Miniature Pony Centre

Nestled in Dartmoor National Park in Devon is the Miniature Pony Centre.  The drive in the park was along very winding, narrow, one lane roads (which may or may not have resulted in a bruised rear view mirror).  While picturesque, definitely not the easiest driving to be done.  We passed some cottages with thatch roofs...wish we could have stopped to take some good pictures but one lane roads means no where to pull over.

Upon arrival at the Centre the kids stopped to groom one of the ponies.

We then made our way over to the large pen for Pony rides.  Both kids have attended camps at our local Horse Riding school (in fact C has asked repeatedly to take lessons) so they were both excited and very comfortable riding around.

Next to to the pony rides were a few paddocks with goats and nursing ponies.  K was particularly enamored of the baby pony.


A bit farther up the hill were trampolines and a zip line.

At the playground...

After lunch we went out into the large pasture to greet more miniature ponies.

We definitely could have stayed longer but we needed to get back on the road knowing there would be traffic coming back to London after a long weekend.   We expected the drive to take 3 1/2 hrs. but in the end it took closer to 5 hrs.  And it rained through most of it.  There are quite a few places along the highway where two lanes merge down to one which totally backs things up not to mention the crawling traffic past Stonehenge.  J was a total trooper though, especially doing the drive on his birthday.

Aside from the traffic-filled ride home, it was a great weekend and nice to get out and see a bit of the English countryside.  It really is a beautiful country with lots to offer.  I think this trip finally tipped the scales towards buying a car so that we can do more exploring.  J is on the case...