A Family Day Out at Greendale Farm Shop, Exeter

The summer holidays are finally here, and I’m so happy to have my two children home for six whole weeks! We’ve got a long list of places we’d like to visit, and first up was Greendale Farm Shop — a spot we’ve loved for years.

Now, you might be wondering why a farm shop was top of our list… but Greendale is so much more than just a farm shop. We’ve been coming here since my two were toddlers, and it’s really grown with our family. Whether you’re planning a playdate with friends or a full family day out, here’s everything we got up to — and why we think it’s well worth a visit.

The Farm Trail

As soon as we pull into the car park, my two are desperate to head straight for the farm trail — so that’s always our first stop.

Oscar the ostrich is the main attraction (he’s become a bit of a family favourite), but there’s also a lovely mix of animals, including pigs, goats, donkeys, emus, deer, sheep, highland cattle and wallabies. One of the highlights from today’s visit was the baby llama — only a few months old, super fluffy, and very cute!

Bounce South West

One of the newest additions to Greendale is Bounce South West, a huge outdoor inflatable play area. We booked our session online in advance (which I definitely recommend, as it lets you fill in the waiver and choose your time slot). The 90-minute session was brilliant value for money.

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just a couple of bouncy castles — it’s so much more than that. My two absolutely loved it! Think inflatable mazes, climbing walls, huge drop slides, crash pads and loads of space to bounce and burn off energy.

👉 Read our full Bounce South West review here

Lunch Options

There are loads of lunch options at Greendale, so even picky eaters will be happy!

Inside the farm shop is the deli, which offers sandwiches, salads, and freshly made options like pasties, sausage rolls, and scotch eggs. I had a pepperoni pizza sausage roll — absolutely delicious! You can also choose to eat in at the Greendale Kitchen restaurant, grab something from the fish and chip shop, or head to Oscar’s takeaway at the top of the car park, for drinks and snacks.

The Mammoth Slip and Slide

In the afternoon, we headed round the back of Greendale to try out the Mammoth Slip and Slide. We’d seen this last year but didn’t get round to going — so we were excited to finally give it a go!

My adrenaline-loving 8-year-old couldn’t get enough. The setup was brilliant, and the staff were fantastic — really fun and friendly but also clear and confident when it came to safety. It struck that perfect balance.

Even my slightly more cautious 10-year-old gave it a try and then spent the rest of the session watching, laughing, and cheering everyone on. The music, the vibe, the space to run and relax — it all made for such a great experience.

👉 Read our full Mammoth Slip and Slide review here

Back to the Farm Shop

After all the excitement, we sat in the sunshine by the slide for a bit before heading back up to the farm shop.

We needed to grab a few bits… or at least that’s what I told myself. Really, the kids just wanted more of the fudge we bought last week and devoured within hours!

We stocked up on some amazing fruit (they’ve had some great offers lately), picked up our favourite sausages from the butchers, and — of course — paused to check out the live crabs and lobsters in the tanks at the fishmongers. This has become a bit of a tradition. My two have been fascinated by them since they were toddlers, and we can never pass through without stopping!

The shop is so well stocked — books, toys, homeware, cakes — there’s something for everyone. We enjoy going out there just to have a wander around the shop on a Sunday afternoon.

A Delicious Finish to the Day

We couldn’t leave without getting something from the takeaway. I’d been eyeing up the new pizza-topped chips and they did not disappoint — absolutely delicious! The kids went for the chicken nuggets and a burger from the children’s menu, and even my fussy 10-year-old loved the burger (high praise indeed!).

We ate outside on a picnic bench next to the duck pond, which felt like the perfect way to end the day.

Before heading home, we made one last stop at the Udder Stuff milkshake shed. The kids love using the machine to fill up our reusable bottles with fresh milk — it’s a simple thing, but they find it so fun. The milkshakes are a real treat too!

Final Thoughts

As far as family days out go, Greendale Farm Shop really delivered. There’s something for every age and interest, and we love how the place has grown with our family over the years.

If you’re planning a trip, definitely check out their Instagram page for the latest events and pop-ups — we’ve already got our eyes on the farm tour and some of the fun Thursday activities.

Happy summer adventures!