Sweet Hill Eco Fort

There are beach days of all varieties in this part of the country. Branscombe beach (20 minutes’ drive) has splendid rockpools, whereas Jacob’s Ladder beach (15 minutes) in Sidmouth has a large sweep of shingle and sand. Seaton (15 minutes) also has a beach, although you’ll have to schedule your beach time in between distractions such as riding the famed Seaton Tramway or stopping for cream tea. If you’re itching to go fossil hunting, the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum (half an hour) has a display of Jurassic marine fossils found locally. To source some fossils of your own, try looking for fish, ammonites and brachiopods at the Hooken Cliffs (20 minutes), taking care not to get close to the edge of course. For easy days out with the kids, there's The Ham Play Area (15 minutes) or the Farway Countryside Park farm park (five minutes). Seafield Gardens (15 minutes) has adventure golf and tennis courts. Meanwhile, at Powderham Castle (45 minutes), there’s the chance to walk goats, take a stroll among the grounds and castle or go bug-spotting.