Explore the South West Coast Path feature

Starting in Somerset, the South West Coast Path, covers 630 miles of coastline around Somerset, Devon and Cornwall to Dorset. Offering walkers and non-walkers alike stunning views of the coastline, the Coast Path can be broken up into long or short walks, depending on the preference of the walker; the views are equally as rewarding nevertheless (see http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/)

As well as providing stunning views, the Coast Path offers a chance to explore local towns, such as Exmouth, Bude, Tintagel, St Ives and Newquay, that connect with the Coast Path, giving walkers an opportunity to experience the different cultures of four counties, for free! Furthermore, the Coast Path includes numerous beaches to relax on. 

Here are a few:

Duckpool Beach, Devon – Dog-friendly beach

Found along the South West Coast Path, Duckpool Beach is a dog-friendly family beach located north of Bude. With picturesque views of surrounding cliffs, Duckpool Beach offers holidaymakers and locals a secluded beach with sand and rocks, depending on the state of the tide.

Located just 15 minutes’ drive from Bude, Duckpool offers a private beach, with extraordinary views, that doesn’t overpopulate in the summer - many people are yet to discover this great family beach!

Perranporth Beach, Devon – Dog-friendly beach

Perranporth Beach covers miles of the South West coastline, attracting surfers, walkers and ‘sand yachters.’ The caves surrounding Perranporth are easy to locate, and although lots have been explored by locals and tourists, there are still many yet to be explored. The South West Coast Path goes directly across Perranporth Beach, so there’s no reason not to explore the golden sand. Nearby you will find Perranporth town, an old tin mining village that’s been transformed into a holiday destination. You can visit the official Perranporth website at http://www.perranporthinfo.co.uk/welcome.html . It’s worth a look!Lulworth Cove and Worbarrow Bay, Dorset: 

Located east of Weymouth, Lulworth Cove and Worbarrow Bay are two beach locations that meet the South West Coast Path. Lulworth Cove is a pebbled beach which offers idyllic views and interesting caves for visitors to explore. Visitors can enjoy this lovely coastal location, as kayaking and watersport activities are available, and a restaurant is available for those who aren’t as daring. Further east is a more isolated yet still idyllic experience at Worbarrow Bay, where you can walk the South West Coast Path along the beach or along the top of the ridge. In addition, both Lulworth Cove and Worbarrow Bay are part of Dorset’s ‘Jurassic Coast’, so walking the South West Coast Path can lead to the discovery of fossils too.

See some of our holiday homes near the Coast Path at http://www.helpfulholidays.com/coastal-holiday-cottages

By James Seaton-Burn, who recently joined Helpful Holidays for a week of work experience.

Pet-friendly holidays with Helpful Holidays

Pet-Friendly Holiday Cottages

Our four-legged friends are a wonderful source of joy for young and old, but when it comes to holiday time, things can sometimes get a bit tricky. If you’re holidaying within the UK, you’ll naturally want to take your best friend with you, after all he’s part of the family. However, you’ll find quite often that hotels and holiday homes won’t accept pets. Thankfully, this is not the case with Helpful Holidays.  

We welcome every member of your family and that includes your dog. We have 450 cottages right across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset just waiting to welcome your wagging companions. Many of our owners go the extra mile to ensure that all his needs are met, and in one case (Crooked ChimneyCottage - P70), even to the extent of leaving the right size tins of dog food, dog blankets and height adjustable food and water bowls.

Fresh air and abundant space

The West Country is a dream for dogs, with its rolling hills and miles of countryside to sniff around and explore. Many local pubs will welcome dogs with a refreshing bowl of water after a long run over the moors. The region is also home to an abundance of dog-friendly beaches, where youngsters and their four-legged friends can splash in the surf and dig in the sand to their heart’s content.

Fun, family days out are a joy as many of the leading West Country attractions and gardens go out of their way to make dogs feel at home. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Trebah and Caerhays Castle & Gardens are just a few well worth a visit, whilst your best friend also gets his own ticket on cruise boats, trams and steam trains across the West Country. A splendid example is the Dartmouth Steam Railway, one of the finest steam journeys with breath-taking scenery as it passes along the wooded slopes bordering the Dart Estuary and then along the English Riviera Coast to Paignton. 

Great choice of pet-friendly homes

Browse our website, ask for a brochure or simply call to speak to someone who has been to a cottage which catches your eye and who can fill you in on extra details to help you make your perfect choice.  Many of our team have their own dogs so can offer really valuable insights to help you create the ideal, pooch-friendly holiday.

With a huge range of holiday homes welcoming dogs across the length and breadth of the West Country, we’re ready to guide you to just the right place for you and your best friend to enjoy a really wonderful holiday.

Beautiful Blooms Battle it Out...

Bluebells - photo courtesy of Cosmo_71

Do you have a favourite wildflower? 

