Archive for the ‘South West England’ Category

• Luxury apartment in an elegant development in Kingsbridge, Devon, South West England

  Date: 2011.03.07 | Category: Apartments, Devon, South West England | Response: 0

  This luxury apartment is part of an elegant development, with a Mediterranean style arrangement of steps, patios and pergola-covered walkways. The apartments are finished to the highest standard, with modern designer kitchens, under-floor heating, a lift from the car park to all levels and high tech security that includes audio and electronic entrance controls. All apartments have a private patio or balcony as well as secure underground parking for one car each plus visitors’ bays.

  6 Crabshell Heights is a stunning apartment offering panoramic views from the balcony and living room across the tidal estuary and to the hills and countryside beyond. This Visit Britain Four Star awarded property is situated just a few metres walk from the Kingsbridge/Salcombe estuary, and within a 5-10 minute level walk of Kingsbridge town centre and its array of shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. This is the perfect base for a family wishing to explore the beautiful South Hams.

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• Driving in Cornwall – dump the SatNav!

  Date: 2011.03.04 | Category: Cornwall, Family Man, holidays, South West England | Response: 0

  Is it just me or does the car Sat Nav system deliberately set out to add to my stress when driving with a full car (family and luggage) and towing our caravan? And, what is it with Cornwall in the South West of England that makes the use of a Sat Nav so completely and utterly pointless?

  I was pondering these questions on last year’s summer holiday.  On our way to Newquay the SatNav spent a great part of the journey telling me I was actually driving through fields.  Now I may be a bit of a townie but I can assure you that I can tell the difference between tarmac and pasture!

  The SatNav could be slightly excused because maybe I should have paid out for newer maps (although it is only a couple of years old and why should we be conned in to constantly paying out for something it should update for free) but there is no such excuse for it when it took us the fastest route to Newquay airport via 4 different routes even though we left from the same place.  However, that was nothing to the route it took us next – when the road got smaller and smaller until it was better described as a path.

  By this point we had lost confidence completely in its ability to get us anywhere.  Which is a problem when you are on a caravan touring holiday.  After all you rely on the SatNav a great deal with your caravan on the back to help the journey go smoothly, but when you are suddenly thrust back into pre SatNav days how do you cope??

  Er, well not well actually.  It is amazing how quick you can fall back in to those map reading arguments -driver demands for instant direction decisions and navigator panic followed by refusal to work under such streesful conditions!

  Our learning from last year’s trip to the South West:

  • Update the satNav maps
  • Plan your route using an internet route planner and write down the basic route
  • Make sure you have an up to date map book in the car for those all else fails situations

• Swanage Blues festival this weekend

  Date: 2011.03.02 | Category: Cottages, Dorset, Festivals, Holiday Parks, Latest News, Places to go, Self catering, South West England | Response: 0

  For hardcore Blues fans, the Swanage Blues Festival hosts over 40 bands in 15 venues over three days.

  An acoustic room will play host to the stripped down sounds while workshops and jam sessions will allow for some entertaining audience participation. There will be open mic sessions and free admission to all venues.
  The line up includes Assorted Buskers; Kevin Brown; Johnny Sharp and more. The festival runs from Friday 4 March till Sunday 6 March.

  • For more information on the festival see their web site.

  Looking for a place to stay for the festival check out Find Family Holidays for cottages; lodges and holiday parks.

• Stay at this spacious and well presented barn conversion, Higher Ash Barn, Dartmouth, South Devon, South West England

  Date: 2011.03.02 | Category: Cottages, Devon, South West England | Response: 0

  This spacious and well presented barn conversion has lovely views across the neighbouring gardens, orchard and rolling fields and was recently awarded Four Star Gold by VisitBritain. The barn retains many character features including original cross beams and a delightful stone fireplace, and is ideally suited to families with younger children or perhaps couples looking for a quieter location within easy reach of Dartmouth and the surrounding area.

  The barn is one of a pair in the grounds of Higher Ash Farm just 2 miles from the famous naval town of Dartmouth. The barns sit within 50 acres of delightful grounds including extensive areas of lawned garden, well-stocked orchard and farmland all of which are available for holiday guests to explore. The village of Stoke Fleming (with pub and shop/Post office) is 20-30 minutes walk away, and the Blue Flag awarded Blackpool Sands beach is just a 10 minute drive along the coast road.

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• 300 acres organic dairy, arable, fishing and small games barn – Honeysuckle Cottage Bideford Devon

  Date: 2011.03.02 | Category: Cottages, Devon, South West England | Response: 0

  Nestling in the peace and tranquillity of the countryside, this delightful former granary, arranged on three floors, is ideal for those who wish to see the farm in action, enjoy beautiful woodland walks or join the Tarka Trail. Visitors are welcome to take landrover trips around the farm (when the owners are available!) to meet the resident animals and you may even be lucky enough to see a cow calving or be able to collect eggs from the chickens. Guests are also welcome to coarse fish in the owner’s pond or enjoy a game of snooker in the games barn. The cottage has its own garden area with garden furniture and BBQ where you can sit and relax. For those wishing to explore the area, you are close to many of the tourist attractions including The Big Sheep, The Milky Way, Dartington Crystal and RHS Rosemoor Gardens and it is only a 15 minute drive to the nearest sandy beach.

  The immaculate accommodation offers THREE bedrooms: on the ground floor there is 1 double with en-suite shower room and WC and 1 twin room. Bathroom with bath and shower over and WC. Upstairs lounge with electric woodburner and TV. Impressive kitchen/diner with dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer and many useful extras. Oak staircase to a gallery bedroom with bunk beds. Ideal for children with a TV with freeview, hi-fi, DVD and a selection of books provided. Adjacent utility room with washer/dryer. Enjoy a game of snooker or darts in the games room. Lawned area with BBQ, Unspoilt riverside walks, and lots of wildlife. Ample parking. Bed linen included. First £6 of electric free, then by meter. Central heating £3 daily. Towels for hire. Regret no pets. Advance grocery service available. Beach 7 miles, pub 1 mile, shop 2 miles.

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