Every outdoor attraction knows the forecast can make or break the day. At Wildwood in Escot Park, we helped turn unpredictable Devon weather from a limitation into an opportunity, creating an indoor experience that keeps families engaged and spending, rain or shine.
Wildwood at Escot Park in Exeter has always been a favourite for families wanting to experience wildlife up close. Alpacas, otters, and acres of outdoor adventure make it a natural destination—when the weather cooperates. But in Devon, that’s not always guaranteed.
Like many outdoor attractions, Wildwood faced the British weather problem. Rainy days meant shorter visits, families leaving earlier than planned, and missed revenue opportunities. Their old indoor play area offered some shelter, but it wasn’t compelling enough to keep families engaged when the heavens opened. Wildwood needed something that would make visitors want to stay longer, regardless of what was happening outside.
We transformed their old barn into a two-level indoor adventure that rivals the outdoor experience. The play area weaves in Wildwood’s animals and conservation story, creating an attraction rather than just a backup plan. Educational elements throughout mean kids are discovering, learning, and burning energy whether it’s sunny or pouring. The design maximises vertical space across two levels, giving families a genuine destination that stands on its own merits and not just somewhere to wait out a shower.
Rain or shine, families now have a reason to extend their visit. The indoor play area has become a deliberate part of the Wildwood experience rather than an afterthought, keeping visitors on site longer and creating opportunities for increased spend in the café and gift shop. Parents report planning full-day visits with confidence, knowing poor weather won’t cut the day short. The space handles capacity beautifully during peak times and weather-dependent surges, protecting revenue that would previously have walked out the gate at the first sign of a drizzle.
Wildwood isn’t losing visitors to the weather anymore. They’re keeping them engaged, entertained, and spending.
Weather-proofing your attraction means protecting your revenue. If unpredictable conditions are cutting visits short, let’s talk about what’s possible for your space.
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