Pebble Ridge Adventure Golf and Go Karts

Two hours north of Exeter, just outside Bideford, Pebble Ridge is the sort of place that keeps kids entertained on a drizzly afternoon when you've already done the beach twice. It's a dual-purpose spot - mini golf and go-kart racing under one roof, which means you're not relocating the entire family halfway through the day.

The mini golf course is competent rather than clever. Eighteen holes of the usual suspects - windmills, loops, that ramp that never quite behaves how you expect. It's perfectly serviceable for a family session, the kind of thing that takes an hour and generates just enough friendly competition to justify the entrance fee. The go-karts are the real draw, especially for anyone aged eight to forty-five who's ever wanted to pretend they're Lewis Hamilton on a budget. The track is modest but well-maintained, and the karts have enough kick to feel like proper racing rather than children's bumper cars.

It works brilliantly as a rainy-day circuit-breaker if you're staying at any of the nearby parks. Braddicks is practically on your doorstep at half a mile away, and both Owl Valley and Broad Park are close enough for a quick trip without eating into your whole afternoon. Honestly, if your kids are the type who need novelty every few hours, this fits the bill. If you're hoping for something that'll hold their attention beyond ninety minutes, you might want to pair it with a coastal walk or a proper attraction nearby.