Our 2012 photo competition winner...

Thanks to everyone who took part in our photo competition this year. Yet again, we were thrilled with the quality of the entries - so many talented snappers out there!

Our winner this year is Joanne Wisdom, who took this wonderful picture of her two children playing in the surf at Durdle Door, whilst staying at Dormouse Cottage in nearby Burton Bradstock. Congratulations, Joanne! £400 of Helpful Holidays gift vouchers are on their way to you.

 

The picture certainly captures the true spirit of youngsters enjoying themselves at the water’s edge on a crisp, sunny day at Easter. Here it is, in all its glory:

 

You can see some of the other fabulous photos that made the shortlist in this Facebook photo album.

We love seeing your snaps, so if you’d like to share your favourite moments and memories of the West Country, please feel free to post them on our Facebook wall.

West Country bonfire night events...

Photo credit: www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk

The West Country is a great place to celebrate bonfire night and enjoy some iconic local traditions and visual spectacles. Here's our pick of the hottest events... 

Ottery St Mary, Devon: A tradition hundreds of years old, the famous Flaming Tar Barrels (pictured above) were originally used for the fumigation of cottages and as a warning of the approach of the Spanish Armada. Head to this charming town on 5th November to see fearless men, women and children run through the town carrying blazing tar barrels - not for the faint-hearted!

Bridgwater, Somerset: The Bridgwater Carnival, on 3rd November, sees the town centre come alive with colourful processions and parades filled with illuminated carnival carts measuring up to 100 feet long and covered with up to 25,000 lights. The Grand Firework Display is at 7pm the night before on 2nd November. Bridgwater is the largest of the famous illuminated Somerset Carnivals which take place throughout November. 

Photo credit: www.somersetcarnivals.co.uk

Sticklepath, Devon: Sticklepath Fireshow, on 5th November, is one of the largest community arts events in the south west. This year they present 'Bamboozled!', a stunning fireshow with an expected turnout of 3,000 people. The show usually takes place on an elaborate, specially-built stage, which is then burned afterwards. Take a look at last year's stage below:

Falmouth, Cornwall: It makes sense to put the Fire Service in charge on bonfire night, and that's exactly how it works in Falmouth. They promise an explosive line-up impressively set to music at Falmouth Cricket Club on 5th November.

And a few more... the fireworks at Mousehole should not be missed, whilst there’s always a good display at Port Isaac, with plenty of good grub around the harbour. Talking of good grub, the bonfire on Porthtowan village green is handy for proper pub nosh from the Unicorn Inn. For a big bang, head to the beach at Weymouth for the ‘Great Bonfire’ and an astonishing firework display to follow.
Check our special offers for last minute deals, use our advanced search or give us a call on 01647 433593 and we'll help you find the perfect place from which to enjoy the whizz, bang, sizzle of bonfire night!

Relaxing winter breaks...

Love him or hate him, Jack Frost’s arrival heralds peace and tranquillity on the moors and coastal paths of the West Country. It's the perfect time to enjoy a restful break at a cottage in the countryside or by the sea.

The temperature drops and the nights draw in, meaning a warm fireside is all the more appreciated after a wander through crisp woods or along a beach. 

Too much exertion? Spend a lazy afternoon with the papers over a pint or two of local ale at a country pub or in the comfort of your cottage. Relax and revitalize before or after the Christmas revelry.

An excellent spot for those seeking peace, nature or a romantic hideaway, The Linhay is a  secluded, detached, ‘upside down’ cottage for two, newly converted from a sturdy granite barn. A mile from Ilsington, in the tiny farming hamlet of Lounston, there is good walking from the doorstep on footpaths and quiet lanes. After a bracing walk, the Carpenter's Arms is a good spot for a pint and a bite to eat.

A delightful hideaway with exposed beams and oodles of space for two, Court Farm Cottage is a comfortable and stylish cottage in Newton Ferrers, tucked away in a pretty spot 100 yards from the local church with good food pubs nearby. A lovely area, there's plenty of excellent walking to be had beside the lake-like river Yealm estuary or at sandy Mothecombe beach.

If you can't get away for a full week, we take 2, 3 and 4 night bookings at many of our holiday homes from November through to the week before Easter. Read more about our short breaks.

Visit our website to view all our holiday homes and use the advanced search to help you find a cosy place to stay (cottages with an open fire or woodburner or cottages near a pub, perhaps), read other holidaymakers’ comments or call us on 01647 433593 for human help.

Celebrate in style: holiday cottages for Christmas and New Year

Christmas and New Year is always a popular time for our customers to get away, whether they're escapees enjoying a quiet time away from home or entertainers holding a big celebration for multiple families and friends.

Escapees - we’ll help you find hideaways. Once there, grab hats and scarves for a blustery moorland walk and a pint at a fire-warmed pub. Stroll the coast path; ice-skate at Eden; ride the Polar Express at the Dartmoor Railway; grab your wetsuit and brave some Christmas Day surf, or just toast your toes beside the fire, put on the TV and relax.

Escapees will love A173, in Dunsford, Devon. This pretty thatched, semi-detached cottage is an extremely beautiful home, renovated, decorated and furnished with a huge amount of attention to detail. A really exquisite, sophisticated cottage on the edge of a lovely village, you'll find a good food pub nearby, not to mention pretty Drewsteignton and the marvellous scenery of the river Teign valley.

Entertainers - if you’re a crowd, book with us to enjoy some additional elbow room. Indulge in some locally grown fayre and show off your culinary skills. Set the table, roast your goose, crisp the potatoes, mash the swede (plenty of black pepper and butter) and light the candles. Christmas together… eternal.

