Find the top things to do in Devon during February Half Term!
Devon’s Top Attractions open up their doors to welcome visitors back for the half term break. There is plenty of indoor fun to keep all family members entertained no matter what the winter weather. With the varied range of attractions there is an activity for everyone including creative craft sessions, wonderful workshops, super steam train rides, brilliant boat trips or put on your wellies and a warm coat and head to one of the parks or gardens for a winter walk and fresh air.
What’s on in South Devon
Visit Kents Cavern this February Half Term to learn about the Origins of Art. Create a piece of Stone Age art in the cave, learn how people made paint with ochre and about ‘portable art’ shapes carved into stones and bone. Create your own art in clay or carve into antler with flint tools just like your ancestors would have done thousands of years ago. Plus excavate their sandboxes to find hidden gemstones which you can take home with you!
Journey back in time to Bygones in Torquay, Devon’s heritage family attraction packed with over 100 years of British History, authentic curiosities & quirky memorabilia. Open daily throughout February including half term from 10am to 4pm (last entry at 3pm). Good value and good fun!
This year Paignton Zoo welcomes Bing and Flop, from the award-winning series Bing. Follow Bing’s fun activity trail to learn about the animals at the zoo and help the zookeepers complete their checklist. This brand-new family activity trail runs until 3 March plus join Bing, Flop and one of Paignton Zoo’s rangers for storytime sessions at Matobo Camp and create special memories with your little ones at the character Meet & Greets.
Take a steamy winter journey beside the River Dart at South Devon Railway this Half Term. Steam trains will be operating the full length of the line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. Take a nostalgic journey on one of their cosy heritage trains.
A visit to the multi award-winning Pennywell Farm is something you’ll never forget! Make memories that last a lifetime as you enjoy a fun-filled experience packed full of animals, hands-on activities, rides, play-time, shows and displays. It’s the biggest activity farm in the Southwest with a different activity happening every 30 minutes, just listen for the bell! Pennywell is home to over 150 animals and has something for everyone, from pig racing to tractor rides!
Get outside with the whole family at Becky Falls re-opening from 8th to 18th February. They have three circular walking trails – you can take your time to explore over 50 acres of woodland rich wildlife. Children can have a go at the Nature Challenge which includes a free prize for every child. ‘Meet the Keeper Sessions’ run hourly throughout the day. Watch the animals being fed and learn more about them from the people who care for them.
Visit River Dart Country Park from 10th to 18th February for ONLY £3 PER PERSON!!! Explore their large Adventure Playgrounds in over 90 acres of woodland and parkland, the great outdoors at its best! Day Admission £3pp (MUST be pre-booked at www.riverdart.co.uk) the Dare Devil activities & Dartmoor Bike Park are at an additional cost with pre-booking essential. The Old Sawmill will be available for food and drink.
Let the epic adventure begin at Woodlands Family Theme Park where you can have an action-packed day out whatever the weather. A visit to the south west’s largest family theme park this winter is guaranteed to give a fantastic family day out, especially as it offers kids the chance to play in one of the largest indoor play areas in the UK! All indoor areas are open but some rides are closed. Check the website for details and to book tickets.
The Box in Plymouth is running some free drop-in activities on 13th, 14th & 15th February taking inspiration from John Akomfrah’s stunning multi-screen film ‘Arcadia’. There’ll be marbling paper and making beautiful dream books to capture the dreams or amazing daydreams you’ve had. Incredible local storyteller Abimbola Alao will also be sharing the stories of some of the real-life families whose lives are documented in their archives and who left Plymouth in the 18th century.
Dingles Fairground Museum re-opens from 11th to 17th February. Visit their new one-level easy access Museum & Visitor Attraction comprising of 25,000 sq ft Museum Hall featuring exhibits of rides, artwork and all manner of travelling artefacts. Plus another 25,000 sq ft housing their rides and attractions and new arcade area. See more details on the website. For catering there’s a traditional fairground kiosk selling all the fairground favourites.
