We asked our holiday park reception team, Cofton Holidays’ face of the park, to figure out ten things to do in our local area. They had a cracking set of ideas that we’d like to share with you!
1. Bike Rides along the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail
The Exe Estuary Trail is a fantastic cycling and walking route. It stretches from Dawlish to Exeter and Exmouth and beyond, the cycle route provides an exciting opportunity for people to experience cycling or walking around the entire Exe Estuary. You get time to appreciate the wildlife and pass through some beautiful riverside towns and villages steeped in maritime history.
For more information, visit http://www.exetrail.co.uk/index.php
2. Dawlish Warren Beach
Why not escape to the seaside? Dawlish Warren is one of the UK’s finest Blue Flag beach resorts and is truly a haven for families. The distinctive sand dunes and internationally recognised nature reserve add a unique essence to one of European’s Blue Flag award winning beaches. Families are enticed every year to enjoy either a time honoured seaside holiday or an idyllic day out beside the sea.
For more information, visit http://www.dawlishwarren.info
3. Crabbing
You can buy your crabbing gear from our on-site shop & pop down to Cockwood Harbour, a 5 minute walk from Cofton, count how many crabs you can find!
Crabbing Tips:
Half fill a bucket with sea/river water and put some bacon in it for the crabs that you have caught.
Lower your line into the water (keeping hold of one end) until it is slack or loose (when it has reached the bottom).
If you want to pick up the crabs, handle them carefully and pick them up from the back so you don’t get nipped by their pincers.
Always return the crabs to their natural habitat before you leave.
For more information visit http://www.crabbydays.co.uk/ or http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/food-and-drink/south-devon-crab/crabbing-hotspots
4. Starcross to Exmouth Ferry Trip
The Starcross to Exmouth Ferry is a popular passenger ferry which crosses the mouth of the River Exe. Located next to Starcross station, the ferry operates on an hourly basis during the day, from Easter to October. The 630-mile long South West Coast Path uses the ferry to cross the Exe. Hop on board and see the sights of Exmouth after a short trip across the estuary, maybe you’ll even see a seal!
For more information, visit http://www.exe2sea.co.uk/ferry.shtml
5. Local Walks around Cockwood, Starcross & Dawlish
We have a collection of local walks in our reception, take a night time stroll down to the local harbour, or venture further & take a trip to Turf Locks. We even have a Cofton Woodland walk which takes you right the way down into Dawlish Warren itself. Of course you can pick up the South West Coast Path in either direction for a real adventure.
6. Kayaking with Exe Adventures
South Devon’s first mobile outdoor adventure centre, offering a range of fun-packed outdoor adventure activities to groups including; Surf Skills, Rambling, Group Kayaking, Canoeing or Paddle. Their minibus and trailer picks groups up for adventurous activities and then returns you home.
For more information, visit http://www.exeadventures.co.uk/
7. Devon’s Crealy Adventure Park
It is an award winning family attraction. The Park has over 60 rides and attractions set in over 100 acres of Devonshire countryside. They are proud to be a park that caters for the whole family, from the smallest children to parents and grandparents alike. There are over 100 animals, 30 outdoor attractions and a variety of other activities to choose from. With heart-stopping rides for thrill seekers to soft-play and animal petting for younger guests.
For more information, visit http://www.crealy.co.uk/Devon
8. Go Segway at Haldon Forest
Explore Haldon Forest on a Segway, glide up & down the hills with ease! Established over eight years ago, they were the first in the UK to offer forest tours. The tours start from 10.00am to 4.00pm, on the hour. Don’t worry, they provide full training with one to one instructors.
If you feel like something closer to the holiday camp, throughout the summer Go Segway come to us at Cofton for guided tours around the site.
For more information, visit http://www.go-segway.com/
9. Coarse Fishing at Cofton
Are you a seasoned fishing veteran or have you never fished before? Well we have both cases covered to let you get the best out of our coarse fishing lakes. Our on-site tackle shop has bait choices, rods and lines. For those wishing to learn, we offer fishing courses with our expert fisherman. He will impart his knowledge and tell you all you need to know about fishing and our lakes.
For more information, visit our detailed fishing blog post /blog/fishing/get-the-best-from-your-fishing-holiday-in-devon
10. The Famous Dawlish Black Swans
The Black Swan has been Dawlish’s town emblem for well over forty years and it’s said that the Black Swans have been swimming in the brook since the early 1900s. The Dawlish Water is home to other waterfowl including the Lesser White-fronted Geese, Whistling Tree Ducks, African Geese, Red Crested Pochard, Call Ducks, Pintails, Shell Ducks, Mandarin Ducks and Chinese Geese.
And while you’re visiting our famous Black Swans you can have a fabulous Gay’s Creamery Ice-Cream! You won’t find one better!
For more information about the swans, visit http://www.dawlish.gov.uk/swans.php
