Little Owl Cottage

The BIG Sheep is a farm park and theme park in Abbotsham, North Devon, built from the old buildings of a family farm. It is best known for its live shows, including the World-Famous Sheep Race, the Duck Trials and the Sheep Show.

Tip: Pre-book tickets online, as the park gets very busy in school holidays and term time, and booking ahead is cheaper than paying at the door.

The Milky Way is a family-run adventure park on a former dairy farm near Bideford. It has more than 110,000 sq ft of indoor attractions as well as acres of outdoor space, so a day here works whatever the weather. Rides include roller coasters, indoor dodgems, a mini-train and Ziggy's Blast Quest, an interactive laser shooting ride.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, especially in school holidays, and check the calendar for opening days and times.

Exmoor Zoo is a conservation centre near Bratton Fleming in Exmoor, North Devon. It grew from Exmoor Bird Gardens, which opened on a former farm site in 1982, and today it specialises in smaller animals, with a good number of rare species on show.

Tip: Tickets can be bought securely online through the zoo's website, where you can also check price options and offers.

Diggerland is a theme park where children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery. The Devon park is in Cullompton, and the whole line-up runs to around 20 rides and drives.

Tip: Check the ride height chart on the Diggerland website before you go, so you know which rides each child can enjoy.

Castle Drogo is a country house and mixed-revivalist castle near Drewsteignton, built between 1911 and 1930 and known as the last castle built in England. Edwin Lutyens designed it for Julius Drewe, the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. It is built of granite and overlooks the Teign Gorge. The castle is Grade I listed and the gardens are Grade II* listed.

Tip: The car park has limited spaces, so if it is full, come back another time rather than parking along the drive, which blocks farm vehicles.

Arlington Court is a neoclassical country house, built in the 1820s and set in a picturesque garden. Inside, you can see the Chichester family's antique furniture and an eclectic collection of family memorabilia. The National Trust Carriage Museum on site holds an impressive collection of horse-drawn vehicles.

Tip: Dogs on leads can go in the garden, wider estate and Carriage Museum, but not the main house or tea-room. Follow the brown signs, not sat nav, as unmarked lanes are dead ends.

Okehampton Castle is a ruined medieval castle on a wooded ridge above the swift-flowing West Okement river. It began as a Norman motte and bailey castle, and in the 14th century Hugh Courtenay developed it into a palatial home. You can still explore the remains of his buildings, from the keep mound to the tall gatehouse.

Tip: Wear sturdy footwear for the steps and uneven ground, and note that opening depends on volunteer availability, so it can close at short notice.

Hartland Abbey was founded in the 12th century and is still the home of the Stucley family. You can wander through the house at your own pace, taking in rooms from Medieval to Victorian times, with paintings, furniture and Chinese porcelain collected over generations. Exhibitions cover filming on the estate and the Stonehenge pioneer William Stukeley.

Tip: Hartland Quay is only a mile away, so it pairs well with a visit; the tea room needs a valid garden entry ticket.