FAMILY DAYS OUT Inspiration for the summer holidays

OUT AND ABOUT

Summer holidays are upon us. Panic not – we’ve got it sorted By Imogen Davidson-Smith

“The trip includes a speed boat ride followed by fresh fish and chips ”

© EMMA SOLLEY FAMILY DAYS OUT

Days out in these parts means exploring the amazing beaches and Devon countryside – and we’ve got plenty of outdoorsy fun detailed below. But if the weather Gods have other plans for us, there is also plenty of indoor fun with literary festivals and crafty workshops galore. Take a look at our pick of the family-friendly offerings nearby this summer...

FALL IN LOVE

Climb up through the secret garden and the 90 steps to the Victorian Fern Garden and you’re on top of a whopping 70metre high waterfall where you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Devon countryside. This is Canonteign Falls, set over 90 acres of ancient woodland, lakes and wetlands; a beautiful setting for nature lovers.

There is plenty of adventure for the kids with two dedicated children’s play areas, with zip wires, trampolines and mini assault courses, plus picnic spots, trails and bridges.

And sailing on the banks of the Lily Lake is a wooden replica of Quentin Blake’s Green Ship which children are invited to climb and explore on it’s life size deck; there’s also a bee garden where the team keep a healthy colony of bees.

Onsite they’ve got a café and snack bar, they host late evening BBQ nights, and dogs are more than welcome. Canonteign Falls, Exeter; Exeter; www.canonteignfalls.co.uk

WATER LOTTA FUN

Head to Exmouth for the day and enjoy the two miles of long sandy beach. If you fancy getting in on the water action, Exe Wake teach wakeboarding and waterskiing to kids aged 10 and upwards. If your brood are a bit smaller there are knee board sessions for kids over the age of six which will help them build water confidence.

For a special occasion, perhaps a birthday or family gathering, you can opt for their private hire package deal which includes exclusive use of the Exe Wake barge and tiki bar for up to 20 people. The trip includes a speed boat ride and fresh fish and chips straight from Exmouth Marina.

Note to adults: throughout the summer the team also run floating yoga classes on the barge every Wednesday evening. Exe Wake, Pier Head, Exmouth; www.exewake.co.uk

Adenture time at Canonteign Falls

© @THE GIRL BEHIND THE LENS Travelling in style with Exe Wake

© @THE GIRL BEHIND THE LENS

FURRY FRIENDS

Set in the heart of the rolling East Devon countryside, The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth is a really popular family attraction. The cute factor is pretty high; if you’re not following them on Instagram, do so immediately.

As well as meeting the friendly donkeys, there is a summer family activity trail, and on 9-10 August, visitors will be able to enjoy extra free activities, including learning all about one of the UK’s rarest bats. The Completely Batty event features fun hands-on activities for all the family, including the chance to make flying bat models and bat masks, as well as making wildflower ‘seed bombs’, to help create a haven for bats and other pollinators in their own wildflower garden. The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, Sidmouth; www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

BANG IN THE CITY

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) is always a haven of discovery, with artefacts hidden around every nook and cranny. This summer, there’s a whole host of children’s workshops and classes to keep the kids occupied.

On 5, 12, 19 and 26 August, the museum hosts Promenade Promotions ‘Sunshine Follies’, featuring storytellers, circus skills, flea circuses, music and puppetry for a variety of family-friendly activities, including seaside games.

If your kids are into their arts and crafts, there are workshops where they’ll be making masks, designing a floral window, and creating butterflies in motion. For the history nuts, there are The Romans Are Coming and Meet a historical character events. RAMM, Queen Street, Exeter; www.rammuseum.org.uk

clockwise from top left: Watersports at Exe Wake; make new friends at the Donkey Sanctuary; meet Jacqueline Wilson at the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival; and create your own mask at the RAMM

HOW CURIOUS

Go down a rabbit hole and through the looking glass at the RHS Garden Rosemoor this summer as the Devon destination celebrates 150 years of the iconic Alice in Wonderland stories.

Inspired by Alice’s spirit of curiosity, families can view the gardens through the eyes of Alice, encountering topsy-turvy installations along the way. Children will be invited to sneak through the rabbit hole, peek through the door in the tree, transform themselves into a Queen (or King) of Hearts.

A Mad Hatters Picnic will see families enjoying picnics across all gardens at the height of summer, and a variety of immersive theatre will spark the imagination of young and old, performed with the garden as the backdrop it will inspire all ages to connect with the outdoors.

Plus for little ones there are weekly Welly Walks and Bug Hunts throughout the summer holidays. RHS Garden Rosemoor, Gt Torrington, Devon; www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/

FOR THE BOOKS WORMS

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival is back with a bang. Taking place between 15 and 19 September, the programme is packed with events for families lead by the multi-bestselling author Jacqueline Wilson who will be presenting her latest book The Primrose Railway Children.

Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown will be getting everyone drawing, and Katz Cowley shares her brilliantly successful The Wonky Donkey. All ages can get stuck into modelling characters including Shaun the Sheep from Nick Park’s hilarious Aardman Films under the careful guidance of one of the company’s leading model makers.

The festival will be taking Kehinde Andrews and comedian Tez Ilyas into schools in September to talk about issues including mental health and racism. The historical fiction writer Caroline Lawrence will also be talking about her very popular novels in a special transition event for year 6s from local primary schools. Schools involved include St Peter’s Primary, Colyton Grammar and Exmouth Community College.

The Festival aims to be entirely live and in person with its famous marquee on the Green for refreshments and the pop-up Waterstones bookshop. n Budleigh Literary Festival, various locations in Budleigh Salterton; wwwbudlitfest.org.uk