On our latest trip to Devon, we looked for places the kids would enjoy and came across the Quince Honey Farm. The farm is an award-winning working honey farm based in South Molton, North Devon. It seemed to have plenty to keep kids and adults entertained for a few hours, so we decided to visit.
In this post, I want to share our experience when visiting Quince Honey Farm and an in-depth look at what you will find there to help you decide if it is something you would enjoy in the area.
But let’s cut to the chase early on.
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Is Quince Honey Farm worth visiting?
Yes. Quince Honey Farm is a great place to visit for families as it has something to engage all ages. The indoor soft play area is a lot of fun for younger children, while the museum and honey factory tours are enjoyable for older kids and adults. There is also a nature trail, outdoor playground, restaurant, and shop on site, so visitors can enjoy a full day out.
Our visit to Quince Honey Farm
The day was a little overcast and threatening rain, so we weren’t too keen on going to the beach. However, better weather was predicted later in the week, so we were looking for something different to do while staying in mid-devon.
We had already enjoyed the nearby Devon Railway Centre, another fun thing to do with kids, and were looking for something similar. We had seen some Quince Honey Farm Reviews earlier in the week that piqued our interest, so we decided to visit.
The main draw was the large indoor soft play area for the little ones, but there was a lot more than just that.
When we arrived, although there seemed to be a lot of cars, there was still plenty of onsite parking, and it didn’t really seem that busy. I’m not sure who all the cars belonged to, but it is quite a large, spread-out site, so it was nice that it didn’t feel too busy.
The shop
As you leave the car, the farm shop and entrance are unmistakable. It has a lovely old telephone box that had been turned into a bug hotel. My niece loved that; she is quite the bug hunter!
Inside was spacious, clean, and well looked after, with the farm shop selling a range of luxury products, most of them with a bee theme. Of course, there was plenty of honey to buy, but also other local products and decorations.
I’ll bee honest (sorry, but expect more bee puns throughout this post). I expected everything to be overpriced as usual in these kinds of places, but it all seemed pretty fair. Not cheap, but cheaper than I expected.
As I mentioned, the site is quite spread out, so it is here that you can find access to the bee hives and other exhibitions, but the soft play area is located in a different building with its own reception desk to pay. So, with the kids buzzing, we headed over there next.
The Play Hive
Opening Hours – daily: 9.30am-5pm, Fridays during term-time: open until 7pm
As we walked into the play hive, I could feel the excitement of my little boy, Javi. The play area was big. So much to explore. At the time of our visit, he was one month shy of his 5th birthday. We also had our daughter, Emma, who was 2 and a half at the time.
What’s cool about the Quince Hiney Farm soft play area having a separate entrance is you don’t have to pay for any of the other attractions if you just want your kids to enjoy the play area.
There is a Play Hive adventure park-only ticket available which is £7 for children between 2-16. You do have to also pay £2 per adult. Honestly, I found this a little annoying as the only thing adults will be doing is spending more money at the café. Kids under 2 pay £5, but that does include an adult. Carers do get in for free.
In total, we visited with 5 adults and three little onesones, and it cost £31 for us all to get in.
Once inside, well, we pretty much didn’t see the kids for a couple of hours. Running, jumping, and sliding it is a great play area. Emma was very much on the cusp of being too young, but she is undoubtedly adventurous for her age, so we knew we had no chance of keeping her out. What’s cool is I was also able to access it, so when she got stuck or a little scared, I could quickly go and lend a hand.
The first couple of times on the large slide, she was a bit scared and needed me to go down with her. Still, she learned to do it on her own, and for about 30 mins solid, she was just coming down the slide, sprinting as fast as she could to get back up and repeat.
Climb, slide, run, repeat.
While the kids were having a blast, we sat down and enjoyed a coffee and cake. There is a small café with hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, hot snacks, and cake.
Aside from the large play area, there was also a colouring station and a toddler play area for super younglings.
There is also another outdoor play area nearby with a giant beehive the children loved exploring.
If you want something to entertain your kids for an afternoon (and to tire them out), the Play Hive is a great spot whether you visit the rest of the farm or not, especially on a rainy day.
But, with that said, let’s look at what else there is to do at Quince Honey Farm.
The Nectar Gardens
While more for the adults, kids may also enjoy an educational stroll through the honeycomb-shaped gardens. The beautifully landscaped nectar gardens provide a safe haven for bees and are committed to sustainability. They have a wide variety of bee-friendly plants with educational information dotted about for visitors.
Using wood and stone from the site gives the gardens a natural feel, and the commitment to sustainability is evident in every detail.
The Honey Bee Exhibition
The Quince Honey Farm exhibition hive is a great way to see the inner workings of a beehive. The hive is filled with honey bees, and you can push a button to see inside and take a closer look, maybe even see the Queen bee!
You can see how they build their hives, collect nectar, and process it into honey. It’s a great way to learn about these fascinating insects, and it’s completely safe – you can’t get stung by the honey bees!
