Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park

The dinosaur sculptures scattered across the hillside are what catch your eye first - life-sized fibreglass beasts looming over the pathways in a way that's either brilliant or slightly unhinged, depending on your tolerance for tacky fun. Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park is exactly what it says on the tin: a modest zoo mixed with a prehistoric theme park that works surprisingly well if you've got children under ten who haven't yet developed sophisticated taste.

You'll wander through enclosures housing everything from big cats to primates, though this isn't going to compete with major wildlife parks elsewhere. The dinosaur trail is the real draw - kids love spotting them dotted about the grounds, and the whole thing takes a couple of hours rather than a full day commitment. It's free admission if reports online are current, which makes it decent value for a wet afternoon near Ilfracombe.

This sits well with a North Devon camping trip. Longlands Luxury Glamping sits less than a mile away, making it a quick drive or even walk if you're staying close by. Several other parks cluster within a few miles - Newberry Valley Touring Park and Sandaway Beach Holiday Park are both nearby if you want seaside access alongside the animals. The park works best as part of a broader itinerary rather than a standalone destination. Ilfracombe itself offers proper coastal walks and beaches that'll occupy you properly; use the wildlife park as a rainy-day filler or a morning activity before heading to the seafront.