6-Bedroom Hot Tub Cottage in Oakford

Diggerland is a theme park where children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery. The Devon park is in Cullompton, and the whole line-up runs to around 20 rides and drives.

Tip: Check the ride height chart on the Diggerland website before you go, so you know which rides each child can enjoy.

Exmoor Zoo is a conservation centre near Bratton Fleming in Exmoor, North Devon. It grew from Exmoor Bird Gardens, which opened on a former farm site in 1982, and today it specialises in smaller animals, with a good number of rare species on show.

Tip: Tickets can be bought securely online through the zoo's website, where you can also check price options and offers.

Tropiquaria is a small zoo and animal sanctuary based in and around a repurposed 1933 BBC Radio Transmitting Station at Washford Cross in Somerset. The listed building houses the Reptile House, Aquarium and Nocturnal House, with several acres of outdoor enclosures around it. Outside you can spot animals such as gibbons, ring-tailed lemurs, meerkats, tapir, wallabies and serval.

Tip: Don't leave dogs in your vehicle, as the car park has limited shade; only registered Assistance Dogs are allowed in the zoo.

The BIG Sheep is a farm park and theme park in Abbotsham, North Devon, built from the old buildings of a family farm. It is best known for its live shows, including the World-Famous Sheep Race, the Duck Trials and the Sheep Show.

Tip: Pre-book tickets online, as the park gets very busy in school holidays and term time, and booking ahead is cheaper than paying at the door.

The Milky Way is a family-run adventure park on a former dairy farm near Bideford. It has more than 110,000 sq ft of indoor attractions as well as acres of outdoor space, so a day here works whatever the weather. Rides include roller coasters, indoor dodgems, a mini-train and Ziggy's Blast Quest, an interactive laser shooting ride.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, especially in school holidays, and check the calendar for opening days and times.

Exeter Cathedral has stood at the heart of Devon for nearly a thousand years. Its Norman towers and Decorated Gothic interior are topped by the longest uninterrupted medieval stone vaulted ceiling in the world. Inside you can see the 15th-century Astronomical Clock and an early set of misericords, and guided floor tours and audio guides help bring the building to life.

Tip: Head for the Treasures Exhibition tour or a guided floor tour, both included in standard admission, though floor tours are subject to availability.

Coldharbour Mill in Uffculme is one of the oldest woollen mills in the UK, and has been in continuous production since 1797. Once owned by the Fox Brothers textile firm, it is now a working wool museum set across 12 acres of Victorian mill buildings, boilers, steam engines and grounds. Historic England has called it "probably one of the best-preserved textile mill complexes in the country".

Tip: Check the mill's website for current opening days and any event days or workshops before you go.

Dunster Castle stands on a steep hill called the Tor above the village of Dunster, and has been fortified since the late Anglo-Saxon period. Today it is a Grade I listed country house run by the National Trust, with dramatic views and subtropical gardens around it.

Tip: The car park is small and its gates lock at 6pm, so arrive early. In poor weather you may be asked to use Dunster Steep village car park instead.