Devon Nature and Wildlife Attractions
Devon Nature and Wildlife Reserves and Attractions, tourist and visitor information, many with brief details of disabled access
Along with the attractions listed on this page you may also find places of interest on the Devon Attractions and Heritage pages. We suggest that you also visit the pages for the neighbouring counties to see what else there is in the area.
We support ‘Accessible Countryside for Everyone’ in providing a brief guide as to the access / facilities for the sites listed, where we have them.
North Devon's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
www.northdevonbiosphere.org.uk
Axe Valley Wildlife - Kilmington, Axminster - aimed at families with children under 12 years of age, "variety of animals including: Zebra, antelopes, wallabies, flamingos, owls, otters, small cats, guinea pigs, lemurs, porcupines, armadillo, snakes, spiders, bearded dragons and plenty of creepy crawlies!", play areas, coffee shop, gift shop - "Most areas of the zoo are accessible for people in wheelchairs, however please expect mostly country park like pathways! With some uneven and mixed surfaces including roots in places. We do have one mobility scooter that you can use if required", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.axevalleypark.co.uk
Becky Falls - Newton Abbot - (seasonal) Set within a spectacular ancient valley, the Falls have been attracting visitors for over 100 years. Indoor Theatre for shows, animal attractions, animal feeding sessions, Indoor children's crafts and reptile centre, woodland and waterfall walks - " Due to the nature of the woodland walks, the trails are not accessible to wheelchair users. However our petting zoo area, Indoor Theatre, Animal Nursery and Children's Craft Area are all wheelchair-friendly. Our cafe is also fully accessible", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.beckyfalls.com
Bicton Park Botanical Gardens - Budleigh Salterton - "Spanning nearly 300 years of horticultural history, these magnificent grade 1 listed gardens are set in East Devon's picturesque Otter Valley...historic glasshouses, a countryside museum, the Bicton Woodland Railway train ride, nature trail, maze, mini golf, indoor and outdoor children’s play complexes, restaurant and shop" - "The gardens are wheelchair friendly, but please note that there are some steep slopes and steps throughout. The Easy Path in the Mediterranean Garden is recommended for access to the museum and lower garden levels." Unfortunately we have no other accessibility information for this site
www.bictongardens.co.uk
Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary - Buckfastleigh - "You can enjoy and learn about our tropical butterflies in the specially designed habitat... In the Otter Sanctuary there are three species of otter to see, our native British otter, the playful Asian short clawed otters and the large North American river otters who love to show off". Also Terrapins and Leaf Cutting Ants, gift shop - "We are wheelchair friendly but some of the fences around the otter pens are too high to see over while seated so we always ask those using wheelchairs to chat to our keepers who will help you find the best vantage points." Unfortunately we have no other accessibility information for this site
www.ottersandbutterflies.co.uk
Canonteign Falls - Christow, Nr Exeter - "Home to England’s highest manmade waterfall, Canonteign Falls is a magnificent example of a Victorian folly set in a magical natural paradise. The waterfalls themselves descend for over 70m ...our children's play area with our 30m zip wire, new wooden play galleon, trampolines and children’s mini assault course will keep the children entertained, cafe, shop - "We have 3 distinct walks available at the Falls designed to provide something for all ages and abilities", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.canonteignfalls.co.uk
Exmoor Zoo - "From the creepy crawlies of the Amazon to the wobbly wallaby joeys of Australia there are plenty of hands on activities with our animals for you to take part in...a mixture of talks, handling and feeding sessions we provide all year round... conquer your fears by handling a spider and snake" - Barnstaple - "The average gradient is 1 in 12, although two short steep slopes (1 in 5) are to be found in the grounds. At least 75% of all paths are laid to tarmac for ease of wheelchair and push chair access and level paths exist between the gentle slopes. All other paths are laid to scree. The zoo has 3 mobilty scooters avaiable to hire (subject to availability) ", accessible toilets
www.exmoorzoo.co.uk
