from the Marina.  

Find out more about Wetwheels Torbay here.  

South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes (at stations) 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

The South Devon Railway offers a delightful 14-mile round trip along a branch line of the historic Great Western Railway. Gleaming, vintage GWR steam engines transport passengers of all ages between Buckfastleigh and Totnes riverside, captivating everyone with their timeless charm. This journey takes you through some of Devon's most picturesque landscapes, following the scenic River Dart for much of the route. The countryside is teeming with wildlife, offering a unique view that is rarely visible from the road. 

The South Devon Railway has been honoured as one of the best family venues in the UK for people with disabilities, being Highly Commended at the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain Awards 2010. All of their stations are accessible for disabled people who are warmly welcomed. Buckfastleigh station, with ample car parking and easy, flat access close to the platform, is the best starting point for your journey. SDR’s trains have disabled access and reserved spaces for wheelchair users, though their dining trains do not have these spaces and the doors are narrower than standard wheelchairs. Totnes station is accessible via a footpath link, about 500 yards from the nearest parking at Totnes National Rail station. In additional to this, registered disabled visitors and their essential carers enjoy discounted travel on the South Devon Railway.  

Find out more about South Devon Railway here.  

Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – No 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Also situated in the seaside resort of Torquay in the English Riviera, Babbacombe Model Village is a charming and unique attraction, made up of hundreds of miniature buildings and scenes to delight and entertain all members of the family! Set amongst a 4-acre garden, there are plenty of handcrafted models to discover outdoors and inside; such as Stonehenge, the celebrity mansion and even a fire-breathing dragon!  

Due to being built in a natural valley, please be aware that there are slopes entering and leaving the gardens, and during wet weather there could be skidding risks. They note that manual wheelchair users will depend on a helper who’s reasonably strong and can manage the 1-in-4 gradients. However, Babbacombe Model Village do offer a 50% discount for manual wheelchair users and their helper.  

Parking wise – Babbacombe Model Village don’t own their own parking spaces, but there is one outside the main entrance which is a local authority-owned pay and display car park. There are two disabled parking pays outside the main entrance of the attraction, but the main carpark itself is relatively flat and level meaning that other parking spaces are easily accessible.  

Find out more about Babbacombe Model Village here.  

Seaton Tramway, Seaton 

Accessibility Checklist:  

• Disabled toilets – Yes (at stations) 
• Full Wheelchair Access – No 
• On-site Disabled Parking – Yes 
• Free/Discounted Carer Tickets – Yes 
• Wheelchairs Available – No 
• Service Dogs permitted - Yes

Seaton Tramway offers a charming and unique heritage experience for visitors of all ages. This narrow-gauge electric tramway runs for three miles through the stunning Axe Valley, providing a picturesque journey that combines history, nature, and fun. Seaton Tramway operates a fleet of heritage trams that transport you on a scenic ride from Seaton to Colyton, passing through the beautiful Seaton Wetlands, a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The route offers stunning views of the River Axe and its surrounding countryside, with ample opportunities to spot wildlife, including herons, kingfishers and other waterfowl. 

Accessible ‘low floor’ trams can run up to 3 times an hour from Seaton and Colyton; these accessible trams can fit a mobility scooter or 2 standard-size wheelchairs per tram. In addition, staff and volunteers have received Disability Awareness and Deaf Awareness training delivered by Heritage Ability, plus Assistance Dogs can travel at no charge. However please note due to Health and Safety reasons they are not permitted to travel on the upper deck of double-decker trams. 

Find out more about Seaton Tramway here.  

South Devon is a region that embraces inclusivity, ensuring that its attractions can be enjoyed by everyone. From historical sites and wildlife experiences to breathtaking natural landscapes, there's something for everyone to explore.  

Is there an accessible attraction that you love to visit that we didn’t include in our list? We’d love to hear all about your experiences so please let us know via Facebook, X or Instagram; and feel free to give us a follow whilst you’re at it!  

Stay up-to-date with all things South Devon by following us on social media, or by signing up to our e-newsletter here where we’ll update you with our latest competitions, blog posts and more!