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.

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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.

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Photo credit: Restormel Castle by Robert Pittman