Toddler Friendly Local Attractions
Discover Toddler-Friendly Adventures Beyond the Farm
Your little one’s holiday should be filled with fun, excitement and adventures; North Hayne Farm is perfectly placed to create wonder and build confidence. When you're ready to explore further a field you will discover some of the many buggy-friendly trails or hands on animal encounters and relaxing cafés, we’ve hand-picked the best local attractions that welcome even the tiniest explorers.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet stroll, soft play, or a fun day out that works around naps, you’ll find plenty of great spots nearby to help you make magical memories together.
Many of North Devon's attractions cater for all age groups. From the feedback we receive from our guests as well as our own visits we have highlighted why we think they are good for your toddler.
Take a look at our top recommendations below!
Devon Railway Centre
All aboard for a fun filled day at the Devon Railway Centre perfect for babies, toddlers and young children! With gentle ride-on trains, model railways to watch, and both indoor and outdoor play spaces, it’s an easy, relaxed outing with plenty to keep little ones entertained.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 30 minutes from North Hayne Farm
- Best bits for toddlers: Ride-on trains, model railways, small indoor and outdoor play areas
- Rain or shine: Good mix of indoor and outdoor activities
- Facilities: Changing facilities, café next door, plus a craft shop and pub nearby
Quince Honey Farm
A brilliant mix of fun and learning, Quince Honey Farm is perfect for babies/toddlers and young children. With level paths for buggies, gentle sensory experiences in the gardens, and plenty of indoor spaces to explore, it’s an easy, stress free day out for little legs and big imaginations.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 10 minutes from North Hayne Farm
- Best bits for toddlers: Indoor soft play area, undercover Bee and honey education centre to talk about and gardens with level access to explore
- Rain or shine: Great for all weather with plenty of indoor activities
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
The Big Sheep
A 35 minute drive from the farm, The Big Sheep is perfect for families with children of all ages. Enjoy gentle train rides, soft play areas, and meet the animals in the petting corner! With special zones just for under 2's, it's a fun yet relaxing day out!
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 35 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for short naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Indoor soft play area, undercover animal barn, lots of rides for toddlers
- Rain or shine: Great for all weather with enough indoor activities should the weather change
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
Milky Way Adventure Park
Packed with toddler friendly fun, The Milky Way Adventure Park is a brilliant day out whatever the weather. With flat, buggy friendly paths, gentle rides, indoor play zones, and interactive shows, it's perfect for introducing little ones to a world of adventure!
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just over 45 minutes from the farm ideal for longer naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Buggy friendly paths, safe gentle rides, indoor soft play area and family friendly shows
- Best for: Any weather
- Facilities: Starlight Restaurant with changing facilities
Woody Bay Railway
A gentle, nostalgic day out perfect for big and little ones who love trains! Hop aboard a beautifully restored narrow-gauge railway for a short, scenic ride - just the right length for toddlers. Woody Bay Railway is a simple yet magical way to spend time together. The Old Station Inn is just 5 minutes drive away where you can sit and enjoy some fine Devon food.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: 34 minutes from North Hayne Farm
- Best bits for toddlers: Lots of trains to look at and hop on for a short 1 mile train ride (as many times as you like), buggy friendly station and a relaxed atmosphere
- Best for: Rainy or dry days
- Facilities: Station tea room with changing facilities
The Tarka Trail
Perfect for a peaceful day outdoors, The Tarka Trail is a flat, easy route ideal for walking with a buggy or cycling with a little one in a baby seat (age 1+). Enjoy fresh air, beautiful views, and a chance to spot wildlife along the way!
Cycle hire as well as baby seats or child trailers can be booked from either Barnstaple Station Cycle Hire
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: 25 minutes from the farm (when starting at Barnstaple railway station) or 35 minutes (starting at Fremington Quay)
- Best bits for toddlers: Buggy friendly paths, gentle cycling with child trailers, provides lots of opportunity for wildlife spotting
- Best for: Dry, mild days
- Facilities: Toilets and changing facilities at Fremington Quay Café, toilets at pubs at Instow or at Barnstaple railway station
Picnic on Exmoor
Sometimes the simplest days are the most special. Pack up a picnic and head to Exmoor for a gentle outdoor adventure. With wide open spaces, fresh air, and plenty of nature to spot, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a quiet moment together with your little one.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Around 25 minutes from the farm
- Best bits for toddlers: Safe, open spaces to lay out a blanket and enjoy fresh air, lots of gentle sights and sounds to take in. Some great spots to settle down by gentle streams for those simple pleasures in life
- Best for: Dry, sunny days
- Top tip: Take your own picnic
Devon National Trust
Whether you're wandering through peaceful gardens or enjoying a gentle stroll during a well earnt nap time, National Trust spots offer a calm day out perfect for all ages. With adventure playground/play areas at most sites they are a good choice for toddles needing to burn off some energy while you get to explore your national trust property.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey times: Knighthayes 25 minutes, Arlington Court 35 minutes and Killerton House 45 minutes.
