When you are on holiday, taking a weekend break or even just a night away, the chances are you might want to do something while you're there or explore what's on in the area.  It could be booking a river trip, a visit to a museum or wildlife park, or it could be something a little more wild like white water rafting, axe throwing or a high wires course.  Whatever you fancy, jazz up your trip with something a bit different and have a look a the wide variety of experiences available near the accommodation.

Experiences

Kayaking and canoeing is a great way to get close to nature and experience lochs, lakes, rivers and canals in the UK. An easy way to start experiencing boat sports and go on an adventure. Kayaking and Canoeing are slightly different! When Kayaking you will be seated with your legs extended and you will use a double ended paddle. When you canoe, you can be seated or kneeling and often use a single paddle.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Feel like royalty and visit one of the UK’s beautiful palaces, castles or stately homes. We are lucky to be surrounded by amazing history and architecture here in the UK, and through several organisations we are able to visit and experience these amazing homes. Learn about the history of the buildings and residents, view the art and walk amongst the gardens. Many of these places also offer plenty of activities and guides for the children too! So why not visit one on your next trip?

Castles and Palaces

Climbing is a great way to test your strength, balance and agility. As both an indoor and outdoor sport it can be done whatever the weather! You can try out bouldering, climbing and traversing lower walls (around 3 meters) without the assistance of rope. Bouldering basics can be mastered in a few hours and climbing centers will have graded routes allowing you to start out on the easier paths and work your way up. Rock climbing or high ropes is climbing vertically with the assistance of ropes and using safety harnesses, the walls are around 15 meters tall. You will need a good nerve for heights for this activity! Again, beginner sessions are available as are graded routes.

Climbing

A leisure cycle is a great way to get the whole family out and exercising! It allows you to travel further whilst still getting to experience the local area. Why not take your family along the Camel Trail in Cornwall? Or Maybe go and hunt a Gruffolo in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are a family who loves biking together on relaxing forrest paths or a serious Wiggins type who prefers fast road cycling, there is no doubt that camping holidays give you the freedom to take your cycling hobby with you, wherever you decide to go in the UK.  Plenty of great campsites are near cycling paths and some may also offer bicycle hire too, showing you the best routes to take for a great day out cycling.  

Cycling

There are a huge number of zoos, wildlife and safari parks all over the UK and most are well worth a visit and provide a really exciting and unique day out.  The broad difference between them is that Zoos tend to keep animals with their own species in smaller enclosures for a real up-close encounter, whereas a visit to a Safari Park usually involves driving around much larger enclosures to see groups of animals - maybe rhino, giraffe and gazelle all in one setting.  Some are self-drive (for a monkey snapping off your wing mirror type affair) or in others you are guided round in a truck, spotting lions and elephants from afar - similar to an African safari, just without the plus-size sunset, hot weather and flamboyant tribespeople (although lets not get too picky about this; most UK safari parks are just a couple of hours from home and do not involve remortgaging the house to go). Many zoos and parks now are great conservation pioneers and animal rescue centres, so by visiting, you are often contributing to real global issues, supporting endangered species or deforestation or other genuine threats to wildlife.  The parks usually have lots of information about these causes and it can be a great way to get the kids to learn about the world we live in, the animals from different continents and the dangers they face.

Zoos, Wildlife Parks and Safari Parks

Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

Aside from roving funfairs which can pop up in towns and cities for a week before travelling on and are a great bonus if you find one, the UK has many, many fantastic Theme Parks that are open all year round and provide a great day out for everyone in the family.  Even the faint-hearted members who don't want to scream themselves hoarse on Oblivion or the like can take a gentle boat trip or something serene around quite often attractive grounds. These parks are a real treat for kids and grown ups alike.  You might plan your holiday to be near one, visit for the day or just get lucky and find there is one right where you are holidaying.  They often need booking in advance as they do limit numbers to some extent, and the well-known ones such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington are so large that you might need more than one day there!  They can be pricey, especially if you have a big family, so always keep a look out for 2-for-1 deals and vouchers, as you could make a good saving. Many seaside locations  - like Blackpool Pleasure beach - have seafront funfairs which are usually in action all year round (although on a very windy day, given their location, some things might close for safety!) so it is always a good idea to check these out too.  Most of these you can buy tickets on the day.

