Three Devon Delights

The Aquarium at Plymouth shows you a selection of amazing creatures that live in the oceans. There are three tanks (one is the largest tank in the UK) and over 500 exhibits. It's an amazing place to visit for the entire family.

The aquarium has six zones with creative and interactive exhibits: they are the Weird Creatures zone, The Shallows and Explorocean areas, the Mediterranean Sea display, and the Atlantic Reef, with the Coral Seas zone as well. Full of wonderful marine life and incredible facts from the seas of the world, they enable you to find out about fish, sharks, octopi, whales, sea turtles, sea mammals, seahorses, coral and more. The technologically innovative Explorocean zone is always very popular, featuring over 20 exhibits including the Aqua Theatre, Ocean Energy and Seabed Futures. This area shows you all about ocean exploration and sustainability.

The aquarium is simply amazing, and gives you a chance to learn more about the vast oceans and seas of our incredible planet. When you visit, why not take the "journey" from around the coasts of Britain to the deepest parts of the ocean, finding out about
marine life as you do so? At the same time you can get some understanding of the seas around the UK, and come to know a little better the creatures that live off our shores.

The Devon Bird of Prey Centre is based at Fermoys Garden Centre near Newton Abbot and houses a wide-ranging collection of birds of prey from around the world. Here you can see kites, falcons, eagles, and powerful, inspiring vultures and hawks at really quarters. You can also view them flying free and watch as they feed. If you wish, you can try the ancient art of falconry. Weather permitting, there are flying displays to thrill and enthrall people of all ages.

The centre offers various visitor experiences including the Ultimate Bird of Prey experience, falconry and hawk hunting days, and detailed courses designed for people serious about owning a bid of prey themselves. These give the prospective owner an appreciation and understanding of the work involved with ownership.

Staff are always on hand to answer any questions you may have. A day out at the Devon Bird of Prey Centre is a fascinating and astonishing experience, which offers you the opportunity to see birds of prey at unusually close quarters.

The Grade 1 conserved Bicton Gardens comprise 60 acres of horticultural magnificence in the Otter Valley and represent almost 300 years of floral history. The amazing gardens include one formal garden dating back to 1735, beautiful Mediterranean and scented Rose Gardens, an incredible collection of dwarf conifers, and even delightful water features. Best of all, there is a wonderful arboretum with over 25 champion trees. The palm house dates from the 1820's and is thought of by the experts as more impressive even than the one at Kew Gardens; this and the amazing tropical, arid and temperate glass houses all feature wonderful and often unusual species of plants.

There is also a countryside museum of vintage steam vehicles and a well-equipped children's play area including a railway and all-weather football pitch. And there's also a challenging 18-hole miniature golf course.

With three such wonderful Devon places to visit, nature lovers will have a great time exploring the delights on offer!


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The Devon Visitor Guide is your key to a world of Devonian entertainment and enjoyment!