WHAT’S ON IN EXETER AND EAST DEVON
At Crealy Theme Park this February Half Term the hard hitting ‘Superstars of Wrestling’ will be taking place live in the Crealy Arena. The show will feature different types of wrestlers, some who will need the crowd to be on their side and others who are sure to be the villain of the day! There will also be special crowd interactions and refreshments to make your Superstars experience one to remember.
At Killerton, National Trust explore the garden, woods, and parkland, with an estate that covers 6,400 acres, you’ll find fun and adventures for children of all ages. Discover the Bear’s hut in the garden, let off some steam around the parkland and join the Frosty Footsteps trail this February half term. Can you decipher the poem and footprint at each stop along the trail to discover what the animal is? The Frosty Footsteps trail will run from the 10 to the 25 February.
There are lots of fabulous activities at RAMM in Exeter over the half term break. On 16th February you can meet time travellers from the past as they wander around RAMM. Ever wanted to meet a real Roman soldier? Or hear tales from a World War Two warden? Now’s your chance as you can dive into their collection with first-hand knowledge from the people who used some of these objects long before they were put into cases.
Diggerland is the ultimate adventure UK theme park experience where children and adults alike can ride, drive and operate REAL diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery. Fun for all ages (subject to height restrictions), Diggerland has 20 different rides and drives and an array of additional activities. Ideal for children 4-14 years and for groups.
The Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition arrives in Seaton Tramway on 9th February and runs until 21st April. The world-renowned exhibition is on loan from the Natural History Museum in London and features exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world. Using photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, the images shine a light on stories and species around the world.
This February book onto a Winter River Exe or Bird Watching Cruise. The tranquil waters of the River Exe allow Stuart Line Cruises to cruise through the winter months to see this constantly changing landscape that is home to a wide range of wildlife and migrating birds that make for magnificent viewing. The indoor heated lower decks have large windows for great viewing and outside upper decks with plenty of fresh air and blankets. Check the timetable on the website.
WHAT’S ON IN NORTH DEVON
Dartington Crystal is the place to find exclusive offers and fun for all the family. Go to see the Studio Furnace in the Visitor Centre where works of art come to life. Enjoy creative activities such as painting your own glass or suncatcher and why not capture that special moment by having a hand or footprint forever cast in glass? EXCLUSIVE OFFER in the Crystal and Gift Shop until 14th February – purchase selected products and get FREE Monogram Engraving.
Join the fun this half term at RHS Rosemoor with activities for all to enjoy. There’ll be entertainment with Magic Luke, a 30-minute interactive and energetic magic show, filled with fun and silliness – for dates and times see the website. Join in the fun family planting interactive workshops based around planting and growing at home. Including: nature art, plant a pea, paint a pebble character, miniature terrariums, create a mini herb garden and grow your own Marimo pet. Plus take the fun garden trail around the gardens. See website for details.
Experience the joy of The Big Sheep this Half Term, where you can witness adorable lambs being born. Feed and connect with baby goats, sheep, piglets, chicks, calves, donkeys, alpacas, and more. Enjoy hilarious live shows, thrilling rides, and let the little ones explore Ewetopia Soft Play. It’s a day of laughter, learning, and farmyard fun for the whole family!
On Shrove Tuesday 13th February (Pancake Day), visit Clovelly Village, as Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’), an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom, will be taking place at 3.30pm. Historically the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. At dusk children set off ‘Down-a-long’, dragging their clattering tin cans. When they reach the harbour, the children’s cans are then tied together, thrown into the sea and then retrieved. Children taking part will receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings.
Anne Blackham, Marketing Manager said ‘We were delighted to welcome two new members to our group at the end of last year; Killerton, part of the National Trust and Dingles Fairground Museum, both attractions are open for February Half Term. Many of our award-winning attractions have spacious indoor facilities plus activities that are perfect for keeping the family fun buzzing despite cold or rainy weather.’
To find more information and ideas for a day out this half term holiday check out What’s on in Devon and book tickets here.
