Exmoor Zoo

Near Atlantic Village

Bideford is a historic port town in Devon, England, known for its scenic river estuary, medieval Long Bridge, and vibrant cultural events including markets and New Year's Eve celebrations. Visitors can explore outdoor spaces, local shops, museums, and enjoy coastal trails nearby.

Located in Bideford

Bideford is a historic port town situated on the River Torridge estuary in north Devon, known for its rich maritime history, vibrant markets, cultural arts, and annual New Year's Eve festivities.

Near Woolacombe

Woolacombe is a National Trust site featuring an award-winning 3-mile sandy beach, extensive dunes, and scenic walking trails including the South West Coast Path. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views from Woolacombe Down, wildlife spotting, and family-friendly events. Facilities include National Trust car parks, food outlets nearby, and accessibility support with Trampers for mobility.

2 miles from Selworthy

Selworthy is a picturesque village on the Holnicote Estate with thatched cottages, scenic walking trails including Selworthy Beacon and Bury Castle hillfort, a historic tea-room, and diverse natural landscapes offering both indoor and outdoor experiences.

3 miles from Victorian Kitchen Tours (weekends)

10 Oct, 17 Oct…

A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, with stories about the cooks, maids and other staff who worked there.

Located in Minehead

Minehead is a historic coastal town in Somerset, England, known for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture, seaside attractions, and outdoor activities. It features a beach, a heritage railway, the Butlins holiday camp, and hosts traditional events like the May Day Hobby Horse festival.

3 miles from Chapel Wood

Chapel Wood is a historic Devon nature reserve featuring an Iron Age hill fort, native woodland with diverse wildlife including birds and deer, and scenic views over the North Devon AONB. It offers an outdoor nature trail experience and is free to visit.

Near Tapeley Park Gardens

Tapeley Park Gardens is an outdoor Victorian-era garden attraction near Bideford, Devon, featuring Italian terraces, permaculture garden, lakeside walks, and a tea room with organic food. Accessible facilities include parking and toilets, though some paths are unsuitable for wheelchairs.

3 miles from Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park

Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park is a 28-acre wildlife sanctuary in Devon featuring live animals like meerkats and lemurs alongside animatronic dinosaurs, a dinosaur museum, a soft play area, and a miniature railway ride, offering a family-friendly mix of indoor and outdoor experiences.

3 miles from Specialist Garden Talks

7 Oct, 14 Oct

Join the gardeners for a short talk on a different garden theme each week, covering what is looking good, gardening tips and the work carried out by the team. Talks meet at the garden entrance and may include a gentle stroll around the garden.

2 miles from RHS Garden Rosemoor

RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon offers beautiful seasonal gardens with accessible paths, a restaurant, café, and a garden centre. It welcomes dogs on specific days and supports group visits. The garden provides a diverse visitor experience both indoors and outdoors.

2 miles from Willow Foraging Basket

11 Oct (this Sunday)

Participants learn traditional English willow-weaving techniques and make a rustic-framed foraging basket to take home. The workshop includes instruction from basketmaker Sarah Le Breton and takes place mostly indoors, with some time in the garden.

2 miles from Heddon Valley

Heddon Valley in Devon is a lush wooded river valley that leads down to the sea, offering scenic walking trails including accessible routes, a wild play area for children, a takeaway café, and a historic pub. It is well-suited for family visits and dog friendly, with beautiful coastal views and a natural outdoor experience.

3 miles from Yarn Market, Dunster

The Yarn Market in Dunster, Somerset, is a historic Grade I listed octagonal building from the early 17th century, originally built to support the local wool and cloth trade, featuring a unique central pier with timber roofing and marked by Civil War history.

3 miles from Victorian Kitchen Tours (weekdays)

8–9 Oct, 15–16 Oct…

A guided tour takes visitors through Dunster Castle’s Victorian kitchen and larders, exploring the work and stories of the cooks, maids and other staff who kept the castle running.

