Holiday Cottages in the West Country

More food, drink and arts at Moretonhampstead…

2012-02-08T17:39:00.001Z

Food, drink and the arts are a large part of the reason our holidaymakers keep coming back to the South West, so it’s natural that we at Helpful Holidays aim to support related events as much as possible.

With that in mind, we’re delighted to be the main sponsor of the Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts this year, set to take place on Saturday 10th March.

The first food festival of the year and a celebration of the arrival of spring, it sees the community of the picturesque Dartmoor town of Moretonhampstead turn out in force to honour local food in all its glory. From farmers to bakers, the one day event champions produce and suppliers from across the South West.

Michael Caines

Over 80 food and drink exhibitors and 20 artists took part in the 2011 event with 5,000 visitors enjoying the festivities. This year’s event will be officially opened by celebrity chef Michael Caines from the two Michelin star Gidleigh Park.

Other celebrated local chefs will be sharing the tricks of their trade in the festival kitchen, whilst upwards of 100 stalls will line Cross Street for visitors to taste, try and buy everything from pickles to pies. The festival will also showcase local artists and craftspeople with open studios.

The festival will run from 10am until 6pm and Helpful Holidays will have a stand in the information tent, so do stop by to say hello! For more information visit www.moretonfestival.com. You can also follow their festival news on Twitter and Facebook.

If you’re interested in staying nearby, you can browse our holiday cottages in Dartmoor or call 01647 433593 for human help.

Get ready to tantalise your tastebuds!

Romantic West Country retreats for Valentine’s…

2012-02-03T16:01:00.000Z

The West Country has many places ideal for lovers – pristinebeaches, rugged walking paths, quaint homely pubs, beautiful countryside – allperfect for getting away from it all to spend some quality time with yoursignificant other.

If you enjoy being on the water’s edge, you’ll be enchantedby WeirCottage, located at the head of a creek off the river Tamar near Millbrook,south Cornwall. Soak up the lovely lake views from this charming,stone-built cottage, the whole ground floor of which has beennewly refurbished and made completely private and self-contained for your use.Spacious and cosy inside, it’s perfect for two and in an ideal spot to explorethe area. There are good pubs in Millbrook and nearby Cremyll, ideal for acelebratory drink after a bracing walk along the sandy beaches at WhitsandBay and Kingsand, around a mile away.

One of the West Country’s most romantic villages must beClovelly, with the narrow, car-less cobbled streets perfect for strolling downhand-in-hand. SaltwindGranary is perfectly placed for a visit to this remarkably quaint village,just three miles away. This gorgeous cottage, converted from old barns, is justone field back from this magnificent stretch of coast and path, deep inflower-filled hedgerows. Newly re-vamped to provide the sort of accommodationany glossy style magazine would be happy to feature, from the distressed beamsto arty soft furnishings. A stunning location and meticulous attention todetail makes this an exceptional place for a romantic break.

If you want to wow your beloved with something slightlydifferent, how about a stylish log cabin? TheRetreat, a deeply romantic escape located within a 70 acre farm just a milefrom Chagford, Dartmoor, even comes complete with its own outdoor hot tub. The luxuriousinteriors provide a warm welcome after a day’s walking on the open moor.

For more ideas, browse our cottageswith availability for Valentine’s. If you can’t spare a whole week, many ofour cottages will consider short breaks too. Call us on 01647 433593 and we’lldo our best to match-make you with the perfect Valentine’s cottage.

A special recipe for Valentine's Day...

2012-02-01T11:21:00.007Z

We’re lucky to have a really good restaurant right on our doorstep here in Chagford, 22 Mill Street. There's a dynamic new team in place - Karla and Ashley - with fresh ideas, new menus and lots of themed evenings in the pipeline to delight locals and holidaymakers alike.

As a treat, they’ve given us a delicious recipe to share with you for Valentine’s Day. Find out for yourself if mussels are an aphrodisiac...

Sea Bass with Mussels and Watercress

Ingredients

1 small sea bass, filleted, or 1 large sole fillet, cut into two
1 glass (275ml) white wine
300g mussels
2 baking potatoes
1 egg yolk
40g plain flour
1 fennel
1 bunch of watercress, stalks picked off
200ml double cream
Salt & black pepper

Method

Put potatoes on to bake for approximately 1 hour until soft.

Meanwhile, clean mussels and put a large saucepan on the heat until hot. Add the mussels and the white wine. Put a lid on the saucepan and steam the mussels. Once the mussels have opened, take off the heat and pour liquor into a jug for later. Remove mussels from shells and set aside.

Slice fennel as fine as you can, season with salt and pepper. Get a frying pan red hot, with a little oil, and colour the fennel. Once coloured, set aside.

Take your reserved mussel and wine liquor and place into a clean saucepan, add the double cream and bring to the boil. Then add the watercress, cook for 1 minute and then blend until smooth, return to the saucepan, and then set aside.

Cut the baked potatoes in half and remove the flesh. Mash/rice the baked potato flesh as finely as you can. Mix with the flour and egg yolk and season, roll into an even sized log and cut with the back of a knife creating inch long pillows. Add these to rapidly boiling water. When they float, remove from the water, plunge into cold water, drain and set aside.

Heat a non-stick frying pan, add oil and place your sea bass skin side down, reducing the heat to low. Put your fennel in the oven/grill to reheat. Put watercress sauce on and add the mussels to heat through. Add you gnocchi (pillows) to the fish pan to gain a golden colour.

Arrange the fennel in the centre of the plates, putting your fish on top. Place gnocchi around the base of the fennels and then add your watercress sauce.

If you prefer to dine out, 22 Mill Street has a delicious Valentine's menu to tempt you too - and there's a 5% discount for Helpful Holidays' customers.

The team uses the best of local, quality produce in their regional and seasonal dishes, so you'll be in for a treat at any time of year.

View all of our holiday cottages available for Valentine's Day or view our holiday cottages in Chagford.

Half term fun in the West Country...

2012-01-27T15:36:00.001Z

We had good fun this week asking our Facebook fans what they were looking forward to during half-term week. The answers ranged from quieter roads to not having to make packed lunches!

Most, of course, are looking forward to spending time with their children or grandchildren. If you’re thinking of spending half-term in the beautiful West Country, there are plenty of attractions and special events to appeal to all the family – here are a few suggestions…

Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm in south Devon is opening its doors for another season this half- term. It’s time to snuggle up to the baby animals, race the ferrets, and, new this year, you can visit the Pennywell Miniature Pony Centre where pint-size ponies are waiting to be fussed over and groomed! Pennywell was recently awarded Visitor Attraction of the Year in the Visit Devon Awards – and well deserved too. Cuddle up at A67.

If your children love making models or even just flying paper planes, why not join 2,000 visitors, clubs and traders in Yeovilton for the Fleet Air Arm Museum Model Show on February 11th? The highlight will be a radio controlled flying display by the award winning British Model Flying Association. Take flight back to D2.

Animated Exeter

From 11th to 19th February, Animated Exeter aims to excite and inspire young people, encourage and foster talent and showcase high quality animation. With over 100 animated films and lots of workshops, exhibitions and events, there’s plenty to get stuck in to. Draw your cartoons at A158.

There’s still time to get your skates on at the Eden Project’s magical ice rink in Cornwall. Watch the kids enjoy special fun-packed skating sessions tailored to their age and experience, and then off to explore the gardens and biomes! The rink is open until the end of February. Speedskate from R35.

Use our website to search for all our holiday cottages available for half term, or specifically search for holiday cottages in Devon or holiday cottages in Cornwall - and don’t forget to use our Explore the Area map to find family-friendly attractions and events close to your favourite cottage.

We hope you, and your children, have a fantastic half-term.

Horsing around on Dartmoor…

2012-01-20T09:56:00.005Z

Image courtesy of Babeny Stables

“Descending from White Hill on a summer evening with the sun going down behind Steeperton Tor, down to Taw Marsh riding a sun-bronzed Chester and then galloping the whole stretch to the River Taw, dodging cattle and sheep and springing over gullies and rocks until we stop, at last, in the cool water.”

That’s how our Help Desk Manager, David Hall, a keen rider, recalls one of his memorable outings on Dartmoor.

It’s easy to spend hours, indeed days, exploring the moor. And now there’s the added pull to the south-western slopes of Dartmoor where scenes from Steven Spielberg’s film of Michael Morpurgo’s renowned novel, War Horse, were shot, predominantly around Meavy and Sheepstor.

We’ve over 90 excellent holiday cottages on Dartmoor and we’re lucky to have a number of places to stay near the film locations:

300 yards from the Royal Oak pub (where many of the film crew regularly lunched) in the pretty hamlet of Meavy, the quaint Acorn Cottage was totally refurbished in 2011 and features quiet, serene meadow and woodland views at the back; equally convenient for high moors or the town.

Just half a mile from Dousland, on a quiet lane and surrounded by a working farm, is The Old Byre, a smart, contemporary detached cottage next to the owners’ former farmhouse. Breakfast on fresh eggs from the farm’s free-range chickens, then head out for one of the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Guided Walks around some of War Horse’s filming locations.

The Barn, Yelverton, is a beautifully converted, ‘upside down’, 17th century detached stone barn within extensive grounds and gardens. Walking and cycling are great ways to immerse yourself in the landscape but perhaps you’ll be inspired by the film to experience Dartmoor on horseback? There are lots of opportunities to ride on Dartmoor.

Dartmoor is a fascinating place to visit at any time of year, so we hope you’ll come and create your own magical memories – and perhaps capture your favourite landscape scenes on film? We’d love to see your photos, so feel free to post them on our Facebook wall.

Helpful Holidays supports Farms for City Children…

2012-01-13T12:12:00.001Z

We’re lucky enough to live and work in glorious Devon and many of our customers enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of city life to spend time in the beautiful West Country. We sincerely believe just being in the countryside is good for you. With that in mind, Helpful Holidays has again chosen to support Farms for City Children as its charity of the year.

Farms for City Children was founded by children’s author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare at Nethercott Farm in Devon in 1976.

The charity’s aim is to enrich the lives of children from urban areas, who may not know where their food comes from and have limited opportunities to get up close to animals, by giving them the chance to spend a week living and working on a real farm in the heart of the countryside.

It’s an intense, ‘learning through doing’ experience of a different life and 75,000 children have taken part since it started.

The charity now has three working farms, including Nethercott, a huge Victorian manor house with beautiful grounds and amazing views towards Dartmoor. Whilst very full during term time, its house (sleeps 48) is available to our holidaymakers in the school holidays.

The three farms offer a warm, friendly environment, plentiful home cooking and comfortable accommodation, including classroom, library, quiet room and games room.

The jobs on the farm are rotated so that everyone gets at least two goes at activities such as feeding livestock, mucking out, grooming horses and donkeys, assisting at milking time and tending the kitchen gardens – as well as more seasonal tasks like apple-pressing and lambing! The children learn about the food chain, caring for animals and the land and the importance of teamwork; the overall experience has a heart-warming impact on their self-esteem and outlook on life.

