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DOWN TO DEVON With a few days off down in Devon, we stayed at River Dart Country Park, a spotless, exceptionally well-run site, frequently featured (The Telegraph, The Guardian) in the national press.
t’s a long, picturesque road off the main road into the site, and once through the security gate, you climb uphill towards the camping areas, driving past the high-wire park, the restaurant, and the free tennis courts before checking in at the Holne Park House reception. The weather was great while we were there, but the grounds and pitches (all 234 of them) look to be kept in exceptional conditions anyway, and the toilets, showers (free!) and laundry rooms were all immaculate every time we dropped by. I don’t know what it is about this area of the UK, but every employee we came into contact was smiley, approachable, and helpful. The staff at River Dart were no different - thanks everyone! Where we stayed, our neighbours all observed the 10pm quiet-period, and we all slept soundly. We had absolutely no issues during our stay whatsoever, and we saw no bad behaviour of any kind either. It seems to be a really well-loved, respectable place to stay. There’s loads for kids (and big kids) to do here (some of which is free, some requires ‘daredevil tokens’ paid for at reception). Aerial high-wire action (like ‘Go Ape’), indoor rock-climbing, a vast outdoor play area made up of giant slides, zip lines, and swings, and best of all is the River Dart Wet Water Park, complete with it’s own giant wooden pirate ship. Kids take water pistols in and have good old-fashioned water fights. It’s a bit chilly (most had wet-suits), but once you get moving, it’s fine. River Dart Country Park deserves every accolade it gets. It’s a real credit to the owners, and you can also visit for the day if you’re just passing through.
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River Dart
Country Park The aerial adventures
Holne Park House (pictured) is a magnificent manor house set in the grounds and gardens of the River Dart Country Park, and if you’re not travelling in a motorhome or camping, you can book a room inside on a B&B basis. Bedrooms have been designed with the family in mind and several rooms either link with one another or have separate bedrooms attached to the main room. All rooms are en-suite with a TV and tea and coffee making facilities.
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The fantastic River Dart water park (and pirate ship!)
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River Dart Country Park
There are plenty of huge twisted pine trees for the kids to conquer
JUST WHERE IS THE RIVER DART COUNTRY PARK? Located just within Dartmoor National Park via the M5, you have Plymouth to the South-West, Exeter to the North-East, Torquay to the East, and 954 km² of national park on your doorstep. River Dart Country Park, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7NP f you want to venture out of Telephone: 01364 652511 River Dart Country Park for www.riverdart.co.uk the day (and it’ll be a hard job because the kids won’t want to go!), there are plenty of things to do nearby. Close to South Devon Heritage Coastline with its forty-nine miles of unspoiled cliff walks, hidden beaches, coves and lighthouses, this is truly an idyllic location. There’s a steam train at nearby Buckfastleigh, Blackpool Sands is a privately-owned beach near Dartmouth, and the children will love the exotic animals of Paignton Zoo or enjoy feeding the lambs at Pennywell Farm (see over the page). Bike hire is available from July onwards from the park to help you explore Devon & Dartmoor off the beaten track. Please contact CRS Adventures on 01364 653444, or email info@crsadventures.co.uk for prices and booking bikes
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DOWN TO DEVON Ashburton Just five minutes drive away from the River Dart Country Park campsite is the delightful town of Ashburton. This is a thriving, creative haven for art galleries, an artisan bakery, modern scultpture, specialist food deli’s and antique shops. If you’re anywhere near the area, I heartily recommend you spend a day here, and make sure you chat to the friendly locals.
It’s easy to spend a day touring the charming shops and cafes of Ashburton. Starting above, there’s the Ella artisan bakery, featuring freshly-baked cakes and breads. Not only does the selection change daily (as it’s sold-out by the end of the day), but the choices are DELICIOUS, and worth their weight in gold at fabulous prices. Trail Venture helped me with a campsite need, giving knowledgable advice, and they recommended the best coffee in town to me, which can be drunk at the Moorish restaurant cafe. It was a pleasure to chat to the owner of one of the art galleries, and it’s not every day you see two happy dogs sitting on a comfy-looking bed in a shop window! Throw in a sculpture shop run by the Heather Jansch, who was once married to music legend Bert Jansch, and a fish deli and a no-frills fruit and veg shop, and you’ve got a memorable jewel of a town.
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At the end of an fun, educational day at Pennywell Farm, my son stated that he ‘never wanted to leave’ as he loved the place so much. You don’t get higher praise than that. There’s no shortage of things for the whole family to do at Pennywell Farm - piggy cuddles, egg collecting, goat milking, lamb bottle feeding, treasure hunts, pond dipping, guinea pig and chick handling, ferret racing, pony pampering (small kids can get in with the ponies and donkeys and groom them), pig racing (they jump hurdles), and lots of racing and climbing activities for the kids. There’s a maze, and high-tower viewing platform, pony rides (always amusing for the kids when one decides to do a ‘number two’), some faster pedal-powered rides for aspiring Lewis Hamiltons, and the most placid, loveliest Shire horses (hello Boxer and Fusilier).
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A visit to Pennywell Farm comes highly recommended for the whole family. There’s so many hands-on things for them to do in the day, we were almost the last people to leave! The staff here are amazing, so friendly and helpful, and they’re almost all youngsters, a real credit to the area. The farm’s slogan 'Devon's Friendliest Day Out’ is 100% correct. 2015 Day Tickets A day admission ticket to Pennywell is valid for one visit from 14th Feb until the end of the season on 1st Nov 2015. Adult £13.95, Senior £12.95, Child (3 - 16 years) £9.95, Children under 3 are FREE!
PENNYWELL FARM Located just outside Dartmoor National Park south on the A38, only fifteen minutes drive from River Dart Country Park. Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0LT Telephone: 01364 642023 www.pennywellfarm.co.uk
Pennywell Farm