Budget Friendly Day Trips: The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey

The House of Marbles is a one of a kind visitor attraction in the small Devonshire town of Bovey Tracey. With its vintage charm, it will be a blast from the past for many adults and a learning experience for the children. Boasting the UK's largest marble run, glass blowing, a games garden and much more, the House of Marbles is not to be missed!

The Marble Runs
In a small room just at the side of the gift shop you will find three of the four marble runs at the House of Marbles. They are very old, very complex and fascinating to watch. If you can tear your eyes away for long enough, you will find some information about how the marble runs were made but in honesty, the mesmerizing effect of them will make it hard for you to do so!

The fourth and largest marble run may just blow your mind. You will be able to hear it before you see it because the marbles are the size of tennis balls and much heavier. This run is the biggest in Britain and stretches across an entire wall, snaking around the corners too. The precision with which it was designed is fantastic, and you can see a video of it here.

The Museums
When you hear the word "museum" you might expect an enormous display of historical artifacts. The collections at the House of Marbles are really quite small and displayed in glass cabinets in one room, however this doesn't make them any less interesting.

The marble museum is actually the smallest of the displays, and shows a variety of marbles throughout the ages with details on how they were made. Although it is the smallest of all the collections, it is definitely one of the most interesting. You will be surprised at just how much goes into crafting those tiny little balls.

The games museum is a trip down memory lane for adults of a certain age, though some date back as far as the 1600s and will be new for everyone. Games such as marble solitaire, hoopla, pick up sticks and several that you may never have even heard of can be seen and learned about.

Glass Blowing and the Teign Valley Glass Shop
A little further on from the museums is the Teign Valley Glass Shop. Not only is it a shop selling some beautiful handmade glass creations, you can actually see the glass makers at work. From intricately designed glass animals to bowls and other glassware, there is something to suit all tastes and budgets. Please note, it can get unbearably hot in the glass making area, especially during the busy periods. There is a quick exit to the gardens if you need to get some air though.

Games Garden
This will undoubtedly be the coolest part of your day. Amongst the beautifully kept gardens are giant versions of some classic games. An enormous chess board and gigantic skittles are there for a bit of friendly rivalry and some great laughs. However, the best feature in the garden is the huge floating marble which rotates seemingly of its own accord. It really is quite interesting to watch - it's a little bit like witnessing magic!

The Old Pottery Cafe and Restaurant
After having so much fun, no doubt you will want a light snack or even a full meal. Head into the Old Pottery Cafe where you can marvel at the very odd and unmissable display of model animals above the check out counter. After many years of visiting, I still haven't figured out the reason for them being there, but they are fun to look at all the same. Aside from that, the rest of the cafe is reminiscent of a stereotypical English tea shop with neatly laid out tables adorned with pristine tablecloths and sharply dressed waiters and waitresses.

The food in the cafe is exquisite. Much of the menu is homemade from local produce so you will get to sample some of the best food Devon has to offer. With classic British dishes such as fish and chips or more exotic choices like Spicy Marinated Green Chicken Curry, there is plenty to choose from. The average price of a dish is £6.95 ($11.60) which is actually quite reasonable, and the quality is outstanding so you won't be disappointed.

Gift Shops
Although the gift shops are attached to look like one big shop, it is separated into three sections. First is the part with all of the traditional types of gifts. Here you will find more glass gifts, handmade bags, purses, soaps and House of Marbles stationery. I highly recommend the soaps which smell incredibly good.

The next gift shop holds toys, games and puzzles. Many of the games for sale are ones you won't find in an every day toy shop. They are quite specifically tailored towards vintage games to fit in with the overall feel of the place. You will also find tubs of stunning marbles, or you can buy individual ones if you just want a couple of smaller souvenirs.

Finally, upstairs there is a factory clearance shop which sells clothes and home goods. It is a little bit like an Aladdin's Cave as you never really know what you will find in there!

All in all, the House of Marbles is a good day out for people who like a little old fashioned culture combined with great food and family fun. There is no entrance fee and parking is also free so it really is a low cost way to spend some time.

How to get there:
Take the A38 from Exeter to the Drumbridges roundabout and following the signs to Bovey Tracey

House of Marbles
Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun 10am - 5pm
Telephone : 01626 835285
Website