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.

More food, drink and arts at Moretonhampstead…

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!

Horsing around on Dartmoor…

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.

Get classical at the Two Moors Festival…

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.

Spielberg on Dartmoor: “An abundance of natural beauty”

Are you a set-jetter? No, we haven’t got our tongues twisted. Set-jetting is the trend of travelling to destinations that are used as movie locations. And it looks like our very own Dartmoor might be the next set-jetting hotspot!

After extensive filming in Dartmoor, Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's First World War adventure novel for children, War Horse, is due to be released in cinemas in January 2012.

Spielberg praised the beauty of the Dartmoor countryside: "I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor... And, with two-and-a-half weeks of extensive coverage of landscapes and skies, I hardly scratched the surface of the visual opportunities that were offered to me."

Set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War, War Horse begins in Devon with the remarkable friendship between a horse named Joey and a young man called Albert, who tames and trains him.

When they are forcefully parted, the film follows the extraordinary journey of the horse as he moves through the war, changing and inspiring the lives of all those he meets – British cavalry, German soldiers, and a French farmer and his granddaughter – before the story reaches its emotional climax in the heart of No Man’s Land.

Filming on Dartmoor started in August 2010 and locations included the small village of Meavy and near Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Ditsworthy Warren House, an isolated Grade II listed building near Sheepstor, served as the Narracott family's farmhouse.

You can watch the official trailer here:

You can also watch a photo montage of the crew filming on location here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqPlEu4ry0w

We’ve over 80 fabulous holiday cottages on Dartmoor so come and visit this magical place to create your own visual memories and tales to tell.

Our new videos...

The web has given us a fantastic opportunity to 'tell it like it is': lots of big photos, mapping, information about local areas, customer comments – and now, some new videos.

First is a video explaining the ethos behind Helpful Holidays, you'll find it top right on our About us page. Our job is simple - to do all we can to make sure you have happy holidays, but as our new video explains, there’s an awful lot that goes into that!

Next, we've some videos showcasing some of our holiday homes on Dartmoor...

 

Weddicott Barn - watch the video

Parford Cottage - watch the video

The Old Dairy - watch the video

Sampsons - watch the video

And don't forget, to compliment the information we provide online, we've a free 220-page colour brochure and a friendly, unbiased, expert telephone team you can ask, "Do you think this is the right place for me? Will I be happy there?" and from whom you will get a straight answer.

We hope you like our new videos and find them useful. Do let us know what you think. 

If you need any help, email us on help@helpfulholidays.com or call us on 01647 433593.

Holiday cottages that are very 'moorish'…

Picking a holiday cottage on Dartmoor or Exmoor takes you right to the heart of the West Country: perfect for absorbing the region's unrivalled views, whether it's from the comfort of your country retreat or while out walking through the luscious landscape.

This delightful barn cottage is one of four on this friendly farm just outside Lustleigh on the eastern side of Dartmoor. The beautiful location is secluded yet sociable: visitors to the cottages share an indoor heated swimming pool, play area and games room and are welcome to explore the 35 acre farm with its moorland, reservoirs and abundant wildlife. You can enjoy plenty of lovely walks without even leaving the farm or venture further into the open moor to discover pretty villages, river valleys and tors.

Skilgate, a sleepy village off the beaten track on the southern edge of Exmoor, is home to this pretty and cosy 18th century cottage. It’s an ideal place for some peace and quiet and yet there’s lots to explore on the doorstep. As well as the natural pull you are likely to feel to explore wider Exmoor (the visitor centre at Dulverton is a good starting point), the property is just a mile from Wimbleball Lake where sailing, fly fishing and walking are popular pastimes. This is the owners' favourite spot for a getaway and it's easy to see why.

We’ve a diverse choice of holiday cottages on Dartmoor and holiday cottages on Exmoor and many are pet friendly, so you’re sure to find just the right place for a happy holiday at any time of year.

Put a West Country spring in your step this Easter…

Not long until the Easter school holidays and the opportunity to have a big catch up with family and friends or simply head off for a quiet break. Whether you're looking for a first class venue for a once-in-a-blue-moon get together or a homely hideaway for your nearest and dearest, we can help you find a holiday cottage in the West Country to suit your needs and your pocket.

Take Maristow Barton on the outskirts of Dartmoor, for example. This exceptional Georgian country house sleeping 16 is tucked away in its own grounds and has everything from a jetty for a small boat to a games room to keep the family entertained.

Part of a 6,000 acre estate close to the river Tavy, the property has a beautiful sunny living room and a striking red dining room in which to relax and socialise. There are five double rooms (two with a slipper bath in the room) and three twins, each brightly and luxuriously decorated, giving any holiday here a hotel feel without the cost. You will no doubt appreciate the no-expense-spared approach the owner has taken refurbishing this home.

