We know how to pick them...

We've been busy finding more good places for happy holidays in the West Country.

Our first colour supplement of 2011 features 44 self-catering cottages and country houses sleeping from 2 to 48 guests in a variety of scenic locations, many with stunning views across rolling countryside or out to sea.

As always, we've star rated and inspected them all and can wholeheartedly recommend them. Our telephone team (01647 433593) are all experienced property visitors and will be delighted to guide you.

Highlights include a stunning house for 12 overlooking Mevagissey harbour on Cornwall’s south coast and a magnificent 300 year old stone-built house sleeping eight with views of Restronguet Creek, west Cornwall.

There’s also a great choice of smaller places such as a beautifully furnished 18th century detached cottage near Newquay and a Grade II listed house on Dartmoor converted from barns, both sleeping six. Also on Dartmoor is a recently refurbished granite cottage for four on an estate built for the Jameson whisky family, while for couples seeking a romantic getaway, there’s the former Georgian bathing house (pictured) beside the river Dart in Devon’s South Hams. Prices range from £209 to £3,612 per week.

Don't forget, if you'd like to curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea, our 2011 brochure and our new supplement, you can request a free copy online or by calling us on 01647 433535.

With a discerning eye, we're always on the look out for new properties to add to our portfolio. We hope you like our latest selection.

Happy reading!

In praise of Dartmoor…

Dartmoor is an undeniable national treasure, a natural phenomenon that everyone has heard of, but for those who have yet to visit, what can you expect?

2011 marks the 60th anniversary of Dartmoor becoming a national park. It stretches 368 square miles, making it the largest area of open country in southern England. Is it welcoming? Breathtaking? Hilly? Desolate? Wild? It's all of those things and experienced visitors to this magnificent area of natural beauty will advise you to be prepared - that means taking sensible walking shoes and maps, as well as a camera and a sense of adventure.

Heather clad moorland, valleys, waterfalls, forests and reservoirs - the ever changing landscape is captivating all year round. Even winter has a beauty of its own, captured here in this stunning short film from the Dartmoor National Park Authority:

It is, of course, a paradise for walkers with countless inspiring trails to follow. One of the wonderful things about this great expanse of outdoors is the variety of things to do. From climbing stone tors, canoeing down the river Dart and exploring on horseback to visiting the pretty villages and historic market towns to enjoy a cream tea, a bustling farmers’ market or some local arts and crafts.

The wildlife is another major attraction (who can resist getting up close to the Dartmoor ponies?) but perhaps a lesser known highlight is the archaeological wealth of the area. It boasts some of the best sites in Western Europe including burial chambers, stone circles and large ceremonial upright standing stones called menhirs. Time Team celebrated their 200th dig on the moor earlier this month. The High Moorland Visitor Centre in Princetown will be able to direct you to some of the most significant sites.

And what about historical buildings? Castle Drogo, dramatically situated above the Teign Gorge, was the last castle to be built in England and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens who also added his signature style to its formal gardens. This rich heritage helps to maintain the mystical feel of the national park and keeps the many myths and legends of Dartmoor alive.

We’ve over 80 holiday cottages on Dartmoor, many of which welcome pets, so whether you’re a first time visitor or an avid fan, you’re sure to find a perfect base to explore this magical place.

Waterside adventure or relaxation?

Do you want adventure or relaxation on your next holiday? The West Country has locations to cater for both and we'll help you find a holiday cottage you'll look forward to getting home to at the end of each day.

Salcombe in the South Hams, a yacht haven beautifully sited at the mouth of the Kingsbridge estuary, offers outdoor activities galore. How about a spot of wreck diving in search of gold, power boating or learning to sail? Perhaps a more leisurely boat trip exploring the many creeks, a walk along the pretty coast path or a visit to the gardens of inventor Otto Overbeck? Countless sandy bays and waterside pubs provide an excuse to relax outdoors, as well.

And when the mood takes you to spend a day lounging at home, Hazeldene (sleeps four) is a fabulous, easy base. Once you have stopped to admire the sea view from the decked garden area (pictured above) it will be hard to tear yourself away... but it is so close to the beach at North Sands, you may be tempted to dip your toes in the sparkling estuary waters. It's easy to see why this refurbished and carefully furnished apartment is the owners' much loved bolt hole.

Nestled away in Feock in Cornwall's Med is Cuttle Cottage (sleeps seven, pictured right) with beautiful views over Restronguet Creek. Although it's only 5 miles from the cathedral city of Truro and 7 miles from the harbour town of Falmouth, this delightful cottage is a peaceful retreat. The welcoming woodburning stove and waterside views make this an ideal place to while away the hours. If you're looking for time away from the kitchen, treat yourselves to a meal at the nearby Pandora Inn - it won Pub of the Year in the 2010 Cornwall Tourism Awards.

There's no time to get bored here either. At the nearby Point Quay children can enjoy swimming and boats can be launched. Sailing, windsurfing and canoeing lessons are all available close by, as well as fishing, riding, golf and plenty of creek-side walks for land lovers. Trelissick Garden is well worth a visit and the King Harry Ferry transports cars and pedestrians from this finger of land to the pretty Roseland Peninsula.

We'll help you find your perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. For more ideas, take a look at our other holiday cottages in Salcombe and holiday cottages in Feock or give our team a call on 01647 433593.

Romantic walks and cottages to match…

Relaxing walks with spectacular views and cosy cottages go hand-in-hand in the West Country, making it the ideal place for a last minute Valentine's treat or a romantic break at any time of the year.

