Focus on Fowey…

Fowey Harbour. Photo courtesy Martin Pettitt

Nestling at the mouth of the river Fowey, on the south Cornwall coast, the picture-postcard seaside town of Fowey (pronounced ‘Foy’) is very much focused on the water. It’s also a hive of cultural activity, with a packed events schedule. Here are a few examples:

From 9th to 20th May, the annual du Maurier Festival (inspired by author Daphne du Maurier, who was a Fowey resident for many years) is a mix of star names, talks, walks and community events. Amongst some of the famous names appearing in the packed programme are Sir Terry Wogan, Esther Rantzen, Julian Clary, Richard and Judy and the BBC's Trevor McDonald. Plenty of musical offerings are included, such as guitarist John Williams, 80s pop icons Nik Kershaw and crooner Georgie Fame.

A new event for 2012, the Fowey Mussel Fest (23rd June) will feature live cooking demonstrations by local chefs in a covered area of the Town Quay in the centre of Fowey. Also on offer are Champagne tasting, cream teas and live music to round off the event in style.

Fowey’s natural harbour is a haven for yachtsmen, and as a result the Fowey Royal Regatta (19th to 25th August) is regarded by many as one of the best local regattas in the country. Daily events are held on the Town Quay, and there are also carnival processions, the Red Arrows, gig racing, two firework displays and – one not to miss - the hotly contested children's crab catching competition.

With lovely long views over the estuary and village to the wooded hills beyond,

7 Park Road is an impressive semi-detached house on three levels, hugely improved and extended in recent years to provide modern comfort and style. Both back and front gardens have decking with table and chairs to take advantage of the sun and the views.  A handy pathway means you’re just 800 yards away from all the action, so this is a perfect base from which to explore all of Fowey’s events and charms. Sleeps 7.

Beam Reach is nestled in the heart of Fowey, just yards from cafés, shops, pub and quayside. This end-of-terrace fisherman’s cottage on three floors has likely 17th century origins, a nautical blue and white theme, original lumpy stone walls, half-spiral narrow stairs and oak floors, making it a really characterful place to stay. Sleeps 6.

A little further out, in nearby St Veep, Wyvell Cottage is a detached, 300-year-old cob/slate cottage with lovely long rural views. Here you have plenty of space, with a big, totally private, mostly lawned garden on three sides with table and chairs and barbecue for those long summer afternoons. Beyond the garden is a tidied barn with table tennis, and a footpath going prettily down to the river Fowey and along to Lerryn (a 4 mile round trip). Sleeps 9.

Why not browse all our holiday cottages in south Cornwall, or call us on 01647 433593 and we’ll help you find the best cottage for you and yours.

Get ready for an eventful August…

If you like your August holidays jam-packed, you're in for a treat in the West Country this year. Here are some of our favourite events, with some suggestions for places to stay nearby...

You'll find Red Arrows and pasties - and lots more - at the Fowey Royal Regatta which runs from 14th to 20th August. Fowey week includes some really competitive racing, the Carnival, a pasty eating competition (when you can meet the Red Arrows team), a fireworks display and gig racing too! The Red Arrows display will take place on 18th August at 6:30pm. Stay at: Penpol.

If you're in the Dartmoor area, why not pop along and see us - yes, us! – at the Chagford Show on 18th August. You’ll find our stand beside the main ring so do drop by at Pimms O'Clock as you wander round this varied collection of traditional country activities, all in stark contrast to the freestyle mountain bike stunt team performing in the display ring! Stay at: Rookwood Cottage.

For those of you who find it really hard to wait until 5th November each year, the British Fireworks Championships runs from 16th to 17th August in Plymouth. This most anticipated event will see thousands of spectators heading up to the Hoe for two evenings of entertainment culminating in spectacular fireworks displays from six companies seeking the coveted title of British Firework Champions. Stay at Apartment 19.

Music lovers will love the Bude Jazz Festival, well known for its sense of joy and fun! It opens on 27th August and proceeds to enjoy itself immensely all week, including many a late night jamming session. Bring your trumpet and join in! Stay at: Highdown Cottage.

Top chefs cooking in a Fish Market, a big-fish filleting challenge, displays of locally caught fish and seafood, live music and lots of other entertainment on land and water - this is the Newlyn Fish Festival from 28th to 29th August. Dont miss the hilarious raft race, which raises funds for the town’s Christmas lights. Stay at: Bethany.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair, from 31st August to 4th September at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford Forum, has grown from humble origins to covering an enormous showground. It’s a great opportunity to see how people lived, worked and played in bygone years, with steam tractors, horse drawn ploughs, vintage cars and motor bikes. Stay at Poppy Cottage.

And finally, let off some hot air at the Westcountry Balloon Fiesta from 3rd to 4th September. Keep your fingers crossed for some good weather as up to 30 balloons are expected to fly across the Tamar from Tavistock, with all proceeds going to local and regional charities. Stay at Hayloft.

It’s not too late to book a holiday this August and enjoy some of these fabulous events. Take a look at the cottages still available this month in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

You can check our ‘Explore the Area’ map on each property details page for more event ideas near your cottage too.

Have lots of fun, whatever you do!

Take to the seas with West Country regattas…

The world’s most prestigious and thrilling yacht racing is coming to Plymouth after it was announced as a host city for the 2011 America’s Cup World Series. The event in September will attract thousands of international visitors and large crowds are expected to watch the world’s best sailors in the world’s fastest boats competing in the spectacular natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound.

So if the high-energy, wave-crunching excitement of the America's Cup has given you a hunger for a spot of sailing, the West Country has some other top class events for you - and we've highlighted a few nearby cottages...

Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week takes place from 6th to14th August. The event includes a variety of courses during the week followed by fun on dry land - teas, prize givings and entertainment at a different host club every day. Its organisers state many of the competitors combine the racing with their annual family holiday. With its National Maritime Museum, the town is a prime location for holidaymakers who want to enjoy sailing and the sea. Set sail for S34.

Fowey Royal Regatta transforms its tranquil host town into a hive of activity for one week each August. Hailed one of Britain’s premier sailing events, it is also a fun-filled week for all the family, sailors and landlubbers alike. Previous visitors include Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II and the Red Arrows have been making an appearance for over 30 years. It will take place between 14th and 20th August this year. Make R392 your port of call at the end of each day.

Henri Lloyd Salcombe Yacht Club Regatta attracted more than 250 boats last year and is expected to be as popular this year from 7th to 12th August. Located at the southern tip of Devon, the large sheltered estuary is very popular with dinghy sailors and holidaymakers and is known to many as a departure point for the Channel Islands and France. The celebrations continue during Salcombe Town Regatta from 14th to 20th August. Get your land legs back at L901.

Dartmouth Regatta is a must for anyone in the region from 25th to 27th August. The RAF Red Arrows Display Team and the Black Knights Army Display Parachute Team have already confirmed their attendance, proving this is far more than a water-lovers celebration. A new competition has been added to the extensive programme this year - Pensioners Crab Fishing Competition. According to organisers, pensioners have watched in excess of 200 children annually crab atregattas over the years, and now feel it is time the 'old uns' showed them how it’s really done. Take your catch back to L119.

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