Dartmouth Leisure Centre

Dartmouth Leisure Centre sits just outside Paignton and serves as the sort of place you'll either make a beeline for or completely miss depending on what you're after. It's a proper sports facility - swimming pools, a gym, activity studios, that kind of thing. The main draw for families on a caravan holiday is the aquatic side: there's usually an indoor pool and sometimes a shallow one for younger kids, which beats fighting the crowds at a commercial water park.

This isn't a day-tripper destination in the traditional sense. You're not coming here for views or a lengthy afternoon outing. What it does offer is a decent break from the weather if you're staying at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby and the forecast looks grim. The pools are heated, the facilities are clean, and staff generally keep things ticking over well. An hour or two is realistic - enough time for kids to burn off energy without boredom setting in.

Worth knowing: opening hours and admission prices vary seasonally, so phone ahead or check their website before you go. Summer holidays mean it gets busier. The centre caters mainly to locals and holiday visitors looking for structured activity rather than casual dropping-in. If you're planning a rainy day activity or your kids are keen swimmers, factor it in. If you're after Dartmouth's riverside charm and attractions, you're better off heading into town proper rather than camping by the leisure centre.