You may have heard a lot about Michael Morpurgo recently - his book ‘War Horse’ has been the inspiration for both a successful West End play and a soon-to-be-released film directed by Steven Spielberg (filmed in part on Dartmoor).

Morpurgo describes his own inspiration for the story when a young boy with a stammer visited Nethercott in 1978, and befriended a horse on the farm:

“He was talking to the horse, one to one, about what he had done on the farm that day. No stutter – words flowing out of him. I summoned his teachers and we hid in the vegetable garden to watch them. I was very, very moved.

"The boy wasn't being judged or mocked. He trusted this creature. The horse wasn't understanding, but was listening. She knew she must not move away. She must stand there – because that is what friends do."

We hope you'll help us spread the word about this wonderful charity and the excellent work it does. We'll keep you updated on news from the farms and our fundraising efforts during 2012.

If you’d like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/helpfulholidays at any time or you can also make a contribution when you book a holiday through Helpful Holidays.

Our big houses are expanding!

2012-01-07T13:02:00.000Z

If you’ve just enjoyed celebrating Christmas or New Year away on holiday, or have perhaps felt a little cramped at home this year, you may already be thinking ahead to some elbow room for Christmas or New Year 2012 – and now is just the right time, as our big houses are much-loved and get booked up months in advance!

We now have 80 holiday homes that sleep 10 or more people, including these three superb houses that have joined us in just the last couple of weeks...

Trevarna is an impressive, Grade II listed, four-storey house in Cawsand, an exquisite fishing village in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The house stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its neighbours along the lane through the village, all keeping watch over Cawsand Bay and, as a result, offers the most stunning views out to sea over Plymouth Sound from nearly all rooms.

Recently renovated from top to bottom, the house has been totally transformed from its 19th century origins and is now the smartest of seaside homes, made thoroughly modern and comfortable by thoughtful owners as their own family holiday retreat. With extensive decked areas outside for al fresco dining and entertaining, plus plenty of room indoors, much thought has gone into making this a great place for gatherings and family holidays. Sleeps 12.

In the small village of Combe Raleigh, in the Blackdown Hills 1½ miles north of Honiton, Abbots is a handsome, 1780s, Grade II listed house, once the centre of the 3,000 acre Combe Raleigh estate. This big, three-storey, family home, warm and well-equipped with all the modern comforts of the 21st century boasts a good-sized, enclosed garden with large level lawn and lovely rural views over fields beyond.

Families will love it here: for young children there’s a well-equipped play area with swings, sandpit, play fort and trampoline, and for supervised/older children, a terrific campfire area with rustic log seating - ideal for toasting marshmallows and storytelling around the fire. There’s lots to do inside too: a half-sized snooker table, a Bechstein grand piano and a formal dining room with table seating 12 comfortably (16 with less elbow-room!) make this an excellent, roomy, comfortable home, ideal for gatherings and well located for exploring. Sleeps 16.

Situated just ½ mile from the immense sandy beach at Westward Ho!, Seadrift is a beautiful, light, semi-detached Victorian villa with panoramic views to the sea. The house has a wonderfully big living room that can be divided and made snug, and fantastic views from a bay window. You’ll also get those views (amazing at any time of year) from the dining room, and upstairs bedrooms come with sea views to Lundy Island on a clear day.

This is a splendid, comfortable family house in a really easy location – good for sea-bird-watching, golf, fishing, riding, spectacular kitesurfing or for days out exploring nearby villages such as Clovelly and Appledore. Sleeps 10.

For more inspiration, take a look at our big houses with availability for Christmas 2012 and also our big houses with availability for New Year 2012.

Our large houses are of course perfect for special occasions and get-togethers at any time of year, whether for birthdays and anniversaries or just some quality time with friends and family. You can download our Big Houses mini brochure or browse all of our big houses on our website.

Think big for 2012!

A River Cottage New Year!

2011-12-21T12:36:00.001Z

River Cottage Canteen & Deli

For anyone planning to visit the Plymouth area over New Year, the new River Cottage Canteen and Deli has announced its plans for New Year’s Eve Dinner - and New Year's Day brunch.

The evening kicks off with a welcome drink and canapés at 7.30pm, with guests invited to take tables at 8pm for a delicious four course menu using the very best local and seasonal ingredients prepared by Head Chef Joe Draper and his team. This will be followed by coffee and a glass of bubbly at midnight to welcome in 2012!

Booking for New Year's Eve is essential and costs £45.00 per head. To reserve your table call 01752 252702 or email plymouthcanteen@rivercottage.net.

If this sounds like your ideal New Year, we’ve two very tempting 50% offers available in the South Hams area...

Perched high on the cliffs overlooking the remains of Hallsands is Prospect House, with spectacular ocean views across to the dramatic lighthouse at Start Point and along the coast to Dartmouth. Within the house we have a ground floor apartment, elegantly furnished in New England coastal style with an eye to detail by its interior designer owner. This stunning property in a beautiful location sleeps 4.

Quither, a subtly converted detached barn on a hillside in the tiny, peaceful hamlet of Lower Broadaford, has been meticulously converted with many thoughtful touches. This is a great place, comfy and relaxed in a good area for cycling and walking – what better way to start the New Year than in an energetic frame of mind?!

Why not take a look at our other seasonal offers or our last minute availability for Christmas and New Year 2011? Don’t forget, you can always call us on 01647 433593 for human help to find just the right place for your celebrations.

Big houses for big broods!

2011-12-15T09:48:00.003Z

For all of us at HH, it’s a particular point of pride thatwe have such a fantastic selection of huge houses, in beautiful locations, allover the West Country. Secluded farmhouses, historic manor houses, vastconverted barns, seaside houses overlooking delightful beaches, all availableto rent for your exclusive use. Here are two choice examples…

SoldonManor is new with us for 2012 – 3 miles from the ancient village of Bradworthy,in Devon’s least changed farmland, this is a beautiful, important andhistoric, 16th century manor house, recently renovated with a huge amountof care and attention to detail to provide a wonderful, comfortable andintriguing place to stay. It has everything you’d hope for approaching a grandhouse – a gravelled drive, a formal garden, a courtyard, a croquet lawn, hugechess board and spectacular views of rolling countryside.

Inside, the layout and footprint of the house have evolvedover the centuries – great fun trying to spot clues to its history and use. You’regreeted by the main entrance crowned by the Cornish Prideaux family coat ofarms, leading to a magnificent, double-height dining hall, an oak-panelleddrawing room and a sitting/reading room. You’ll also find a concealed door leadingto to a servants’ passageway into a large farmhouse-style kitchen with Aga. Upthe beautifully elegant staircase are seven bedrooms – the Manor sleeps 14.

This is a tremendous house for gatherings of all sorts, fromreading groups to large family celebrations – warmth, masses of space, generousaccommodation and wonderful comfort.

HomeHouse, in the sheltered, pretty village of Combeinteignhead, nearTeignmouth, Devon, is a quite beautiful GradeII listed, semi-detached, thatched house. Originally the mainhouse to a thriving cider-producing farm, it is now a lovely, smartly renovated and refurbished home.

Inside, there’s a living room with gorgeous, heavy beams and biginglenook fireplace, plus a lovely snug in which to relax with TV and boardgames. A smart Shaker-style fitted kitchen comes complete with Aga, smart blackgranite and oak worktops and a big table, with plenty of room for all thefamily. You’ll find eight bedrooms – the house sleeps 15 – plus a secondliving room with a home cinema system with a pull-down screen and DVD/Blu-rayprojector, perfect for watching family favourites.

Outside, there’s an enclosed walled garden and, just beyond,about ½ acre of lovely, mature flowering shrub and lawned garden (complete withsummer house with grapevine, table & chairs and barbecue). And last but notleast, there’s the indoor heated swimming pool – the ultimate indulgence.

For more inspiration, take a look at ournew mini brochure, or browse through all of our bighouses online. There’s still some last minute availability (and some very specialoffers) for Christmasand NewYear 2011 at some of our big houses, so call us on 01647 433593 to discussyour requirements. If you’re already looking ahead to Christmas and New Year in2012, don’t delay, as these big houses are so popular, they get booked up wayin advance!

West Country pantomimes – the history behind the stories…

2011-12-09T09:18:00.001Z

Every year, thousands crowd into theatres across Britain toshout “He’s behind you!” and “Oh, no you didn’t!” – but did you know that thevery British pantomime has its origins in ancient Greece?

The pantomime was a popular form of entertainment in ancientGreece and later, Rome. A 'pantomime' was originally a group of imitators orimpressionists, accompanied by songs and music. Later, in the Middle Ages,plays like the MummersPlay contained many of the archetypal elements of the contemporary pantosuch as stage fights, coarse humour and creatures.

Poster from 1890

The first performance that would resemble a modern panto isthought to be the 1804 production of Cinderella at Drury Lane, London. Somedispute this, however, arguing that 1870 was the date of thefirst Cinderella pantomime in England.

Panto story lines and scripts are almost always based ontraditional children's stories, however plot lines are almost always 'adapted'for comic or satirical effect. There are lots of traditions, such as genderreversal (the principal boy is traditionally played by a young woman, and the pantomimedame played by a man) and plenty of audience participation. Another traditionis the celebrity guest star, a practice that dates back to the late 19thcentury, when Augustus Harris, proprietor of the Theatre Royal, DruryLane, hired well-known variety artists for his pantomimes.

Here are a few West Country versions for you to choose fromthis year:

Lisa Riley, Simon Grant, Buck's Fizz' Heidi Manton and Palm105.5's Ben Moseby appear in Snow Whitein Torquay, from the 9th December to 1st January. "Snow White" isperhaps best known as a Brothers Grimm story which features the magic mirror,the poisoned apple, the glass coffin, and the seven dwarves. The dwarves weren’tgiven individual names as we know them today until Disney's 1937 film.

In Plymouth, Julian Clary is joined by guest stars KeithHarris, Orville and Cuddles in a modern performance of Cinderella, the theme of which maywell have originated in classical antiquity, with Ancient Greek historianStrabo recording a 1st century BC tale of the Greco-Egyptian girl Rhodopis wholost a sandal to an eagle. The sandal was dropped into the lap of the king, whosent his men in quest of the woman who wore the sandal – needless to say, shewas shortly the king’s wife…

Blue Peter's Peter Duncan stars in Dick Whittington in Exeter, a character based on the real-life SirRichard Whittington (c. 1354–1423), Lord Mayor of London, a Member ofParliament and a sheriff of London. Unlike the lead character in the story, apoor boy in the 14th century who becomes a wealthy merchant and eventually theLord Mayor of London because of the ratting abilities of his cat, the realWhittington did not come from a poor family and there is no evidence that heowned a cat!

Check out the events on our Explore the Area mapfor more ideas near your favourite holiday cottage. Enjoy the panto season!

