1-Bedroom Hot Tub Lodge in Whitsand Bay - Fun Days Out

Dartmoor Zoological Park is a 33-acre zoo just north of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor in Devon. It is run by a charity that focuses on conservation, education and research, and it belongs to BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The collection includes some endangered and critically endangered species, and the zoo runs breeding programmes for Asian short-clawed otters, Amur leopards and Carpathian lynx. The zoo also has a famous story. Benjamin Mee bought it in 2006 and wrote the book We Bought a Zoo, which was loosely adapted into the 2011 film. If you know the book or film, you can see the real place behind it.

Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.

The rides are gravity-powered and low-carbon, as the site is an area of special scientific interest. The site has spectacular views and picnic spots, and entry is free. Reviewers mention swimming and relaxing on the lawn at the bottom of the quarry, and say staff were helpful, including with wheelchair users on the zip wire. One review says dogs are welcome.

Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.

The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.

Ocean Discovery Rangers run shows and talks and are on hand to answer questions, and there are dive shows too. Blue Planet has seahorses, lionfish, giant Pacific octopus and a Great Barrier Reef display. There is also a picnic area with views over Plymouth, plus a cafe and gift shop. It suits families, curious kids and anyone interested in ocean conservation.

Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.

The Plym Valley Railway is a heritage railway on part of the old Great Western line from Plymouth to Tavistock, which closed in 1962. Trains run from Marsh Mills station to Plym Bridge, a journey of about 1.5 miles of track. Marsh Mills is also a railway centre where volunteers preserve and restore steam and diesel locomotives, carriages and wagons.

Back at Marsh Mills there is a buffet, a shop selling souvenirs, toys, model railways and books, and a 7 1/4 inch miniature railway that often runs on Sundays and special events. Dogs are welcome on a lead and under control, including on the trains. Plym Bridge has other things to do close to the platform, including National Trust and Woodland Trust sites.

Tip: There is no parking at Marsh Mills station, but the Coypool Park and Ride car park is directly opposite and can be used by railway visitors at weekends.

Restormel Castle stands on a high, deeply ditched mound overlooking the River Fowey near Lostwithiel. Its huge, almost perfectly circular keep is one of the best-preserved of its type, and it was once a luxurious residence linked to the Earls of Cornwall and Edward the Black Prince.

You can climb the steps to walk round the battlements and look out over the countryside, then trace the great hall and other buildings inside the walls. There is a walking trail, plus a trail for children, and the site is a good spot for spotting flowers and wildlife. It makes a relaxed picnic stop and a useful base for walks in the Fowey valley, so it suits history fans, walkers and families.

Tip: Bring a picnic to enjoy at the castle, and combine your visit with a walk in the Fowey valley.

The Eden Project sits in a reclaimed china clay pit in Cornwall. At the bottom of the pit are two huge domed Biomes made of inflated cells on steel frames. The Rainforest Biome is one of the largest indoor rainforests in the world, with tropical plants such as banana, coffee, rubber and giant bamboo. The Mediterranean Biome has olives, grape vines and sculptures.

Outside, a meandering path takes you through planted landscapes, vegetable gardens and outdoor gardens, with sculptures along the way, including a giant bee. There are cafés and restaurants on site, plus art, exhibitions and play areas. It suits plant fans, garden lovers and anyone curious about how the natural world works, and it is run by a charity.

Tip: Check the opening times page before you set off, as last entry to the Biomes and closing times change through the year, and some dates are closed.

Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park is a home for owls and other animals on Goss Moor, near Indian Queens in mid Cornwall. Founded in 1990 by Carolyn Screech, it shows owls from around the world, with British, European, African, American, Asian, Australasian and West Indian species. It also rescues and rehabilitates wild owls in Cornwall, and there is a Siberian Eagle Owl breeding project.

Alongside the owls you will find other animals, including wallabies, meerkats, foxes and lemurs. There is a play area and a cafe, plus a gift shop. Keepers run hands-on sessions where you can learn to hold an owl on the glove, or go into an enclosure to meet some of the animals. Education is a core part of the work, so you will learn about the birds and their conservation as you go round.

Tip: If you want an owl or animal experience, call ahead to book, as busy periods may mean walk-up requests can't be fitted in.

Lanhydrock is a Victorian family home inside a Jacobean mansion, once lived in by the Agar-Robartes family. Most of the interiors were rebuilt after a fire in 1881. Inside, you can see the Long Gallery with its ornate ceiling, and families can play in the refurbished Victorian nursery.

Outside, the formal garden is known for its magnolias and has a parterre and herbaceous borders. Beyond it lie almost 1,000 acres of parkland, woodland and heath, with two miles of the River Fowey. There are woodland cycle trails, from gentle family routes to mountain bike descents, plus a play area, cafés, a plant centre and a second-hand bookshop. It suits families, history fans and anyone who likes a long walk with a good tea at the end.

Tip: It is busiest between 11am and 2pm, so arrive later in the day for a quieter visit and shorter queues for the house.