The wild plant conservation charity, Plantlife, has launched a survey to discover the nation’s favourite, but oh, what a choice! A shortlist of 25 species has been drawn up, and the West Country is blessed with a host of blooming leading contenders.

From Somerset and Dorset, across Devon to the end of Cornwall, wildflowers thrive in our ancient hedgerows and gently farmed fields. Take a trip west and before you even arrive at your holiday home you’ll be welcomed en route by blowsy clouds of cow parsley and cheery oxeye daisies.

Wildflowers are wonderfully evocative, markers of the cycle of seasons, stirring innocent memories of childhood picnics, country walks and daisy chain necklaces.

Some have terrific fragrance: the heady musk of wild honeysuckle, often scented before spotted when wandering a lane on a summer’s evening; the incongruously tropical coconut perfume of vivid yellow gorse flower on a moorland slope; the subtle but unmistakable sweetness of the delicate pink dog rose. 

It’s no coincidence that many of the blooms heading the race for victory are the heralds of spring and early summer. Drifts of snowdrops, shy swarms of lemon-yellow primroses and carpets of vivid bluebells regenerate and fill us with optimism for sunshiny days ahead.

Shippen Cottages

Many of our holiday homes are hidden sanctuaries where you can lose yourself in nature. Picnic tables in organic wildflower meadows invite you to unpack a hamper of goodies at 1 and 2 Shippen Cottages in Wilmington, and West Huckham Barn, a 200-year-old Exmoor cottage, is deep in the unspoiled Quarme Valley full of flowers. South Barn is a haven for nature lovers, with a natural area of ponds and wildflowers; stroll at dusk for evening flower scents and stars emerging in a huge, unpolluted sky.  We’ve lots more countryside havens; do ask us if you’d like help finding your perfect place.  

South Barn

Political party leaders have battled it out and election fever has left us oft-times jaded – what better antidote than seeing the snakes head fritillary go head to head with the lesser celandine and ticking a box for your favourite wild blossom? Visit www.plantlife.org.uk to vote.  

Explore folklore and magic in Cornwall

Tintagel Castle, photo courtesy of Robert Linsdell

Cornwall has long been the seat of some of Britain's most dearly-loved myths and legends. Indeed, King Arthur himself is often said to have been born of the Cornish people in folklore traditions. 

For holidaymakers spending time in Cornwall, there are plenty of opportunities to really get immersed in this history by visiting a range of attractions. 

The Arthurian Centre

Situated in Slaughterbridge near the medieval market town of Camelford - considered by many to be the site of the legendary castle Camelot - the Arthurian Centre is set in the 20 acres of land surrounding King Arthur's Stone. This stone - and a battle that reputedly took place at the site it commemorates - is dated to the earliest stories as far back as 540. 

Visitors are given the opportunity to walk through the Camlann Battlefield where Arthur and his nemesis Mordred met for their final battle. An exhibition room is filled with panels detailing this history, as well as a video presentation. 

Brass rubbing, a children's quiz, and a nature trail ensure there is something for everyone. Entry is £3.50 for adults, £3 for concessions, £2 for children aged six to 16, and £10 for a family ticket covering two adults and up to four children. 

Tintagel Castle

Tintagel Castle is set on the rugged North Cornwall coast, offering spectacular views over its fascinating ruins. Coupled with a stunning beach cafe, this is an ideal family day out. 

Steeped in myth and mystery, the site is said to be the birthplace of King Arthur - and there is also the opportunity to visit Merlin's Cave nearby. The castle also features strongly in the tale of Tristan and Isolde. Its history stretches back as far as the Roman occupation of Britain and is one of the most iconic attractions in the South West. 

Steep stone steps, stout walls and rugged windswept cliff edges encircle the great hall that characterise the spectacular remains of the 13th century castle. A packed events programme is maintained throughout the year, offering plenty of fun for families, with event themes including Fighting Knights, Grand Medieval Jousts and Pirates Attack. 

Entry is £6.10 for adults, £5.50 for concessions, £3.70 and £15.90 for family groups. 

The Museum of Witchcraft

Cornwall's roots in folklore and magic don't rest purely on King Arthur - as demonstrated by the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, North Cornwall. 

This houses the largest collection of witchcraft-related artefacts in the world, including more than 2,000 objects on display. 

There is also a naturally-occurring spring and shrine, a range of activities for children, sections on healing, Christian magic, Pagan beliefs, charms, curses, Cornish 'piskies', and a lot more. 

Guided tours are available and ticket prices are £5 for adults and £4 for children and concessions. 

Read more information on our inspected and star-rated Cornwall Holiday Cottages. 