Christmas cottages with fun & games attached…

2011-12-02T10:49:00.001Z

If you’re spending Christmas away from home, something thatreally adds to the fun is playing games with friends and family. We’ve a numberof holiday cottages ideal for this, some featuring converted barns full ofdartboards, table tennis tables and board games a-plenty, and some with indoorswimming pools too!

Woolley Cottage,in the Devon hamlet of Woolley, is a handsome Grade II listed, detached,thatched house which has been extended from its 18th century beginnings,making it big and roomy. The beamed living room with flagstone floor and biginglenook with oil-fired Aga makes an extremely cosy room, or upstairs isa gallery-cum-den with day bed and board/card games. The separate games shed hasa table-tennis table, dartboard and assorted toys. For those keen to get activeand brave the December elements, there’s also an outhouse with plenty of roomfor bicycles and surfboards. This is a smashing house with bags of space foreveryone in a beautiful, unspoilt area.

Orchard Cottagein Stoke, close to the spectacular cliffs at Hartland Quay, north Devon, is a detached,thatched, Grade II listed 16th century house with courtyard, enclosedgarden and indoor heated swimming pool. Formerly owned by the Abbey, thehouse has been beautifully converted and lovingly restored, with a comfortable,beamed living/dining room. Gather round the inglenook fireplace and plot yournext family tournament to be played out in the separate games room withtable tennis, pool and darts on offer.

Hound Tor Lodgeis situated within the stunning grounds of Bovey Castle on Dartmoor (one of sixluxury self-catering lodges we offer here), built in 1907 and now arenowned hotel. Many of the hotel facilities are yours to enjoy (somerestrictions apply during the festive period) including indoor pool, gym, steamroom, sauna, spa and its championship 18 hole golf course. Other optionalactivities include archery, rifle shooting, fly fishing, falconry, ridingand clay pigeon shooting. If you’d rather something a little quieter, there’sthe small matter of a 400 acre estate on which you are free to roam(wellies provided).

Why not browse all our cottageswith availability for Christmas and filter the search results by games roomand indoor pool?

A Christmas recipe from River Cottage...

2011-11-30T09:28:00.001Z

We were delighted to attend a preview at the new River Cottage Plymouth Canteen before it opened earlier this month. What a treat that was!

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has kindly given us his roasted Brussels sprouts with shallots recipe to share with you. A perfect choice as we head for the traditional sprout battleground at Christmas!

Hugh describes this dish as one to "convert sprout shirkers" so give it a go and let us know what you think.

Ingredients

SERVES 4

400g Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved (or whole if small)
350g shallots, peeled and halved, or small onions, peeled and halved or quartered
3 tablespoons rapeseed oil
Several sprigs of thyme
A squeeze of lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas Mark 5. Put the Brussels sprouts and shallots or onions into a large roasting dish, trickle over the oil, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat, then tuck in the thyme sprigs.

Roast for about 35 minutes, giving a good stir halfway through, until everything is a bit crispy, brown and caramelised.

Squeeze some lemon juice over the roasted sprouts, along with a sprinkling of fresh thyme if you like, and serve.

For a change, try a sprinkling of cumin or caraway seeds instead of thyme.

More delicious recipes can be found in Hugh's latest book River Cottage Veg Every Day! and we've got a copy to give away. An inspiring addition to your own bookshelf or perfect gift for a foodie friend.

Simply email jane@helpfulholidays.com by 5pm on Monday 5th December with the word "sprouts" in the subject line and we'll pick a name from the hat.

Hot on the heels of the successful Axminster Canteen and Deli, the brand new Plymouth Canteen and Deli (pictured) opened on 15th November in a fantastic waterside location in Royal William Yard. We loved it - relaxed atmosphere; friendly, attentive staff; tasty and inventive dishes (yummy warm salad of mushroom, squash and goats cheese and you must try the chocolate and beetroot brownie!) using local, seasonal, organic and wild produce.

If you're thinking of booking a table during your next holiday in Devon, and are looking for a place to stay nearby, here are some ideas for holiday cottages in the South Hams and holiday cottages in East Devon.

Now, don't forget to eat your veg :-)

HH Poetry Competition 2011 - our winner...

2011-11-28T12:23:00.048Z

Congratulations to Jeanne Elkington! Here's the poem that captured our hearts and minds, written during Jeanne's stay at The Old School House in Lustleigh this summer. Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing your memories and capturing the timeless beauty and magical spirit of Dartmoor.

So I Return To The Moors

For the plush pile denseness of breeze strewn bracken

And the tannin streams that smooth and caress

To the flip-book greens of soft carpet swatches

And the blueprint smudges of bilberry spoils.

For the flickering flashes of smithy and miner

And the effortless compass swirl sweep of a buzzard

To the cross-party banter of chat and of swift

With the pestled fresh scent of fern and grass downed.

For the scone bite of moon and scarlet surrender

And centurion tors in their granite domain

To the welcome friend handshake. The sharing of stories

With memories forged 'til I once more return.

Looking across Lustleigh Cleave from Hunter's Tor towards Easdon Tor.
Courtesy of Dave Bellamy http://www.davebellamy.co.uk/

Devon Tourism & Taste of the West Awards…

2011-11-25T09:58:00.002Z

As our customers well know, there are lots of good reasons for people to holiday in Devon, and this was celebrated this week at the Devon Tourism Awards.

Michael Caines

Gidleigh Park, one of the UK’s most renowned country house hotel and restaurants (and just a stone’s throw from HH HQ in Chagford), walked off with three awards including that of overall winner. Run by the Michelin starred chef Michael Caines, Gidleigh won Gold for the Taste of Devon award as well as a joint Gold award for the Hotel of the Year together with Bovey Castle – a luxurious country hotel on a stunning estate where we let a number of self-catering lodges. Organic Riverford Farm Foods picked up Gold for Producer of the Year.

Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh in south Devon, won the Gold Award for Visitor Attraction of the Year, and farm founder Chris Murray was presented with an award for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism. Other Devon attractions praised were The Big Sheep, Bideford and River Dart Adventures, Ashburton. All can be found on our ‘Explore the Area’ map to help you spot the places to go and things to do near each of our cottages.

In the Tourism Activity, Sport & Experience category, Gold went to the Calvert Trust Exmoor, which offers a wide range of adventurous outdoor activities to people of all ages with physical, sensory and learning difficulties.

Dartmoor Farmers

The winners were also recently announced at the Taste of the West Awards, which celebrates the region’s exceptional food and drink industry. Amongst the winners in Devon were Dartmoor Farmers, who produce free range, slow grown West Country beef and lamb from family farms within Dartmoor National Park.

Another worthy winner was the Sharpham Partnership, producer of classic English wines and a range of English cheeses on the Sharpham Estate on the banks of the River Dart near Totnes in south Devon.

Too many winners to mention, but congratulations to them all!

Browse through our holiday cottages in Devon and come and enjoy all this glorious county has to offer.

Top spots to celebrate New Year in the West Country…

2011-11-23T14:34:00.002Z

There are lots of towns renowned for New Year frivolities in the South West – thousands of revellers hit the streets in fancy dress, making for a fun, friendly and irreverent night, culminating in spectacular firework displays, often reflected in the black, inky sea below.

Bideford Fancy Dress

If you can think of it, someone will be wearing it in Bideford, from grown men in nappies to ladies in rabbit costumes. 20,000 visitors mean all the Quayside pubs are packed, and people mingle and dance in the streets. As midnight approaches, many gather on the medieval Long Bridge to watch the fireworks and listen to the parish church bells ringing in the New Year. Get into costume at Peelers Cottage.

Said by The Times to be in the top four places in the UK to celebrate New Year, the small Cornish town of Looe again sees huge numbers of people in fancy dress fill the pubs, restaurants and streets before a fireworks display on the Banjo pier. If fireworks are your thing, prime viewing spots are the promenade and beach at East Looe or the eastern end of Hannafore promenade. Start your countdown at Samuels Cottage.

Revellers in Looe

People from miles around flock to Cawsand as the entire village dons fancy dress and goes promenading before fireworks on the beach at midnight. Large groups often have themed dress: there were 24 carrots one memorable year and someone dressed as a policeman was teased all night until he revealed himself to be the real thing! To wash away the hangovers, there's a charity fancy dress New Year's Day swim, with prizes for the best dressed. Peel your carrots at Draystone.

The New Year arrives with a splash in several other West Country towns, and last year more than 100 people braved the elements to celebrate New Year's Day with a dip in the sea in Wembury, Devon. The swim is an annual event – now in its 8th year with more people taking part each year. Dry off at Creek House.

Newquay Fancy Dress

Other hot spots famous for their atmosphere and antics include Exmouth, Dartmouth, St Ives and, of course, Newquay.

Search our holiday cottages with New Year availability in Devon and Cornwall, or give our telephone team a call on 01647 433593 to discuss your requirements. From a party on the seafront with the crowds to a cosy gathering with friends and family, we’ll help you find a special place to celebrate.

HH photography competition – the winners…

2011-11-18T15:10:00.004Z

Thanks to everyone who took part in our photo competition on Facebook over the summer. We received lots of fabulous photos, predominantly coastal shots so we can tell you love to be beside the seaside!

After using last year’s winning shot on the front cover of our dog friendly mini-brochure, we were on the lookout for another captivating image that we could use in our marketing material for 2012.

The super shot by Natalie Chapman of a child jumping for joy on the beach at Hope Cove made us smile and is now featured in our 2012 Collection mini brochure (pictured).

We picked an overall winner too - the lovely landscape by Lorna Alsop of the ponies at Godrevy Head which now sits on the header of this blog.

There were so many good pictures; we had several other favourites which we’ll try to include in our marketing material over the next few months if we can.

We love seeing your snaps, so if you’d like to share your favourite moments and memories of the West Country, please feel free to post them on our Facebook wall.

Big houses with professional catering for New Year…

2011-11-16T14:57:00.002Z

As you see in the New Year with friends and family, we’re betting that you’ll be eating and drinking well too. But you don’t want to miss out on the fun whilst slaving over a hot stove, so how about relaxing in one of our huge holiday homes with professional catering available, so you don’t have to lift a finger?

The former shooting lodge of Sir Francis Drake’s estate near Yarcombe in east Devon, Sheafhayne Manor, sleeps 24 in ten bedrooms with ten bath/shower rooms. This Grade II listed Elizabethan manor house has been in the same family for some 400 years and is surrounded by 2,500 acres of farmland and its own large garden. The oak panelled drawing room has a cosy open fire, there’s also a billiard room with a full-sized table and games room for children and the dining room has a big table for 24 - perfect for a celebratory dinner. Pets welcome.

We’ve a big detached house for 12, large enough to make up a party for New Year week at Mevagissey on Cornwall’s south coast. Penpol has a stunning contemporary interior and superb panoramic views overlooking the colourful harbour. Top quality and elegantly simple, this house has been designed to relax in and have fun and it’s just a two minute walk down to the village pubs, cafés, shops and harbour.