3 miles from Hall, Bishops Tawton

Hall, Bishops Tawton is a historic Victorian mansion in Devon with origins predating the Domesday Book. Visitors can tour the house's elegant ground floor state rooms, explore the historic yard, ancillary buildings, and walled gardens while enjoying scenic views over the Taw valley. The site is wheelchair accessible and not free to enter.

Located in Barnstaple

Barnstaple is a historic market town in North Devon, England, known for its medieval origins, Victorian market buildings, riverside location at the River Taw estuary, and a variety of cultural and historic attractions.

Located in Ilfracombe

Ilfracombe is a picturesque seaside resort town on the North Devon coast known for its historic harbour, Victorian architecture, distinctive arts scene including Damien Hirst's Verity statue, and scenic coastal walks.

3 miles from Castle Hill Gardens

Castle Hill Gardens in North Devon is a 50-acre garden boasting seasonal plant displays, historic parkland features, scenic walking paths, and panoramic views including a restored temple and statues. It offers refreshments and is accessible with parking and dog-friendly policies.

3 miles from Dunster Castle and Watermill

Dunster Castle and Watermill in Somerset offer a rich experience combining a historic castle, working Victorian watermill, beautiful gardens, and scenic parkland with panoramic views. Visitors can explore the castle interiors, gardens with diverse plants, enjoy family-friendly activities, and visit cafés and shops on site.

3 miles from Gilded Treasures Exhibition: 50 Years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle

5 Oct–2 Nov (another 24 days)

An exhibition marking 50 years of the National Trust at Dunster Castle, featuring golden objects from the castle’s collection, including its rare gilt leather hangings. Visitors can also learn about the castle’s gift to the Trust and view a film presenting a virtual gallery of the hangings.

Located in South Molton

South Molton is a picturesque market town in Devon with a historic centre, notable guildhall, and cultural heritage reflecting centuries of history.

3 miles from Isley Marsh

Isley Marsh is a nature reserve made up of saltmarsh and mudflats on the Taw Torridge estuary, known for birdwatching with important wintering waterfowl and waders. It features the Tarka Trail for foot and cycle access, but offers no indoor facilities or visitor centre.

3 miles from Baggy Point

Baggy Point is a scenic headland on the north coast of Devon, England, featuring walking and cycling trails, diverse wildlife including seals and birds, and geological and botanical significance as a protected area within the North Devon Coast AONB.

2 miles from Watersmeet

Watersmeet House is a National Trust property in Devon featuring a historic fishing lodge with a tea room and shop, nestled at a river gorge confluence and serving as a gateway to extensive woodland and riverside walks. The site includes a notable area of ancient oak woodland designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

3 miles from River Heddon

The River Heddon in Devon offers scenic outdoor experiences with coastal river views, natural walks along the National Trust land, a cobbled beach, and historical ruins including a Roman fortlet and a lime kiln, making it a well-rounded nature and heritage destination.

Near Morte Point

Morte Point is a coastal headland on the north west coast of Devon, England, known for its natural beauty and historic shipwrecks. It is managed by the National Trust and offers outdoor experiences including seal watching during the summer.

Near Welly Walk - Potions and Broomsticks

12 Oct, 19 Oct

A preschool workshop at RHS Garden Rosemoor themed around potions and broomsticks. Children can spot spooky pictures, collect leaves and petals to make a potion, create a broomstick from sticks, and finish with a drink and a story.

3 miles from Knightshayes Court

Knightshayes Court is a Victorian country house near Tiverton, Devon, known for its architecture by William Burges and extensive historic gardens. The Grade I listed house and Grade II* listed gardens offer a blend of indoor heritage and outdoor landscape experiences, including rare features like a stické court and a golfing memorabilia exhibition.

Near The Woodlands in Winter and Woodland Management

15 Oct (next Thursday)

Join a guided walk through RHS Garden Rosemoor’s woodlands to learn about its woodland management plan, management objectives and plans for resilient woodland. The route includes an area not normally open to the public and covers uneven terrain.

Near Baggy Point

Baggy Point in Devon offers stunning coastal views, accessible walking paths suitable for all abilities, and a popular nearby surfing beach. Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities such as walking, climbing, surfing, and outdoor theatre events. The venue includes a tea-room with food service and is dog-friendly, making it an enjoyable destination for families and all visitors.

