Wildwood Wildlife Centre

You'll find this wildlife centre just outside West Hill, where Devon's countryside gives way to enclosures holding everything from big cats to primates. Wildwood is a proper hands-on affair - more intimate than your sprawling theme park zoos, which means you can actually get close to the animals without feeling like you're viewing them through binoculars.

The big cats are the draw, frankly. Watching a tiger or leopard from a distance that lets you see their actual expressions rather than just their silhouettes is something else. The primate section keeps kids engaged for longer than you'd expect, and the guided experiences - if they're running them - give you real insight into what you're looking at rather than just reading a placard.

It's the sort of place that works well for families who want to spend three or four hours without overdoing it. Older kids who are into wildlife documentary stuff will get more from it than toddlers, though there's usually enough movement and noise to keep the very young entertained. The staff seem to know their animals properly, which makes a difference.

If you're based at Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping nearby, it's an easy visit without being a massive production. Go mid-week if you can - weekends get rammed and you'll spend half your time queuing rather than actually watching anything. Check their website for current opening hours and admission prices before you head over, as these things change seasonally.