Farm-friendly fodder at Darts Farm Shop

Photo courtesy of Jacob Spinks

One of the most well-known and tempting features of the West Country is its edible produce. Eggs, pies, pasties, cider and cheese are just a few of the foodstuffs that are freshly made around the region and if you head down to Darts Farm Shop, you will find a collection of the best seasonal products sourced from local growers…

Based in Exeter, the shop has been open for nearly 40 years and recently won the accolade of ‘Best Farm Shop in the UK.’ This honour is extremely well-deserved with the shop entirely dedicated to stocking food which has been grown, reared, baked or caught locally. As a working farm, baker, deli, cider marker and lifestyle shop, Darts Farm offers an all-encompassing authentic local experience. With pick-your-own fruit and vegetables, fishing ponds, a number of animals and a Maize maze, this is a great family attraction. It is also a lovely place to simply have a stroll among the West Country landscapes and crop fields.

Fruit and vegetables are collected daily from the surrounding fields to be sold in the shop or used in dishes at the on-site restaurant. As another purveyor of fine foods, the restaurant’s menu includes traditional favourites such as Devon sausage and mash, home cooked casseroles and Devonshire cream teas. There is also a selection of local ale and cider.

The site is also home to the magnificent Food Hall, which brings together produce from the best local suppliers and specialist artisan retailers. The award-winning range of luxury includes many homemade products, the caliber of which reflects the care and passion that has gone into their creation.

The on-site master butcher sells entirely traceable meat, and also have their own herd of native Devonshire cattle, slow-reared to produce the highest quality beef. Elsewhere, the Fish Shed produces delicious fish and chips with all fish caught and landed within 12 hours of serving.

The Darts Farm Shop is based in the old town of Topsham within easy reach of many of our cottages. We have a two-bedroom apartment in the town close to the antiques shops, pubs riverside walks, cycle routes and boat trips, as well as birdwatching at the RSPB reserve. The spacious, second-floor property includes a comfortable living area and compact kitchen with lovely countryside views.

Just nine kilometers outside Topsham in the red-stone hamlet of Poltimore, you will find our gorgeous three-bedroom property, Mallard Cottage, which set in the private grounds of an organic farm. Just ten minutes from Exeter, this cottage boasts a peaceful location and bright, fresh ambience. Sleeping six, this welcoming home includes communal gardens with trampolines, slides, swings, climbing frame, picnic table and barbecue, as well as a games barn with a small pool table and darts board. The smart interiors include stripped flooring, original stable doors and spiral staircases.

Another great property local to Darts Farm is our charming two-bed ‘upside down cottage’ in the pretty village of Lympstone. Sleeping four, the property is situated on a cobblestone street and features a balcony with views of the estuary and Powderham Castle in the distance. The picturesque surrounding area takes in local pubs, shops and shingle beaches, as well as the Exe estuary - the ideal spot for windsurfers.

"WHAT SHALL WE DO TODAY?"...

We like to live up to our name at Helpful Holidays and that’s why each year we put together a glossy brochure for our customers to help make their holidays as enjoyable as possible. As always, this year’s issue contains in depth information and tips on how you can make the most of your holiday whilst staying at one of our cottages.

Our  “What shall we do today?” 2015 guide includes a collection of impartial recommendations about some of the best things to do whilst visiting  the West Country. This helps you tailor your holiday to your own tastes and needs, such as those travelling with  young children,  adventurous travellers who wish to pack their holiday itinerary full of activities or older couples seeking more relaxed options for their leisure time.

Our ever-popular top 10 lists are updated annually to ensure that we inform visitors of  the most up-to-date and exciting opportunities. Using our local knowledge, we’ve  compiled lists of the top 10 walks, beaches, places to eat, gardens and houses, attractions for children and West Country Wonders. The latter includes such delights as the appropriately named Eden, as well as picture-perfect Cornish villages and locations made famous through our literary and cultural heritage.

Farmers Markets are some of the most authentic and enjoyable days out in the West Country and we’ve compiled a list with dates and times when the more interesting ones are held, including those in Falmouth, Penzance and Dorchester. These markets provide a fun-filled way to mingle with local people and get a taster of the best local produce fresh from the farm.

Sun and beach worshippers will love our list of award-winning beaches, which include details on those that are marked with the prestigious Blue Flag and those with official RNLI lifeguards. Foodies can scan our list of award-winning as well as value-for-money pubs and restaurants, while holidaymakers who love a good hike can choose from the range of short and long routes. These are all divided up into regions for ease of reference.

Our month-by-month special events calendar will ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the West Country festivities, which include jazz festivals, craft fairs, regattas, surfing championships and oyster festivals. The region is also home to some of the most beautiful and enjoyable Christmas festivities in the UK.

And that’s not all. In the true spirit of keeping your holidays hassle-free, we’ve secured some fabulous discounts for you. Our brochure contains vouchers with discounts on admission prices for many attractions, as well as savings on activities such as watersports, bicycle and surfboard hire and even offers of free tea and cake!

There’s a lot of fun to be had in the West Country and we’ve done the research for you. All you have to do is gather family and friends together and leaf through our brochure to plan the holiday of your dreams.

New brochure packed full of welcoming holiday cottages…

Helpful Holidays - Supplement 2, 2015

Our latest colour supplement, featuring 24 welcoming holiday cottages spread right across the region from the far west of Cornwall to Somerset, is now available. 

