At Widecombe there is parking for several coaches, which would imply some sort of huge attraction, which we totally failed to find. Had a cream tea and headed for the next horse-based item on the day’s agenda – the Miniature Pony Centre. It was £32 family entry and judging by the site map, would take about 30 minutes to get round. But child 2 was borderline under 10 (in size if not in years) and could potentially ride one for £2, so off we set.
Was like a vision of mini-horse heaven, a field bathed in sunlight, where small children wandered around patting a whole herd of knee high ponies. As if this was not Gulliver-y enough, you could also stroke miniature donkeys, and then shire horse sized Mammoth American Donkeys in the next stall. The riding pony was actually real life sized, which was probably best as 10 year olds would have flattened the miniature versions.
They may have taken the heavenly theme too far in rainbow spray-painting the white one and strapping a horn to its head, but I tried not to let this detract from the overall feeling of animal magic.
Also available – fluffy bunny petting, small pony herding and a trampolines/zip wire area. It turned out not to be the one trick pony I had feared it would be. Miniature pony land – a total winner.
Sounds like you had a fun time during your trip to Dartmoor and packed plenty of activity in. The woodland theme park sounds like fun – useful to know that camping gives you free entry but how disappointing that your airbed was too big. Blackpool Sands looks like a beautiful beach. Lovely to see the Dartmoor ponies and visit the miniature Shetland ponies. Lydford Gorge looks beautiful but sounds a bit hair-raising with those slippery paths. Thanks for sharing with #CountryKids
Dartmoor sounds like a lot of fun. I think my kids would love Woodlands Theme Park. Lydford Gorge looks beautiful, even if the route is rather precarious!
#CountryKids
Museum Girl would definitely NOT think the rainbow-haired pony was too much. We’ve been to Devon but clearly missed out on many highlights. I’ll be bookmarking for some staycation inspiration, much needed for 2021! Thanks for joining in with #CulturedKids
lots of great activities, and beach time always a great idea for the kids, ponies are just lovely too, not sure about the prison museum though #culturedkids