Violet Lodge at 11 Roadford Lake Lodges

The Milky Way is a family-run adventure park on a former dairy farm near Bideford. It has more than 110,000 sq ft of indoor attractions as well as acres of outdoor space, so a day here works whatever the weather. Rides include roller coasters, indoor dodgems, a mini-train and Ziggy's Blast Quest, an interactive laser shooting ride.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, especially in school holidays, and check the calendar for opening days and times.

The BIG Sheep is a farm park and theme park in Abbotsham, North Devon, built from the old buildings of a family farm. It is best known for its live shows, including the World-Famous Sheep Race, the Duck Trials and the Sheep Show.

Tip: Pre-book tickets online, as the park gets very busy in school holidays and term time, and booking ahead is cheaper than paying at the door.

The National Marine Aquarium sits in Sutton Harbour, near the Barbican in Plymouth. It is run by the Ocean Conservation Trust, a charity, and is split into four zones: Plymouth Sound, Eddystone Reef, Atlantic Ocean and Blue Planet. You'll see local sharks, rays and octopus, a jellyfish exhibit, and a huge Atlantic tank holding around 1,000 Caribbean fish, with lemon and sand tiger sharks.

Tip: Pre-book your tickets online, as entry can't be guaranteed without a booking, especially at weekends and in school holidays.

The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic is in the village of Boscastle in Cornwall. It is dedicated to European witchcraft and magic, with exhibits on folk magic, ceremonial magic, Freemasonry and Wicca. Its collection of such objects has been described as the largest in the world.

Tip: The museum's website says there is no parking at the museum, so plan how you will get to Boscastle before you set off.

Adrenalin Quarry is a family-owned adventure park in Menheniot, built around an old flooded quarry. It offers five rides: an inflatable aquapark for ages 6 and over, go karting on an 800m all-weather track for ages 7 and over, a zip wire that is 50m high and 490m long, a giant swing 150ft above the lake, and axe throwing for ages 12 and over.

Tip: You can book all rides online ahead, or just turn up for the zip and the giant swing.

Screech Owl Sanctuary & Animal Park is a home for owls and other animals on Goss Moor, near Indian Queens in mid Cornwall. Founded in 1990 by Carolyn Screech, it shows owls from around the world, with British, European, African, American, Asian, Australasian and West Indian species. It also rescues and rehabilitates wild owls in Cornwall, and there is a Siberian Eagle Owl breeding project.

Tip: If you want an owl or animal experience, call ahead to book, as busy periods may mean walk-up requests can't be fitted in.

Castle Drogo is a country house and mixed-revivalist castle near Drewsteignton, built between 1911 and 1930 and known as the last castle built in England. Edwin Lutyens designed it for Julius Drewe, the founder of the Home and Colonial Stores. It is built of granite and overlooks the Teign Gorge. The castle is Grade I listed and the gardens are Grade II* listed.

Tip: The car park has limited spaces, so if it is full, come back another time rather than parking along the drive, which blocks farm vehicles.

Lanhydrock is a Victorian family home inside a Jacobean mansion, once lived in by the Agar-Robartes family. Most of the interiors were rebuilt after a fire in 1881. Inside, you can see the Long Gallery with its ornate ceiling, and families can play in the refurbished Victorian nursery.

Tip: It is busiest between 11am and 2pm, so arrive later in the day for a quieter visit and shorter queues for the house.