Kents Cavern - Torquay - "Step into the Stone Age and discover Britain's oldest home by exploring our extensive cave system, once occupied by Prehistoric man, hyenas and cave bears", Woodland Trail, indoor activity area, - "Unfortunately wheelchair access is not possible beyond the first chamber. Standard single-child pushchairs can be negotiated around the cave...A printed version of the tour is available for hearing impaired visitors", accessible toilets at the visitor centre
www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Living Coasts - Torquay - "an all weather attraction, located on Torquay seafront in South Devon, where there’s plenty to see and do: mingle with the playful penguins, get up close to the otters, octopus and seals, and much more. Visit Penguin Beach to walk with the African and macaroni penguins and catch our entertaining feeding time talks." games, activities, panoramic underwater viewing areas, café, gift shop - "Wheelchair access is available throughout the site with a lift linking the Café, Tradewinds Gift Shop, Our Room with a View, and all exhibits", manual wheelchairs to borrow, "Special tours are available by prior arrangement for blind and visually impaired visitors...We can provide an unforgettable experience for special needs groups", accessible toilets
www.livingcoasts.org.uk
Miniature Pony Centre - Moretonhampstead - (seasonal) scenic walks along nature trails, relax by the lakes, indoor or outdoor play areas, traditional stable yard, covered barn and open paddocks, miniature ponies, chickens, peacocks, guinea fowl, miniature mediterranean donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs and some creepy crawlies, riding ponies, cafe - accessible toilets, unfortunately we have no other accessibility information for this site
www.miniatureponycentre.com
National Marine Aquarium - the UK’s largest aquarium with several zones covering aquatic life from around the world - Plymouth - "The Aquarium is accessible by ramps and lifts throughout. There are a number of disabled parking bays on site and there are drop-off points for minibuses and coaches. We have a limited number of wheelchairs on site, available free of charge on a first come first served basis, and there are full disabled toilet facilities"
www.national-aquarium.co.uk
Paignton Zoo - Paignton - "With over 2,000 animals across 80 acres...Get up close to some of the animal wonders of the world across our specially designed habitats - from the savannah to the wetlands and the tropical forest...Run wild in our play areas or hop aboard our unique Jungle Express train to get even closer to the action" - "reasonably wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Gradients are less than one in twelve however some appear fairly steep, therefore not all paths are easy to manage independently in a manual wheelchair. Wheelchair access is available to the Island Restaurant, shops and all exhibits. Please ask on arrival for a map of the best routes around the Zoo. Path surfaces are either tarmac or crushed and rolled stone and there is plenty of seating around the site", a limited number of electric scooters which can be hired, accessible toilets
www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
Prickly Ball Farm East Ogwell, Newton Abbot - hedgehog hospital, also have a farm full of friendly, loving animals including donkeys, ponies, goats, pigs, ferrets, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits & rats. "in order to help support the vital work we do at the hospital; Prickly Ball is open for visitors to meet, cuddle, stroke & feed our farm yard friends", cafe with indoor children’s play room - Unfortunately we have no accessibility information for this site
www.pricklyballfarm.co.uk
Quince Honey Farm - South Molton - BeeWorld exhibition of honey bees (8 rooms), museum of Beekeeping, indoor soft play area, Critter Cabin creepy crawlies "everything from snakes to turtles", cafe, shop - "The shop, cafe, critter cabin, play hive and toilets are wheelchair accessible. The Exhibition is on the first floor & there is no lift."
www.quincehoney.co.uk
The Donkey Sanctuary - Sidmouth - working farm, home to 500 donkeys, mules and hinnies, outdoor farm-themed play area with vintage red tractor, maze, Hayloft Restaurant, "Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead, and many of our farm trails are bike-friendly"- "The walks around the main facilities are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Other walks are a little more challenging", accessible toilets, baby changing facilities
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
Wembury Marine Centre - Wembury , Plymouth - "the ideal place to learn about the surrounding area and its wildlife through interactive displays, tanks, regular Rockpool Safaris and other marine themed events" - Unfortunately we have no accessibility information for this site
www.wemburymarinecentre.org
www.devonwildlifetrust.org/Wembury-Marine-Centre
