The list below includes nearby attractions should you decide to explore the local area. We’ve identified dog-friendly activities with a little 🐶. This is based on our own experience – we’ll attempt to keep the list up to date, but please let us know if anything has changed!
Burrow Farm Gardens 🐶 (6 miles)
Built on the side of a hill, Burrow Farm Gardens is the work of Mary Benger, who moved there with her husband to farm the land. Mary gradually took over an old Roman clay pit and fields to plant a 13 acre garden. The different sections of garden provide plenty of focal points and plants to admire, while the nursery means you can create your own oasis at home.
Dogs are welcome on leads. More information is on their website here.
Axe Valley Wildlife Park (7 miles)
Axe Valley Wildlife Park is a small zoo just outside Axminster, with a range of animals, birds and reptiles and amphibians. Axe Valley is targeted at under 12s predominantly and offers special animal experiences including being a keeper for a day.
Check their website for opening hours before you visit. Please note dogs (including assistance dogs) are not allowed into Axe Valley Wildlife Park.
Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre 🐶 (7 miles)
Upottery Airfield was operational between 1944 and 1948, and played an important part in World War 2, dropping paratroopers into France on D-Day and working as a transport airfield for US troops.
You can find out more about the history at the Heritage Centre (entry is free but donations are asked for) and the WW2 Nissen Hut. Well-behaved dogs are allowed entry. Their website contains visitor information – please check opening hours before travelling as these are limited throughout the year.
Smeatharpe Stadium (7 miles)
If you like speed and adrenaline motor sports, then check what’s on offer at Smeatharpe Stadium. It offers fixtures such as stock car and banger racing. Their website link is here.
Next door at Exeter Smeatharpe Track, you can also book driving experiences with supercars. Only available on specific days throughout the year – check for more information here.
Smeatharpe Stadium is located on part of Upottery Airfield, which played an important role in World War 2 dropping paratroopers on D-Day and later as a transport airfield. You can visit the Upottery Airfield Heritage Centre to find out more (see listing above).
Dunkeswell Aerodrome (12 miles)
At Dunkeswell Aerodrome you can book all sorts of experiences including skydiving, wingwalking or going on a helicopter. It also has a flying school where you can have an ‘air experience’ and fly a small plane, or take more regular flying lessons. Check for more information here.
Seaton Wetlands (12 miles)
Seaton Wetlands has 4km of walks and boardwalks that go through marshland and reedbeds along the River Axe. The nature reserve is home to plenty of wildlife and is a great spot for bird watching, having five bird hides. Birds living there include kingfishers, oyster catchers, ringed plovers and other wildfowl and waders.
Please note Seaton Wetlands does not allow dogs in. Their website is here.
Seaton Tramway 🐶 (13 miles)
Seaton Tramway operates a number of electric narrow gauge heritage trams from Seaton to Colyton, passing by Seaton Wetlands and along the River Axe to give you views across the nature reserves. You can get off at one of the stops to explore or stay on the tram to the end and switch to a return tram.
Seaton Tramway is dog friendly although you can only take dogs in one of the downstairs carriages. It can be a bit of a squeeze when busy. Find more information here.
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, Lyme Regis 🐶 (13 miles)
Located in Lyme Regis, Dinosaurland Fossil Museum has a huge collection of local Jurassic fossils, as well as shells and dinosaurs. Exhibitions take you through history showing how life changed up to the age of the dinosaurs.
Opening hours are typically 10-4pm from February half term to October half term, and then Saturdays and Sundays over winter. We recommend checking online for any exceptions before visiting
Dogs are welcome on leads.
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary 🐶 (14 miles)
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary is just outside the town itself and cares for hundreds of donkeys rescued over the years. You can go and walk around the various donkey paddocks to see and stroke the donkeys, or stroll down to Weston Beach (note this is a fairly steep walk in places). The Donkey Sanctuary is free to visit (it operates on a donation basis), has a good kitchen and is dog friendly outside. Their website is here if you want more information.
Broadhembury 🐶 (14 miles)
Located on the way back from Killerton towards Ley Farm Cottages, Broadhembury is a small village in the middle of the countryside. It contains well-preserved thatch and cob cottages – all painted the same colour – and a lovely Grade I listed church. You can walk around the village or head slightly further out. The pub – the Drewe Arms – dates back to the 16th century and has all the quirks you’d expect from an old building. It’s well worth a stop for lunch or dinner. You can read a bit more about Broadhembury here.
