Best Days Out in South West England

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre is a well-known primate rescue sanctuary in Dorset, providing a permanent home for rescued chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons and marmosets. It’s a popular family day out where visitors can see the animals up close in large, natural-style enclosures while learning about conservation and rescue work.

The park is easy to explore with clearly marked walking routes and is fully buggy-friendly, making it ideal for families with young children. Throughout the day there are regular keeper talks where you can learn more about the primates, along with the option of guided tours. There are also three large adventure play areas for children, while adults can relax at the Tree Tops Café located within the park.

Best for:

• Family days out
• Animal lovers
• Educational visits
• Outdoor attractions

Top highlights:

• See rescued chimpanzees, orangutans, gibbons and marmosets
• Daily keeper talks and educational sessions
• Guided tours available
• Three large adventure play areas for children
• Tree Tops Café on site for food and drinks
• Buggy-friendly walking routes throughout the park
• Free on-site parking

Good to know:

• Allow around 3–5 hours for a full visit
• Mostly outdoor attraction, so weather dependent
• Very popular during weekends and school holidays
• Easy to navigate with well-signposted routes

View Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre location in Wareham, Dorset, and plan your visit.

Longleat Safari Park

Longleat Safari Park is one of the UK’s most famous wildlife attractions, combining a drive-through safari experience with a historic stately home and extensive landscaped gardens. Visitors can see animals such as lions, giraffes, elephants, and monkeys up close from their own vehicle, making it one of the most unique family days out in South West England.

Best for:

• Family days out
• Animal lovers
• Full-day experiences

Top highlights:

• Drive-through safari with free-roaming animals
• Longleat House (historic stately home)
• Jungle Cruise boat safari
• Adventure Castle and play areas
• Seasonal events and mazes

Good to know:

• Plan a full day visit (typically 5–8 hours)
• Booking in advance is strongly recommended in peak seasons
• Best visited in spring and summer for full animal activity

Find Longleat Safari Park in South West England

Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park is a popular family attraction in Dorset, offering hands-on farm experiences and outdoor play for children of all ages. Visitors can meet and feed a wide range of friendly farm animals including sheep, pigs, goats, cows and rabbits, making it an interactive and educational day out.

The park is designed especially with families in mind, featuring both indoor and outdoor play areas, tractor rides, animal handling sessions, and seasonal activities throughout the year. It’s easy to explore and ideal for younger children, with plenty of space for running around, learning, and engaging with animals up close.

Best for:

• Family days out
• Young children and toddlers
• Animal experiences
• Outdoor play and activities

Top highlights:

• Meet and feed friendly farm animals
• Indoor and outdoor play areas
• Tractor rides around the farm
• Animal handling and petting sessions
• Seasonal events and activities
• Café and picnic areas on site
• Safe, enclosed environment for children

Good to know:

• Best suited for younger families (toddlers to early primary age)
• Allow around 2–4 hours for a visit
• Outdoor areas may be weather dependent
• Very popular during school holidays

Find Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park in Dorset on the map below to plan your visit.

Diggerland Devon

Diggerland Devon is a unique construction-themed adventure park where children and adults can operate real diggers, dumpers and other heavy machinery in a safe and supervised environment. Located in Cullompton, Devon, it offers a hands-on experience that is very different from a traditional theme park, making it a popular choice for families looking for something more interactive.

The park features a wide range of ride-on and driveable machines, along with indoor and outdoor play areas, making it suitable in most weather conditions. It’s designed mainly for families with children, offering a mix of fun rides, driving experiences and physical activities throughout the day.

Best for:

• Family days out
• Children who love vehicles and construction
• Hands-on interactive experiences
• Outdoor adventure activities

Top highlights:

• Drive real diggers, dumpers and construction vehicles
• Unique construction-themed rides and attractions
• Indoor and outdoor play areas
• Suitable for a wide range of ages
• Hands-on learning and interactive experiences
• Family-friendly facilities on site

Good to know:

• Allow around 3–5 hours for a full visit
• Some activities may have age or height restrictions
• Best to book in advance during peak seasons
• Mix of indoor and outdoor attractions

Find Diggerland Devon in Cullompton on the map below to plan your visit.

South West England Travel FAQs

What are the best days out in South West England for families?

South West England offers plenty of great family days out, from sandy beaches in Devon and Cornwall to hands-on attractions like the Eden Project and Longleat Safari Park. Families can also explore the Jurassic Coast for fossil hunting or visit historic sites such as Stonehenge in Wiltshire. There’s a mix of outdoor adventure, wildlife experiences and educational attractions suitable for all ages.