The peaceful location boasts stunning countryside, great for exploring by bike along the Plym Valley cycle track. The house is also perfectly situated for visiting Plymouth and Tavistock, both eight miles from Milton Combe, and a great range of National Trust properties, fishing villages and sandy beaches all within 15 miles.

The impressive view from Dolphins

If you’re looking for a smaller retreat, take a look at Dolphins in a quiet location in popular St Ives. The picture-perfect town is nearly surrounded by superb beaches and steeped in fishing village history. From exploring the narrow cobbled streets to tracing the story of art movements that made their name here, you will be spoiled for choice for things to see and do. There are stunning cliff walks to Zennor, with Penzance and Land's End only a short drive away.

The home itself is stylish, uncluttered and comfortable and enjoys long views over Porthmeor Beach and ‘the island’, as it is called. On the seaward side is an open piece of lawned garden with seats and great views, and, at the back, a neat enclosed little paved courtyard with table, chairs and barbecue ready for use. There is one twin room and one double, making this an ideal bolt-hole for a small family or a group of four adults.

Professional catering is available at both of these properties.

From grand houses to cosy cottages, deep in rolling countryside or by the coast, you’re sure to find just the right place for your Easter getaway. View a list of the holiday cottages still available or give our knowledgeable telephone team a call on 01647 433593 and we’ll help you search.

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Places to go, attractions to see…

Getting away from it all is great but it’s also good to know there are things to see and do, if and when you feel like it. You’re spoilt for choice in the West Country, so we’ve hand picked some holiday cottages close to spectacular scenery and attractions to whet your appetite…

First up is the brilliant pairing of this converted old smithy cottage and the Arthurian history-filled Tintagel Castle. The cottage is just a mile from the castle, and only two fields back from the spectacular coastal path, meaning you can walk easily to Trebarthwith Strand's big sandy low-tide beach. Or, walk all the way to Boscastle if you're feeling super fit! The cottage has a cosy open plan kitchen and lounge with a woodburner to welcome you after your exertions.

Wookey Hole Caves in Wells, Somerset, has been a favourite for West Country visitors for years and, judging by the feedback, the same can be said of Glebe Cottage in Wookey. The quiet village includes pubs, a working watermill with tearoom and adventure playground. Glebe Cottage is tucked away on the edge of Wookey, smartly renovated and sharing a meandering garden with the property's owner. The interior includes original beams, a large fireplace and French windows to open-sided porch. The famous Wookey Hole Caves are just 2 miles away, the Cheddar Gorge and Caves 8 miles, the city of Wells 3 miles and Glastonbury 8 miles.

This dear little cottage in Devon, full of character and charm, seems the perfect place for nature lovers who can reach the nearby Buckfast Butterflies and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary easily from Buckfastleigh. These 18th century cottages were built for mill workers. The owner has nurtured the property and brought out its best features, including a living area with lots of beams and a double bedroom with pretty views over the town. The sanctuary offers a fun and educational experience, and afterwards, the rest of Dartmoor is yours to explore.

Take a trip in to Dorchester from Poppy Cottage in Charlton Marshall but be sure to take a picnic. It's a great spot for teddy bear enthusiasts young and old, as the Dorset Teddy Bear Museum is a short drive away. Built in 1860, the mid-terrace flint and brick property has a real ‘own home’ feeling to it. Sit out in the enclosed garden and enjoy the roses, clematis and trees. It is also on the Stour Valley Way, so good for walking.

Best of both worlds...

No surprise that Ingle Tor lodge in North Bovey reached number 10 in The Sunday Times' recent list of '100 cool cottages' for 2010. Carefully hidden away in the stunnning grounds of Bovey Castle, a renowned hotel and championship golf course within the Dartmoor National Park, it is one of four high-spec, granite lodges we offer.

Having been treated to a stay at Ingle Tor at the end of last year, it certainly lived up to my expectations. Inside, the decor was modern and slick with an airy layout over several floors. Sharing with friends, there was no need to fight over the best bedroom as each one was uniquely stylish with its own ensuite bathroom.

But the real beauty of staying here is that you can enjoy the best of both worlds - the privacy and flexibility of self-catering with all the facilities and grandeur of a luxury hotel on your doorstep. If you don’t feel like cooking, you can order a bistro meal or pizza to be delivered to your lodge, or, like us, enjoy a superb meal in the hotel’s fine restaurant followed by relaxed after-dinner drinks and chatter in front of a roaring fire in one of the many cosy drawing rooms.

The friendly hotel staff are attentive without being intrusive and nothing is too much trouble. This is an exceptional place to stay; and so many temptations... afternoon tea, treatments in the spa, endless outdoor pursuits, and beyond, the whole of Dartmoor to explore. I hope to return soon...