River Dart Country Park – review

We are so lucky to live in a beautiful part of the world – sandwiched between Exmoor and Dartmoor there is always plenty to explore! So when we offered the chance to review a day at the River Dart Country Park, we jumped at the chance, packed up a picnic and headed off!
So what is River Dart Country Park all about? In their own words:

Located in the Dartmoor National Park, the River Dart Country Park and River Dart Adventures are an award winning visitor attraction and campsite.

River Dart Adventures is based at the Park and is open every day except Christmas for visitors to enjoy. Set in 90 acres, with lakes, parkland and woods with the majestic River Dart flowing through the Park it is the ideal place to stay or visit. Children can run and play on our Pirate Ship lake and Adventure Playgrounds and our on-site facilities available for everyone.
The Touring and Camping site is open from Easter to the end of September and all guests have free entry to River Dart Adventures.
We arrived with 2 very excited children and a sleeping baby (perfect) and headed straight down to the Pirate Ship Lake. This is a huge lake area with a small beach, a wooden pirate ship, rope swings and tyre assault courses. Basically it’s kid heaven.

We were very proud of Gemma on the tyre obstacle course – she tried really, really hard and managed to work her way across all by herself. Clever little monkey 🙂

After everyone had dried off and the picnic had been demolished (note here: great picnic areas, loads of benches, and lovely little coffee/snack huts dotted around) we made our way around the countless outdoor play areas. Hidden amongst the gorgeous woodland, there is so much to do, for all ages.

Slides, swings, climbing frames, zip wires, wooden forts, tunnels to crawl through, trees to climb. There really is not much more you could ask for!
We were also lucky enough to be given some ‘Daredevil tokens’, allowing the children to have a go on the Water Walkers and the Indoor climbing wall. Gemma and Jacob were very excited about these, as they are things we often see when out and about but have never tried before. 
The water walkers were a HUGE success – smiles and hysterical giggling all round!

Jacob wasn’t quite so keen on the climbing wall – he was a tad too small to be honest and found it tricky, and so gave up – as 5 year olds have a tendency to do! Gemma on the other hand, is a regular Spiderman!
River Dart Country Park is a real treasure. It provides real back-to-nature, outdoor fun. The kids loved the Pirate Ship in the lake, and the time really flies. There were no cries of ‘I’m bored’, no whinging and no bickering. Being outside brings out the best in my children, and River Dart Country Park gives them a chance to be kids, to experience nature, and to have the best fun! It goes to show that kids don’t need rollercoasters and video games to have a great time. Just get outdoors and explore!
We will definitely return to River Dart. We might even camp there next time 😉 
* We were provided with free tickets and Daredevil tokens for the purpose of an attraction review. All thoughts and opinions are my own *
Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

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20 Comments

  1. August 25, 2013 / 8:09 pm

    Wow, looks like an amazing fun packed day was had by all! You do get about don’t you! 😉 x

    • August 25, 2013 / 8:16 pm

      LOL Jo, we do try – keeping the kids busy in the summer holidays! It’s a truly amazing place, well worth a visit.

  2. August 26, 2013 / 2:27 pm

    Wow this does look amazing – a real adventure. One to look out for if we are on holiday that way I think.

  3. August 26, 2013 / 10:38 pm

    A day packed with action and fun! I’m sure they slept well that night. I love the water obstacles and pirate ship, they looked great. Thanks for linking up and sharing your outdoor fun with Country Kids.

  4. August 27, 2013 / 9:52 am

    This looks really great, outdoor fun with a definite twist, and a great place to camp too!

  5. we3three
    August 27, 2013 / 10:22 am

    That looks like an amazing place, my boy would love it!

  6. August 27, 2013 / 11:14 am

    Wow! That looks like an incredible day out! Fantastic set of photos too.
    You need to stop reviewing days out that are a million miles away from where I live – you’re just making me jealous 😉

  7. August 27, 2013 / 8:46 pm

    That looks superb! I imagine the kids would like it too which is a bonus! Shame it’s so far away

    • August 27, 2013 / 9:00 pm

      Maybe a visit to Devon is in order….? 😉

  8. August 28, 2013 / 6:30 pm

    wow what an amazing trip!! i would love to go water walking!! it looks fantastic!!

    thanks for linking up with #ActiveFamily 🙂

  9. August 28, 2013 / 7:30 pm

    That river obstacle course is ace, The Boy would love having a go at those tyres. Your boy looks like he’s having a fab time in the Zorbs.

    Nipping over from the blogsRus share thread.

  10. August 28, 2013 / 8:29 pm

    looks amazing!

  11. August 29, 2013 / 8:05 am

    That looks such a fun place to visit. i love the zorbing pictures.

  12. Liz Matravers
    August 29, 2013 / 1:56 pm

    We discovered this park this year. It was fab. My boys can’t wait to go again.

  13. August 29, 2013 / 10:07 pm

    What a fantastic day. Would love the water walkers and the climbing wall myself.

  14. August 30, 2013 / 6:20 pm

    That looks like a really fun day! The water walkers look especially fun, and I’m sure Lucas would love doing all sorts of daredevil things while I hide behind my hands 🙂

  15. August 30, 2013 / 6:20 pm

    That looks like a really fun day! The water walkers look especially fun, and I’m sure Lucas would love doing all sorts of daredevil things while I hide behind my hands 🙂

  16. April 9, 2014 / 5:26 pm

    That looks like so much fun – definitely one for the holiday list x

  17. April 11, 2014 / 7:20 am

    Not a bored child in sight. Looks great there – wish it was not so far but have popped in my notes on to do list for when we visit that area!
    Lovely active family you have x
    Model Mummy x

  18. April 14, 2014 / 11:28 am

    wow looks like a fab place for the whole family #bloggingmumscarnival

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