Pennywell Farm

The farmyard at Pennywell sprawls across proper working land just outside South Brent, and it's one of those places where you can actually see animals doing what they're meant to do rather than standing about looking bored. Pigs, goats, sheep, chickens - the usual suspects - but what sets it apart is the chance to get hands-on. Kids will spend hours here if you let them, bottle-feeding lambs or mucking about with the smaller animals.

The farm operates as a working concern, so there's a genuine rhythm to the place. You're not paying for a theme park experience; you're paying to interact with livestock and learn how a real farm ticks. Expect to be here for at least two hours if the kids are into animals at all. Muddy clothes are practically mandatory.

It works brilliantly as a break from holiday park life - Ashbourne Woods is barely a mile away, so it's easy to slot in a morning or afternoon visit. The South Brent location puts you within reach of Dartmoor's better walking routes, so you could combine it with a proper trek if you wanted contrast between gentle farmyard time and proper moorland miles.

Best avoided on peak summer weekends when it gets rammed. Go mid-week or shoulder season if you can. Bring a change of clothes for the kids - they will get filthy, and they'll love every second of it.