If you’re planning to escape for a break in the West Country over the coming months and would like a copy, call us on 01647 433593 or email us and we’ll pop a copy in the post.  Alternatively you can browse the supplement online on our brochure page. 

The new holiday homes, sleeping from two to 13 people, extend our portfolio to over 760 places for happy holidays.  

Buster Barn

Prices start from £269 for a low season week at Buster Barn, a detached barn for two in Sampford Spiney with long views over Dartmoor; and at the other end of the pricing scale, Bight Boathouse, a spacious holiday home for 11 set high above the riverbank in Dartmouth with stunning views along the river Dart and out to sea, is priced from £1,244 per week rising to £3,116 in the high season. Pets are welcome at most of the new cottages in the supplement.

 Other highlights include:

On the edge of Bere Alston, a large, lively village not far from Morwellham Quay on the river Tamar, you’ll find 4 Bedford Villas a handsome Victorian villa sleeping eight with long views over the village and the river from the huge bay windows to the front of the house. 

You can really experience a touch of history at 1 The Brass Bolt Shop, a newly converted, Grade ll listed cottage accommodating four in the grounds of Perran Iron Foundry in Perranarworthal, a fascinating World Heritage Site at the head of Restronguet Creek, set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

You’re handily placed for the sandy beach at Porthcothan, as well as Treyarnon Bay and oh-so-spectacular Bedruthan Steps, at Dormouse Cottage, a south-facing Georgian cott

Dormouse Cottage

age for six in the thoroughly Cornish hamlet of Penrose – also handy for the excellent restaurants in Padstow. 

Everyone taking a break with Helpful Holidays will receive a free ‘What shall we do today?’ booklet containing over 80 money saving vouchers for use at a huge range of leading visitor attractions throughout the West Country. 

It also gives information on local farmers’ markets plus recommendations for the best beaches, coast and country walks, places to eat and quirky events.  

Lifelong memories from Farms for City Children

Readers of this blog will know that Farms for City Children is our charity for 2015. The charity, founded by children’s author Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare at Nethercott Farm in Devon in 1976, gives children from urban areas the chance to spend a week living and working on a real farm in the heart of the countryside.

The charity has many fans - namely the thousands (70,000 to be exact!) of children who have benefited from this fantastic experience over the years. Of course the vast majority are now adults, but the memories remain crystal clear, as this testimonial from 40 year old David, from Omaha, NE. USA shows:

I am now 40 years old, but when I was 10 and 11 years old, back in 1978 and 1979, I visited Nethercott Farm as a pupil from Chivenor Primary Schoool on Castle Vale in NE Birmingham. The farm school manager was a Mr Morpurgo – I will never forget that name!

To this very day, I have a very vivid and delightful memories of my two week-long visits to Nethercott. I remember watching a sheep being born, ‘mucking-out’ the cow shippen and collecting Kale in freezing cold weather. Wonderful!

I was from a very poor, single parent family; we lived on Castle Vale, a poor, depressed housing estate in NE Birmingham. My wonderful and profound experiences are forever set in my memory. 

I wanted to write to you just to encourage you that the children who visit Nethercott are changed forever; I will never forget my delightful visits and I talk about them to my wife to this day and will talk about them to my children as they grow older.

I now live in Omaha, Nebraska, which is a million miles away from Nethercott and the little village of Iddesleigh, yet, my experiences and all that I learned at Nethercott are still with me today. Keep up the great work! 

Or how about this, from 33 year old Lisa, now a nurse:
I came to Nethercott 22 years ago when I was 11 during my four years at Castle Vale’s Pegasus School in Birmingham. My father’s business had gone bankrupt and we were forced to move from our home into a high rise block of flats on a notoriously poor council estate. The school was great and I remember it for two reasons; the teaching staff encouraging the children to be creative and to realise their potential and the stay at Nethercott Farm.

I wanted you to know the impact my stay with you had on me. There are images, memories and smells that will stay with me forever. Whilst we were there a calf was born and you called it Pegasus after our school.

This trip to Nethercott really promoted my independence. It was the first time I’d had to look after myself.

A couple of years ago I drove my partner nearly mad saying that I wanted to find Nethercott and he drove me around Devon until we found it! Just driving by brought the memories flooding back.

Please keep up the fantastic work. I’m sure you know just how valuable this resource is to Inner City Children but we all deserve to have a pat on the back now and again and to know that what we do really makes a difference.

And finally, this from 36-year-old Claire:

I visited and worked on the farm for a week at a time between 1984 to 1986. I'm 36 now and often talk about my experience to whomever will listen, from visiting the dairy (wheelbarrows full of cow pats), feeding the skin head gang (sheep), tractor rides, grooming and cleaning the stable and my absolute favourite was feeding the calves, I still remember the smell of the sweet milk and putting our hand in their mouth to help them digest. 

These were and will remain the best three weeks over three years of my life.

