We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, surrounded by beautiful beaches and countryside and with lots of exciting and interesting sites and attractions. Visiting these places makes for a fun-filled family day out, but once you have paid for admission (and inevitably, ice cream!) the day can become very expensive.

However, there are lots of things to do locally, and within Barnstaple itself that are completely free! Here we have compiled a list of some of the free places to visit with your child!

Barnstaple Library: Barnstaple library (as well as other local libraries) host an array of different activities for children. From regular story and song-times, to lego and craft activities in the school holidays, there is always something on offer! Also – borrowing books is free, and children love to explore and read different books to the ones they have at home! https://www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/barnstaplelibrary

The Museum of Barnstaple: Admission to the Museum of Barnstaple is free, and they host a range of different collections that celebrate local art, life and culture. A quiz is available for children to complete when they visit, including ‘Barney’s Trail’ aimed at the under-fives, and during the school holidays the museum also holds family workshops, combining fun and creativity! https://barnstaplemuseum.org.uk/visit/

The Tarka Trail: The Tarka Trail is a fantastic place to visit with a family and is easily accessible from Barnstaple! If you’re feeling active, you can go for a bike ride or you can simply go for a leisurely stroll! There are lots of different routes you can take from Barnstaple and lots of places that you can stop for refreshments along your journey! There are also lots of places to visit along the route, such as Fremington Quay that has a playground and a Heritage Centre, Instow Beach and many more! https://tarkatrail.org.uk/

Rock Park: Another popular place to visit that won’t cost you a penny is Rock Park! The park is hugely popular with children due to the large children’s play area – there is even a flying fox! The park also has a nearby skate park, tennis club, football pitches, riverside footpath and green spaces. There are public toilets and a refreshments kiosk, so as the weather improves, it’s a great place to spend the day and enjoy a family picnic! https://www.barnstapletowncouncil.gov.uk/rock-park/

We’d love to hear about any adventures you have in Barnstaple with your little ones – remember you can upload photos to the parent app for us to see!