Theme Parks and Funfairs

If you decide to take a holiday in the UK to an area you don't know (or maybe you do but want to know more), an excellent way of seeing around and actually getting to see the "best bits" is by taking a tour with a local guide or someone in the know. Walking tours, cycling tours, boat tours, pogo-stick tours (ok maybe not the last one) - whatever suits your family best, can be booked online or at local visitor information centres and make a real difference to your stay.  You can find out the history of a place, local facts or even go on something weird and wonderful like a ghost walk or follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper.  Eek.  An open top bus journey can take away the hours pounding the pavement to look around a large city. Boat trips and river cruises are also a great way of seeing a lot of things in a small amount of time, giving you a completely different aspect of the town you are visiting.  Join a large boat or charter something smaller yourself and follow the river along to get a better look at all the surround countryside.  

Tours and River Cruises

Totnes - according to "The Telegraph" - has earned a reputation "for a level of eccentricity beyond the usual cream tea and antiques shop fare" that often characterises many Devon day trips.  This alone should make it a place to visit!   Sitting in the heart of South Devon on the banks of the River Dart, this historic market town combines beautiful countryside and fascinating history.  It is renowned for its diverse community, unique shops and relaxed atmosphere. So what do do here?  Well, when you've got over the surprise of being served by the locals clothed in traditional period dress at the Elizabethan market (Tuesdays, May-September only), you can explore in and around Totnes.  There are boat trips to enjoy, art galleries to visit, Totnes Castle to discover or a ride on a steam railway. The kids will enjoy a day trip to Pennywell Farm or a family canoe trip up the River Dart.   When you visit Devon don't miss out on this wonderful town!  

Totnes, Devon, South West England, UK

Bideford, Devon, South West England, UK

Brixham, Devon, South West England, UK

Budleigh Salterton, Devon, South West England, UK

Croyde, Devon, South West England, UK

Dartmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Dawlish, Devon, South West England, UK

Exeter, Devon, South West England, UK

Exmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Honiton, Devon, South West England, UK

Ilfracoombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Launceston, Cornwall, South West England, UK

Newton Abbot, Devon, South West England, UK

Paignton, Devon, South West England, UK

Plymouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Salcombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Saltash, Cornwall, South West England, UK

Seaton, Devon, South West England, UK

Sidmouth, Devon, UK

Teignmouth, Devon, South West England, UK

Tiverton, Devon, South West England, UK

Torquay, Devon, South West England, UK

Woolacombe, Devon, South West England, UK

Nestled in the southwest of England, Devon is a beautiful coastal and rural county, full of nature and landscapes for you to experience.  With 2 beautiful coastlines, Devon is a great place to take the family for a UK beach holiday, why not try out surfing, kayaking or coasteering?  Head inland to the endless moors of Devon, and visit Exmoor or Dartmoor. Meet wild ponies or try pony trekking through the moors. If you live history why not try one of the steam railways across the moors? All great holiday activities.  If you are looking for a city escape, Devon is home to both Plymouth and Exeter, which make great weekend city breaks.  So why not give Devon a go? With beaches, countryside, moorlands, cities, and villages there is something for everyone in Devon.  

Devon, South West England, UK

Bristol, South West England, UK

City of Bath, South West England, UK

Cornwall, South West England, UK

Dorset, South West England, UK

Gloucestershire, South West England, UK

Isles of Scilly, South West England, UK

Somerset, South West England, UK

Wiltshire, South West England, UK

South West England consists of 7 counties, Bristol, Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire as well as the Isles of Scilly. 
It is one of the nine regions of England with a total population of just over 5.28 million.

South West England, UK

East Midlands

East of England, UK

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South East England, UK

West Midlands, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

England is a totally unique travel destination, well known for its history, natural beauty, vast range of attractions and beautiful countryside landscapes and coastlines. 

England, UK

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the extraordinary United Kingdom; home to mountains, caves, rivers, dramatic coastlines, medieval villages and vibrant cities.

Places nearby

bideford

brixham

budleigh-salterton

croyde

dartmouth

dawlish

exeter

exmouth

honiton

Things to do in totnes