Days Out - Attractions
While Thurlestone is perfect for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday there are also plenty of things to see and do in South Devon and the wider South West area to suit all types of weather. The locality and the region are rich in culture and history, natural wonders and characterful destinations. The list below is a cross section of attractions but by no means exhaustive! With tourism a large part of the economy there are plenty of attractions tailored specifically for children and families. Most can be reached within a couple of hours drive (distances listed are from Thurlestone Parish) butmany are right on Thurlestone’s doorstep.
Less than 5 miles away...
Kings Cinemas - Kingsbridge (5 miles)
www.kingsbridge.merlincinemas.co.uk
Harbour House, Kingsbridge (5 miles)
Art Exhibitions, workshops and cafe.
www.harbourhouse.org.uk
Quayside Leisure Centre, Kingsbridge (5 miles)
www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/quayside-leisure-centre
Kings Cinemas - Kingsbridge (5 miles)
www.kingsbridge.merlincinemas.co.uk
Harbour House, Kingsbridge (5 miles)
Art Exhibitions, workshops and cafe.
www.harbourhouse.org.uk
Quayside Leisure Centre, Kingsbridge (5 miles)
www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/quayside-leisure-centre
Between 10 and 20 miles away...
Slapton Ley Field Centre (12 miles)
National Nature Reserve – Walks and Trails, lots of free family activities.
www.field-studies-council.org/slaptonley
Woodlands Leisure Park, Dartmouth (12 miles)
An action packed day of indoor and outdoor fun for all the family with the best rides in Devon.
www.woodlandspark.com
China Blue Ceramic Studio, Totnes (16 miles)
Throw and paint your own pots, shopping and eating.
www.china-blue.co.uk
Sandridge Barton Wines (was Sharpham Vineyard) (16 miles)
A working estate on the banks of the River Dart, offers tours and a shop.
www.sandridgebarton.com
Totnes Rare Breeds Farm (16 miles)
Petting Farm and British Wildlife with many animals and birds, some rare and endangered species.
www.totnesrarebreeds.co.uk
South Devon Railway (16 miles)
(Totnes to Buckfastleigh) Enjoy the scenery along 7 miles of track by the River Dart.
www.southdevonrailway.co.uk
Dartmoor Zoological Park, Sparkwell (18 miles)
Over 200 animals, set in 30 acres of parkland.
www.dartmoorzoo.org
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway (18 miles)
Steam along the stunning Torbay coastline from Paignton to Kingswear and take the ferry across to Dartmouth.
www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh (19 miles)
Enjoy hands on animal action and lots of play areas with award winning indoor and outdoor fun - Devon’s friendliest day out!
www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Buckfast Butterfly Farm & Otter Sanctuary (20 miles)
A hot house of many exotic butterflies, moths, birds, fish & terrapins.
www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth (20 miles)
The UK's largest aquarium with over 5,000 ocean animals and exhibits.
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
Slapton Ley Field Centre (12 miles)
National Nature Reserve – Walks and Trails, lots of free family activities.
www.field-studies-council.org/slaptonley
Woodlands Leisure Park, Dartmouth (12 miles)
An action packed day of indoor and outdoor fun for all the family with the best rides in Devon.
www.woodlandspark.com
China Blue Ceramic Studio, Totnes (16 miles)
Throw and paint your own pots, shopping and eating.
www.china-blue.co.uk
Sandridge Barton Wines (was Sharpham Vineyard) (16 miles)
A working estate on the banks of the River Dart, offers tours and a shop.
www.sandridgebarton.com
Totnes Rare Breeds Farm (16 miles)
Petting Farm and British Wildlife with many animals and birds, some rare and endangered species.
www.totnesrarebreeds.co.uk
South Devon Railway (16 miles)
(Totnes to Buckfastleigh) Enjoy the scenery along 7 miles of track by the River Dart.
www.southdevonrailway.co.uk
Dartmoor Zoological Park, Sparkwell (18 miles)
Over 200 animals, set in 30 acres of parkland.
www.dartmoorzoo.org
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway (18 miles)
Steam along the stunning Torbay coastline from Paignton to Kingswear and take the ferry across to Dartmouth.
www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk
Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh (19 miles)
Enjoy hands on animal action and lots of play areas with award winning indoor and outdoor fun - Devon’s friendliest day out!
www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Buckfast Butterfly Farm & Otter Sanctuary (20 miles)
A hot house of many exotic butterflies, moths, birds, fish & terrapins.
www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth (20 miles)
The UK's largest aquarium with over 5,000 ocean animals and exhibits.