- Best bits for toddlers: Garden strolls, safe open space, buggy friendly grounds and many with excellent adventure play areas
- Best for: Dry days
- Facilities: Cafes offer toilet and changing facilities
Local Beaches
North Devon's stunning beaches are perfect for a laid back family day out. Think soft sand for tiny toes, gentle paddles, and plenty of fresh sea air. Pack a picnic or pop into a nearby pub or café for a tasty treat!
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey times: Saunton Sands 40 minutes, Croyde 45 minutes and Woolacombe 50 minutes
- Best bits for toddlers: Space to play, soft sand and easy beach strolls with the buggy. Great rock pools to explore and shells to discover
- Best for: Warm, dry days
- Facilities: Nearby pubs and cafes offer toiles and changing facilities
Junglaroo
A 25 minute drive from the farm, Junglaroo is a good option for wet days or when your little one needs to burn off some energy. A sensor room also provides some quiet time for those needing to relax after a busy or challenging morning.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 25 minutes from North Hayne Farm
- Best bits for toddlers: Much more than just an indoor soft play area. Includes a sensory room for those needing a little quite time
- Rain or shine: Great for all weather
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
Combe Martin Dinosaur and Wildlife Park
A 35 minute drive from the farm, Combe Martin Dinosaur and Wildlife Park is perfect for families with children of all ages. With animatronic dinosaurs, 30 plus different types of animal, rides for your toddler and indoor soft play. Access from the car park is quite steep but fine once in the main site.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 35 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for short naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Indoor soft play area, lots of animals to see and animatronic dinosaurs for the dinosaur crazy toddler
- Rain or shine: Better for dryer days
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
Exmoor Zoo
A 25 minute drive from the farm, Exmoor Zoological and Conservation Centre is perfect for families with children of all ages. Meet lots of different animals. Plenty of animal experiences to stimulate sensory and language development. With daily opportunities to meet (if you dare) some of the Zoo's exotic residents.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 25 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for short naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Lots of animals to see as well as meet during daily keeper sessions
- Rain or shine: Better for dryer days
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
Wimbleball Lake
A 35 minute drive from the farm, Wimbleball Lake is a great day out for families with children of all ages. The site is over 530 acres and has many buggy friendly paths where you can watch the lake come alive with kayaks, canoes, paddleboarders and sailing boats. Take a picnic or eat at the friendly cafe with in and outdoor seating.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: Just 25 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for short naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Lots of easy paths for buggies or for balance bike practice
- Rain or shine: Better for dryer days
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
RHS Rosemoor
A 35 minute drive from the farm, RHS Rosemoor is a great day out for families with young children. Good play area, lots of plants and new smells to discover. Flat paths good for buggies.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: 40 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for longer naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Lots of easy paths for buggies and lots of new smells and colourful plants to see. Good for sensory development.
- Rain or shine: Better for dryer days
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café
Lynton and Lynmouth
A 45 minute drive from the farm, Lynton and Lynmouth is a great day out. Experience the fascinating water powered cliff railway, climbing 500 feet is the tallest cliff railway in the UK. Visit the Exmoor information centre before exploring the pebble beach and many restaurants and cafés.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: 45 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for longer naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Lots of easy paths for buggies and an exhilarating cliff railway experience for the brave
- Rain or shine: Better for dryer days
- Facilities: Pubs with changing facilities, family friendly cafés
Dartington Crystal
A 40 minute drive from the farm, Dartington Crystal is a must if you would like a hand or foot print of your little one cast in glass. Watch from the safety of a raised platform as crafts men and women practice the art of glass blowing. You can buy a craft pack from the shop and sit in their crafting room where tools are provided and spend a little time creating with your little one.
Quick Dive Details:
- Journey time: 40 minutes from North Hayne Farm, good for longer naps
- Best bits for toddlers: Watch glass being blown and spend some quality time crafting with your little one
- Rain or shine: Great for wet days
- Facilities: Changing facilities, family friendly café