Or how about Parnacott, a handsome detached Georgian house sleeping 14 guests near Holsworthy, north Devon? The house is set in 12 acres of gardens and grounds, and is ideal for a family group or friends planning a break together, with fine furniture, portraits, an open fire and pool table; plus it’s also decorated for the festive season. Pets welcome.

A mile or so west of Porlock within Exmoor National Park, Porlock Vale House is a magnificent, large country house dating from the 19th century with exceptional views across fields and out to sea. A great place for family gatherings and parties, the house sleeps 30 in 15 bedrooms/15 bathrooms. Inside, it’s a wonderful mix of comfort, elegance and space with old oak beams, comfy leather furniture and a large open fire with a handsome mantelpiece. The house is set in 12 acres of grounds and mature gardens for guests to wander while the beach is easily reached on foot across two fields. A former hunting lodge enlarged over the years, it has excellent stables for guests wishing to bring their own horse, or two, and pets are also welcome.

All these properties have professional catering available (at extra cost). Some also have a maid service available. Give our telephone team a call on 01647 433593 to discuss your requirements and we’ll help you find a special place to celebrate.

Big Houses in the West Country for Christmas…

2011-11-11T17:08:00.002Z

Why spend Christmas tripping over relatives when you can rent a splendid house for a large party?

To that effect, we enjoyed some excellent coverage recently in The Times, with our property Sandridge Barton appearing as one of “20 fabulous festive boltholes”. That property is now booked up for Christmas 2011, but we still have numerous others…

Lilleby, which sleeps 12, is beautifully positioned high on the cliffs above South Sands near Salcombe, with spectacular views. You’ll find a large, elegant drawing room, a sociable dining room and a beautifully fitted kitchen perfect for preparing a festive dinner with all the trimmings. After lunch, step outside into nearly two acres of landscaped garden with mature trees, and walk off those calories along gravel paths winding down through terraces to woodlands and a footpath down to the beach.

As its name would suggest, The Old Mill is a charmingly converted, Grade II listed mill in the hamlet of Blakewell, north Devon. Sleeping 11, it’s full of comfort and imagination inside. There’s a homely living room with a woodburner in a huge fireplace, and a wood floor with a rug to sprawl on. There’s also a games room, with table tennis, pool, air hockey, table football, and even a Nintendo 64 – plenty to keep the children happy while the adults enjoy a bit of peace and quiet as the Christmas pud goes down! There’s even professional catering available if you want to take a break from cooking that turkey.

If you fancy spending Christmas away from it all amongst sheep, cattle, ponies, pigs, chickens and ornamental pheasants, The farmhouse at Burnville Farm, two miles south-west of Lydford, sits amid 250 acres of working farm – where you can roam free and even help out if you wish. There’s also a games room with a pool table, table tennis and a skittle alley, and even a well-equipped gym should you eat too many mince pies! We very much like this farm, and it’s been much praised, with tremendous freedom and an impressive number of things to do for children and adults.

Why not browse all our cottages sleeping 10 or more with availability for Christmas? Or if you’ve a smaller brood, here are all our cottages with availability for Christmas.

West Country Christmas light shows…

2011-11-08T12:10:00.001Z

Don’t blink! The annual ritual of switching on the Christmas lights will be here before you know it as the countdown to Christmas gathers pace.

Exeter lays claim to one of the first great switch-ons – 24th November sees Heart FM radio host the entertainment with live music, pantomime favourites and a grand firework finale to kick off the festive season. Enjoy the bright lights from G31.

Truro City of Lights Festival

Truro will once again light up in spectacular fashion as the City of Lights festival delights the crowds on 16th November, with a dazzling procession of lanterns through the streets, carried by professional artists, Cornish school children and local community and youth groups. This year’s theme is ‘wildlife’. Be dazzled by S47.

For something slightly different, watch one of the largest processions of award-winning floats and walking groups in south Devon wend its way through South Brent on 26th November. The procession includes 100ft long floats from the Somerset circuit. Float off to A70.

Dunster by Candlelight

Dunster by Candlelight is holding its 25th anniversary on 1st and 2nd December, and the Lantern Lighting procession of stilt walkers and brightly costumed children starts at 5.30pm on the Friday at The Steep. Treat yourselves to a journey by steam train from Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway and there’s a courtesy bus transfer from Minehead Station to the village (or you can alight at Dunster Station and it’s a 20 minute walk). Wander by lantern light back to F45.

There are many other glittering events across the West Country, including Clovelly Christmas Lights on 4th December and Mousehole Harbour Lights on 17th December.

Browse through our holiday cottages to find a cosy place for a pre-Christmas break and use our ‘Explore the Area’ map to find festive events near your favourite holiday cottage.

Head to the West Country for some early Christmas shopping!

2011-11-04T13:54:00.001Z

The bustle of half-term went by in a flash, and now’s your chance to enjoy some calmer days here in the West Country. Why not gently start the run up to Christmas with some leisurely shopping , and treat your friends and family to some authentic West Country Christmas gifts?

Don’t forget, if you can’t get away for a full week, 2, 3 and 4 night short breaks are now available at many of our holiday cottages.

Start with the Trereife Christmas Gift Fair, 18th to 20th November. Not far from Penzance, this Queen Anne manor house and its spectacular grounds provide an atmospheric venue for visitors to soak up a heady dose of festive spirit, whilst picking up some unique Cornish gifts. Plenty of music, a children’s lantern procession and working craft demonstrations, all in a cosy, heated marquee. Sort through your goodies at Z18.

The Wonderworks craft fair is held at Chagford Jubilee Hall, on 19th and 20th November. Now in its ninth year, the fair has made its mark with an unusual and varied collection of high quality arts and craftware, with everything from designer socks (pictured right) to ceramics. Meet the artists as you wander round and find unique and affordable Christmas presents for everyone. Toast your toes in those stylish socks at A157.

On the banks of the Tamar River, Cotehele is one of the best places to stock up on special Christmas gifts. The £2 entrance cost to the Cotehele Christmas Food Fair, on 26th and 27th November, includes admission to the Great Hall to see the Christmas garland. Or come earlier from 12th to 14th November to join the garden team making the 60ft garland, which runs the length of the Hall. Weave your own garland at J17.

How could you bear to miss this? In Lostwithiel on 27th November there are over 45 stands with hundreds of teddies, new and old, designer and antique, at the Cornwall Christmas Bear Fair. There are free valuations and restoration advice, a teddy bear hospital, bear-making patterns, kits, materials, accessories and demonstrations. Cuddle your favourite teddy at R75.

And there’s plenty more seasonal shopping events to choose, such as Pencarrow Christmas Fair from 19th – 20th November, Padstow Christmas Festival from 2nd-4th December, or Fowey Christmas Market from 3rd – 4th December.

We hope you find time to grab some peace and quiet on a short break before the busy festive period. Check out the special offers on our website and don’t hesitate to call our team on 01647 433593 to chat through the finer details of any holiday home that tickles your fancy.

Helpful Holidays wins Silver at British Travel Awards...

2011-11-03T09:59:00.011Z

We were delighted to hear last night that we’ve scooped second place and a Silver Award at the prestigious British Travel Awards.

The British Travel Awards are acknowledged as the most definitive and largest monitor of public opinion on the performance of travel and tourism providers. Shortlisted companies are nominated by travel industry professionals, but it is the leisure holidaymakers whose votes finally determine the winners. Over 700,000 votes were cast this year with the results scrutinized and audited by Deloitte LLP.

Our award is in the Best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company (UK properties) category, and we were competing against strong national competition.

British Travel Awards’ Chief Executive, Lorraine Barnes Burton, said, “The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK, created to reward travel companies, with the winning accolade being the benchmark for excellence when it comes to finding out who really is the best in the business of travel for the UK consumer. This year the competition was fierce and Helpful Holidays is to be congratulated on its achievement.”

We’re honoured to have been nominated for this prestigious award and immensely grateful to all those who took the trouble to vote for us. Helpful Holidays has always stood for reliable, un-hyped and outstanding service to its customers. This award recognises that in the best possible way – via the votes of those we serve and those who know us.

Delighted with the unexpected accolade, our General Manager, Moray Bowater added, “Ultimately, trust is the currency that really counts and we're happy that earning that of our customers through our straightforward and frank approach has been the touchstone of our business since we started 30 years ago.

“We believe that success and profit are the by-products of delivering outstanding service. The credit for doing the difficult job of always trying to deliver service beyond our customers’ expectations goes to every one of our team - advocates for our holidaymakers and confidants for our homeowners”.

It was a good night all round, as Cornwall won the ‘Best UK Holiday Region”, followed by Devon with a Silver award, St Ives won the “Best UK Seaside Town” and Eden Project won “Best UK Leisure Attraction”.

Here are some of the other awards we’ve won in recent years…

Federation of Small Business (FSB) Devon Business Awards 2009 – Service Excellence Award – Winner
National Customer Service Awards Team of the Year Business to Consumer 2009 – National Finalist
National Business Awards Cable & Wireless Award for Customer Focus 2007 – Regional Finalist
2006 Service Excellence Awards (Management Today & Unisys) – National Finalist
South West Tourism Awards 2005 Outstanding Customer Service Award Winner – James Webb
The Parcelforce Worldwide Small Business Awards 2005 – Regional Finalist
E-Commerce Awards 2005 Best use of broadband – Regional Finalist

To view our portfolio of over 600 places to stay sleeping two to 48 guests in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, visit http://www.helpfulholidays.com/ or call 01647 433593 for a free brochure or to chat with one of our team.

Olympic sailing in Weymouth…

2011-10-28T13:26:00.001+01:00

The beautiful but testing waters of Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour will play host to 10 exhilarating sailing events during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Team GB sailors

Weymouth and Portland provide some of the best natural sailing waters in the UK, so the 14 days of competition from Sunday 29th July to Saturday 11th August should offer plenty of excitement and drama. Three-times Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie will attempt to defend his title, and 10 other sailors from Team GB will be aiming for medals too. We have good form here - Team GB has topped the sailing medals table at the last three Olympic Games…

There are 10 different Olympic sailing events (six for men, four for women) featuring a variety of craft, from dinghies to windsurfing boards. Each event consists of a series of races and points in each race are awarded according to position: the higher the position, the lower the points. The final race is called the medal race (double points at stake here!) after which, the individual or crew with the fewest total points will be declared the winner.

Watch this video to see a profile of Ben Ainslie:

If you’re tempted to head to Weymouth to watch, a ticketed onshore area from which spectators can view the competition is under consideration by the organisers. This area would have the added benefit of a video screen to keep spectators updated on the action.

Fiddlesticks Cottage

We’ve currently eight superb holiday cottages in Dorset, all under an hour’s drive from Weymouth, with availability during the games. For example, how about Fiddlesticks Cottage, a pretty 19th century stone cottage in the thriving town of Beaminster, or Natterjacks, a charming cottage in an idyllic country setting, just a short distance from the coast?

Feeling inspired to set sail yourself? There are plenty of opportunities to learn or improve your skills at the many sailing clubs and schools along the Dorset coast throughout the year.