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
More than 20 miles away...
Occombe Farm, Paignton (21 miles)
Free day out at a working farm. Lots of daily events and nature trails. Farm shop and café.
www.occombe.co.uk
Paignton Zoo (22 miles)
Explore 80 acres of natural habitat and over 3,000 animals!
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
Cockington Court, Torquay (23 miles)
Manor House, Country Park and Craft Centre.
www.cockingtoncourt.org
Becky Falls, Bovey Tracey (25 miles)
Stunning scenic walks for all ages and abilities, lots of animals to feed and the 70ft sheer drop of the falls
www.beckyfalls.com
Torquay Dinosaur World (25 miles)
Indoor fun with prehistoric models, fossils and interactive play.
www.torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk
River Dart Country Park, Ashburton (26 miles)
90 acres of lakes, woodland and parks along the River Dart with adventure playgrounds.
www.riverdart.co.uk
Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay (26 miles)
Hundreds of animated models and display scenes in 4 acres.
www.model-village.co.uk
Bygones Victorian Museum, Torquay (26 miles)
Explore another era, bringing the past to life.
www.bygones.co.uk
Kents Cavern, Torquay (26 miles)
Guided tours around prehistoric caves.
www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Morwellham Quay, Tavistock (34miles)
Fun filled historical adventure in the heart of a World Heritage site and an area of outstanding natural beauty.
www.morwellham-quay.co.uk
Dartmoor Miniature Pony Centre, Moretonhampstead (40 miles)
Lots of animals and activities in 20 glorious acres.
www.miniatureponycentre.com
House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey (29 miles)
A working glass and game factory and museum.
www.houseofmarbles.com
Cantonteign Falls, Chudleigh (34 miles)
The South West's highest water fall, descending 220ft, plus assault course and walks.
www.canonteignfalls.co.uk
Crealy Adventure Park, Exeter (45 miles)
Devon’s magical kingdom – with lots of action rides with indoor and outdoor fun.
www.crealy.co.uk
Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall (57 miles)
Inside the futuristic bio-domes are plants that are collected from many diverse climates and environments around the world. A must see experience!
www.edenproject.com
Occombe Farm, Paignton (21 miles)
Free day out at a working farm. Lots of daily events and nature trails. Farm shop and café.
www.occombe.co.uk
Paignton Zoo (22 miles)
Explore 80 acres of natural habitat and over 3,000 animals!
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
Cockington Court, Torquay (23 miles)
Manor House, Country Park and Craft Centre.
www.cockingtoncourt.org
Becky Falls, Bovey Tracey (25 miles)
Stunning scenic walks for all ages and abilities, lots of animals to feed and the 70ft sheer drop of the falls
www.beckyfalls.com
Torquay Dinosaur World (25 miles)
Indoor fun with prehistoric models, fossils and interactive play.
www.torquaysdinosaurworld.co.uk
River Dart Country Park, Ashburton (26 miles)
90 acres of lakes, woodland and parks along the River Dart with adventure playgrounds.
www.riverdart.co.uk
Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay (26 miles)
Hundreds of animated models and display scenes in 4 acres.
www.model-village.co.uk
Bygones Victorian Museum, Torquay (26 miles)
Explore another era, bringing the past to life.
www.bygones.co.uk
Kents Cavern, Torquay (26 miles)
Guided tours around prehistoric caves.
www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Morwellham Quay, Tavistock (34miles)
Fun filled historical adventure in the heart of a World Heritage site and an area of outstanding natural beauty.
www.morwellham-quay.co.uk
Dartmoor Miniature Pony Centre, Moretonhampstead (40 miles)
Lots of animals and activities in 20 glorious acres.
www.miniatureponycentre.com
House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey (29 miles)
A working glass and game factory and museum.
www.houseofmarbles.com
Cantonteign Falls, Chudleigh (34 miles)
The South West's highest water fall, descending 220ft, plus assault course and walks.
www.canonteignfalls.co.uk
Crealy Adventure Park, Exeter (45 miles)
Devon’s magical kingdom – with lots of action rides with indoor and outdoor fun.
www.crealy.co.uk
Eden Project, St Austell, Cornwall (57 miles)
Inside the futuristic bio-domes are plants that are collected from many diverse climates and environments around the world. A must see experience!
www.edenproject.com