Are there any indoor water parks in Devon and Cornwall?

Yes, there are a few indoor water parks in Devon and Cornwall that are great for year-round fun, especially when the weather isn’t ideal. Popular options include the Splashdown Quaywest nearby in Devon (mainly outdoor but with some indoor facilities depending on the site) and smaller leisure pool complexes across both counties with slides and wave pools. Many holiday parks in the region also have indoor swimming and splash areas for families.

What is the best time of year to visit the South West?

The best time to visit South West England is typically late spring through early autumn, from May to September, when the weather is warmer and ideal for beaches, coastal walks, and outdoor attractions. July and August are the busiest months, especially in Cornwall and Devon, so expect more crowds. For a quieter trip with pleasant weather, May, June, and September are often the best balance of good conditions and fewer visitors.

Are there free attractions in South West England?

South West England has plenty of free attractions, including beautiful beaches like those in Cornwall and Devon, as well as scenic walking routes along the Jurassic Coast. You can also explore historic sites such as Stonehenge views from public footpaths and the ancient stone circles at Avebury. Many cities and towns offer free museums, parks, and gardens, including Bristol’s harbourside and Bath’s architecture.

Is the Jurassic Coast suitable for children?

Yes, the Jurassic Coast is generally very suitable for children, with plenty of family-friendly beaches, fossil hunting spots, and easy coastal walks. Areas like Lyme Regis and Charmouth are especially popular with families thanks to safe beaches and opportunities to find fossils. However, some cliff paths can be steep or uneven, so it’s best to stick to marked routes and check conditions in advance.

Ninja Warrior UK Bristol

Ninja Warrior UK Bristol is an indoor obstacle course and adventure activity centre inspired by the hit TV show. It offers a range of physical challenges including climbing walls, balance beams, warped walls, and inflatable obstacle courses designed for all skill levels.

It’s a popular all-weather attraction in the South West, making it ideal for active family days out, groups, and older children looking for a fun and energetic experience. The centre is fully indoor, so it’s a great option regardless of weather conditions.

Best for:

• Active family days out
• Teenagers and older children
• Group activities and birthdays
• Indoor rainy-day attractions

Top highlights:

• Ninja-style obstacle course inspired by the TV show
• Warped walls, climbing and balance challenges
• Inflatable assault courses and soft play zones
• Timed challenge zones for competitive fun
• Indoor, weather-proof activity centre
• Café and spectator seating areas

Good to know:

• Pre-booking is strongly recommended
• Minimum age/height restrictions apply for certain zones
• Expect around 1.5–3 hours for a full session
• Indoor attraction (ideal for rainy days)

Find Ninja Warrior UK Bristol in Bristol on the map below for directions and visitor information.

Barnes Coaches Day Trips

Barnes Coaches run organised day trips from Swindon to a wide range of popular UK attractions throughout the year. These trips make it easy to visit major destinations without the stress of driving or planning transport, making them especially popular for group travel and day excursions.

Best for:

• Stress-free day trips
• Families and groups
• Shopping and city breaks

Top highlights:

• Trips to attractions such as Warner Bros. Studio Tour
• Visits to Cadbury World and Kew Gardens
• Seasonal shopping trips to Westfield London and Camden Market
• Comfortable coach travel from Swindon
• Regularly updated trip schedule throughout the year

Good to know:

• Trips vary seasonally, so availability changes
• Booking in advance is recommended due to high demand

Contact: 01793 821303

Find Barnes Coaches in Swindon

Go Ape Moors Valley

Go Ape is a popular outdoor adventure experience offering treetop activities across several locations in the South West of England. It’s best known for its high ropes courses, zip lines, and forest adventures set within scenic woodland environments.

Visitors can choose from different levels of difficulty, making it suitable for both beginners and thrill-seekers. It’s a great active day out for families with older children, groups, and anyone looking for an outdoor adventure in nature.

Best for:

• Adventure seekers
• Families with older children
• Groups and team activities
• Outdoor fitness and challenges

Top highlights:

• High ropes courses through forest canopies
• Zip lines and tree-to-tree crossings
• Tarzan swings and climbing obstacles
• Multiple difficulty levels available
• Scenic woodland locations across the South West
• Instructor-led safety briefings before activities

Good to know:

• Minimum age/height restrictions apply depending on course
• Pre-booking is strongly recommended
• Expect 2–3 hours for a typical experience
• Outdoor activity so weather dependent
• Wear suitable clothing and closed-toe shoes

Find the details for the Go Ape location in South West England on the map below.