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.

Get away for October half-term…

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.