Bounce Southwest

The inflatable obstacle course at Bounce Southwest near Exeter is the sort of place that either has your kids bouncing off the walls with excitement or leaves you wondering if it's worth the drive. It's foam pits, bouncy castles, and soft-play chaos designed for younger children - think chaotic fun rather than white-knuckle thrills.

The appeal is obvious for families with primary-school-age kids who need to burn off energy indoors. It's the kind of rainy-day rescue mission that actually works, though expect it to be packed during school holidays. Toddlers might find some obstacles too high; teenagers will almost certainly be bored within an hour.

If you're staying at Castle Brake Holiday Park just up the road, it's a reasonable fallback activity on a damp afternoon. The same goes for Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping - close enough that it's not a major expedition. It won't make your holiday, but it plugs a gap when the weather turns and the kids have exhausted the local parks.

Bounce Southwest works best as part of a broader Devon itinerary rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with Exeter's city attractions if you're in that corner of the county, or consider it insurance against boredom if you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby holiday parks. Just check opening hours and admission costs before you set off - details are thin on the ground.