Gorgs’ golden ambition…

2011-10-26T11:54:00.003+01:00

Moray & Gorgs outside our offices in Chagford

As readers of this blog will know, Helpful Holidays sponsors Georgina (Gorgs) Geikie, British number one ladies pistol shooter. We have sponsored Gorgs for the past three years, and are continuing to help in her bid for Olympic gold next year.

Gorgs has a great chance – she was selected for the recent European Cartridge Championships held in Belgrade, where she achieved third place.

With only 10 months left before London 2012, Gorgs is now pushing her training schedule harder than ever. But last week she managed to take some time out to visit us here at Helpful Holidays to collect a sponsorship cheque from our General Manager Moray Bowater and to meet the team.

As Moray says, as soon as we heard Gorgs was going for Olympic gold, we were right behind her. She’s a great example of someone who is putting everything into reaching her goal and we’re delighted to support her.

A message from Gorgs: “I'm over the moon that Helpful Holidays has agreed to continue supporting me towards the London Olympics! I have a training and competition plan in place for this new 2011-12 season and Helpful Holidays’ sponsorship will make my first international competition this season, in Luxembourg, possible.”

We’d all like to wish Gorgs the very best of luck in her training, and hope to be able to write a future blog post celebrating her gold medal!

You can follow Gorgs on her website, on Facebook and on Twitter.

Adopt a turtle with MCS...

2011-10-24T11:10:00.017+01:00

Looking for a great Christmas gift idea for someone special?

Young green turtle, taken by Dr. Peter Richardson, MCS

The MCS Adopt a Turtle scheme enables you to celebrate Christmas whilst supporting one of the oldest species in the world.

You can choose from seven species including Leatherback, Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles, for just £3 per month. The scheme includes:

An adorable fluffy version of your chosen turtle
Talk Turtle - the MCS newsletter on its turtle conservation work - delivered twice a year
A fact sheet and pictures of your chosen turtle species in the wild
A personalised Certificate of Adoption

The HH team adopted its own turtle - we called him Bod - earlier this year.

Alternatively, you could give someone an MCS Membership - with great opportunities to get involved in rewarding activities, plus updates about the charity's conservation work, programmes and campaigns.

You can follow MCS on Facebook and Twitter too.

Nature watch on West Country winter breaks…

2011-10-20T10:06:00.001+01:00

Take a break in the West Country over the next few months and you could be taking part in your very own nature watch.

Birdwatchers visiting the Exmouth area are in for an extra special treat - every winter, over 40,000 birds, including hundreds of avocets, black-tailed godwits, Brent geese and red-breasted mergansers, flock to the Exe Estuary from as far afield as Siberia and Greenland. The RSPB offer a number of Avocet Cruises from November through to February, so see if you can spot the distinctive black-and-white plumage, and the slender, curved bills of the many avocets that frequent the area. Preen your feathers at Beach Cottage.

Twitchers visiting Dorset can see birds on the move as swallows and house martins continue to pass through on their way south, and flocks of meadow pipits and skylarks follow suit. Linnets, greenfinches and goldfinches are gathering into larger flocks and the goldfinches in particular are showing up on the birdfeeders. You can get lots more useful birdwatching information from the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Migrate your flock to The Old Manor House.

If you’re quick, you’ll be in with a chance of catching deer rutting season, when male deer stags and bucks full of testosterone show off their strength in a bid to attract the females of the herd. A great place to see this is Powderham Castle, with its own herd of around 600 fallow deer and a Deer Rut Safari & Cream Tea on Thursday 27th October. Rest your antlers at The Manor House.

If watching isn’t enough, you can get actively involved to help protect wildlife by helping out with one of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s initiatives. The Chyenhal moor work party, Penwith, aims to clear willow scrub on this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on 5th November. Take a deserved rest at Mural Cottage.

Browse through our holiday cottages with availability this winter and use our ‘Explore the Area’ map to find places to visit near your favourite holiday cottage.

Winter breaks in the West Country…

2011-10-18T16:34:00.003+01:00

Jack Frost’s arrival heralds a period of peace and tranquillity on the moors and coastal paths of the West Country: the perfect time to enjoy a restful break at a cottage in a pretty village, off the beaten track or by the sea.

Wander through crisp woods or along a beach. Spend a lazy afternoon with the papers beside a blazing fire at a country pub or in the comfort of your cottage. Relax and revitalize before or after the Christmas revelry.

Our portfolio remains marvellously varied and widely spread throughout Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

2, 3 or 4 night short breaks are available at many of our cottages from November through to the week before Easter, excluding school holidays. Don’t forget, you can relax and enjoy a late check-out for 2-night weekend breaks (Friday and Saturday nights) and stay at most properties until 6pm on Sunday.

Whether you’re looking for a cottage for a romantic retreat, a bolt hole for some bracing walking or a big house for a celebration with friends and family, our telephone team can personally recommend hundreds of warm, comfy, reliable properties.

To help you make a good choice, take advantage of our expertise and call us on 01647 433593.

Expect fireworks in the West Country!

2011-10-14T15:33:00.004+01:00

Did you know that the World Record for the most firework rockets launched in 30 seconds is an astounding 125,801, in the Philippines, on 8th May 2010?

We don’t expect that record to be broken in the West Country this year (thank goodness!) but you can be sure that there are lots of fabulous events going on throughout the region to mark 5th November. Here are some of the more iconic displays…

Great balls? No, it’s barrels of fire… The famous flaming tar barrels are being warmed in readiness for another night of wild mayhem in the streets and pubs of Ottery St Mary. The tradition of tar barrel rolling is hundreds of years old, but somewhere along the line someone decided rolling was tame and carrying them on your shoulders more fun, and unique to this festival. Roll back to G41.

Young and old from the community in and around the village of Sticklepath, near Okehampton, get together every autumn to create a magnificent, artistic fire show unlike any other. Music is planned, costumes are designed and made and an amazing outdoor stage is lovingly built, only to be burnt on the night after a fabulous fireworks display following the play. This year Sticklepath presents ‘A Frightful Fantasy’. Keep your powder dry at A112.

Take a look at this video on the Bridgwater Carnival – a mesmerising display of colour, sound, movement and overall entertainment. Continue your celebrations at E15.

Visitors to the Porth Beach Bonfire Night in Newquay have the pleasure of watching the fireworks launch from the beach and then light up the cliffs and the sea behind them - a fantastic sight. Enjoy the starlit sky from Q3.

Wherever you are for Bonfire Night this year, have a safe and sparkling evening!

Have a Helpful Halloween...

2011-10-11T17:13:00.001+01:00

What will you be doing this Halloween? Will you be trick-or-treating, attending fancy dress parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories or watching horror films?

Pecorama

If you’re looking for something slightly different, the West Country never disappoints – for instance, why not dress up in a Halloween outfit and ride the Frights Ghost Train at Pecorama in Beer? You could meet Dan the Hat and Ben the Juggler and win a free spooky treat! Over half-term you’ll also encounter ghost trains and tombstones, cobwebs and bats and witches on broomsticks in tall pointy hats! Park your broomstick at G36.

There’s plenty of Halloween fun to be had at The Big Sheep - during half-term week there’s masses of traditional Halloween fun to keep the kids amused during the day and ‘Scary by Night’ parties in the evenings. For those of you feeling especially brave, on 22nd October try a sponsored walk with a difference – across a 20-foot bed of fire! It’s all for a good cause - the Caroline Thorpe children’s ward at the North Devon District Hospital. There’s a foot-bowl of ice cubes waiting at K14.

Devon's Crealy will be putting on lots of spooky autumn fun with pumpkin carving, exciting games, thrilling rides, fancy dress competitions, live entertainment and a new haunted ghost train appearing especially for October half-term. Jump on board and get into the spirit! Ride the ghost train back to G31.

Halloweden

If you're a fan of the Eden Project, you'll want to celebrate Halloweden this October half-term, with attractions such as the beautifully-decorated Wishcraft Tent where you'll find lots of magical things to make and do, including pumpkin carving demonstrations, wand-making and potion mixing. Or, there's the Little Monsters' Ball Halloween disco, where you can get your fancy dress on and bring the whole family for an evening of 'fang-tastic' fun, with spooky activities and a bone-shaking disco. Kick off your dancing shoes at S8.

And finally, Somerset’s Dunster Castle has a series of events including a spooky pumpkin trail, ghostly story telling and ghost tours of the Castle’s attic and basement. Brush off the cobwebs at F59.

Check our special offers page for last minute deals on places to stay or give us a call on 01647 433593.

What’s on your Christmas and New Year checklist?

2011-10-07T12:15:00.001+01:00

Are you one of those people who likes to rigorouslyplan their Christmas & New Year? Do you have a long to-do list ofpresent-buying, food-shopping and card-writing? Sometimes it can seem too muchlike hard work!

For a truly magical Christmas and New Year, why notget away to a cottage in the wonderful West Country? Whether you’re looking toescape or entertain, you can be sure of making it memorable with a change ofscene.

If you’re the type who likes to escape, we’ll help youfind hideaways. Once there, grab scarves and hats for a blustery moorland walkand a pint at a fire-warmed pub. Try this for a more enjoyable checklist: strollcoast-path; ice-skate at Eden; grab your wetsuit and brave the Christmas Daysurf, or just toast your toes beside the fire, put on the TV and relax.

We have lots of properties ideal for entertainers too- If you’re a crowd, book with us to enjoy some additional elbow room. Hereyour checklist is slightly different but just as much fun: set the table, cookthe goose, fluff the potatoes, mash the swede (plenty of black pepper andbutter) and light the candles.

So if either of those checklists soundappealing, do browse our cottages with availability at Christmas and NewYear.

Our big houses are popular for familygatherings and get booked up fast so it’s also worth taking a look at our holidayhomes sleeping 12 or more available for Christmas and NewYear.

The Fal River Autumn Walking Festival

2011-10-04T11:54:00.000+01:00

We are proud to be one of the sponsors of the Fal RiverAutumn Walking Festival, which kicks off on Friday 21st October and runs(or perhaps we should say ‘walks’!) until Sunday 6th November.

St Mawes

Encompassing the very best of the Fal River, the wide rangeof walks takes in various historical points of interest as they meander alongcoast paths and pass through areas of outstanding natural beauty and worldheritage sites.

The walks are either guided or self-guided and pass through some of themost stunning scenery Cornwall has to offer, taking in areas from Falmouth to Truro,the Roseland to the Helford Passage. They are graded for all the family (andthe dog!) in order to suit all abilities.

We’responsoring a self-guided walk – St Mawes, round the headland, whichis approx 3-½ miles and should take about two hours at a gentle pace.

This video gives a great overview of what to expect from theFestival:

Details of the festival and all the walks are included inthe festival programme (you can look at an interactive copy on their website). Youcan also find the Festival on Facebookand Twitter.

Our 2012 brochure is out...