Entertainers will be in their element at Avocet, in Bigbury-on-Sea, Devon - a spacious property with the wow factor. This huge, split-level, detached house, facing south with the most sensational panoramic views over the bay to Burgh Island and the coastline beyond, is stylish and superbly comfortable inside. Take a New Year's Day stroll along the magnificent sandy beach just 200 yards away, and warm up in the outside hot tub afterwards!

Which are you? Entertainer or escapee?

Whatever your reason for getting away over the festive season, we suggest you book as early as possible to be sure of getting your favourite holiday home. If you're looking for a big house for a large gathering, be quick!

View all of our holiday cottages available for Christmas 2012
View all of our holiday cottages available for New Year 2012
View our big houses available for Christmas 2012
View our big houses available for New Year 2012

We look forward to helping you find just the right place to celebrate and relax in comfort and style.

Our 2013 brochure is out with holiday cottages galore...

We're delighted to announce the release of our 2013 brochure. With over 580 wonderful places for you to choose from throughout the West Country, we're sure you'll find the perfect spot: a family holiday near a fine sandy beach; a relaxing break exploring the stunning coastal scenery or rugged moorland; an indulgent stay in a luxurious 5 star house; a grand gathering in a large farmhouse or historic country house; or perhaps just a quick retreat to blow away the cobwebs?.

This year, Green Cottages qualifying for our eco initiative feature for the first time. There is also a marked increase in properties throughout Devon, and in particular across Dartmoor and the central ‘river country’, as well as north Cornwall and the Newquay coast. Why not browse all our new holiday cottages?

Amongst the many places new for 2013 is The Old Stables, a big stone-built cottage for 10 converted from a former barn in the heart of Ilsington on Dartmoor’s farmed and wooded south-eastern slopes. 

Smart and spacious inside, the original features combine easily with modern touches; a big arched floor-to-ceiling window on one side of the open-plan living area gives rolling countryside views. This comfortable and welcoming cottage is a good base for exploring the moors and coast. Pets welcome.

On the quieter Pentire side of Newquay in north Cornwall, just 200 yards from Fistral Beach and the coastal path, is Fistral Edge, a spacious, modern three-storey townhouse for six. 

Set at the end of a gated crescent row with its own enclosed lawned garden, the light and airy house has lovely long uninterrupted views across the golf course and beach and out to sea. Pets welcome.

All our properties are regularly inspected and star rated by our team so we can advise holidaymakers honestly through first-hand experience; 38 holiday homes carry a top 5 star rating, while 60 have 4½ stars. 67 have use of a heated swimming pool, some have private moorings or fishing rights; others are on working farms and most have stunning views across countryside or out to sea. Many are within ambling distance of the beach or local pub.

Properties range from romantic retreats for two up to big country houses sleeping a maximum of 48 guests. In fact many of our properties are exceptionally plush and we're proud of our reputation for offering big and beautiful places. 81 of our houses sleep ten or more; many can organise professional catering and maid service. Prices are from £175 to £5,995 per week.

And don't forget, dogs can come too, with many of our holiday homes making your 'best friend' more than welcome. Cottage availability for 2013 is live on our website now, so you can already look and book online.

For a free copy of our 2013 brochure, call on 01647 433593, order or download a copy online or email help@helpfulholidays.com. Every property in our brochure is also featured on our website.

Happy browsing!

Autumn food festivals in the West Country...

Cornwall Food and Drink

Many people let their tastebuds take the lead when choosing holiday destinations. In this busy world we live in, a holiday means we can sit down opposite our loved ones and take the time to enjoy mealtimes together for a change.

 

The West Country is renowned for the quality of its local produce and is blessed with hundreds of excellent restaurants and pubs serving delicious fare. We're also lucky to have a tantalising selection of food festivals throughout the region and autumn's a great time to catch one...

 

Cornwall Food and Drink is a three day celebration of Cornish produce, running from 28th to 30th September in Truro. The festival features more than 60 exhibitors - with plenty of opportunity to try and buy local favourites - and live demos from Cornwall's top chefs. Take your tasty haul back to S243.



Powderham Castle

We're delighted to be sponsoring the inaugural Powderham Food Festival on 6th October which is to be held at 600-year-old Powderham Castle, amidst a beautiful deer park with breathtaking views across the Exe Estuary. The festival has a particular focus on historical Devon fare, as well as stalls, food demonstrations and tastings by artisan makers, small producers, growers, local community groups, wineries and more. Make G109 your castle for the week.

This year’s annual Boscastle Food and Craft Festival, which is taking place on 6th and 7th October, features an impressive line-up of well-known chefs including Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth of Number 6 Padstow, Andy Appleton from Fifteen Cornwall, and Paul Harwood, head chef at Rick Stein’s St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow. Test your culinary skills in the fine kitchen of P21.
 

Falmouth Oyster Festival, from 11th to 14th October, celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season. With oysters galore, seafood, wine and local ale, children's shell painting, sea shanties, a town parade, live music, an oyster shucking competition and a Falmouth Working Boat race, you'll be glad of a comfy sofa waiting for you back at S211.


Dartmouth Food Festival

This year sees the 10th anniversary of the Dartmouth Food Festival, running from 26th to 28th October, which sets out to showcase the best quality produce the south west has to offer - from Severn & Wye Smokery through to Heron Valley fruit juices, Well Hung meat and Bigbury Bay Oysters. Mitch Tonks is the festival's advocate - try out his recipe for Fresh Spaghetti with Crab, Chilli and Parsley.

To find out which food festivals are on during your holiday with us, you can search the events on our online 'Explore the Area' map, check our news pages or refer to the 'What Shall We Do Today?' printed guide we send you when we confirm your booking.