I would like to thank them for opening their home and hearts to so many of us over the years. I am now a police officer working for the MET just outside London. For me this would not have been possible without the guidance and life experience that I received from Michael.

We hope you'll help us spread the word about this wonderful charity and the excellent work it does. If you’d like to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/helpfulholidays at any time or you can also make a contribution when you book a holiday through Helpful Holidays.

To find out more visit www.farmsforcitychildren.org. You can also find them on Twitter and on Facebook.

The Best of British Cottages with the BBC series "Poldark" Part Two

The Cornish mining heritage is something that is held dear to many local people with a history that spans the centuries. This theme runs throughout the Poldark series, often expressed in the conflict and contrast between the lower and upper classes. The early episodes of the series cover the time when mines are being closed down with hundreds of miners being forced out of work, after which Ross Poldark opts to open his own mine.

Although the Perran Foundry at Perranarworthal was not used on set, this is a really significant Tullimaar House, a 19th-century parish that was once the home of award-winning novelist Sir William Golding. Within a valley of the village sits The Brass Bolt Shop – a grade II listed cottage in a residential development of homes newly converted from the Foundry. The romantic cottage is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has easy access to the award-winning pub and farm shop in the local village.

The Brass Bolt Shop 

Although the Perran Foundry at Perranarworthal was not used on set, this is a really significant historical site that has been awarded World Heritage status. Between 1791 and 1879 and during the Industrial Revolution, it was an extremely important location for invention, milling, casting, forging and pattern-making. The village of Perranarworthal is situated between Falmouth and Truro, close to some of Cornwall’s most spectacular sights. It contains a number of interesting historical buildings, including the

A mining location that was used in the Poldark series was the underground Levant Mine – a National Trust property in Trewellard, a small village on the north coast road. Helpful Holidays has a number of properties in the wider area, including a four-bedroom, semi-detached 18th century cottage Trecam in the village of Pendeen. The cottage is decorated in contemporary style and boasts a great location within easy reach of classic pubs, hiking opportunities along the cliff coast and spectacular beaches.

Trecam

Land’s End is one of the most well known parts of Cornwall, and some scenes for Poldark were filmed in Porthgwarra, a lovely fishing hamlet. Its secluded beaches and great surfing opportunities are around 90 minutes’ walk from Lands End along the coastal path. The tiny coastal village of Mousehole is home to The Queach – a stone and slate cottage with expansive sea views. The village is just one mile from Penzance and also features a compact outdoor terrace.

The Queach

While the vast majority of the Poldark shooting took place in Cornwall, there were also some scenes filmed in Prior Park in Bath. Just four miles outside the centre of the city you’ll find Week Farm, which can only be described as a truly spectacular home. A sweeping, tree-lined drive introduces the Georgian country estate, which sits in 98 acres of private grounds and features a 12-person outdoor hot tub, games room, family suite, library and kitchen with a 16-seater dining table. The formal living room perfectly showcases the property’s unique design concept that blends original period detail with a luxurious modern finish. Original stone stairs, flagstone flooring and oak beams play out alongside hardwood and granite units and mod cons. The surroundings are just as wonderful, with the pretty village of Combe Hay just moments away and the city of Bath with its elegant history and natural thermal springs within easy reach.

Week Farm

Dorset's Myths and Legends

Corfe Castle (photo by Seb Perrotin)

The county of Dorset is steeped in history, and with history come myths and legends - stories of fairies and witches that will delight the kids and dark tales of torture and betrayal that will have the adults in the family enthralled.  

Here are just a few of the places and landmarks you should visit during your holiday in Devon if you want to immerse yourself in the local folklore.

The Cerne Abbas Giant

This ancient chalk hill figure is one of the largest in Great Britain, measuring 180 feet in height. It is also the most controversial, thanks to its rather obvious male parts.

There are a number of theories as to when and why it was created. The most widely believed explanation is that it is a depiction of Hercules and was carved from the chalk bedrock during the reign of the Emperor Commodus, who believed he was a reincarnation of the mythical hero.

Local legend has it that sleeping on the phallus of the so-called 'Rude Man' can cure a person of infertility. Rather interestingly, figures show that women in North Dorset have the highest birth rates in the country, with an average of three children each.

Corfe Castle

The ruins of this 6,000-year-old castle on the Isle of Purbeck are the ideal place for ghost hunters and history buffs, as it is brimming with tales of treachery, treason and mysterious apparitions.

Its most famous ghostly resident is the Woman in White, who appears headless in a white nightgown and is said to haunt the castle's boundaries. She is thought to be the spirit of a young lady who betrayed the castle to Oliver Cromwell's troops during the English Civil War.

Corfe Castle is also the location where, in 978, King Edward was assassinated on the orders of his stepmother so that her own son could ascend to the throne.

St Catherine's Chapel

This 14th century chapel, which sits on a hill overlooking Abbotsbury Abbey, was built by monks as a place of pilgrimage and retreat. It should be high on any visitor's list of places to see thanks to its fantastic views alone. But there's more to it than the scenery.

