North of England
Scotland
12 Beachdown rests in Challaborough, within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a contemporary, reverse-level home for eight guests. Nestled near the shoreline, 12 Beachdown offers a stylish, well-equipped base for families and friends, looking to enjoy a seascape, complete with a private roof terrace, hot tub, pool table, and a sleek, open-plan living space.
Park up on the private driveway, taking in the tranquillity of your surroundings, enjoying rural views to the rear. Step indoors to be greeted by four, well-appointed bedrooms, where you can unpack your belongings and catch some rest after a busy day; select between a king-size with en-suite, a double, a twin, and a family room.
Completing the ground floor is a contemporary shower room, where you can get ready in style, whilst the living area rests upstairs, offering a social hub to prepare meals, dine, and plan your break. The kitchen area is well-equipped, where you can rustle up home-cooked recipes to be enjoyed around the lofty dining table, or head outside, selecting from three outdoor spaces to dine.
End the evening with a dip in the indulgent hot tub, a film night in the sitting area, or take advantage of the three-hole putting green whilst watching the sun set over Devon. Come morning, benefit from the on-site facilities available upon the neighbouring holiday park, which include local shops selling essentials and beach items (barbecues, wetsuits, buckets and spades, etc.), a beachfront bar, and a Costa Coffee.
Enjoy views of this historic setting from your roof top, or admire your countryside setting, looking out for sheep and cows that often come to say 'hello'!. Venture to the coast to discover Bigbury Beach, Ayrmer Cove, and Bantham Beach, all reachable via the South West Coastal Path.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of 12 Beachdown, with real driving times.
Sat nav: PL7 5FB
A charity-run zoo on the edge of Dartmoor, with a breeding programme and the story behind We Bought a Zoo.
Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre zoo just north of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by a charity that focuses on conservation, education and research, and it belongs to BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Sat nav: TQ9 7DQ
Devon's largest theme park mixes water rides, a zoo farm and big indoor play areas, whatever the weather.
Woodlands is a family-owned, all-weather theme park on the A3122, about 5 miles from Dartmouth in South Devon. It covers over 90 acres, with 16 rides, around 500 animals and several play zones, each with its own rides and attractions. There are water rides, a zoo farm and a falconry display with over 50 birds of prey.
Tip: Not every ride runs every day, so check the park's website for opening times and which rides are open before you set off.
Sat nav: TQ4 7EU
An 80-acre Devon zoo with tigers, gorillas and giraffes, plus play areas, gardens and indoor habitats.
Paignton Zoo covers 80 acres of animal enclosures and gardens, and most families spend a full day here. You can follow the four zones (Wetlands, Islands, Grasslands and Rainforests), catch the daily talks and feeding sessions, and wander through nature trails in Clennon Gorge wildlife reserve.
Tip: Book tickets online ahead of your visit to save money.
Sat nav: PL4 0LF
See over 5,000 sea creatures in Plymouth, from local sharks and rays to Caribbean reef fish and jellyfish.
The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.
Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.
Sat nav: PL7 4NW
Ride a steam or diesel train through the Plym Valley on a restored part of an old Great Western branch line.
The Plym Valley Railway is a heritage railway on part of the old Great Western line from Plymouth to Tavistock, which closed in 1962. Trains run from Marsh Mills station to Plym Bridge, a journey of about 1.5 miles of track. Marsh Mills is also a railway centre where volunteers preserve and restore steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons.
Tip: There is no parking at Marsh Mills station, but the Coypool Park and Ride car park is directly opposite and can be used by railway visitors at weekends.
Sat nav: TQ5 0ES
Agatha Christie's former holiday home, styled as in the 1950s, with woodland gardens running down to the Dart estuary.
Greenway was once the holiday home of crime writer Agatha Christie. The house is styled as it looked in the 1950s and is filled with personal collections belonging to Christie and her family, including archaeological pieces, silver, china and books. The National Trust owns it.
Tip: Parking must be pre-booked, so arrange it before you go. You can also arrive by ferry from Dartmouth.
Sat nav: PL14 3PJ
Zip wire, giant swing, karting and an inflatable aquapark in a flooded Cornish quarry.
Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.
Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.
Sat nav: TQ6 0JN
A coastal artillery fort guarding the Dart Estuary for over 600 years, with hands-on history and sea views.
Dartmouth Castle is an English Heritage fortress that has guarded the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary for over 600 years. It is one of the most beautifully located fortresses in England, with the water all around and fine views out to sea. Its earliest parts date from the 1380s, and it is described as the oldest known purpose-built coast artillery fort in Britain.
Tip: Booking tickets in advance is encouraged, and check for any local road closures on your route before driving.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
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