Half term fun in the West Country...

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.

Devon Tourism & Taste of the West Awards…

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.

Saving you money on West Country attractions…

Entertaining the kids is a crucial part of any family summer holiday and luckily, the West Country offers a wealth of choice, whether for toddlers or teenagers.

When you book a holiday with Helpful Holidays, you’ll receive a copy of our “What Shall We Do Today?” guide, full of recommendations and discount vouchers to use at 80 of the region’s attractions.

So, how did we choose our Top Ten attractions for children? We find that the key test is the volume of protest when the words ‘time to go home’ (TTGH) are uttered.

Here’s our pick of the best, thoroughly tested over the years by close friends and relations…

• Paignton Zoo, Paignton, Devon – first class zoo – TTGH rating 8.

• Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh, Devon – not the biggest, but the best and friendliest ‘hands on’ children’s farm – TTGH rating 9.

• Miniature Pony Centre, North Bovey, Devon – cute and cuddly – you bet! TTGH rating 7.

• Woodlands, near Dartmouth, Devon – can you tame ‘The Twister’? – TTGH rating 8.

• National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth, Devon – very impressive main tank – TTGH rating 6.

• Crealy, near Exeter, Devon and Newquay, Cornwall – yup, the kids love them both – TTGH rating 7.

• The Big Sheep, near Bideford, Devon – watch the sheep race at this north Devon ‘ewetopia’ – TTGH rating 7.

• Combe Martin Dinosaur and Wildlife Park, near Combe Martin, Devon – wolves, dinosaurs (model ones), a train ride and butterflies – TTGH rating 8.

• Pecorama, Beer, Devon – games and trains and perhaps England’s best miniature railway – TTGH rating 7.

• Diggerland, near Cullompton, Devon – boys, this is just what you’ve always wanted to do. Yes, you really do get to drive a digger – TTGH rating 7.

• Dairyland Farmworld, near Newquay, Cornwall – great for younger kids – TTGH rating 6.

You can use our Advanced Search to find holiday cottages near the above attractions or use our ‘Explore the Area’ map to spot great days out near each cottage.

If you need any help searching for a cottage or planning your summer holiday with us, do give our friendly bookings team a call on 01647 433593 or email on help@helpfulholidays.com.

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