Crealy Great Adventure Park - Review for families

Best for:

5 - 8

OK for:

Toddlers & Preschool / 9 - 12

Cost

£££ - A family of 4 can cost £63.50 on the gate, but if you book online in advance you can save almost a tenner. Infants under 92cm go free, children between 92 – 100cm cost just over £11 on the gate and everyone else costs over £16 on the gate. Regardless of whether or not you want a family ticket, it’s cheaper to book in advance on the internet.

What’s on offer

Crealy’s is home to a host of indoor and outdoor rides and attractions, including a water flume, several water rides, a shuggy boat, a Grand Prix experience, a Safari train and a carousel. For the bravest of youngsters, they can take a dive in Dead Man’s Drop, which is essentially a very vertical slide. Also, you’re not actually allowed to dive on it. There are strict safety regulations here!

The outdoor attractions don’t end with the rides! Children can experience the sensation of in flying in the Flying Machine, play cowboy in the Wild West Fort or go Jurassic Park style on a Dino Jeep experience.

These activities are suitable for different age groups and heights, but selected areas are definitely suitable for play-schoolers and toddlers. There’s even a little guinea pig village and other animal attractions, where children can cuddle the lambs and say hello to the meerkats.

The indoor area combines children’s love of animals with Monkey Mayhem and some pony stables for them to explore, but it’s also got the usual arcade and soft plays. There’s a ball pool, a family swing, an adventure zone and the show dome, where live family events are hosted. Check the website for full details of what’s in store at Crealy’s throughout the year.

The park has baby-changing facilities in every toilet on site. If you can’t find one on your map, just ask a member of staff to point you in the right direction. The park provides lost child wristbands (which you can write your mobile number on) so staff can call you in the unlikely event you and your little one are separated. Most staff members are first aid trained and lockers are available at Buddy Bears Kingdom and in the entrance to the Adventure Zone.

They’ve got plenty of refreshment bars and cafes on site. For the iPhone addict within, there are several free WiFi hotspots in the Adventure Zone food court.

Highlights

Most children will find something they enjoy here at Crealy's and thrill-seeking children will definitely love the Flying Dutchman shuggy boat. Everyone loves the indoor play areas, which is good for a county (and country) known for it’s rainy weather during the peak periods. Once you’ve paid in, there aren’t too many extras to shell out for and you can come back for free over the course of a week. Result.

What to watch out for

- Check the full opening and closing times on the official website. Make sure you know which attractions won’t be available that day, especially during the winter months.

- As always, the height guides at places who charge by height are questionable. Some children will have to pay full price to enter the park and as a result of their height be unable to ride any age appropriate rides. Whatever you think about this kind of system, make sure to get in touch with the park to clarify how the system works and what it means for your child – especially if you’ve got a tall toddler!

- TripAdvisor visitors have been torn about whether this park is better suited for older children or younger children. It’s really subjective and depends on your child’s interests and personality, regardless of their age. Ages 4 – 9 is a generally safe age range, as long as your child complies with their height system.

- It's definitely not for teenagers. Some rides will feel a bit childish for older and more mature youngsters.

- You will get soaked on the water slide.

- The cafes aren't the best in the world, so perhaps think about packing a picnic!

- The meerkats in their manor are not used to being handled. Don’t touch them or let your child touch them!

What the owners say

“Devon's Crealy Great Adventure Park is an award winning family attraction located just minutes from junction 30 of the M5 near Exeter. The Park has over 60 rides and attractions set in over 100 acres of glorious Devon countryside. We 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, Devon's Crealy is the South West's number one family day out.

Visit the official Devon Crealy’s website

More family attractions in South Devon…

Plymouth Aquarium
Sea Tractor
South Devon Railway
Woodlands Leisure Park
Miniature Pony Centre
Babbacombe Miniature Village
Paignton Zoo
Brixham