2011-09-28T14:34:00.001+01:00

You'll find an even greater choice of holiday cottages in east Devon, Dartmoor, South Hams and Cornwall for 2012. The number of places carrying our top 4½ or 5 star rating has also risen, reflecting our holidaymakers' demand for high quality places to stay.

The new brochure (our 30th!) is packed with more than 560 holiday homes throughout the West Country, ranging from romantic retreats for two up to big country houses sleeping a maximum of 48 guests; prices are from £167 to £6,440 per week. The portfolio also includes several Dorset cottages within easy reach of Weymouth for the 2012 Games sailing events.

Q10, SeaDrift, Mawgan Porth

We've continued to see high levels of enquiries from both holidaymakers and home owners. Our General Manager, Moray Bowater, comments, “People booking holidays this year have been seeking value, but are happy to pay a good price for top properties and high standards of service. We believe our quality/price ratio is a major factor and are confident that the market will continue to grow at this level.”

Now in our 30th year, we estimate nearly two million people have stayed in our properties. “We are grateful to everyone who gave us their trust in our early days and the many who have continued to holiday with us almost every year,” continues Moray Bowater.

E20, Stonedge Cottage, Bath

All of our holiday homes are regularly inspected and star rated by our team so we can advise you honestly through first-hand experience and help you find just the right place for a happy holiday.

30 of our holiday homes carry a top 5 star rating, whilst 55 have 4½ stars; 80 have use of a heated swimming pool, some have private moorings or fishing rights; others are on working farms and most have stunning views across countryside or out to sea. Many are within ambling distance of the beach or local pub, and over half welcome pets. We also have some exceptionally plush, big and beautiful places - 73 sleep ten or more and many can organise catering and maid service. Something for everyone!

For a free copy of our 2012 brochure, call on 01647 433593, order or download a copy online or email help@helpfulholidays.com. Every property in our brochure is also featured on our website.

View a list of all the new properties in our 2012 brochure.

Happy browsing!

October foodie heaven...

2011-09-27T11:21:00.000+01:00

The West Country is renowned for its abundant, tasty produce and is home to many celebrated chefs.

Next month is bursting with mouth-watering foodie events, so what better time for an autumn break?

We've selected a few to whet your appetite...

Mitch Tonks

Exmoor Food Festival 30th September to 9th October

Boscastle Festival 1st to 2nd October

Celebration of Food 1st to 31st October

Falmouth Oyster Festival 13th to 16th October

Dartmouth Food Festival 21st to 23rd October

We've some fabulous holiday cottages still available during October where you can enjoy your tasty treats or perhaps experiment with your own culinary creations?

Get away for October half-term…

2011-09-22T10:33:00.001+01:00

If you’re hankering after a relaxing break at half-term, it’s not too late. We’ve still some super cottages left, and as you’d expect they’re all good places for happy holidays. Don’t delay though, we recommend you book now to avoid missing out on your favourite cottage.

There are lots of family friendly attractions in the South West and they’ll all be geared up for lots of fun activities to keep your kids entertained. Here are some ideas…

The Dairy is a detached, neat and comfy single-storey cottage on the edge of Hawkchurch, where Dorset meets Devon. Situated in Wyld Court, home to a striking Elizabethan manor house, it’s surrounded by acres of peaceful, rolling countryside with pretty villages and stunning coast nearby. The cottage has its own private enclosed outside space, plus shared use of a games room with a pool table, darts and table tennis. The friendly owners, who live in the manor house along the drive, are happy for you to help with the feeding of their many family pets (ducks, chickens, cats, dogs) and miniature Shetland ponies and goats that reside in fields around the cottages. Nearby places to visit include Pecorama, Forde Abbey and the Donkey Sanctuary. There are also plenty of fossils to discover along the Jurassic Coast.

Safe Haven is a welcoming 200-year-old, end-of-terrace stone/cob house in the heart of the pretty boat building and fishing village of Appledore. As well as lovely, long views over the Taw and Torridge estuary, the cottage boasts a super, sunny, enclosed garden with a summer house and a play fort. The big sandy beach at Westward Ho! provides energetic youngsters with plenty of space or perhaps enjoy a leisurely family bike ride along the Tarka Cycle Trail? Nearby places to visit include The Big Sheep, Exmoor Zoo and Hartland Abbey.

Kings Corner is a pretty, Grade II listed, thatched cottage in the off-the-beaten-track little village of Kingston, just a mile from the river Erme’s beautiful wooded estuary. Nearby places to visit include Pennywell Farm, Woodlands Leisure Park and the National Marine Aquarium. There are also fine sandy beaches at Bigbury-on-Sea – children will love walking out to Burgh Island at low tide or trying out some watersports.

Treworgie is a handsome detached house with Georgian origins, wonderfully tucked away on a 140 acre dairy and sheep farm 1¼ miles from Manaccan. The accommodation is a self-contained part of the family home, and you’re welcome to watch the milking activities on the farm. There’s also a very large first-floor games barn with lots of toys, table tennis, air hockey and table football. Nearby places to visit include the Seal Sanctuary, National Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle.

Browse through our holiday cottages available for half term and use our ‘Explore the Area’ map to find places to visit near your favourite holiday cottage.

Get classical at the Two Moors Festival…

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The Two Moors Festival is the South West’s most prestigious classical music festival. Made up of 30 concerts and talks held across eleven towns and villages on Dartmoor and Exmoor, the ever-expanding festival runs each October and attracts BBC Radio 3 broadcasts and many keen concert-goers from outside the area.

The concerts, which run from 13th to 22nd October, feature a variety of both established global performers and young, local musicians. The festival’s patron is HRH Sophie, The Countess of Wessex, and past performers have included Julian Lloyd Webber.

Ksenija Sidorova

We’re supporting the festival through a part sponsorship of one of the events - a celebrity recital in Widecombe-in-the-Moor on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm. The recital comprises Mozart Adagio and Rondo, Stravinsky Concertino, Schnittke Revis Fairy Tale, Nunn Escape Velocity and Astor Piazzolla Tango Sensations performed by accordian player Ksenija Sidorova and the Solstice String Quartet. Tickets are £16.

The aim of the festival is very much to support the local community and expand musical culture in the South West. Festival-goers and visitors to the region inject much needed out-of-season funds into the local economy, while revenue raised by the concerts helps the charity to continue its work beyond October. One of its goals is to introduce music to children in rural primary schools and since 2003, 38 schools and over 3000 children have benefited from music workshops.

The festival also operates an annual Young Musicians Platform competition, a unique opportunity for youngsters aged 18 and under who live or go to school in the South West. Past winners include professional musicians, undergraduates at major universities and those studying at recognised conservatoires. The festival headquarters on Exmoor also offer young professional musicians a much needed haven to rehearse throughout the year.

If you decide to visit the festival while you’re in the West Country, do let us know what you saw and how much you enjoyed it!

Need somewhere to stay? Take a look at our holiday cottages in Dartmoor and holiday cottages in Exmoor.

Fishing in the West Country...

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If you’re a keen angler, you’ll know that fishing can be a tremendously enjoyable pastime whilst on holiday. The West Country boasts many rivers, streams, watercourses and water impoundments, ideal for fishing for salmon, sea trout, brown trout, grayling and coarse fish.

The West Country Angling Passport provides two easy ways to go fishing – a token scheme which provides flexible access to many miles of wild, uncharted waters, or a booking office where you can reserve fishing on more established main river beats.

The Passport initiative was started to provide access to a considerable undeveloped fishing resource on many farms and properties within Cornwall and Devon. By facilitating the sustainable development of this resource, the Trust aims to provide farmers and landowners with an economic incentive to protect and enhance the rivers, streams and lakes of the West Country.

The Passport is not-for-profit and this means the money anglers pay to go fishing goes straight back to the fishery owners and then the Trust in turn helps the owners invest their revenue back into the fishery. In effect, simply by going fishing on the Passport waters, anglers are helping to protect and improve the West Country’s fisheries.

There are some fantastic areas to choose from – for example the Duchy of Cornwall fishing on Dartmoor. The East and West Dart rivers and their tributaries provide some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the UK – there are over 25kms of river to be explored.

Hiring a guide (or ghillie) can really make all the difference between catching fish and drawing a blank, especially if you’re a novice. Depending on where you’re staying or want to go fishing, give one of the guides listed here a call and have a chat about what you want to get out of your day’s fishing.

Near to the pretty village of Lustleigh, nestling into the eastern edge of Dartmoor you’ll find Stable Corner, a much praised and appreciated cottage (one of four we let on this 35 acre farm). You’re just one mile from attractive trout and pike fishing reservoirs – also ideal for walks and birdwatching.

Further afield, anglers can try their luck at catching salmon, trout, perch, roach and bream on the Exeter Ship Canal and River Exe.

Just ½ mile from the old village of Millbrook and the big sandy beach at Whitsand Bay is Tregonhawke Farmhouse, a smashing home from home. Just 300 yards away there is a coarse fishing lake (carp, tench, roach, rudd, bream and perch – some as large as 25lbs!) with fishing free for residents. You’re also not far from coarse fishing lakes covered by Plymouth & District Coarse Angling Club with fish available including specimen carp, bream, chub, tench, perch, roach, rudd, gudgeon, orfe, dace and crucian carp.

Wherever you stay in the West Country, you won’t have to travel too far to go fishing, but for ease, take a look at these holiday cottages with private fishing included.

MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend…

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In just a couple of days, the next MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend will be here!

Now in its 18th year, MCS Beachwatch is a coastal environmental initiative, involving thousands of volunteers who passionately care about their local coastline. The event takes place every year, making it the most influential fight against marine litter in the UK.

The initiative is the only national volunteer beach clean-up and survey in the UK. Over the weekend of 18th and 19th of September 2010, 376 beaches were cleaned by 4,927 people who went to their local beach to make a big difference.

The Beachwatch events give MCS a better picture of just what washes up on our shores and when - plastic still makes up the majority. Plastics pose a great threat to marine wildlife because they can take thousands of years to fully break down.

The data collected is used for the annual MCS Beachwatch Big Weekend report – you can read the 2010 report here.

There are events all over the UK - find a Beachwatch beach in your area.

If you’d like to register for this event or take part in surveys throughout the year, please register now to take part.

MCS is our charity for 2011 and you can find a link to their Good Beach Guide on the property details page of each of our holiday cottages to see beaches within 20 miles.

Super September events…

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Lovers of the West Country won’t be surprised to hear that this September is jam-packed with events across the region. We’ve focused on just a few with cottages to match…

Head for Plymouth city harbour from 10th to 18th September to see the F1 of yachting – the 34th America’s Cup. Take a look at this video to whet your appetite for what should be an extremely exciting and prestigious event:

There’s lots more to see in Plymouth - from the biggest fish tank in Europe at the National Marine Aquarium to the Barbican Leisure Park where you’ll be surrounded by history and many places to eat, drink and be entertained! Place to stay: You might get a good view from Eureka.