Until the late 19th century it was common for young women to go to the chapel to seek the help of St Catherine, the patron saint of virgins, in finding a husband. They would put their hands and knees in the holes in the south doorway and say a prayer.

Tyneham Village

While there are no reports of ghostly goings on in Tyneham, this Dorset village definitely has a spooky air about it, having been completely deserted for more than 70 years.

It was evacuated in 1943 during the Second World War, with locals given 28 days to leave so that the area could be used to train soldiers. They hoped one day to return, but sadly this never happened and today only the empty buildings remain.

In the school room you'll find a fascinating display, in which the days of the 1920s have been painstakingly recreated. There are open school books and names above the clothes pegs. It's almost as if the children left the building just minutes ago.

The Best of British Cottages with the BBC Series "Poldark": Part One

The eight-part series Poldark has been another smash hit for the BBC, with the eight-part series currently halfway through its run. It is based on the first two novels in the historical series written by Winston Graham, which is set in the late 18th-century.

One of the most striking features of the series has been the gorgeous backdrops and filming locations. With the story set in a colourful historical era in the depths of Cornwall, the Cornish landscapes have beautifully enhanced the drama as the story unfolds.

The village of St Agnes and the seaside resort of Perranporth on the north Cornish coast are two of the locations used in the series. The former is a large village with a wealth of history that was also the home of Poldark’s author Winston Graham. The St Agnes Heritage Coast is a protected area with an abundance of wildlife while the surrounding area includes many archaeological sites.

Hayne Cottage

Helpful Holidays has a number of quaint English cottages to rent in the area, including a gorgeous detached cottage Hayne Cottage in the hamlet of Rose, just a mile away from Perranporth. The area offers the opportunity to play golf and go pony trekking. Alternatively, you can walk down to Perranporth over natural sand dunes and go surfing on the famous Cornish waves. The cottage includes a spacious private garden with a picnic table and barbecue, as well all mod cons and space for up to six guests. Original details including a large woodburner, narrow beams and staircases, which give the cosy cottage a real sense of character.

Many of Poldark’s scenes were filmed in and around Helston – a town and civil parish 12 miles east of Penzance. The small market town is famous for being the most southerly town in the UK, and its picturesque town centre is and quintessentially British - home to stone sculpted buildings and traditional pubs. As the second oldest town in Cornwall, the most narrow of the ancient streets are just large enough to fit a wheelbarrow! The town is a hub of activity year-round, with weekly markets, a boating lake, bespoke shopping and an assortment of quaint restaurants and teahouses. The colourful Flora Day celebrations to welcome the spring season take place every May and see the town covered in flowers and foliage.

Withy Barn

Just outside Helston, in the hamlet of Coverack Bridges, there is a lovely place to stay. A former 19^th century barn, the three-bedroom home has been converted into a modern, smart cottage Withy Barn , close to Helston’s theme park and swimming pool, as well as the seal sanctuary at Gweek and the lagoon at Loe Pool. The cottage itself features an expansive garden above the banks of the River Cober and the local area is a lovely place to hike and enjoy Cornwall’s coastline. The Gunwalloe Church Cove near Helston was another filming location for Poldark and its sandy beaches, views and attractive pub are within easy reach of the property.

Hallowarren Barn

Keen Poldark viewers may recognise Lizard  Point – a National Trust location on the southern tip of the Lizard Peninsula that has been featured in the series. This beautiful sight is located just outside Landewednack, a sleepy hamlet within Lizard Village that is home to a picturesque parish church made from local serpentine stone. Helpful Holidays has two cottages in Manaccan – a pretty village further up the peninsula and nine miles from Helston. One of the cottages Hallowarren Barn is truly beautiful and like something out of a fairytale. Converted from an 18th century barn, it features original detail including low lintels, knobbly walls and beams. The property overlooks acres of award-winning gardens and woodland, while the beach at St Anthony-in-Meneage is just a mile away and you can hire a boat for a day trip.

Tregwynne

Poldark tells the story of title character, Ross Poldark, who returns to the Cornish tin mines after serving time in the army. The Helston & Poldark Mine in Trenear is one of Cornwall’s most important heritage sites and was once a location of significant industrial activity. This mine features in the Poldark series and you can find Tregwynne in the nearby area of Rinsey Cove. The hamlet of Rinsey features a series of granite cottages, and this semi-detached 19^th-century home is situated just minutes from the coast path and the beach. It features a large conservatory, warm atmosphere and gorgeous views in an enviable Cornish location.

Three of Cornwall's best parks for families

There's nothing like getting out in the fresh air and spending some quality time with your family, and parks are fantastic places to do just that. Fortunately Cornwall is brimming with them.

Whether you're embarking on a nature spotting adventure, setting off on a family cycle ride or simply sitting on a bench and relaxing while the kids run off some energy, there are plenty of green spaces you can head to during your break in the county.

