If you have children, the summer holidays can be a bit overwhelming - especially for your wallet! To help out, we've put together a list of free or low-cost family activities and events in and around Crediton that will keep everyone entertained without breaking the bank.
Make a splash and cool off!
The much-loved paddling pool at Newcombes Meadow in Crediton is now open every day from 10am to 7pm. Families can enjoy free outdoor fun all the way through the school summer holidays, with the pool closing for the season on 8th September. Bring your picnic and gather your friends - it’s the perfect spot to make unforgettable summer memories.
Discover what’s in store at the local library.
Explore all the wonderful resources available at your local library. It's more than just a place to borrow books, nestled by Newcombes Meadow, Crediton Library is a fantastic hub for free family activities during school breaks. Besides a wide selection of fiction and non-fiction books, you can also borrow DVDs and audio books.
This year’s Reading Challenge, Marvellous Makers, celebrates creativity in all its forms. Whether it’s dance, drawing, junk modelling, or music, there’s something for everyone. Developed in collaboration with the arts charity, Create, this year’s theme promises an exciting adventure. The Challenge kicks off on Saturday 6th July.
Open Monday,Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning, Crediton Library welcomes everyone with accessible facilities, including off-road parking and dedicated disabled spaces. Pop along to the library and discover a world of creativity and knowledge!
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Spot scarecrows in Sandford.
Why not embark on the annual Sandford Scarecrow Trail, a beloved summer activity for families. This year’s theme is the Sandford Olympics and takes place from 20th July to 8th September. Purchase your official trail map for just £4 at Sandford Community Stores and set off on a delightful journey through the village. Whether you're exploring the heart of the village or strolling along the Millennium Path, you'll enjoy spotting unique scarecrows crafted by local residents. The trail accommodates walkers, as well as those with pushchairs and bicycles. Fuel up with snacks from the Community Stores or enjoy refreshments at the nearby Rose & Crown and The Lamb Inn, making it a perfect day out for all.
It's all happening at Newcombes Meadow.
Did you know there are a whole host of activities set to take place at Newcombes Meadow this summer? From Lark in the Park, a festival style event with music and a BBQ, to Totem Pole Making there are a lot of exciting and engaging things set to take place for young people this summer. More details here.
Also in store is Arts in the Park on Saturday 17th August. The event is the conclusion of five days of exciting workshops and concerts open to all, held at Crediton Arts Centre and Holy Cross Church. Saturday’s Arts in the Park event will include circus, drumming and craft workshops, theatre performances, crafts and food stalls. Get more details and book workshops, films and concerts here.
Head down to the bustling quayside.
The Exeter Canal and Quay Trust is bringing free family fun to the Exeter quayside every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the summer holidays. The Transit Shed on the quay will be buzzing with an exciting line-up of unique and entertaining activities for the whole family. All free and no booking required, activities and entertainment takes place from 26th July to 30th August. The full line up is listed on the Exeter Custom House website
Dive into your local soft play!
It's a tried and tested way for kids to burn off some energy whatever the weather. With ball pits, slides, rope bridges and lots of space, plus cafes for the grown-ups it’s got to be on the to-do list this summer. Why not get a Summer Pass to Planet Play? Available now in Crediton, it offers unlimited access for just £20 throughout the holidays, from 22nd July to 1st September. Details here.
The Waie2 Play indoor play area at The Waie Inn, a short drive from Crediton, is also well worth a visit. Admission costs £4 for up to 2 hours of play (free for children under one). Additionally, there's an indoor swimming pool available for private hire at just £35 per hour. The facility also boasts a superb outdoor play area and a family-friendly pub. Book here.
Unleash your inner artist.
Another fantastic all-weather activity is Paint Pots of Devon, an independent family-run business located in the heart of Crediton's town centre. Offering a unique experience for both children and adults and with a wide range of pottery to choose from, and delicious snacks and drinks too. Pottery prices start at just £3.50, ensuring there's something for every budget.
Discover a hidden world.
Explore the intriguing world of geocaching by downloading a geocaching app and discovering the picturesque Mid Devon countryside. Use a GPS receiver to locate small containers hidden throughout the region, for more information and to get started visit www.geocaching.com. Alternatively, try Letterboxing, an early form of geocaching with boxes scattered across Dartmoor. When you locate a letterbox, use the stamp inside to record your find and add your own stamp to their book.
Spot the odd object!
The 'Hunt the Odd Object' competition, run by local traders on Crediton High Street, is back this summer from 20th July to 6th September. Get ready to explore the town as shops and businesses hide quirky items (things they don't sell) in their window displays. Pick up your entry form in the Crediton Courier to begin the hunt and you might even win a cash prize! Can you spot them all? Happy hunting!
Enjoy an ice cream by the seaside.
Dawlish Warren is a 45-minute train journey from Crediton Station, with a change at Exeter St Davids. An adult return ticket costs £8.20, and for savings it's worth considering a Railcard, like the Devon and Cornwall or Family and Friends Railcard. There is a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach. At low tide, the beach extends to a vast sandbank known as Pole Sand, stretching from Warren Point to the impressive red sandstone landmark of Langstone Rock, standing 15 metres tall. The Warren Holiday Village offers arcades, go-karting, children's rides and cafes (all services are chargeable). This summer there is also a 34-metre high observation wheel, offering fantastic views.
Go for a cuppa at the Station.
The Turning Tides Project, a Community Interest Company, operates from the Crediton Station Tea Rooms. The Tea Room is a local hidden gem offering a variety of inclusively made food and beverages. The ingredients are all locally sourced, home-grown, or obtained through FareShare collections and the Tea Room also supports a pay-it-forward initiative. There is also a shop with unique craft items created during their project sessions, alongside beautiful flower bouquets grown in the allotment space. It is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am-3.30pm. Visit their website for more information.
Embark on a journey into the fascinating world of transport!
Visit Exeter's award-winning Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) this summer for the captivating 'Are We Nearly There Yet? A History of Transport' exhibition. Dive into centuries of human travel across land, air, and water, and uncover the fascinating stories and objects that showcase the evolution of transport and the visionaries behind it. The exhibition is free and runs from 15th June to 29th September 2024. The museum, on Queen Street in central Exeter, is open from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, and 10:30am to 5pm on Tuesday and offers so much to see and do for all ages. And why not go there by train, it’s a short ride from Crediton to Exeter Central Station. More details here
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