Save almost 60% on a short break in Exmoor this weekend...

Due to a cancellation, you can now save almost 60% on a 4 night stay from 29th October at this magnificent family house in Porlock Vale, one of the most beautiful and romantic parts of Exmoor.

The rental was £3,060 and is now just £1,285. Sleeping 30, it's ideal for a big gathering, but, at this price, it's affordable for a smaller group too.

It is exquisitely positioned with a superb wooded backdrop looking out over the sea as the coast circles gently round to the small picturesque harbour of Porlock Weir.

There's 12 acres of grounds to explore and the pebbly beach is only a short walk (250 yards) across the fields from the house. Good walks and pretty pub nearby. Professional catering, fishing and shooting can all be arranged.

A very special place to stay; a wonderful weekend in the country awaits...

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Winter breaks: holiday cottages with fireside charm...

Jack Frost’s arrival heralds a period of peace and tranquillity on the moors and coastal paths of the West Country: the perfect time to enjoy a restful winter break (2, 3, and 4 night short breaks available now) at a holiday cottage in the countryside or by the sea.

Wander down gently meandering riverside paths or along the beach. Spend a lazy afternoon with the papers beside a blazing fire at a country pub or in the comfort of your cottage. Relax and revitalize before the Christmas revelry. We've picked out below a few of our holiday cottages with open fires or woodburners to guarantee a really cosy atmosphere.

This sensational property in Stoke Gabriel has it all: position, view, house, standard, privacy, large indoor heated swimming pool, full-sized snooker table; what more does one want? Well, maybe a fantastic open fire, perfect for gathering around after a bracing walk along the nearby sandy beaches at Torbay. Sleeps 12.

Or how about this large, detached, beautifully-converted, south-facing barn set high on a hillside in Southleigh? Outside there's the most amazing rolling countryside, surrounded by approximately 200 acres of fields and bluebell woods; inside there's an enormous open-plan living area with big comfy sofas and all-important woodburner. Sleeps 14.

Relax at this 300-year-old cottage in the remarkably off-the-beaten-track little village of Kingston. It's got a pretty living room with woodburner and comfy sofas, and if you want to venture out, it's just 600 yards from the nearest pub! Sleeps 7.

This remarkable Grade II listed former music room in Aveton Gifford features a comfy seating area around a large open fireplace, and three steps leading up to the stage, now converted into a bedroom with 5' four-poster bed. An extraordinary and romantic place to escape to. Sleeps 2.

To find just the right holiday cottage for your winter break, use our advanced search, check our special offers or call us on 01647 433593 for human help or to ask for our free 2011 colour brochure.

Special offer on former milking parlour near famous Clovelly...

A former milking parlour sleeping six in the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close to the coastal, traffic-free cobbled village of Clovelly, has been reduced by 20% for a week's stay during November.

Now priced at £247 per week (around £41 per person per week), grade II listed Buttery Barn is superbly converted, retaining original beams with an open plan living/dining room, galleried first floor landing and vaulted bedrooms. Pets welcome.

If you have any queries about the property or area, call us on 01647 433593 or email us at help@helpfulholidays.com

Cottages and events for November...

There's a lot going on this November - we've picked out some of the best events across the South West, with a fantastic place to stay for each:

5th Nov: Tin Barrel Rolling, Ottery St Mary features countless Flaming Tar Barrels carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of thousands of townsfolk and visitors (pictured right). A gigantic bonfire over 30 feet high and crowned with Guy Fawkes himself, forms an impressive background to the occasion together with a fairground and many other attractions. Place to stay: Cool off at Abbey Cross Barn (G20).

7th to 13th Nov: Dartmouth Drama Festival is a four day event consisting of two complete performances by eight participating Amateur Dramatic Societies (four plays per night). Highlights include Dartmouth Players with "Shop for Charity", and Salcombe Players with an extract from "Birthday Honours". Place to stay: Rehearse your lines at Primrose Cottage (L104) (pictured right).

11th Nov: Shepton Mallett Carnival sees processions of illuminated floats - part of an ancient tradition stretching back as far as the 1600's when many parts of Somerset commemorated the Gunpowder Plot. Grand firework displays and street entertainment adds to the sense of fiesta and fun. The floats can be huge, over 50 feet long and covered in hundreds of light bulbs. Place to stay: Wave your sparklers at Barton Cottage (E18).

15th Nov: Truro City of Lights takes its themes from the city’s rich history, unearthing fascinating stories from its mercantile, social and maritime past to artistically and creatively inspire the procession in which giant ship lanterns will carry the ‘cargo’ of the city’s past through its streets (pictured right). Place to stay: Follow the lights back to Nansavallan Farmhouse (S239).

19th to 21st Nov: Teignmouth Jazz Festival brings artists from the UK, USA, and Europe covering all forms of jazz from Traditional and Standards to Latin and Contemporary. Described as one of the best UK jazz events, it takes place in five main venues – The Carlton Theatre, Oystercatcher Cafe, United Reform Church, Rugby Club and Shaldon's Coast View Holiday Park. Place to stay: Hit the right note at Cherries (B8).

Somerset’s glittering November Carnivals...

Many Somerset towns and villages become a dazzling spectacle of colour, light and sound during November as the free, illuminated Guy Fawkes Carnivals take place across the county.

Book a cottage during the carnival season and follow their route. At Trebles Holford, two cottages made from farm buildings, Sunset Cottage (D4) sleeping two and The Stable (D183a) sleeping four, are available from 6th and 8th November respectively from £198 for a week; from here you can watch the carnivals in North Petherton and Burnham-on-Sea.

Or book Glebe Cottage (E64), a renovated limestone cottage for four in Wookey village, for a week from 13th November for £255 and go along to the all-singing, all-dancing Glastonbury carnival the same evening.

View all our holiday cottages in Somerset online and if you need any help, call Helpful Holidays on 01647 433593.

Our top ten walks...part two

Original image here

This week we've been feeling the urge to get outdoors and blow away the cobwebs. Here are five more of our favourite walks:

1. Kingsand around Rame Head – pretty villages, magnificent views, a lonely 10th century chapel and a pub at the end…

2. Helford, St Antony in Meneage, Manaccan and back – easy walking along the banks of the beautiful Helford River.

3. Landʼs End, Sennen, Coastal Path to Botallack and pick up – itʼs quite a long walk, so best to get someone to drive round and pick up in Botallack (pub).

And two longer walks...

4. The Camel Trail – walk it or cycle it – Padstow to Bodmin and Blisland. Blisland has a good pub and the trail follows the route of the old railway line, hugging the river Camel most of the way to Padstow. Bridge Bike Hire in Wadebridge offers (surprise, surprise) bike hire and a car park – perfect.

5. Two Castles Trail – Okehampton Castle to Launceston Castle – The Royal Oak at Bridestowe for lunch. Beautiful views over the western edge of Dartmoor and down into Cornwall.

Let us know if you've tried any of these walks, and remember to let us know your favourites too!