TV-funnyman-turned-mandolin-player Adrian Edmondson and his punk-folk band The Bad Shepherds are a highlight at this year’s St. Ives September Festival, from 10th to 24th September. They were nominated for ‘Best Live Act’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2010 and you can see why here:

The festival is a great celebration of music and the arts and takes place around St Ives. As well as The Bad Shepherds, there may still be tickets left for Chris Barber, Barbara Dickinson, the Brodsky Quartet and many others. There’s also lots of free music on throughout the town. If news and current affairs is more your thing, you can attend a recording of BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby on 9th September in the Guildhall. Place to stay: Escape the crowds at Trecam.

You don’t have to be a steam engine fanatic to enjoy the West Somerset Railway Autumn Steam Gala from 29th September to 2nd October. Puff along to Bishops Lydeard for some great sights including ‘Norton Manor’, ‘Prairie’ and a Heritage Freight Train. You’re welcome to have a look around the Works and see the Minehead Turntable in operation. You can catch up with all the latest news on the West Somerset Railway’s Facebook page. Place to stay: There’s a station near Chapel Cottage.

What’s the best type of walking festival? One that runs at the same time as a food festival of course! Those thoughtful folks from Exmoor are holding Exmoor Walking Festival from 30th September to 3rd October, and the Exmoor Food Festival from 30th September to 9th October. You can see the full walking festival programme of events here – a highlight is ‘The Inns and Outs of Trentishoe’ on 30th September, a varied walk which starts inland and climbs quickly to follow Heddon's Cleave with wonderful views across the valley and out to sea. The walk then follows the South West Coast Path

before turning back inland down a steep valley to return beside the Blackmoor Water. The food festival has a handy Google Map to help you triangulate your walks with the very best foodie experiences on offer. Place to stay: Plot your route from Jubilee House.

If you’re planning an autumn break, browse our holiday cottages available during September and October. You can check our ‘Explore the Area’ map on each property details page for more event ideas near your favourite cottage, or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter to receive our pick of both major and quirky events for the month ahead.

Autumn holidays in the South Hams…

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Do you like to travel in September or October? As summer turns to autumn, red and golden leaves begin to add a warm glow to the West Country countryside. With the evenings getting shorter and temperatures dipping slightly, what better excuse to dig out your comfy knits and gather together around an open fire after a fun-filled day out in the popular South Hams area.

At The Stables, a mile from Ermington, sheltered by trees on a hilltop with tremendous uninterrupted views to Dartmoor, you can see lovely sunsets – a perfect spot for relaxing after a long bracing walk along the glorious coast three miles away at the river Erme estuary. There’s a superb indoor heated swimming pool too, as well as a rustic woodburner to warm your toes.

Swallowsmeet, near Battisborough Cross, is surrounded by rolling farmland leading down to the open sea. This impressive, excellently converted, ‘upside down’ house has been cleverly designed to retain original features from its former function as a stone-built barn to Alston Manor Farm. Lovely exposed scissor-beams and comfy leather corner sofas in the superb, spacious open-plan living/dining/kitchen area make for delightful evenings in after days out exploring. A great base for visiting south Devon’s beautiful coastline, beaches and pretty villages.

On a quiet lane in Washbourne you’ll find Bridge Cottage, a pretty, detached stone cottage sympathetically renovated to a very high standard. Berry Pomeroy Castle and Dartmouth Castle both make ideal nearby places to visit, and on the way back you can pick up some award winning, classic English wines and cheeses from Sharpham Vineyard. The area is rich with foodie pubs and restaurants for delicious lunches and dinners.

Number 4 Garden Cottages, in the heart of Kingsbridge, is in a brilliant position for restaurants, cafés and good pubs. You’ll enjoy walking up and down Kingsbridge high street, window shopping and ducking into quaint shops and galleries. Discover the many-creeked Kingsbridge estuary on a boat trip or head to the stunning beaches at nearby Salcombe and Bigbury-on-Sea for countless watersports.

Browse through our holiday cottages in the South Hams to find just the right place for a relaxing break in September or October.

Autumn walks in the West Country...

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There are many different routes for walkers across the West Country, and happily many of our cottages are ideally located to step out of the front door and straight on to a walking trail.

The Mariner's Way, Dartmoor

For instance the Mariners' Way on Dartmoor is a favourite among walkers, part of an ancient trackway which runs from Bideford in north Devon to Dartmouth in south Devon, taking in breathtaking views across the moor. According to legend, seafarers used to land on the south coast of Devon and trek all the way up to ports on the north coast.

As the Mariner’s Way enters Dartmoor it passes Throwleigh, where nearby you’ll find Sampsons, a beautiful, Grade II listed, detached house, one of two barn conversions in a secluded and peaceful courtyard setting. This is a much loved home from home, well-equipped and handy for exploring the open moor – and the Mariner’s Way – just half a mile away.

A path on the National Trust's Godolphin Estate

Land owned by the National Trust is home to many spectacular walking routes and dog friendly Mazeys Cottage, in the tiny village of Germoe on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, is perfectly placed for lovely walks from the door up Tregoning Hill (with views to north and south coasts) and to the National Trust’s 555-acre Godolphin Estate. From around this wonderfully tranquil and comfortable cottage set on a 15 acre small holding there are fantastic panoramic views to the sea at Mounts Bay and the whole of this end of the peninsula.

Coastal walks are especially attractive in the region around the Slapton Sands Nature Reserve in the South Hams. Here you can join the South West Coast Path, 630miles of superb coastal walking. Deep in leafy lanes, 1½ miles north of Slapton in a sheltered wooded valley, you’ll find Cherry Cottage, one of three around a courtyard. It’s an ideal base for route-plotting and recuperation on a top notch walking holiday – your four legged friend is welcome too.

Lerryn

When moorland and coastal walks have been ticked off your list, you’ll appreciate the picturesque beauty of Lerryn Creek, halfway up the river Fowey estuary in Cornwall. It’s relatively unknown and unspoilt, surrounded by miles of wild, dense woodland and forest downstream with farmland and meadow upstream above its medieval bridge. Just 30 yards from the bridge is Mote Cottage, a smartly whitewashed, early 19th century end-of-terrace stone cottage. Careful restoration has preserved much of the cottage’s original charm with thick, knobbly walls, exposed beams and low ceilings – a charming, comfy place in a pretty location with lots to see and do nearby.

Has that inspired you to lace up those trusty walking boots ready for a trip to the West Country this autumn?

For more walking route ideas near your favourite holiday cottage, simply click on the ‘Walks’ link beneath the Explore the Area map on its details page on our website.

Enter the Soil Association Raffle and win a week’s holiday!

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As a company based in the West Country, with our properties strewn across some of the most fantastic natural landscapes to be found in Britain, we share many ideals with the Soil Association, a membership charity campaigning for planet-friendly food and farming.

If you buy organic food at your supermarket, you’ll likely have spotted their logo – the Soil Association symbol is the UK's most recognised trademark for organic produce. When used on food packaging, it tells you that produce is certified to high organic standards and provides an assurance of organic authenticity.

The Hayloft, Kentisbeare

If organic living is important to you, you’ll be pleased to hear that this year, together with Maddocks Farm Organics, we’re supporting the Soil Association by providing part of the first prize for their Summer Raffle - a week’s holiday for 12 people at The Hayloft in Kentisbeare, east Devon. The winner will also receive £1,000 spending money - and there are super prizes for the runners up too.

The Hayloft, a very roomy and comfy house beautifully converted from a barn, is just over a mile from both Kentisbeare and Cullompton, in the middle of rolling farmland and on the edge of the Blackdown Hills. The property is located on a 5 acre organic smallholding (loads of fresh vegetables available), which you are welcome to walk, with lovely views across miles of countryside. We’ve had lots of positive feedback from people who’ve enjoyed happy holidays here.

Whether you’d like to enter the raffle yourself or sell tickets to raise extra donations, you’ll need to request your books of tickets by 12th September and return your entries by 29th September. The draw will be made on 30th September. So be quick and good luck!

You can find full competition details on the Soil Association website.

We’ve some other lovely holiday homes on organic farms or smallholdings. Take a look at Mallard Cottage (pictured left) in Poltimore, east Devon, a comfy cottage in the grounds of the owners' 60 acre organic farm which you are welcome to roam or Stickwick House on Dartmoor, a fine, Grade II listed, 18 century Georgian country house surrounded by lush farmland and a 50 acre organic farm.

In the South Hams, you’ll find delightful Crannacombe Farmhouse on an 80 acre organic farm in the beautiful river Avon valley and excellent Blackthorn Barn near Kingsbridge on an organic 300 acre sheep/beef farm which you are welcome to wander. Or how about spacious Merryfield Farmhouse in St Cleer, south Cornwall, beside a 114 acre organic farm?

The Soil Association is the UK's leading environmental charity campaigning for sustainable, organic farming and championing human health. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

West Country art appreciation…

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Many visitors to the West Country love to visit the countless art galleries in the area – full of the work of artists inspired by rugged landscapes, crashing waves and quaint fishing villages.

Artists have long been infatuated with the West Country. From the 1880s onwards, Newlyn, St Ives and the west Cornwall hinterland were firmly on the map as destinations for artists producing realistically observed marine and landscape paintings. The artists were collectively known as the Newlyn School.

Tate St Ives

It’s no wonder the West Country continues to inspire artists and art lovers. Tate St Ives is perhaps the most famous gallery, a treasure trove of modern and contemporary art, including the work of the St Ives Modernists. You can also visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden.

The Newlyn Gallery re-opened in 2007, alongside major new art space The Exchange, in the heart of Penzance. The gallery is home to a lively collective of over one hundred professional artists who either live in the South West or have strong connections with the area.

Falmouth Art Gallery

Falmouth Art Gallery has one of the leading art collections in Cornwall and features work by old masters, major Victorian artists, British Impressionists, leading maritime artists and contemporary painters and printmakers.

Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery is notable for the Cottonian Collection, an outstanding art collection comprising oil paintings, Old Master and English drawings and watercolours, sculpture, furniture and ceramics, a library, Reynolds material and a collection of seven thousand or so fine prints.

Torre Abbey in Torquay collects 18th, 19th and 20th century landscape, marine and genre paintings by British artists, concentrating in particular on views of south Devon and its coastal waters, and works by local artists.

If you’re a collector or looking for a memento, you can buy original paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, pottery and ceramics from one of the many smaller galleries such as the Lemon Street Gallery in Truro, Beside The Wave in Falmouth, the Marine House in Beer, D’Art Gallery in Dartmouth or The Appledore Crafts Company in Appledore.

There are also exhibition centres such as the Devon Guild of Craftsmen in Bovey Tracey on Dartmoor and the Craft Gallery at Dartington near Totnes where you can see, buy and learn about contemporary craft and design.

The Cot, St Just-in-Penwith

You can even admire original works of art without leaving the confines of your holiday home! The Byre in Roborough, is full of the artist owner’s work (some items for sale) and The Cot in St Just-in-Penwith also has the artist owner’s paintings adorning the walls. Magnificent Parnacott in Holsworthy is decorated with striking family portraits giving clues to its heritage, while Trolver Barn in Feock and Goose Cottage in Dunsford are both homes to some interesting contemporary pieces.

