Top 10: Things to do in the South West this February Half Term

If you’re exchanging the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a break in the South West this February half term, you’ll find there are plenty of things to see and do, whatever the weather!

Simple pleasures are easy to come by in this picturesque part of the world. Stroll along a blustery beach to watch wintry waves crashing against the shoreline, take a bracing hike on windswept cliffs with jaw-dropping views, or drop into a friendly pub for a hearty meal of local produce served beside a roaring log fire. The beautiful scenery, friendly people, laid-back pace, and exceptional food and drink will have you un-wound in no time.

If you have a family to entertain during half term week, the South West is blessed with a huge variety of attractions and activities to keep children of all ages (and their parents!) happy.

Here’s our pick of the top 10 things to do in the South West this February Half term…

  1. Art Activities, Ceramic Painting

    paper-bird-island
    Image credit: paperbirdisland.com

    Pottery Shop and Milkshake Bar, Honiton, EX14 1PU www.honitonpottery.co.uk/
    Paper Bird Island, Salcombe, TQ8 8DP www.paperbirdisland.com/
    Art Café, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1PG www.facebook.com/TheArtCafeKingsbridge
    PaintapotBraunton, EX33 2JL, www.paintapot-braunton.co.uk/
    Clay Art, Plymouth, PL1 2LA www.clayart.co.uk/

  2. Indoor Climbing

    clip and climb
    Image credit: www.clipnclimbexeter.co.uk

    Clip ‘n Climb, Exeter, EX2 8AX www.clipnclimbexeter.co.uk/
    Dart Rock, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0NF www.dartrock.co.uk/
    Rock & Rapid, South Molton, EX36 3NA www.rockandrapidadventures.co.uk/climbing-wall

  3. Indoor Soft Play

    bumble cafe kingsbridge
    Image credit: www.facebook.com/bumblekb

    The Playdome, Honiton, EX14 1DB http://www.theplaydome.com/
    Bumble, Kingsbridge TQ7 1AB https://www.facebook.com/bumblekb/
    Funder Zone, Barnstaple EX32 8RY, www.funderzone.co.uk/
    KidzWorld, Saint Austell PL25 3RP, www.kidzworldcornwall.co.uk/

  4. Underground Passages/Caves

    carnglaze
    Image credit: www.carnglaze.com

    Exeter’s Underground Passages, Exeter, EX1 1GA www.exeter.gov.uk/passages/
    Kent’s Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay, TQ1 2JF www.kents-cavern.co.uk/
    Carnglaze Caverns, Liskeard, PL14 6HQ www.carnglaze.com/

  5. Stately Homes & Gardens

    pendennis-castle
    Image credit: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle

    Powderham Castle, Exeter EX6 8JQ www.powderham.co.uk/
    Greenway NT, near Brixham TQ5 0ES www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway
    Coleton Fishacre NT, Kingswear TQ6 0EQ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre
    Overbecks NT, Salcombe TQ8 8LW www.nationaltrust.org.uk/overbecks
    Saltram NT,  Plymouth PL7 1UH www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram
    Pendennis Castle, Falmouth TR11 4LP www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle

  6. Museums & Biomes

    eden-project
    Image credit: www.edenproject.com

    Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Regis DT7 3QA www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/
    Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, DT6 6LL www.charmouth.org/chcc/
    Wheal Martyn, St Austell, PL26 8XG www.wheal-martyn.com/
    National Maritime Museum, Falmouth,  TR11 3QY www.nmmc.co.uk/
    Eden Project, Bodelva, PL24 2SG www.edenproject.com/

  7. Adventure Parks

    crealy map
    Image credit: www.crealy.co.uk

    Devon’s Crealy, Exeter, EX5 1DR www.crealy.co.uk/Devon
    Woodlands, Dartmouth, TQ9 7DQ www.woodlandspark.com/

  8. Scenic Railways

    Dartmouth steam railway
    Dartmouth steam railway

    Seaton Tramway, Seaton, EX12 2NQ http://www.tram.co.uk/
    Dart Steam Railway & River Boat, Dartmouth, TQ6 0AA www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/
    South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/
    Lappa Valley Steam Railway, Newquay TR8 5LX www.lappavalley.co.uk/

  9. Animal Sanctuaries & Farm Parks

    Pennywell pig
    Image credit: www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

    Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, EX10 0NU www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/visit-us/sidmouth
    Butterflies & Otter Sanctuary, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk/
    The Monkey Sanctuary, Looe PL13 1NZ www.monkeysanctuary.org/
    Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek TR12 6UG www.sealsanctuary.co.uk/corn1.html
    Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0LT http://www.pennywellfarm.co.uk/
    Dairyland Farm World, Newquay TR8 5AA, http://www.dairylandfarmworld.com/

  10. Aquariums and Zoos

    living-coasts-penquins
    Image credit: www.livingcoasts.org.uk

    Lyme Regis Marine Aquarium, Lyme Regis DT7 3JJ www.lymeregismarineaquarium.co.uk/ Living Coasts, Torquay, TQ1 2BG www.livingcoasts.org.uk/
    National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth PL4 0LF http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ Dartmoor Zoo, Plymouth, PL7 5DG www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/
    Paignton Zoo, Paignton TQ4 7EU www.paigntonzoo.org.uk/
    Newquay Zoo, Newquay TR7 2NL www.newquayzoo.org.uk/

The only downside is that a week isn’t long enough to squeeze everything in! Be sure to come back soon to enjoy more West Country delights…