Shuttaford Barns, Holne
Pennywell Farm · Photo: Derek Harper
Base yourselves in a converted barn in a quiet Dartmoor valley with a games room for wet evenings, then spend a day around Buckfastleigh: piggy cuddles and tractor rides at Pennywell Farm, lunch at Buckfast Abbey, steam engines at Buckfastleigh station and otter feeding time at the sanctuary next to the steam railway. Everything is within 15 minutes of the barn.
Where you stay (overnight)
Check-in time isn't published, so confirm with the owners. Explore the garden, then table tennis in the games room before tea.
Converted barns on a 16th-century farmstead in a quiet valley on the edge of Dartmoor, about ten minutes' walk from Holne village. The Big Barn sleeps six, with a games room, private garden, highchair and cots.
Photo: From their website
Farm · 10:00–12:45 (2h45m)
Pick up the day's show times on arrival; the soft-play barn is the fallback if it rains.
An indoor and outdoor farm in Buckfastleigh.
Photo: Derek Harper
Food stop · 13:00–14:00 (1h)
Lunch in the abbey restaurant, then a short wander round the gardens.
A large restaurant in the grounds of a working Benedictine abbey, with free entry and free parking. After lunch there are gardens to wander and the abbey church to peek into.
Photo: Lewis Clarke
Railway · 14:10–15:10 (1h)
Watch the steam engines and browse the model shop. If a train fits the timetable, a ride along the Dart is a lovely extra, but it will push the otters later.
A heritage steam railway running seven miles along the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes, with a gift and model shop at the Buckfastleigh end. Even without a ride, watching the engines at the station is a treat for small train fans.
Photo: Chris Allen
Wildlife · 15:15–16:30 (1h15m)
Butterflies first, then be at the otter pools for the 16:00 feed.
An indoor and outdoor wildlife park in Buckfastleigh, aimed at ages 0–12.
South WestSt Austell or Truro
Day one inside Eden's giant rainforest dome, day two by the water in Falmouth with a hands-on maritime museum and a Tudor castle on the headland. Both days hold up if it rains.
Eden Project → National Maritime Museum Cornwall → Pendennis Castle
South WestWareham or Swanage
Day one pairs an ape rescue centre with a hangar full of tanks next door. Day two takes the steam train to Corfe Castle and ends on the clifftops at Durlston.
Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre → The Tank Museum → Corfe Castle → Durlston Country Park
South WestBath city centre
Start early at the Roman Baths before the queues, then let off steam in Royal Victoria Park, which has one of the best playgrounds in the city.
Roman Baths
