Woodlands Family Theme Park

Woodlands Family Theme Park is on the A3122 near Blackawton, in the South Hams, and the park describes itself as only 5 miles from Dartmouth. It combines a theme park, a Zoo Farm and a big indoor play building. It calls itself Devon’s largest theme park.

What you do there

Outdoors there are water rides, including the Watercoasters and bumper boats, where you are likely to get wet. There is also a toboggan run, a jumping pillow, pedal boats and a mirror maze. A Falconry Centre has flying displays and indoor aviaries, and the Zoo Farm covers farm animals, a reptile house, meerkats, bats, deer, and guinea pigs and rabbits in their own barn. Zoo Farm animal activities include handling, feeding sessions and meeting a new animal.

Indoors, the park says it has the largest indoor play area in the South West, with over 120,000 sq ft over five floors, including a big soft play area with a separate area for little ones. For a wet day in South Devon it is a solid fallback.

Who it suits

Families with children from toddlers to early teens. Admission is by height. Children under 92 cm are free, children between 92 and 110 cm get a concession, and anyone over 110 cm pays the full rate. Rides have their own height restrictions, and the park publishes a list. Check it if your children are close to a limit.

Adults who do not want to queue may find it a long day, since the park uses traditional queues and has no fast track. It is hillier than many parks, so allow for tired legs.

Opening and seasons

The park is open daily from Easter to the end of October half-term, with weekend and Devon school holiday opening in winter. In quieter weeks some days are closed to visitors and some rides shut. These include the Watercoasters, Toboggan Run and Jumping Pillow. Check the opening times page and the calendar before you travel. The park also runs Halloween and Christmas events, some with their own tickets.

Tickets are dated, and the park says booking online in advance costs less than paying at the gate. Date changes need 24 hours’ notice.

Food, dogs and facilities

Cafes include Loves Grove Cafe, the Courtyard Cafe at the farm, and a Chicken and Pizza Parlour. Some may be closed off-season. Picnics are welcome, with benches around the grounds. Lockers are available. Dogs are not allowed apart from assistance dogs, but free kennels are provided.

Getting there and parking

Woodlands is at Blackawton, Totnes, TQ9 7DQ. From the A38, take the Buckfastleigh/Totnes exit, follow the A381 through Totnes towards Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, and turn left at Halwell onto the A3122 for Dartmouth. The park is about 2 miles along on the right. Follow the brown tourist signs, since the park warns that sat navs may route you towards the Torquay ferry. Parking is free, and electric vehicle chargers are in the top day visitors’ car park. The Stagecoach 7 bus stops outside, but check the timetable.

Nearby

Dartmouth is the nearest town and the home of Dartmouth Castle, and Totnes is the other direction along the A381. For a steam-train day, see Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Plan your stay

The park has its own caravan and camping site. For a cottage, look at Dartmouth and Totnes, both within easy reach of the A3122.