Even better, if you’re feeling inspired by your surroundings, why not grab a sketch pad and some watercolours or pencils and have a dabble yourself?

Countdown to Devon Open Studios 2011…

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As part of our sponsorship of Devon Open Studios we’re supporting five impressive artists as part of their Emerging Artist Bursary Scheme. We’ve already profiled Kirstie Benbow, Melanie Beer and Amy McCarthy – here we take a look at Nigel Waters and Francesca Dawson.

Nigel Waters is a painter working within the mediums of painting and photography. Interested in modern British and American culture from 1950 to the present, he describes his sculptural paintings as “a creative response to a setting using partly observed and partly automatic mark making.”

Nigel works with people with disabilities and his work reflects his interest in the tactile nature of art as a multi-dimensional impression rather than the conventional visual format.

“These visual perceptions include light, colour, overlayed forms and peripheral reflections which altogether create a complex multi-layered image.”

The bursary will enable Nigel to put on an exhibition to generate sales and this in turn will fund his next body of work. He would also like to further develop his skills by taking an MA at art college. See Nigel talking about his work and winning the bursary on YouTube.

Nigel’s work can be seen at Exeter Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QB.

Francesca Dawson (L) with Helen Hayes from Helpful Holidays

Francesca Dawson graduated with a first class BA (Hons) Fine Art in 2007 and currently manages an art gallery (Gloss) in Exeter and creates her work in her spare time. Her passion is for drawing, and she is currently producing a series of pieces influenced by a selection of the Grimm’s fairytales including The Seven Ravens and The Fox and the Wolf.

She explains: “I have used the traditional characters as inspiration and have adapted them to suit a contemporary audience as I believe their stories have a universal appeal.”

Francesca is also greatly inspired by fashion photography and illustration which is evident in the female characters she portrays. Her work conveys a juxtaposition between beauty and subtle macabre, through visual narratives using various drawing and mixed media.

The critical feedback that she hopes to receive from the visitors to her show will help her develop as an exhibiting artist and the bursary will be a great help towards the cost of hosting her exhibition. See Francesca talking about her work and winning the bursary on YouTube.

Francesca’s work can be seen at The Granary, Oxton, Kenton, Exeter, EX6 8EX.

If you’re in Exeter on 1st September, it’s well worth attending the launch of Devon Open Studios 2011 at Exeter Northcott Theatre. See details below:

Running from 3rd to 18th September, Devon Open Studios is a great opportunity to meet and chat with artists and see the creative process first hand.

A free event guide is available by post or online showing all the artists and venues, colour coded by area, so you can plan a tour of the studios that interest you. And if you need a place to stay, take a look at our holiday cottages in Devon available during the event.

You can also link up with Devon Open Studios on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Dog-friendly holiday cottages for August Bank Holiday…

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If you read our last blog post and have since interpreted the signals that yes, your dog does indeed need a holiday, here are four canine-friendly holiday cottages with availability over the August Bank Holiday week:

Wheal Betsy, Mary Tavy

Kent’s Barn in Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, is a bright, comfortable, 'upside down' cottage neatly converted from a stable block. It’s beautifully located on the side of a hill and looks across a peaceful wooded valley to nearby Cholwell Brook. This is a great place to come back to after a day exploring the wilds of Dartmoor or further afield – Pooch can enjoy a well-deserved gnaw on a bone (while you enjoy an evening drink) as you both sit out in the a suntrap cobbled courtyard and admire the views across the valley.

Nellie's, a cottage converted from an old stone barn, is situated a mile from Moreleigh, a tiny village with a pleasant pub in lovely, wooded farming country in the heart of the South Hams. You’re welcome to walk the long countryside trails (fields, woods, streams) over the owners’ 200 acres – you need never take your dog on the same walk twice! The cottage is around 20 minutes from Slapton Sands, a fantastic long beach, allowing dogs throughout the year.

Perranporth Beach

Beech, another barn conversion cottage, is situated in Goonhavern, two miles inland from Perranporth’s fine sandy beach (dogs on the busiest parts of the beach have to be kept on leads between 1000 and 1700 during August). The cottage, which boasts great views across the meadows to the sea, is well suited for dogs, and you can take Pooch off the lead in a dog exercise field (shared with three other cottages). For the rest of the family, there’s a games barn with pool tables, table-top football, table tennis and badminton. A great spot for beach or touring with no passing traffic.

Bosoljack, a former boathouse in the beautiful creek-side hamlet of Port Navas, offers sensational views down the creek and of 'messing about in boats'. The fantastic Trebah Gardens are nearby, with dogs welcome all year round (on a lead at all times). Grab a sandwich and enjoy Trebah’s very own secluded, private beach on the Helford River, with views that stretch out to the open sea.

Don’t forget, if you can’t get away for a whole week, three and four night short breaks are now available at many of our holiday cottages over the August Bank Holiday week.

Take a look at all our dog friendly holiday cottages available during August Bank holiday week – and don’t forget to ask Pooch for his opinion!

Is your dog telling you he needs a holiday?

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Lots of our customers are dog lovers and enjoy bringing their pet to the many dog-friendly holiday cottages we have throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

We’re dog lovers too and enjoyed listening to this Guardian Science Weekly podcast investigating the relationship between humans and dogs. The podcast interviews John Bradshaw, a fellow at the University of Bristol specialising in anthrozoology: the science of human-animal interactions. He’s also one of the world's leading experts on dog psychology and the author of In Defence of Dogs: Why Dogs Need Our Understanding. Perhaps you could download it and listen to it on your iPod whilst giving pooch a walk? The website Paws for a Walk has some useful guidelines to follow when taking your dog out trekking. For instance, check if dogs are allowed where you plan to walk, and carry water for both you and your pet.

Photos courtesy of
dog-friendly-beaches-in-cornwall.com

Our stunning West Country beaches are great places for your dog to cavort on the sand and play in the surf and this website has a useful map of beaches that welcome dogs in Cornwall. You can also find dog-friendly beaches in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Further inland, you’ll find perfect dog walking country - spectacular moors (Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin), wooded river valleys and beautiful rolling farmland.

At the end of any good walk you’ll both need some sustenance. As an example, The Loft at St Ives has a dog friendly owner, always happy to supply a bowl of water and a stroke of the ears! For more ideas, you’ll find a guide on the Doggie Pubs website which lists 132 dog-friendly pubs in Cornwall, 181 in Devon, 115 in Dorset and 102 in Somerset. Spoiled for choice!

Of course you’re not limited to the great outdoors – many family attractions, gardens and stately homes welcome well behaved dogs and their owners too. English Heritage has a guide to which of its properties are suitable. Dogs on leads are usually welcome but restrictions may apply to certain areas. The website Dog People has a list of some other attractions suitable for dogs.

So – give your dog a break! Why not browse our selection of dog-friendly holiday cottages? Pooch will love you for it!

What do you like to discover on holiday?

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Whether you’re holidaying on the moor, by the sea or in river country, there’s so much history and nature to discover on your doorstep in Devon.

If you stay at The Hayloft in Lower Cator, a hamlet in a hill-farmed valley in the heart of southern Dartmoor, you’ll find miles of lovely moorland and riverside walks amidst spectacular scenery. One of the holidaymakers who stayed here described the “riot of colour and wildlife” and there’s a wealth of archaeological sites to visit too.

It can be great fun to plot your walking route to call in at country pubs – try The Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, a popular, ‘real Dartmoor’ village world-famous for its fair. The Hayloft is an excellent, upside down cottage (one of two converted from a big barn) in a truly beautiful location; a peaceful retreat after busy days out.

In the heart of Axminster, you’ll find lovely Coombe House, big, semi-detached and Grade II listed, originally built for the local abbot in the 16th century. There’s history all around you here. Axminster is a bustling little town with 300BC Celtic origins and nearby is the imposing Jurassic Coast – miles of stunning coastline and ancient geology recording 185 million years of the Earth's evolution.

After hunting for fossils and exploring rockpools, relax in the property’s big enclosed, walled garden shaded by a lovely mature beech tree – and you’re welcome to roam the friendly owner’s garden and help yourself to seasonal fruit and veg.

In the heart of the historic fishing village of Appledore, quirky Peelers Cottage has 1732 origins and once served the village as a police station and gaol. The picturesque village is well placed at the mouth of the Taw and Torridge estuary.

Make a hearty packed lunch and head off on your bikes to explore the famous Tarka Trail (you can hire cycles in Bideford, just 2 miles away) – you’ll find an abundance of wildlife. A good route is Bideford to Torrington which takes you up the Torridge Estuary on the old railway bed. Or how about a boat trip from Bideford to breathtaking Lundy Island to see its rich and diverse flora and fauna?

For more holiday ideas, browse through the rest of our holiday cottages in Devon.

Meet the artists during Devon Open Studios…

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Painting by Melanie Beer

Any art lovers amongst you will recall our post back in June on our sponsorship of Devon Open Studios again this year. In this post, we’re delighted to introduce two more of the five impressive artists we’re supporting as part of their Emerging Artist Bursary Scheme.

Kirstie Benbow is a recently self-employed artist who is a part-time Fine Art student at Plymouth College of Art. Since starting the course, her inspiration has changed from design-led, designer/maker crafts, to emotionally-fed conceptual art. Her range is wide – there are few visual art forms not now represented in her work: wire and shredded paper forms, sculpted female figures, horses, humorous three-dimensional birds….

Kirstie says “It has been a fascinating process, to move from printmaking and textiles to painting, a new discipline for me, focusing on the use of colour (mainly oils) in abstract garden themes. I hope to take painting forward into my professional practice, backed up by my history of printmaking, textiles and sculpture.”

Printmaking remains Kirstie’s ‘lead’ discipline. Again, she is inspired by gardens and hedgerows, using recycled materials, dried plant stems and seed heads, dead insects and other finds from her garden. The delicate monotype images she creates are strongly evocative of seasons and emotions past.

You can see Kirstie’s work at Heathfield Farm, Heathfield Road, Denbury, Newton Abbot TQ12 6ES.

Melanie Beer paints with acrylics using loose brush strokes to capture her local land and seascape in a painterly, impressionistic style. She has also recently begun to work with fused glass to create the movement, colour and flow of the ocean and has several commissions. Melanie says “The challenge for me is to capture nature’s tranquillity with light colour and texture. This bursary from Devon Open Studios has given me a great opportunity to reach a wider audience and get my career off to a head start.”

You can see Melanie’s work at Sunnybank, Cudhill Road, Brixham, TQ5 9JQ.

Running from 3rd to 18th September, Devon Open Studios is a great opportunity to meet and chat with artists and see the creative process first hand.

A free event guide is available by post or online showing all the artists and venues, colour coded by area, so you can plan a tour of the studios that interest you. And if you need a place to stay, take a look at our holiday cottages in Devon available during the event.

You can also link up with Devon Open Studios on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.