Following the government's 'roadmap' in further lifting COVID-19 restrictions on April 12, two thirds of Devon's Top Attractions have now re-opened their doors and are welcoming many visitors back to enjoy their outdoor facilities.

Although they are only partially open, with restrictions and limited capacity still in place, all of the attractions have reported a positive start in the first week of the season.

Whilst most attractions missed out on welcoming visitors for the Easter weekend, they did manage to open for the final week of the Devon Easter school holidays, and also catch the first of the self-catering holiday trade.

The chairman of Devon's Top Attractions, Dick Wood, said: "Our member attractions who either re-opened on April 12, or before for locals, are all thankfully reporting a good start in the first week of this short season.

"At South Devon Railway, for example, we saw 500 visitors to our Buckfastleigh site and gardens, who were generous with donations and spending money in our catering kiosk. We'd normally see that many people in a day, but it's still a great start!

"The glorious weather and people's eagerness to get out and about again has been really encouraging for all of our members.

"Several attractions have said that their numbers on the first day of opening were double that compared to the first days of opening after the first lockdown last July, and others reported better than expected visitor numbers.

"This just goes to show people's sheer delight and desire to have a day out with the family, and to spend some money at last.

Of course, with only outside attraction facilities open, and if the weather had been wet, this could have been a very different story!

"So, we now look forward to our remaining attractions being able to re-open their doors on the 17th May, and for more COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted."

The Devon theme parks that were open all reported a positive re-opening.

Josh Haywood, general manager at Crealy, said: "We reached our restriction maximum capacity for all seven days in week one, and we could have sold more tickets.

"There is definitely a sense of intent and desire by visitors to get out, enjoy themselves and spend!"

At Woodlands Family Theme Park, it was a similar story, reporting on a positive re-opening and, even with limited capacity, they still had better than expected visitor numbers.

Zoo and animal attractions that re-opened all reported a good start.

Lynn Reynolds, Exmoor Zoo owner, said: "We had a great start, with people just pleased to get out and about, visitors were relaxed and happy to follow all the COVID-19 protocols. We were fully booked all the week."

Over at Wildwood Escot, they reported better visitor numbers than 2019, but income down due to restrictions in the shop and café.

Pennywell Farm reported being fully booked all week to their capacity and a celebratory atmosphere every day with people just thrilled to be having a day out again.

Up in North Devon, Clovelly reported good visitor numbers with people exploring the village, Clovelly Court Garden, and the coastal walks.

Owner John Rous said: "Our visitors were clearly relieved to be released with their families from lockdown and certainly enjoyed the fine Spring weather."

Meanwhile, RHS Rosemoor, which was already open for locals, had an Easter Trail event from March 29 and saw visitor number increase from a couple of hundred over the last three weeks towards numbers of a 1,000 a day.

The next key date for further lifting of restrictions is May 17 and this date will see the final 13 members of Devon's Top Attractions re-open their doors, plus the attractions already open will then be able to re-open more of their indoor facilities.

Even at this next stage, however, there will still be some restrictions and limited capacity in place.

By June 21 and stage four of the 'roadmap', all restrictions will hopefully be finally lifted.

Full list of Devon's Top Attractions and their planned re-opening dates:

Babbacombe Model Village - re-opened April 12, outdoors

Becky Falls - re-opened April 17, outdoors

Bicton Park - outdoors re-opened and waiting for indoor areas to open fully from May 17

Blackpool Sands - re-opened from April 12, Venus Take-Away available

Canonteign Falls - re-opened to all from April 12, outdoors

Clovelly - village, gardens and pub at the Red Lion (takeaways only) re-opened April 12, The Red Lion Hotel opens its doors for overnight stays on May 17

Crealy Theme Park & Resort - outdoor re-opened April 12, then partially open for weekends, fully re-open from May 22

Dartington Crystal - factory shop only re-opened on April 12, fully re-open May 17

Diggerland - re-opened April 12, outdoors

Exmoor Zoo - re-opened April 12, outdoor

Lundy Island - re-opened self-catering accommodation from April 12, week by week review for trips, camp site from May 17, full capacity hopefully from June

Pennywell Farm - re-opened April 12, outdoors

Powderham Castle - re-opened grounds and Secret Garden on April 2 for Easter Holidays, and on weekends throughout April and May, closed again for a time and reopening of the castle/grounds on July 25

Quince Honey Farm - shop and gardens re-opened on April 15, attraction re-opening May 17

RHS Rosemoor - restricted capacities and online booking, accommodation re-opened April 12

Seaton Tramway - re-opened April 12 with limitations.

South Devon Railway - re-opened site on April 12 and steam trains running from May 17

Watermouth Castle - accommodation re-opened from April 12 and theme park open May 18

Wildwood Escot - re-opened April 12, outdoors

Woodlands Family Theme Park - re-opened outdoors April 12m fully open for May half term from May 29

River Dart Country Park - park re-opens May 1 for day visitors and campsite opens May 17

Stuart Line Cruises - re-opening May 1 with limited timetable, full sailing schedule from May 17

Buckfast Abbey - re-opening May 17

Bygones - re-opening May 17

Coldharbour Mill - re-opening May 31

Devon Railway Centre - re-opening May 22

Exeter Cathedral - re-opening May 17

Kents Cavern - re-opening May 17, advance online booking only 16 people per tour until June 21

Morwellham Quay - re-opening May 17

Pecorama - re-opening May 18 Tuesday to Saturday 10am until 4pm (except Bank Holiday weekends), pre-booking strongly advised as entry numbers will be limited

Royal Albert Memorial Museum - still reviewing a re-opening date, check website

The Big Sheep - re-opening May 17

The Donkey Sanctuary – re-opening May 17

The Milky Way Adventure Park - re-opening May 22

World of Country Life - re-opening May 17

Destination Plymouth - events will be after June 21, still to be confirmed

Seaton Jurassic - will remain closed

For more details visit www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/whos-open

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