Haldon Forest Holiday Park

Bring the bikes to Devon or hire wheels at Haldon Forest Park to take full advantage of the miles of woodland mountain bike and cycle trails for various levels of ability.

Discovery trails, play equipment and several walking trails are also in the forest park including the circular Butterfly Trail and the easy-rated Mamhead Sensory Trail with gorgeous views along the Jurassic Coast and over the Exe estuary. A ten mile horse riding trail is also around for more relaxed forest sightseeing, with horse riding of a different type at the forest’s Exeter Racecourse.

Dartmoor National Park, with more hacking, hiking and biking as well as tor climbing, guided walks and geocaching, is a short drive from the holiday park. It has regular events throughout the year, towns and villages to take in, the famous Dartmoor ponies to spot and Dartmoor Zoo with meerkats, monkeys, lions and more.

Bring binoculars along with the bikes: the forest park and surrounding area are wildlife havens, with rare birds of prey and wild deer in the forest itself and birdwatching a few miles away at the Site of Special Scientific Interest the Exe Estuary: watch oystercatchers showing excellent culinary taste in breaking open mussels at Bull Hill or take a trip to the nature reserve at Dawlish Warren at the estuary’s mouth. If you’re bringing along the bikes, the National Cycle Network Exe Estuary Trail runs to Exmouth from Dawlish.

The sublime sand of Dawlish Warren is one of several South Devon sandy stretches, with the beaches at Teignmouth, Exmouth and Torbay within easy distance of Haldon Forest and the coastal towns of Torquay and Paignton a little further along the coast. Exmouth is the place to don the wetsuit as it’s known for watery sports of all types including diving, windsurfing and sailing; it’s also a gateway town to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Finally, a stay at Haldon Forest has to include a day or two in Exeter to see its twelfth century cathedral, medieval Guildhall and famous historic quayside with antique shops, restaurants, canoe and boat trips and events such as dragon boat racing and guided tours.