Paignton Zoo welcomes two Southern White Rhinos in major new addition to Grasslands Development
Paignton Zoo has welcomed two young Southern White Rhinos, marking the arrival of a new species at the zoo and…
Read MoreLooking for great value days out to entertain the family this summer? Look no further than Haldon Forest Park! The forest only 15 minutes from Exeter and Newton Abbot is packed with affordable adventures for the whole family throughout the school holidays.
From magical woodland trails to thrilling outdoor activities, the nation’s beautiful forests offer endless possibilities for creating special memories – many completely free of charge!*
Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening at Haldon Forest Park this summer:
Help Witch find her missing items and complete her spell
Cost: £4 per trail pack
Get ready for a magical adventure with Witch and her friends on the Room on the Broom family adventure trail! Help Witch find her lost hat, bow, and wand and don’t forget to collect the special ingredients to complete her spell. Get the most from the trail with a trail pack from the Info Pod for just £4, with goodies and extra activities to entertain your little ones.
Say hello to Witch herself!
Cost: FREE
Meet the star of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved Room on the Broom story at Haldon Forest Park on Friday 14 August. Join in fun forest activities, and don’t miss your chance for a photo with the character herself!
Go on a family bike ride
Cost: FREE, bike hire charges apply
From balance bikes to off-road experts, there’s a cycle trail for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. Warm up with our pump track and build your progress in our skills area, or just enjoy a scenic cycle with some amazing views. Haldon Forest Park Bike Hire is open daily with a range of bikes for all ages and abilities.
Learn about amazing forests together
Cost: £5 per bag hire
Get up close to the wonderful wildlife and towering trees of the forest with easy-to-follow activities in our Forest Activity Bag. Spot incredible wildlife, uncover hidden forest gems, and put your knowledge to the test with an exciting forest quiz. Forest Activity bag is packed with up to 4 hours of fun at your own pace and every child goes home with a goody bag!
Find a walking trail
Cost: FREE
Choose from walks for every interest, from easy going strolls with a choice of amazing picnic spots, to challenging hiking adventures. For little legs, our pushchair-friendly Discovery Trail is full of play features to keep them entertained for hours. Nature lovers will adore our Butterly Trail, which takes you through the heart of the forest’s butterfly conservation area. Whichever walk you choose, the whole family can join in with our all-terrain mobility scooter hire.
Gruffalo orienteering
Cost: £1.50 per Gruffalo orienteering leaflet, including map and certificate
Challenge your family with Gruffalo orienteering! This family-friendly navigational challenge brings children and adults together to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden throughout the forest. Use special Gruffalo map to explore the deep dark wood while developing valuable skills in map reading and decision making. Answer fun questions at each marker and race to see who can complete the trail first. No orienteering experience needed!
Go on a wildlife spotting adventure
Cost: FREE
Turn your family walk into an exciting wildlife hunt! The forest is home to amazing creatures from tiny mini-beasts to majestic roe deer. Download Forestry England’s free wildlife spotter sheet to help children track and record their discoveries. Bring nature to life and create lasting memories for the whole family.
There are so many great value adventures waiting for you in the forest this summer, which one will you choose?
*(Parking charges apply to all activities. Forestry England members park or free – sign up today).
