Description
Finding the best things to do with kids in Combe Martin brings families straight to Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park, a brilliant animal and prehistoric attraction set within a sub-tropical valley in North Devon. This unique wildlife park provides an engaging environment for children to discover exotic animals alongside life-sized animatronic dinosaurs.
Standard online admission prices start from £19.99 for adults and £15.99 for children aged three to 15, with infants under three years old entering completely free of charge. Booking tickets online in advance saves money compared to purchasing standard rates at the gate. Visitors can spend hours exploring immersive valley trails, watching daily animal presentations, and enjoying exciting family rides.
If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that combines exotic wildlife with prehistoric adventure, this popular attraction offers exceptional value. Its indoor soft play zones, outdoor play spaces, and diverse animal exhibits make it a top choice for a memorable weekend family trip.
Beyond the Main Attraction:
- Exmoor National Park: Vast protected moorland landscape surrounding the region, ideal for scenic family drives and outdoor hikes.
- Combe Martin Beach: Traditional coastal sandy bay located a short distance down the valley for seaside exploration.
- Watermouth Castle: Family-friendly Victorian castle theme park situated nearby along the North Devon coast.
What Visitors Love:
- Parents frequently praise the unique combination of real wildlife and giant dinosaurs, which keeps children thoroughly entertained for hours.
- Children love exploring the gigantic indoor soft play area and watching the sea lion presentations.
- The friendly staff and well-maintained animal enclosures receive glowing feedback from visiting families.
- Visitors appreciate the free on-site parking and the variety of shaded picnic spots available throughout the valley.
What Visitors Don't Like:
- Some reviewers note that navigating the steep valley hills can prove physically tiring for visitors with limited mobility or very small toddlers.
- Catering queues can get busy during peak lunch hours in the summer school holidays.
- Certain outdoor walking sections can become challenging during periods of wet weather.
- Popular animal feeding times attract large crowds, requiring early arrival for good viewing spots.
Park Attractions and Habitats:
- Sea Lion Pool: Open-air aquatic viewing zone for resident sea lions.
- Amur Leopard Enclosure: Forest habitat showcasing rare big cats.
- Wolf Enclosures: Specialized viewing areas for Grey and Hudson Bay wolves.
- Primate Trees: Open habitats housing cheeky monkeys and lemurs.
- Penguin Beach: Coastal pool area designed for Humboldt penguins.
- Critter Cavern: Atmospheric indoor house showcasing insects and invertebrates.
- Dinosaur Museum: Educational exhibition space featuring real and replica fossils.
- Tomb of the Pharaohs: Atmospheric Egyptian-themed basement mystery attraction.
- Dinosaurus Playzone: Large indoor soft play facility for all weather conditions.
- Wild Play Area: Covered outdoor adventure space designed specifically for children under five.
New for 2026:
- Covered Under-5s Wild Play Area: Newly constructed outdoor adventure structure tailored safely for toddlers.
- Upgraded Fossil Display Cases: Newly catalogued prehistoric finds added to the main Dinosaur Museum.
- Refurbished Valley Pathways: Improved walking routes across the sub-tropical gardens for better visitor flow.