Located in Northam

Northam is a historic market town in Devon, England with rich Anglo-Saxon and Viking heritage, notable for its scenic Northam Burrows saltmarsh and dunes, and the oldest golf course in England. It offers walking, outdoor recreation, and local cultural experiences.

2 miles from Knightshayes

Knightshayes is a National Trust estate in Devon with a distinctive Gothic Revival house, extensive formal and woodland gardens, and large parkland. Visitors can enjoy exploring the house interior, walking gardens with over 1200 plant species, a restored Victorian kitchen garden, and woodland adventure play. Facilities include a café and shop, and the venue is dog friendly and wheelchair accessible.

2 miles from Flavours of Autumn

8–11 Oct (another 2 days)

Flavours of Autumn is a harvest festival at RHS Garden Rosemoor, with fruit heritage displays, talks and demonstrations, orchard tours, live music, seasonal food and drink, and family activities including drawing, storytelling and garden games.

2 miles from Arlington Court

Arlington Court is a neoclassical country house in Devon featuring historic architecture, period interiors, and a notable collection of horse-drawn carriages, set within registered Grade II* gardens. It offers indoor tours of the house and carriage museum along with outdoor exploration of the estate and gardens. The venue also provides dining facilities and activities suitable for children.

2 miles from Guided wider estate walks - Learn about foraging

9 Oct

A guided walk with a local foraging specialist explores Arlington Court’s hedgerows, stream edges and trees. Participants learn to identify local edible plants and poisonous lookalikes, as well as hearing about the folklore and medicinal uses of plants.

3 miles from Exmoor Zoo

Exmoor Zoo is a conservation centre in North Devon, specializing in rare and smaller animals with a focus on conservation breeding programmes. It offers outdoor animal exhibits including rare carnivores and birds, alongside visitor facilities including the African Café. The zoo provides an engaging family-friendly experience in a scenic national park setting.

2 miles from Guided wider estate walks - Active Hike

10 Oct, 20 Oct…

A guided hike of more than five miles explores the wilder parts of Arlington estate, including woodland, riverside and parkland, with steep climbs and scenic views. Walkers should be prepared for uneven and sometimes muddy or slippery terrain.

3 miles from Crop Rotation Planning for 2027

10 Oct (this Saturday)

RHS Advisor Ian Smith leads a workshop on the principles and techniques of crop rotation, helping participants plan vegetable growing for 2027 in a garden or allotment. The session takes place mostly in the Peter Buckley Learning Centre, with some time in the garden.

3 miles from Community scarecrow trail at Arlington Court

10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)

Visitors can pick up a free trail sheet and explore Arlington Court’s gardens and grounds, spotting scarecrows made by local schools, community groups and volunteers. The 2026 trail has an animals theme.

3 miles from Autumnfest celebrations at Arlington Court

10 Oct–1 Nov (next week)

Autumnfest at Arlington Court features an animal-themed community scarecrow trail, autumn decorations around the grounds, and harvest and floral displays in the house and gardens.

Near Horner Wood

Horner Wood is an ancient oak woodland part of a National Nature Reserve on the Holnicote Estate, offering extensive outdoor exploration through footpaths and trails amid diverse wildlife habitats. Visitors can enjoy walking, cycling and observing historic and natural features including a medieval packhorse bridge and ancient oak pollards.

2 miles from Lorna Doone Valley

Lorna Doone Valley in Devon is a scenic outdoor destination famous for its connection to the novel Lorna Doone. Visitors can enjoy extensive walks, a family-friendly wild play area, wildlife spotting, and amenities like a tea-room and gallery. The site also offers camping and glamping in a tranquil dark sky reserve setting.

2 miles from Tiverton Castle

Tiverton Castle is a historic motte and bailey castle in Devon, offering visitors a peaceful private house experience with a fine collection of Civil War arms and armour, medieval features, and beautiful gardens. It is open to the public seasonally with tailored tours and holiday accommodations available.