Heartlands

This 19-acre Cornish Mining World Heritage Site sits just off the A30 in Pool, near Redruth, and is the ideal place to let the kids run free. There are swathes of green space for picnics and games, and there is also a huge adventure playground with a wide range of equipment for children of all ages.

It's free to enter, and you'll find everything from funnel slides and subterranean tunnels to carousel swings and pyramid towers. There's even a giant sandpit complete with diggers and a sand transportation system that will keep little ones entertained for hours.

Botanical gardens and wildlife trails make Heartlands a fantastic place for nature lovers and keen gardeners, and there are also links to cycling routes for the bike lovers in the family. And if you want to enjoy a spot of lunch, the Red River Cafe serves delicious dishes made from fresh local produce.

Trebah Gardens

Situated near Falmouth, this sub-tropical paradise (pictured above) features more than four miles of footpaths and its very own secluded beach. It is bursting with colour all year round, so if nature is your family's passion you'll find plenty to explore here.

The beach area, which sits on the banks of the Helford River, is the ideal place to skim stones, paddle and build sandcastles, and you can enjoy a bite to eat at the Boathouse Cafe. Trebah Gardens also boasts adventure play areas and trails for the kids, as well as a programme of special events.

Admission prices range from £9 to £4.50 for adults and from £3 to £1.50 for kids. Children under five go free. Dogs are also welcome in the gardens and on the beach, as well as in the garden terrace and picnic areas. There are even designated doggie tables in the Planters Cafe.

Hidden Valley Discovery Park

This exciting adventure park is situated near Launceston and is jam-packed full of fun things to do. There's the Forbidden Mansion, featuring secret passageways, concealed doors and an upside down room, as well as detective trails for those with a passion for exploration.

There's also an underground hobbit house and a challenging beech maze, as well as a miniature railway that takes you on a fun-filled mile-long journey around the park. Unlimited rides on the train are included in the park's entry price.

Hidden Valley Discovery Park is open through the spring and summer months from 10am until 5pm and car parking is free. Admission costs £9.50 for adults and £8.50 for children. Under fives are free of charge and there is a discount for groups of four or more.

---

Photo from Michael Clarke

Four of Cornwall's best castles to visit

Cornwall is absolutely steeped in history - and there is no better way of getting to grips with this than by exploring heritage sites.

There are so many on offer that it is likely to be a case of narrowing down the choice to what you can fit in with the rest of your holiday plans.

The county's castles range from medieval keeps to 16th century fortresses. Here are just a few of the sites open to the public.

Launceston Castle
Launceston Castle is a Norman motte and bailey. Central to the attraction is a 13th century round tower that was built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. It sits inside a shell keep that predates the construction of the central tower. This may have been built as early as 1067, shortly after the Norman conquest.

The top of the tower can still be reached by a dark internal staircase - and it is well worth the trip, as spectacular views are offered over the surrounding area of Bodmin Moor and the Tamar Valley. Approaching the castle is also a rewarding experience, as it dominates the landscape.

An exhibition is present at the site, which traces 1,000 years of Cornish history, including finds from site excavations and details of how the site continued to be used as a prison after the Civil War.

Restormel Castle
Restormel (pictured above) is another 13th-century circular shell-keep, which encloses the main rooms of the castle and has helped to keep them preserved in very good condition. Like Launceston, it is built on an earlier Norman mound and is surrounded by a deep dry ditch.

It also commands spectacular views over south Cornwall - including the River Fowey - and is a popular picnic spot. This is also a popular area for distinctive wildlife, such as the Tetraphasis Obscurus - or the Black Pheasant. Outdoor theatre performances are regularly hosted here in summer evenings - and visitors can still climb the castle steps to look down on the remains of the rooms.

Pendennis Castle
Pendennis was originally constructed between 1540 and 1545 and has a lot to offer as a family day out. It is one of many great fortresses built by Henry VIII to defend the country against invasion. It remained active as a Royalist stronghold in the Civil War, and also as a Second World War observation post.

This fascinating history is traced in exhibitions throughout the site, which include a recreated Tudor gun room, interactive exhibitions, a hands-on Discovery Centre, and displays of George Butterworth's wartime cartoons.

St Mawes Castle
St Mawes is also one of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses - and is arguably the best preserved. It boasts a charming clover-leaf shape that was originally surrounded by octagonal outer defences.

Unlike Pendennis, little development work was carried out on the site after its completion - and visitors will still be able to see carved Latin inscriptions in praise of King Henry VIII and his son Edward VI.

An audio tour is available to help bring this history back to life for visitors.

Read more information on our inspected and star-rated Cornwall holiday cottages.

--

Photo credit: Restormel Castle by Robert Pittman

How to go birdwatching in Somerset

If you're a keen birdwatcher, you'll probably already know that the south west of the country is one of the best places to spot our feathered friends. In fact, the National Trust describes the region as a "mecca" for them.

