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Best theme parks in Devon for families

Best theme parks in Devon for families

Looking for fun things to do with kids in Devon? Why not treat the family to a day out with rollercoasters, family-friendly attractions, plus plenty of indoor play options for wet days too. Below you’ll find the top family theme parks in Devon.

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Days out in Devon with rides and attractions

Children say in. the cockpit of a theme park ride plane

A visit to one of Devon’s theme parks is a great family day out for thrill seekers, animal lovers and adventure playground lovers. This guide will help you find the best attraction for your family based on their interests and ages.

You might also like to check out my guides to more Devon attractions, free things to do and my big Devon family holiday guide.

Here’s where you’ll find the best theme parks in Devon:

Top tip: if you book online in advance you can get excellent discounts on entry to some Devon theme parks.

It’s also important to check the attraction websites for their opening days and times as these vary throughout the year. In general, opening times and the number of rides that are open in the winter months is reduced but often so is the entry price. I’ve listed the websites below for your information.

Theme parks in East Devon

Here’s where to find theme park days out in East Devon:

Crealy Adventure Park & Resort – best for thrill rides

Toddler in car at driving school at Crealy theme park, Devon

If you’re a fan of rollercoasters, log flumes and go-karts then Crealy Adventure Park & Resort near Exeter is a great theme park in Devon.

This award-winning family attraction has more than 60 rides, as well as a farm, adventure play grounds, a splash park and indoor play to satisfy kids of all ages. It’s also one of our recommended accessible Devon attractions.

In 2022 Sooty Land also opened at Crealy bringing with it four new rides and 10 new indoor attractions. Find out more about what to expect from Sooty Land.

Plane ride at theme park
Sweep’s Flying Circus

We’ve been visiting since the girls were three and one-years-old and have never been short of things to do at Crealy for toddlers. 

Some of their favourite rides include the carousel, the Flying Machine and, more recently, the Maximus rollercoaster. There are height restrictions on some of the bigger rides.

Once children are over 92cm they can have a go on most attractions, but there are some that toddlers can do from 80cm high.

Here’s my full guide to visiting Crealy Adventure Park with more information about the rides and what to expect.

Each Devon school holiday there are themed events including shows in the Big Top arena which arrived at the park in 2018. Here’s a video of our visit to Crealy’s Christmas Spectacular:

You can also stay at Crealy. Its Crealy Meadows campsite has touring pitches for tents, motor homes and caravans, or you can hire one of the lodges or glamping tents. Entry to the theme park can be bought with your stay.

Great for pre-teens to teens | Open all year round (check website for days and times) | Crealy Adventure Park & Resort 

Find more places to visit in East Devon.

Theme parks in Mid Devon

Here’s a theme park day out in Mid Devon:

Diggerland Devon near Cullompton – one for fans of big wheels

If your kids are obsessed by diggers, tractors and just about anything chunky with wheels then Diggerland is a very special day out just for them.

They can drive their own mini Land Rover, be spun around in a digger bucket and take the wheel of a dumper truck.

Read our full guide to Diggerland Devon.

Great for four-year-olds to 14 year-olds | Open weekends and school holidays from February to November (check website for exact days and times) | Diggerland

Theme parks in South Devon

Here’s where to find South Devon theme parks:

Woodlands Family Theme Park – best for adventure play

We have season passes to Woodlands near Dartmouth and find ourselves there most weekends we are free; even if it’s just for a whirl around the Atlantis indoor soft play.

Woodlands aces indoor play across the woodland park with several areas dedicated to slides, soft play and ball pits. It’s one of my top adventure parks in Devon and things to do on wet days in Devon.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Woodlands Family Theme Park.

Outdoors my girls love the tractor ride, bumper boats, bouncy cushion and toboggan run.

Kids on tractor ride at Woodlands theme park in Devon
Tractor ride at Woodlands

If adrenaline rushes are more your family’s thing then visit these Woodlands theme park rides: the pirate galleon, three water coasters, the avalanche tray slides, and the Vertigo drop tower ride.

You’ll not find rollercoasters here but there’s plenty of rides to give you a thrill.

Height restrictions apply on some rides. Children over 92cm will find they can have a go on a lot of the bigger rides.

Woodlands puts on special events and shows during the Devon school holidays. Here’s a video from our visit to the Santa’s Grotto at Christmas:

You can also camp at Woodlands Grove next to the park and get free entry to the theme park during your stay. Woodlands Grove has touring pitches and a camping field.

Find more campsites in Devon.

Great for tots to pre-teens | Open all year round (check website for days and times) | Woodlands Family Theme Park

Find more things to do in South Devon with kids.

Theme parks in North Devon

The North Devon coast is where you’ll find the majority of Devon’s theme parks:

The Milky Way – best for wet days

The Milky Way in North Devon is a superb choice for a Devon day out if it’s raining. Many of its attractions are under one roof that covers the same space as three football pitches. This includes fairground and thrill rides.

Cosmic Typhoon ride at The Milky Way in North Devon
Cosmic Typhoon at The Milky Way

Height restrictions apply to some rides but once your children are over 80cm there’s lots they can do. The Milky Way also has a dedicated soft play centre for babies and toddlers. It’s also highly recommended as a wheelchair accessible place to visit in Devon.

Outdoors you’ll find rollercoasters suitable for the whole family, plus a train ride, Devon falconry centre and a huge tube slide. My girls love bouncing on the inflatable cushions and the craft centre where you can paint pottery.

Here’s a video from our visit to The Milky Way during the summer holidays:

Visit during the main school holidays and there are extra shows for families to enjoy including magic, science and bird of prey demonstrations.

Great for tots to pre-teens | Open all year round (check website for days and times) | The Milky Way

The Big Sheep – a farm-themed day out in Devon

Visit this theme park near Bideford and you’ll find Devon’s highest and fastest rollercoaster. There’s also combat games for thrill seekers and a farm safari, pedals and a train ride for visitors who like to take things at a slower pace.

Plus you can meet animals, see a show in the school holidays, dive into the indoor play area, and watch the fun sheep races.

Sheep shed at The Big Sheep theme park in North Devon
Meet the animals at The Big Sheep

For more mature visitors there’s a micro brewery, gin distillery and festivals throughout the year. Take a look at The Big Sheep website to find out about its special events throughout the year.

Great for tots to teens | Open from February to December (check website for times outside Devon school holidays and ride/activity availability as this can change seasonally) | The Big Sheep

Find more zoo and farm days out in Devon.

Watermouth Castle – a Devon theme park in a castle

This theme park in North Devon has fairground rides and adventure play areas in the grounds of a Victorian castle. Inside there’s dungeons, a musical water fountain display and nostalgic collections of toys and period treasures.

Great for toddlers and pre-teens | Open from the end March to end October | Watermouth Castle

Find more things to do in North Devon with kids.

For more fun days out in Devon see our 101 things to do in Devon with kids.

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