Family Holidays

Are you looking for a magical holiday for the under 5's? With beautiful countryside, welcoming accommodation and excellent attractions, South West England is a relaxing, safe and special place to enjoy with babies, toddlers and young children.

For days out that will thrill youngsters and adults alike you could explore the excitement of an outdoor adventure park, discover some amazing animals at one of our zoos or animal sanctuaries or simply enjoy a gentle stroll and picnic in a leafy park.

With pre-school aged children you can take advantage of some great bargains on accommodation outside of the peak season. Choose to stay in a farm cottage and let your children safely cuddle and feed some farmyard animals, or perhaps opt for a quality family friendly hotel complete with children's club, activities and baby sitting service so you can enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation too.

Whichever area of the South West you choose, you won't be far from acres of beautiful unspoilt countryside and miles of breathtaking coastline. We have more Blue Flag beaches than any other region in the UK; safe, clean and many under the supervision of experienced lifeguards they are ideal for lazy days of traditional British holidaying: sandcastles, paddling, rock pooling, ice-cream and memorable times with your family that you'll all love.

Take a look at some of the highlights in the region on this page, for further information and booking visit our parners websites in the Key Links.

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5 Must Sees

Wildlife

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There are some great animal attractions right across the region. Highlights include:
the Oceanarium in Bournemouth,
Devon's Paignton Zoo,
Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire,
The National Sea Life Centre in Cornwall, 
and many more.

Castles

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Kids love castles and we've got some great ones: Tintagel in Cornwall, Dartmouth in Devon and Dunster in Somerset - all great for discovering legends of Kings and Queens and battles of knights in shining armour.

The Eden Project, Cornwall

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Find out all about the life of plants and enjoy playing in Eden's wonderful gardens. A range of family friendly events also run throughout the year.

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Family friendly beaches

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Paddling, rock pools, ice creams and sandcastles - Cornwall, Devon, and Bournemouth & Poole all have some great, safe, family friendly beaches.

Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Somerset

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Marvel at this strange underground world with it's beautiful stalagmites and stalactites mirrored in beautiful pools of water.

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5 Must Dos

Take a gentle boat ride

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Try sailing around sheltered Poole Harbour, ride a canal barge in Wiltshire, or hop on a Bristol Ferry. Kids will love getting out on the water and it's a great way to spot some wildlife.

Fossil Hunting Fun

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Here in South West England, we're lucky to have some great places for fossil hunting. Devon & Dorset's Jurassic Coast offers ample opportunities for kids to step back in time and discover the world of dinosaurs.

Fossils in Devon 
Fossils in Dorset

Farmyard Fun

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Staying with children on a working farm can be such a rewarding experience for all. Taste food as fresh as it gets and let kids get up close to animals for the first time.

Farm holidays in Somerset 
Farm holidays in Cornwall 
Farm holidays in Devon

Outdoor adventure parks

Safe and exciting in beautiful outdoor settings, ideal for kids to stretch their legs and play. Try:

Woodlands Leisure Park in Devon,
Crealy Adventure Park in Cornwall,
Adventure Wonderland in Bournemouth.

A steam train trip

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Big engines, wonderful smells, unspoilt views - capture the little ones imaginations on a steam train ride. Try:

The South Devon Railway,
Cornwall's Bodmin and Wenford Railway,
The East Somerset Railway,
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway.

5 Hidden Gems

Family Fun in Bournemouth

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With seven miles of safe, gently shelving golden sands, the wide beaches of Bournemouth has long been a magnet for families with babies and youngsters. Bournemouth was voted the UK's most child-friendly resort in 2007 by Mother & Baby magazine.

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Picnic in a Park

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Whether you're visiting a town, city or the countryside there are some pretty parks with great play areas where you can stop to enjoy a picnic made from delicious local ingredients.

Parks and gardens in Bournemouth

Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway, North Devon

Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular rides of its kind offering an unusual trip with fantastic views. The famous Cliff Railway operates at a gradient of 1:1¾ covering a vertical height of approximately 500 feet.

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The Egg Theatre for Children, Bath

The Egg is the Theatre Royal's award-winning theatre especially for children, young people and their families.

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The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail

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Discover beautiful, intriguing and playful sculptures on this three and a half mile trail through majestic oaks and pines.

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Visit our partners for more information and booking:

Bath, Bournemouth & Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Cotswolds & Forest of Dean, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire