Go Ape!

You'll spend a morning swinging through the treetops near Exeter, which is either the best idea you've had all week or a recipe for white-knuckle regret - depending on your head for heights. Go Ape at Haldon is an aerial adventure course strung between trees, with rope bridges, zip lines, and platforms that require you to clip yourself in and trust the engineering. Most people find it brilliant fun rather than genuinely terrifying, though the first crossing always feels steeper than it probably is.

It's genuinely good for families with kids aged eight and up - there's something satisfying about watching someone conquer something they thought they couldn't. Adults enjoy it too, and groups often turn it into a proper afternoon out. You'll need two to three hours, so don't squeeze it in between other things. Check the website for admission prices and book ahead, especially in school holidays when it gets busy.

The location works well alongside a wider Devon park holiday. You're close enough to Exeter that Devon Heaven Hideaways (2.7 miles away) makes a comfortable base - the hot tubs are a nice wind-down after all that climbing. Oakmoor and Cofton are slightly further but still within easy reach if you fancy combining Go Ape with other attractions in the area. Weather matters here, so pick a dry day. Rain makes the platforms slippery and the whole thing far less enjoyable.