This walk in Porlock Weir, Somerset, has an air of mystery about it, taking in Culbone Church - England's smallest complete church - and the nearby Fairytale Tunnels. Trek past Ash Farm, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge was said to be staying when he wrote Kubla Khan. Nearing the end of the walk, in the hillside above, are the ruins of Lady Lovelace's elaborate fairytale mansion. What better namesake could prepare you for your trip back to Milbanke and its lovely sea views? The coastal footpath hidden behind the cottage leads through woodlands, past former garden terraces and under old tunnels once connected to the main house. An ideal location for walkers, nature lovers and silence seekers.

A walk along the secluded coves and beaches of Lansallos, Cornwall, will take you in the footsteps of smugglers. The cart tracks where contraband was brought inland and the coastline itself are evocative scenes, while Lansalllos waterfall adds a dramatic twist. Venture back inland to Hobb Cottage on the side of a deep valley full of wildlife and flora. Perfectly private and picturesque.

The Tarka Trail cuts through the unspoilt Devon countryside by tracking old railways. It was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927. With over 30 miles of walks, you will appreciate coming home to Monks: a delightful, 300-year-old, detached, thatched cottage in Petrockstowe.

How about making your loved one feel like absolute royalty by popping the question at Castle Drogo? A walk on Dartmoor from Fingle Bridge to the castle will build a sense of occasion as the romantic scene unfolds before you. Retreat to this picture-postcard cottage in Drewsteignton and celebrate with a glass of champagne in front of the open fire.

Take a look through our cottages still available over Valentine’s to find a special place for a romantic break.

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Escape to magical Mevagissey…

Mevagissey gives a taste of traditional Cornwall, complete with the authentic hustle and bustle of an active fishing village harbour.
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Watching the boats - and the world - go by from the sun terrace of this stunning Victorian house with panoramic views of the harbour is a unique way to view the village. The house sleeps 12 and has just been lovingly re-invented with relaxation in mind.
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The surrounds make this easy: the property itself is south-south-west-facing and has a sloping shrub-filled garden with a unique courtyard and pond with a bronze central fountain, within the walls of a former stone chapel. Inside, the decor is elegant and in tune with its heritage. The high quality finish includes slate floors and custom-made furniture and the owner has thought of everything to keep guests entertained, from a television with SKY and Blu-ray DVD to a Bose CD/radio with IPod docking station.
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The glazed doors on the main living area make the most of the home's outstanding views while the big fitted kitchen and dining room, an Aga and two dishwashers, granite worktops and walk-in larder make cooking and entertaining easy.
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Both large bedrooms in the main house have en suite bathrooms with roll-top baths. There’s also a garden house with its own terrace and superb views, a galley kitchenette and two bedrooms.
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Situated on the south Cornwall coastline, Mevagissey has a rich history, with much of it very well preserved. The narrow streets are well worth meandering around and the cafes and restuarants offer some good locally-sourced food and drink. Sandy beaches and headland walks plus boat trips for fishing are just some of the activities synonymous with this part of Cornwall. You don't have to go far for Cornish attractions, either. The Lost Gardens of Heligan is just two miles away, the Eden Project (pictured) nine miles and St Austell town six miles.
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Marine conservation - how you can help...

From clearing up beach litter and cooking up sustainable fish recipes to nominating a coastal area for protection, part two of our interview with the Marine Conservation Society looks at the different ways to help out.

Helpful Holidays knows how important the UK's beaches and marine habitats are to holidaymakers and residents alike so we have made MCS our chosen charity for 2011.

MCS is currently campaigning for Marine Protected Areas off the UK coasts, including 12 sites in the South West such as St Mawes and Babbacombe Bay. It has created a website, YourSeasYourVoice.com, where you can add your vote of support for the recommended sites and help safeguard the future of a top holiday spot or recommend a marine area that you think needs extra protection. If you’ve seen activities like trawling and dredging off the coast, this campaign is a way to lobby for these activities to be restricted, enabling the sea bed and fish stocks to recover.

MCS said: "It's very important that the public get on board. If people staying at cottages through Helpful Holidays have a marine area they love and want to put it forward for protection, they can have their voice heard on our website. We also encourage the public to take part in our wildlife surveys too. Have fun spotting turtles, jellyfish and basking sharks while you're on holiday! MCS uses the data to build up a picture of marine wildlife activity around UK coasts."

Channel 4's The Big Fish Fight series has raised issues at the heart of MCS's operations. The charity said: "A high profile series on Channel 4 and the involvement of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in particular in taking this Fish Fight to the masses, helps our cause no end.

"We've been campaigning against the practice of discarding – throwing perfectly good fish back in the sea dead – for a number of years. Hugh is very passionate about what he’s discovered and that helps what we are trying to do enormously. Alongside our downloadable, at-a-glance sustainable seafood guide, people have taken heed of the TV shows and we know that sales of fish often discarded have gone up in supermarkets, which is great news."

To keep up the good work, the charity suggests we all try something new at the fish counter; by opting for less popular fish like coley, pollock and whiting, we can relieve the pressure on falling fish stocks like cod, tuna and salmon.

Another easy way to help – avoid using plastic bags, pick up litter you see and take your own litter home with you. We all know litter gets dropped and looks unsightly but do we realise the fatal consequences it can have for our wildlife?

MCS said: "Litter has become a massive problem. Our Beachwatch event has taken place every year for 16 years, with up to 6,000 volunteers every year going out onto beaches, clearing litter and recording data. In that time, we have seen a 121% increase in the amount of plastic rubbish we’ve found. That's really all down to our increased use of plastics and the fact we are an increasingly throw-away society. Small changes can make a big difference."

Funds from Helpful Holidays will go towards key projects. You can make a donation to MCS when you book a holiday through Helpful Holidays. You can also donate direct to MCS, become a member and help spread the word about the good work of this charity by following them on Twitter or by liking the MCS page on Facebook.
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