Visitor Attractions

Things to do on your break in Devon and Cornwall

Brightside has the honour of having three sites in the South West, perfectly situated near major roads, so you can pop in and visit while holidaying. Here are some great things to do in Devon and Cornwall, as well as the nearest Brightside to each one.

 

Paignton Zoo

Nearest Brightside – Exeter – 18.5 miles

 

Paignton Zoo is one of Britain’s biggest and most exciting zoos. The zoo is undergoing its most significant transformation in over 100 years, being redesigned into four themed zones: Grasslands, Wetlands, Rainforests and Islands. Visitors can look forward to new species, including white rhinos and returning zebras, an expanded savannah habitat, new play areas, updated food and drink facilities, and a completely reimagined visitor experience – with the first new arrivals expected around Easter 2026.

 

Located in South Devon, it’s one of Britain’s biggest and best zoos – with over 2000 animals across a wide variety of species to discover. Find gorillas, orangutans, giraffes, tigers, red pandas and rhinos across specially designed habitats, including Lemur Wood, Baboon Rock, savannahs, wetlands and tropical rain forest.

 

 

Dartmoor National Park

Nearest Brightside – Exeter – 20 miles

 

One of Britain’s most dramatic and atmospheric landscapes, Dartmoor National Park covers over 950 square kilometres of moorland, ancient woodland and granite tors. Walk to the summit of High Willhays, the highest point in southern England, spot wild Dartmoor ponies roaming freely, or explore Bronze Age stone circles, medieval clapper bridges and the legendary Dartmoor Prison.

 

With countless walking and cycling routes, riverside villages, and traditional moorland pubs, Dartmoor rewards every kind of visitor, whatever the season.

 

 

Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Nearest Brightside – Exeter – 10.3 miles

 

Home to over 60 rides and attractions, with spectacular entertainment, live shows, Sooty Land and animals galore, it’s family fun guaranteed at Crealy Theme Park & Resort in Devon.

 

From rollercoasters to indoor adventure play, water rides to zoo and farm animals – Crealy has everything you need for the ultimate family day out, whatever the weather. Crealy also hosts an exciting calendar of seasonal events throughout the Devon School Holidays, so be sure to check out their special events!

 

 

Brixham Harbour

Nearest Brightside – Exeter – 23.2 miles

 

One of the busiest fishing ports in the UK, Brixham in South Devon – with its colourful houses surrounding the Harbour – has lots for all the family. Don’t miss the pirate ship museum, an outside seawater lido, and the breathtaking views from the old fort at Berry Head.

 

Brixham is also a great base for walkers – explore the South West Coast path along cliff tops to a variety of local beaches, or take a stroll along the half-mile long breakwater, visit the lighthouse and take a dip on the beach.

 

 

National Marine Aquarium

Nearest Brightside – Saltash – 16.2 miles

 

Plymouth’s Aquarium is the UK’s largest, and all-day tickets come with a free 12-month pass – so once you’ve visited, you can return and immerse yourself in an underwater world as much as you like throughout the year.

 

Travel from Plymouth to the coral reefs of the Great Barrier Reef and meet sharks, turtles, jellyfish, octopuses and stingrays – with over 4,000 animals to meet, you can guarantee you’ll see something new every visit.

 

 

The Hoe & Plymouth Barbican

Nearest Brightside – Saltash – 13.8 miles

 

Plymouth’s famous Hoe is one of the great open spaces of the South West, offering panoramic views across Plymouth Sound and out to sea. It’s where Sir Francis Drake reportedly finished his game of bowls before defeating the Spanish Armada in 1588, and Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse stands proudly on the headland to this day.

 

Just below, the Barbican is Plymouth’s historic harbour quarter: a maze of cobbled streets, Tudor buildings, independent galleries, fish restaurants and the Mayflower Steps, from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America in 1620. A brilliant mix of history, food and scenery.

 

 

Buckfast Abbey

Nearest Brightside – Exeter – 16.3 miles

 

Home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks – who live their lives according to the ancient rule of St Benedict – Buckfast Abbey sits in a picturesque valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. At the heart of the site is the Abbey Church and Monastery, where the Monastic Community lives and prays.

 

 

The original Abbey was founded in 1018 AD by King Cnut and – alongside the visitor centre – the site includes beautiful gardens, restaurants and shops.

 

 

Eden Project

Nearest Brightside – Saltash – 23 miles

 

A global garden, educational charity and social enterprise, the Eden Project is an unmissable Cornwall experience. Explore the spectacular Biomes, from the sights and scents of the Mediterranean Biome to the breathtaking Canopy Walkway in the tropical Rainforest Biome.

 

The Outdoor Gardens are home to Europe’s largest collection of useful plants, and Nature’s Playground offers a spectacular sensory adventure. New for 2026: the Giant Marble Runs,  a permanent play experience with over 100 metres of interactive track woven through the gardens.

 

Eden also hosts a packed calendar of seasonal events, workshops, activity days and the famous Eden Sessions summer concerts, with acts including Snow Patrol, Wolf Alice, Pixies, Bastille and Mika performing in 2026.

 

 

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Nearest Brightside – Saltash – 31.7 miles

 

One of the most loved gardens in the UK, The Lost Gardens of Heligan, has something for everyone. Explore woodland trails in the Giant’s Head Play Area, adventure across the Jungle Rope Bridge, and discover Heligan Play Meadow – the South West’s largest outdoor play area.

 

Looe & Polperro Walk

Nearest Brightside – Saltash – 8.6 miles

 

A bracing 5-mile coastal walk along the South West Coast Path taking in a holy legend, a 6th-century monastery, an 18th-century eccentric and a 19th-century engineer.

 

 

Meander through rockpools, amble along beaches, spot the remnants of shipwrecks, imagine the tales of smugglers, and stroll up through the picturesque fishing village of Polperro to Crumplehorn, where you can catch a bus back to Looe.