Day to Day

Woodlands Devon – A Family Day Out

With the half term nearly over, we have barely spent any time as a family, due to the husband being on a course and working long hours throughout the week.  So with the weather looking dry and a hint of sun looming we decided to something that the children would enjoy and get us all out for the day this weekend.  Having a little Google last night I thought we’d give Woodlands a try, not somewhere we’d been before and the winter prices were very reasonable and even cheaper by booking your tickets online!

We took a chance on the dry weather warning and I booked some tickets this morning, we set off and 50 minutes later we arrived.  Glorious sunshine and an empty carpark – just what I like!  We passed through the entrance gates and the look on Miss M’s face said it all – she was full of grins, overwhelmed and couldn’t wait to explore.  The first place she found was this amazing wood and rope castle which she dragged Mister B through even though he was scared, but being quiet and not many people about, he braved his way through with Miss M’s encouragement

woodlands 9Before long Miss M spotted a digger sand play area and rushed over to have a go!woodlands 1Then Mister B caught sight of the Wild West village and had fun exploring the many buildings including the bank, church, jail and even the stable where he fed the horse leaves from the ground – bless him!

woodlands 2Miss M was keen to have a dig and ride the tractor until she noticed a zip wire and eagerly climbed aboard.  With it being so quiet there were no other children around so she happily zoomed up and down for a good ten minutes.

woodlands 3Next it was time to wander over and see the animals – lots of rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, pigs, goats etc and a great little play area full of toy tractors with trailers and pretend logs to put in and move around.

woodlands 7After playing in and out of pretend houses, Mister B getting banished to prison and Miss M riding down a huge bumpy slide, we saw in the distance a huge rocking pirate ship, one that Miss M was desperate to go on.  I decided it was best if daddy accompanied her as I just don’t enjoy big rides these days as much as I did 20 years ago! lol  She chose to sit at the very back and due to it being quiet went on the ride three times continuously enjoying every moment with a huge grin across her face.

woodlands 8Meanwhile Mister B wanted a go on the swings and have a play in the nearby play area.  I have to say I couldn’t believe how many little play areas there were dotted around – so much to keep little ones occupied although we spent the latter part of the day in some of the many indoor soft play and ball pool areas.

woodlands 6One ride they were both determined to go on was the water bumper boats!  Unfortunately Mister B got scared when we reached the front of the queue so Miss M went on first with daddy while we watched.  He soon regained his confidence to go on and went with daddy whilst looking very cute in the little life jacket.

woodlands 4We had a thoroughly entertaining day at Woodlands, one I’d highly recommend particularly at the fantastic price we paid.  There is so much to keep little ones entertained and at this time of year there are no queues.  Some of the bigger rides are closed but my children are generally to short for them anyway.

The day was about the children having fun, getting out and being somewhere they loved and could be free.  I loved to see my children running around, out in the fresh air, seeing the animals, giggling as they played both indoors and out but for me I just adored the peacocks wandering around freely.  I’ve always had a fondness for them and for many years when I was a child I had a peacock’s feather displayed in my bedroom.  So to see a peacock come to full plume was amazing!  The perfect end to a perfect family day!

woodlands 5

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