The Bear Trail near Exeter has announced its permanent closure after eight years of fun and muddy adventures for families.
Cullompton: So, it looks like The Bear Trail, that awesome outdoor spot near Exeter, is closing down for good. It’s been a favorite for families, and it’s really sad to see it go.
For eight years, kids and parents have loved the muddy obstacle course, complete with slides and zip wires. It was the perfect place to get messy and have a blast outdoors.
The Bear Group, which runs The Bear Trail, decided to shut it down to focus on expanding their indoor role play centers called Bear Town. They already have one in Cullompton and another in London.
Ben Jordan, the managing director, mentioned they’re also planning to open a bouldering center called Bear Claws nearby. They had some big plans for the site, but the council raised concerns, and some proposals were turned down.
Ben shared that while it’s tough to close The Bear Trail, they want to grow Bear Towns instead. He’s put so much effort into The Bear Trail, and it’s been a hit with families who love playing outside.
Even though it’s been a challenging market, they’ve won awards, including for their fun color bomb event. Ben hopes families will still find great outdoor spots to enjoy.
As for what will happen to the land where The Bear Trail was, that’s still up in the air. They’ve got plans for the bouldering center, but they’re waiting to see how a new one in Exeter does first.
Ben expressed gratitude for all the support from the community and schools. It’s a bittersweet moment as they say goodbye to The Bear Trail.
The closure announcement is on their website, thanking everyone for the amazing eight years and over 250,000 visitors who made unforgettable memories. They’re excited about the future of Bear Town and the fun it will bring to families across the UK.
So, while we’ll miss The Bear Trail, it sounds like there are still plenty of adventures ahead!
