Top Family Holiday Activities

Family holidays in south Devon in luxury self-catering cottages – what more could you want? Fun-filled activities, that’s what!

Here at Long Barn Cottages

Indoor swimming pool

We have a 10metre indoor pool heated to a constant 30°C, ideal for taking a leisurely dip or for a fun-filled play session. The pool can be booked on an hourly basis for exclusive use.

Play barn

Ideal for wet weekends and summer evenings alike, we have a range of games and play equipment in the play barn, where all are welcome.

• Table tennis:  Did you know? A modern table tennis match at elite level is around 30 minutes long and the ball can travel at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour! No, this isn’t a challenge!

• Table football:  Did you know? The inspiration for the design for table football, invented by Harold Thornton, came from a box of matches. Artist Maurizio Catttelan once created a 7 metre table designed for 11 players per side.

• Pool table: Did you know? Pool and billiards evolved from a lawn game, similar to croquet, played during the 15th century.
   

Outdoor fun

When the weather’s on your side, there is loads to do in the grounds including trampoline, adventure play, and play boats. There are also football goals, frisbies and rounders bats  for classic paddock- and garden-based sporting fun.

 

Attractions nearby

There is a superb choice of attractions locally – here’s a few of our favourites:

Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies

Distance from Long Barn: 10-12 miles

The playful otters at this family attraction are fascinating to watch. The keepers feed the little critters in their various enclosures and give informative commentary about how each came to be there and about the different breeds, habits and characteristics of the species. In the butterfly enclosure you enter a tropical world of beautiful butterflies and moths as well as turtles and fish.

There is the option of a 3 attractions in 1 ticket, which makes a full day’s outing with entry to the otter sanctuary as well as Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and South Devon Railway.

National Trust Greenway

Distance from Long Barn: 10 miles

Beautifully situated on the River Dart, the former holiday home of Devon’s most famous author Agatha Christie, has been restored to its former glory. The house and gardens are open to visitors and provide a glimpse into a world gone by, including the life and times of Christie. The gardens are also ripe for exploring! Car parking must be pre-booked on the website, but a more adventurous and very picturesque way of getting there is by riverboat from Dartmouth, on a vintage bus from Torquay, or catching the steam train from Paignton to Greenway Halt, a 30 minute woodland walk from the house.

Pennywell Farm

Distance from Long Barn: 12 miles

You may have seen them in the news or on social media - also known as ‘teacup pigs’ and ‘micro pigs’ Pennywell Farm is the original breeder of miniature pigs. Bred as an additional attraction at the farm, they are arguably now the main draw and there is even miniature pig racing every day at 2.30pm! Also on the farm are a range of farm animals as well as reindeer, alpaca and deer, and there are also various rides and activities. Around Christmas there is a nativity with real animals as well as mince pies and mulled wine for the adults!

Ness Cove Beach

Distance from Long Barn: 7 miles

Down from the car park, to the left, past the zoo, under the trees and through the tunnel - a well-kept secret, this pebble beach is reached via a smugglers tunnel and is a sheltered beach with high red cliffs and rocky outcrops. Enjoy a stroll on the beach and adventuring on the rocks followed by a hearty meal or well-earned drink in the pub or cafe back at ‘The Ness’.