Stoke Wood Alpacas (14 miles)
If you fancy feeding and stroking alpacas, then Stoke Wood Alpacas is well worth a visit. You will need to book in advance – they offer options to feed their alpacas or even go for a walk with them.
Parking is limited – there is a small car park on site, or there is space for a couple of cars a bit further down the lane
Note this is not dog friendly – dogs will need to remain in the car or there are a few limited footpaths in the fields opposite the site. You can find out more information on their website here.
Wildwood Devon (14 miles)
Wildwood is home to various animals (such as bears, wolves, and arctic foxes) and birds like the snowy owl. Once you’ve seen all the animals there is also a recreated saxon village to explore, and a beech hedge maze to escape from. And there’s a fantastic play area for kids with a zip line and other obstacles. You can also explore the acres of gardens and ancient woodland on site.
Please note no dogs at all are allowed at Wildwood; they also do not allow dogs to be left in cars.
More information can be found on their website.
Foxdown Children’s Farm (14 miles)
Foxdown Children’s Farm is located near Bridport and is a small family-run children’s farm where you can meet and pet all sorts of farm animals.
They are wheelchair-friendly and open from March to October. Check out their website for latest information and to pre-book tickets.
Beer Quarry Caves 🐶 (15 miles)
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You can take a guided tour around these 2,000 manmade caves located just outside Beer. The stone – known as Beer stone – was quarried from a chalk seam created 65-140 million years ago in the Cretaceous period. It’s been used in various cathedrals including St Paul’s, Exeter and Winchester as well as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London.
Beer Quarry Caves are home to Greater and Lesser Horseshoe bats (we have Lesser Horseshoe bats at Ley Farm as well).
It’s recommended to book tours in advance – see their website for more information. It’s suitable for pushchairs but not wheelchairs, and well-behaved dogs on leads are allowed in. Beer Quarry Caves is closed for the winter from end October to spring.
Pecorama 🐶 (15 miles)
Pecorama is a family-friendly attraction complete with miniature steam train, model railway exhibitions, and a restored luxury train carriage from the 1950s.
There are gardens to explore and a grotto decorated with seashells. Dogs are welcome on a lead. Find out more here.
Crealy Theme Park (25 miles)
Crealy theme park has over 60 rides and attractions for different ages, as well as a small animal section with with both farm and zoo animals. Sooty Land introduces Sooty, Sweep and Sue-themed rides and activities.
There are live activities throughout the day so make sure you check their website in advance to plan your visit.
Only assistance dogs are allowed at Crealy.
World of Country Life (27 miles)
World of Country Life is located just outside Exmouth on the Jurassic Coast and next to Sandy Bay beach. It’s a family-friendly attraction with an eclectic mix of museums, animals, play areas and entertainment; both under cover and outdoors making it a great all-weather day out.
Only assistance dogs are allowed at World of Country Life. Ir’s also closed during the winter months so check their website before planning a visit.
Devon Railway Centre 🐶 (32 miles)
Located on the River Exe, just south of Tiverton, Devon Railway Centre has a large model railway exhibition, two mini railways to try out, and a musuem and several train-themed rides. For younger children there are outdoor play areas to explore.
Dogs are allowed in but there are restrictions on where they’re able to go.
Devon Railway Centre often have special events throughout the season so it’s worth looking on their website for more information.
Diggerland Devon (34 miles)
Diggerland Devon offers the opportunity for visitors of all ages to ride and operate diggers and dumper trucks on a range of rides. They also offer a ‘Little Tikes’ option for under 5s, and coin-operated rides. To plan your visit, look on their website here.
Only assistance dogs are welcome at Diggerland.
Dawlish Warren nature reserve 🐶 (37 miles)
This tidal nature reserve is a Special Area of Conservation and is home to a host of wildlife and flora, some of which are rare varieties. It’s a wonderful place to go birdwatching – in the winter it attracts a range of migratory geese, ducks and wading birds.
It covers 214 hectares which includes Dawlish Warren beach – the entry point to the reserve. Access is restricted at certain times of the year to avoid disturbing ground-roosting birds, and dogs are only allowed in certain areas. It’s worth looking at their website before travelling.
Pennywell Farm (47 miles)
Pennywell Farm has a range of farm animals for children to meet and pet, including their famous Pennywell miniature pigs. There’s a treetop adventure area and some lucky guests may get to bottle feed any orphaned animals Pennywell have at the point of visiting. Pennywell also have a few farm rides and other play areas. For more information look at their website.
Note that for animal petting they require you to bring (or buy on site) a blanket/towel.
Pennywell is open from mid-February to end November. You must book tickets in advance.
Ley Farm Cottages 