Easter Comes Early But Don’t Wait – Book Your West Country Break Now and Beat the Crowds!

Clovelly, by Dave Hamster

Easter comes early this year, so make a well-timed opportunity for a getaway to the West Country, where the range of things to see and do for visitors is vast.

Pack your holiday reading book and head to Chagword, Dartmoor’s literary festival in Chagford. The line-up includes Jonathan Dimbleby and Kathy Lette, with tickets to events from the 15^th-17^th March selling out fast.

Off-road enthusiasts are just in time for the 4x4s jaunt across Exmoor, on the 22nd to 24th March. Rugged 4x4s will take to special off-road sections of the National Park for this unique event. The Jaunt is suitable for all skill ranges, but some rise to The Challenge, for which one vehicle per team must have a winch. It’s not just a good event for holidaymakers, it raises funds for local charities, too.

If aeroplanes are more your thing, the Aerohub at Newquay Cornwall Airport is now the home of the Classic Air Force’s collection of airworthy, post-war classic planes. From 29^th March you can soak up the atmosphere of this unique collection - it’s an exciting and interactive day out with children’s activities, a simulator, engine start-ups and loads more, including a chance to take to the skies.

The Easter Oyster Hunt at Flushing Quay from 29th March to 1st April marks the end of the oyster season. Local oyster-men and chefs take the weekend to show locals and visitors how to enjoy the freshest seafood and a boat trip on the Fal River.

Take part in the 40th anniversary celebrations of the St Endellion Easter Festival, 29th March to 7th April, by singing Thomas Tallis’s wonderful 40-part motet in the atmospheric Collegiate Church of St Endelienta on 30th March.

And who could ignore sweet treats at this time of year? For something different to the traditional Easter Egg Hunt, head to the Fantastic Fudge Hunt in Clovelly, from the 29^th March to 7^th April. Your task is to find one of 20 fudge stones hidden in the village, take it to the Visitor Centre and see how much fudge you’ve won. If it’s Number 20, you’ll find yourself with a whole kilo of delicious, multi-flavoured fudge!

Fancy beating the crowds? Book now for pre-Easter breaks and Easter fortnight holidays. Give our knowledgeable telephone team a call on 01647 433593 and they’ll help you find the right place for your relaxing coast or country break.

A Chagword in your ear…

Click here to read the Chagword brochure

We are delighted to be the main sponsor of Chagword literary festival. Held right in our very own backyard – the pretty little town of Chagford – this inaugural weekend-long event has attracted a tremendous line up of the good and the famous from various areas of the world of books and writing.

Some very dedicated and imaginative organisers, plus Dartmoor’s rich literary heritage, have attracted an eclectic mix of literary talent – with authors ranging from bestsellers (Sydney-born Kathy Lette and historical novelist Kate Mosse) to literary heavyweights (novelist, critic, blogger and stand-up comedian A.L. Kennedy), from academics and broadcasters (Jonathan Dimbleby) to popular children’s authors (Philip Reeve).

Completing the line up are former Labour MP Chris Mullin, gothic comedy writer Malcolm Pryce, Austen and Waugh specialist Paula Byrne, picture book writer and illustrator Simon James, poet and nature writer Miriam Darlington and a musical slant will be offered by Neil Sorrell.

Clearly the programme offers an event for every literary taste. The festival runs from 15-17th March 2013, and full details of the event programme, timings, presenters and tickets can be found at http://www.chagword.com, or follow @Chagword on Twitter.

There’s still time to book a cottage nearby – use the Advanced Search function on our website to see all of our cottages available. And of course you can always call us for human help on 01647 433593.

An eventful year in store

You can always be sure of a chock-full events calendar in the West Country – handy for filling your holidays with interesting experiences and happy memories. Here are a few to consider for the coming months:

Held on 4th February, the St Ives Feast is an ancient tradition that offers a rare chance to watch the game of “Hurling the Silver Ball”, a centuries’ old form of rugby. Take a ring-side seat near the beach and cheer for your favourite team, some of whom dive into the chilly sea to escape with the ball - made of apple wood coated in silver.

We are pleased to be sponsoring Chagword, Chagford’s literary festival held in Chagford from 15^th-17^th March. Top authors AL Kennedy, Kathy Lette and Kate Mosse are set to appear at the festival, so if you are a keen bookworm you won’t want to miss this! We’ll be covering the festival on this blog in more detail over the coming weeks.

From 14th-24th March, Falmouth Spring Festival celebrates Falmouth's beautiful open and green spaces. With guided walks and talks, garden spring clean events, Gardeners' Question Time and a Spring Fair, there’s plenty to get involved in. If you’re into keeping fit, join in with the largest open air Zumba event ever held in Cornwall!

Trereife House is hosting its fourth Easter Bank Holiday Food and Craft Fair weekend from 29th March – 1st April. The fair, held at this historic Queen Anne manor house kicks off with a series of cookery demonstrations, craft demonstrations and a programme of entertainment. Bring your appetite, as this event attracts some of the finest local food producers including Worthy Farm Cheeses, fish sales from ‘Cornish Smokies’, and locally produced beer, cider and wine. Bring the kids too - Trereife’s Grand Easter Egg Hunt takes place within the woods and around the walled garden.

Many other events can also be found on our ‘Explore the Area’ website map, available on all our property pages on our website. You can also use the Advanced Search function on our website to see which of our cottages are near to your chosen event. And of course you can always call us for human help on 01647 433593.