A guided tour of the honey factory
Unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn’t even get a chance to do the guided tour, but I guess it gives us a reason to return. But, I can tell you a little bit about what to expect.
The Honey Factory Tour is a guided excursion that gives visitors an inside look at the various stages of honey production. Viewing windows into the extraction and bottling areas gives you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work that goes into how honey is extracted from the hives and bottled for sale.
You will also see the beeswax candle-making room where all their candles are hand-dipped, molded, or rolled, and the frame-making room where we repair and make new frames for our dotted hives all over the local countryside.
The tour ends with a honey tasting session and a candle rolling demo, providing guests with a complete understanding of how honey is produced.
The Nectar Restaurant
Again, another place that I’m pretty sad I didn’t get to. The restaurant is open daily, serving breakfast, lunch, and high tea, and they all look like delicious home made meals.
Traditional high tea would be a great idea. They are hugely popular and come with a selection of finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes, and scones, served with a cup of tea or coffee. But, of course, you’d have to respect the local Devon way of putting the cream on your scone before the jam. None of that Cornish butchery of jam before cream.
I love the look of the breakfast and think it will be one of the best in the local area. When I visit again, I’m sure I’ll be ordering a full English.
Their food and cakes can change daily, but here is a link to a sample menu to give you an idea of what to expect if you stay for a bit to eat.
Special events and activities
Aside from all the regular parts that make up a trip to Quince Honey Farm, they also host some cool workshops and events throughout the year. Some are scheduled daily, and others are special courses or one-off experiences.
You can check out their events page to find out what is happening when you visit. Here are some examples of special activities available at the bee farm in Devon.
An hour with the bees – an opportunity to get up close and personal with a colony of honeybees. The experience is excellent for anyone curious about what it would be like to open a hive for the first time or thinking about owning a hive for themselves.
Beekeeping Experience Days – Beekeeping days are for anyone interested in beekeeping, from complete beginners to those with some experience. Our expert beekeepers will guide you through the day, teaching you everything you need to know about keeping bees. You will get suited up in protective clothing and have real experience of dealing with a hive of bees.
Beeswax candle rolling – Candle rolling is a fun and easy way to make your own beeswax candle. Ideal as an activity for kids and will make a unique souvenir.
Specialist talks and workshops – throughout the year, there are many different educational talks and workshops, perfect for cultivating an interest in the environment for little ones or even learning a new skill as an adult, such as dry stone walling!
Quince Honey Farm prices and opening times
How much is Quince Honey Farm to visit?
Admission to the site is free, as is parking. So if you want to enjoy breakfast or have a wander around, there is no charge. However, the activities do carry a fee.
You can buy a Quince Honey Farm full-day attraction ticket for the rest of the site. At the time of writing, the price is £14 per adult, £13 for children and seniors, £11 for toddlers (2-4), and free for under 2’s.
With it, you get an itinerary for your day, including the various attractions and tours. Depending on the one you book, the activities will be in the morning or afternoon, with access to explore and enjoy the site available all day. The price also includes admission to the Play Hive.
If you just want to visit the Quince Honey Farm soft play area, the Play Hive is £7 per child and £2 per adult. Kids under 2 are charged £5, including one adult ticket. Carers are free.
I’d strongly recommend booking in advance, even if just for the play area, as space is limited. You can book and check the most recent prices on their booking portal.
When is Quince Honey Farm open?
The Quince Honey Farm is open from 9.30am to 5pm every day, including Sundays and bank holidays! The last entry is at 4.00pm, so make sure you get there early to get the most out of your visit.
Other frequently asked questions
Where is quince honey farm?
The farm is located in South Molton, North Devon. The Sat Nav postcode is EX36 3AZ. It’s about 20 minutes from Barnstable and 25 minutes from Tiverton, close to Exmoor National Park.
Can I take my dog to Quince Honey Farm?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Quince Honey Farm! They are allowed (on a lead) in all areas except the indoor soft Play Hive. Plenty of water bowls and free doggie treats are available to keep them happy and hydrated. There are also plenty of poop bins around the site.
How can I get to Quince Honey Farm?
The easiest way is by getting in your car and whacking the address above into your sat nav or phone. But, if you don’t have a car, you can also reach the farm by bus. You can hop on route 155, which travels between Barnstable and Exeter, and get off at the Quince Honey Farm stop in South Molton. It will take a little under 2 hours from Exeter by bus or 35 mins from Barnstable.
Final thoughts
I didn’t really know what to expect before we arrived, but I thought the place was lovely. I highly recommend booking a visit to Quince Honey Farm as an excellent day out for a family in Devon. There is something to keep everyone’s interest. You can learn, play and eat.
I certainly think we’ll be back. I’ll most likely book one of the full-day tickets and enjoy either breakfast or one of their special honey cream teas there … or both!
If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer them promptly and check out some of my other posts for things to do in Devon and Cornwall, such a beautiful part of the UK.