Local Attractions

Here are some suggestions for local attractions to visit, all within easy reach of the Axe Valley and mostly suitable for all ages. Special facilities for families and youngsters are indicated. This list is not exhaustive so please visit the Tourist Information Centre to pick up brochures or contact us or the establishments to check details and/or prices.

Allhallows Museum, Honiton. Tel: 01404 44966
Local geology, the world wars, political history and Honiton Lace. Restricted opening hours, please ring to confirm opening times.

Ark Pottery, Wiggaton, Ottery St. Mary. Tel: 01404 812628
Try your hand at pottery, buy pottery, see how it done or have a party there.

Axe Valley Heritage Museum, Seaton. Tel: 01297 21278
Photographs and illustrations of Seaton in the past, including the Romans, archaeology, geology and natural history. Restricted opening hours, please ring to confirm opening times.

Axminster Museum, Axminster Tel: 01297 34137
Originally the old Police Station and Court House. Axminster Carpets, agricultural tools, geology and old photographs. Restricted opening hours, please ring to confirm opening times.

Beer Quarry Caves Tel: 01297 625830 or 680282
Started by the Romans, the stone being used for St Paul’s, Winchester and Exeter Cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London and Hampton Court. Guided tours tell the history of the caves, including the lives of smugglers, fishermen, lace makers and quarrymen. Not suitable for very young children. Open Easter to October.

Bicton Park, East Budleigh Tel 01395 568465 Miniature village, climbing camp, bigfoot maze, crazy gold, large indoor play complex, nature trail and acres of informal gardens. Special area for the under 5s. Open all year.

Branscombe Bakery, Forge and Mill Tel: 01392 881691. (National Trust)
The last traditional bakery to work in Devon, until 1987. The forge is the only thatched working forge in the country. Manor Mill is the only remaining grist mill in full working order. Restricted opening hours so please ring to confirm opening times.

Broadwindsor Craft Centre, Nr Beaminster. Tel: 01308 868362
Craft workshops and gifts.

Chard Museum Chard, Tel: 01460 65091
The history of Chard, the world’s first steam driven aircraft and artificial limbs. Restricted opening hours so please ring to confirm opening hours. /p>

Coldharbour Mill, Uffculme Nr Cullompton. Tel:01884 840960
200 years old, with machines dating from the Industrial Revolution plus New World Tapestry.

Crealy, Clyst St Mary Nr Exeter Tel 01392 233200 Animals, farming, nature, magic, action and adventure, lots to do indoors if it is bad weather. Open all year.

Cricket St Thomas Wild Life Park, Nr Chard. Tel: 01460 30111 Setting for the “To the Manor Born” TV series. Wildlife park with Lemur Wood, Monkey Island, Pets Corner and Safari Train. Open all year.

Diggerland, Cullompton Tel 08700 344437 Drive your own digger and dumper truck. Suitable for all the family.

Dinosourland and Fossill Museum, Lyme Regis. Tel: 01297 443541. Large Collection of fossils including many found along the Lyme Bay cliffs. Fossil finding tours available. Open all year.

Donkey Sanctuary, Nr Sidmouth Tel:01395 578222 Founded in 1969 and now home to 8000 donkeys throughout the country. Open all year.

Escot, Ottery St Mary Tel 01404 822188 220 acres of 18th century parkland and gardens, squirrels, otters, birds of prey, pet centre, maze and fantasy woodland. Picnic area.

Exeter’s Underground Passages, Paris Street, Exeter. Tel: 01392 665887 Guided tours. Passages date from the 14th century and were built to bring in fresh drinking water into the city.

Ferne Animal Sanctuary Nr Chard. Tel: 01460 65214 Over 300 animals, including horses, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits and ducks.

Lyme Bay Cider between Shute & Musbury. Tel:01297 551355 Fruit and country wines and tradional cider makers. Open all year.

Marine Aquarium, The Cobb Lyme Regis. Tel: 01297 443678 Living Lyme Bay sea creatures and local maritime history.

Motoring Memories Museum, Colyford. Tel 01297 553815 Recapturing our motoring past at the Old Colyford Filling Station. Open Easter and 1st June until end of September or by appointment.

Norman Lockyer Observatory Nr Sidmouth. Tel: 01395 579941 Founded in 1912 Guided tours and lectures on specific afternoons and evenings. Not suitable for very young children. Please call for details.

Otterton Mill Otterton Nr Sidmouth. Tel: 01395 68521 Working watermill and museum. Regular art and craft exhibitions. Open all year

Pecorama Beer Tel: 01297 21542 Ride on the Beer Heights Light Railway, model railway exhibition, play area, crazy golf and fitness trail. Fun for all the familiy. Open Easter to October. Closed Saturday afternoons in summer.

Philpot Museum, Lyme Regis. Tel: 01297 443370
Displays and pictures about the Undercliff between Lyme Regis and Seaton.

Playdome, Honiton, Tel 01404 47007
Indoor soft play area for children 0 - 10 years old Open 10.00am - 6.00pm 7 days a week

Powderham Castle, Kenton, Exeter. Tel: 01626 890243
Castle and grounds open April to October. Secret garden, adventure play castle, archery, birds of prey, Victorian kitchen, refreshments too.

Raceworld Indoor Karting, between Sidmouth & Exeter Tel: 01395 233397
Kart racing on a specially designed, computer-controlled 270 metre track. Suitable for beginners and experts. Fully trained and friendly marshals are on hand to ensure you have an exciting but safe racing experience.

Seaton Electric Tramway, Seaton. Tel 01297 20375
Ride on a tram from Seaton along the Axe Estuary to Colyton. See birds on the mudflats, spectacular view of the Axe and Coly valley from the comfort of a tramcar. Explore the historic town of Colyton and ride back via any tram.

Skinners Ash Farm, Fenny Bridges, Honiton Tel: 01404 850231
16th century farm, now with rare breeds poultry, pony rides, goats, museum, pets, gardens plus refreshments. Open March – December .

Smuggler’s Barn, Abbotsbury, between Bridport and Weymouth
Tel: 01305 871817
An ancient Tythe Barn is home to a host of friendly farm animals. Indoor play area for under 11’s Restricted opening hours in winter.

Stuart Line Boat Trips, based in Exmouth. Tel: 01395 222144
Discover the history, beauty and wildlife of the Devon coast. Advanced bookings advisable. River Exe, coastal and bird watching cruises plus special events and private hire.

Swannery, Abbotsbury, between Bridport and Weymouth. Tel: 01305 871858
A colony of Mute Swans has lived here for 600 years. See them nesting, bringing up their young and feeding in their sanctuary sheltered by the famous Chesil Beach

World of Country Life, Exmouth Tel: 01395 274533
Indoor soft play area, animal nursery, falconry, pets centre, deer park, safari train, vintage vehicles, Victorian street exhibition. Lots to do indoors if it is bad weather.