In Somerset there are birdwatching opportunities all year round, but the spring and autumn migrations are by far the most exciting times of the year to see a variety of bird species, from starlings and sparrowhawks to wood warblers and wagtails.

You don't need to go anywhere particularly special to spot birds in Somerset, but there are some parts of the county where you get a really special, close-up and uninterrupted view, and the Somerset Levels and Moors are most definitely among them.

This vast coastal and wetland plain covers around 160,000 acres and consists of marine clay levels and peat-based moors that support a vast array of wildlife, including numerous bird species.

Cranes
The Levels and Moors are home to the largest lowland population of breeding wading birds, with around 60 cranes living wild in the area and fitted with small radio transmitters so that their movements can be monitored.

Cranes were a common sight in UK wetland areas more than 400 years ago, but they were sadly wiped out by hunting. Fortunately breeding programmes are seeing them reintroduced and these magnificent creatures can be viewed on a Crane Safari organised by the Great Crane Project.

Starlings
Starling mumurations can also be witnessed on the Somerset Levels and Moors in autumn and winter as these pretty little birds flock together to create huge and spectacular aerial displays.

There are a number of nature reserves dotted around this area, but Westhay Moor, Shapwick Heath and RSPB Ham Wall are three of the best for starling spotting. To find out exactly where the starlings are during your visit to Somerset, simply call the Avalon Marshes Starling Hotline on 07866 554142.

Bitterns
The Levels and Moors are also a great place to hear the unique 'booming' call of the bittern. These rare birds - a member of the heron family - have been making a remarkable comeback across Somerset in recent years and are doing very well in the Avalon Marshes.

Due to their secretive nature, they are difficult to spot, but if you are lucky you might hear the male as he attempts to attract a female during the breeding season.

Other species
There are numerous other species of birds to be seen across the Levels and Moors from season to season. In spring, look out for mute swans, lapwings, skylarks and reed buntings, and in summer keep your eyes peeled for buzzards, kestrels and little egrets.

As autumn arrives, you may be able to spot kingfishers, green sandpipers and - if you're lucky - peregrines, while winter brings with it large flocks of wigeons, teals, mallards and occasionally shovelers, gadwalls and pintails.

Read more information on our inspected and star-rated Somerset holiday cottages.

---

Starlings picture credit: RSPB

3 of Devon's best vineyards to visit

English wines have been growing in popularity for a number of years now, and many of them are produced in the agriculturally-diverse county of Devon.

There are vineyards and wineries scattered across the region, and some of them have been winning awards for their excellent tipples. You can explore them yourself, or take a guided tour and find out how the wine is produced from grape to glass.

Either way, a visit to one of Devon's beautiful vineyards is not to be missed, especially if you're a wine connoisseur who can't wait to sample what the county has to offer.

1. Sharpham Vineyard
Situated near Totnes, this beautiful vineyard lies within 500 acres of farmland owned by the Sharpham Trust and unpasteurised cheeses are also produced here, so you can enjoy a nibble with your wine tasting.

Sharpham Vineyard (pictured above) offers a variety of tours - from Trek and Taste, which allows visitors to explore at their leisure - to the Sharpham Experience, which is described as an "all-singing and dancing tour with bells on top" taking in the vineyard, the winery and Sharpham House.

Each tour includes wine and cheese tasting, and from Easter through to September you can also enjoy alfresco dining at the Vineyard Cafe, which serves a variety of fresh, organic locally-sourced food, as well as light refreshments.

2. Kenton Vineyard
This vineyard, planted in 2003, lies on the west side of the Exe Estuary and produces thousands of bottles of white, red, rose and sparkling wine every year.

There is a varied programme of events and activities taking place at Kenton throughout the year, including wine tastings, food and wine matching events and grape picking. You can also take a guided tour of the vines and the winery with a qualified viticulturist and winemaker.

Still wines can be sampled free of charge in the wine shop, or you can order by the glass and relax on the beautiful sun terrace overlooking the vineyard, taking in the stunning views of the surrounding Devon countryside.

3. Yearlstone Vineyard
This is Devon's oldest vineyard, started in 1976 by pioneering viticulturist Gillian Peakes who experimented with wine growing techniques for the English climate. Since then it has grown from 1.5 acres to more than 7.5 and includes a mature orchard from which cider is also produced. It can be found near the village of Bickleigh.

It also offers both self-guided and guided tours of the vineyard. The latter option includes an explanation of the history of English wine, the recent boom in its popularity and the principles of vine growing in the south west, as well as a visit to the winery to learn about the process of wine making and to sample the goods in a tutored tasting session.

There is a cafe on site called the Deli Shack, where a variety of seasonal dishes are available. Guests can dine inside or out on the terrace - where there are stunning views of the Exe valley towards Exeter and the sea - and the cafe also caters for hen groups and wedding after parties.

Read more information on our inspected and star-rated Devon holiday cottages.