Helpful Holidays Template
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Counting down the days! December 2009
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The year has flown by: holidays and children's exams taken, all over in a flash, and what's this? Christmas in just three weeks!
After the final whirl of festive preparations and social events, wouldn't it be great to know that you have somewhere special lined up for a few days away? How lovely to be snuggled up with family and friends with the space and time to enjoy their company and lots of lovely West Country food and drink.
Special offers…
We've got lots of tempting offers for the festive period, either for a week or just a few days. How about a special Christmas celebration at a superb five star country home (M274) elegantly set in 12 acres of grounds in north Devon for £167 per person per week when 14 share? Or gather together over Christmas week at a spacious and charming house (J502) set on a working farm in its own beautiful, hidden valley for £163 per person based on 16 people sharing. Around five miles from Kingsbridge, another special place: a warm and welcoming barn (L248) sleeping four and converted with enormous flair, on offer at £186 per person for Christmas or New Year week. Also in the South Hams is a smart, airy home (L58) at Kellaton sleeping six, only a mile from the sandy beach at Lanacombe, for £124 per person for Christmas or New Year week. If you're drawn to the spectacular moors, you can spend a grand Christmas in a fine Georgian house (A124) on the edge of Dartmoor for £142 per person per week when 12 share. Further west, just over a mile from the pretty river Fowey, is a stunning and beautifully renovated 300-year-old cottage (R38) for £154 per person per week based on nine sharing over Christmas or New Year. Right on the beach in Kingsand, is a stylish house (R47) with fantastic sea views for £217 per person based on eight sharing over Christmas week.
Our expert telephone team has visited all of our properties and is happy to discuss them with you to make sure you stay in the one just right for you.
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Cornwall wins the public vote!
Best UK holiday destination…
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Cornwall was crowned Best UK Holiday Destination at the 2009 British Travel Awards, so what better place to head to for New Year? The Eden Project's winter festival is back with sparkling fir trees and ice skating rink. On New Year's Eve, the beach at St Ives is buzzing with thousands of people in fancy dress gathering to hear the bells ring out and watch a dramatic display of fireworks over the harbour. Not quite so far down, the fishing village of Looe in east Cornwall is another haven for bizarrely dressed party goers and, of course, on the north coast, the pubs and clubs in Newquay will be heaving as the Fancy Dress Carnival hits the streets.
Celebrate in style at S244
Moonrakers
St Mawes, Cornwall's Med
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New properties…
The latest properties hand-picked to join us include a sweet little cottage (C4) with lovely views, just a short bus ride from Torbay; a delightful and quirky Gothic-style gatehouse (A104) at Bovey Castle with access to all the hotel attractions; and in the pretty village of Ringmore, near an excellent pub, a semi-detached stone cottage (L110). Also in the South Hams, not far from Paignton, is a very stylish former cider barn (L119) in orchard country, and coming back to us with new owners is a barn conversion (L244) in a peaceful setting at Blackawton. Further west, in Maenporth, is a modern house (S44) with great views over the beach - perfect for family get-togethers; and in north Cornwall, a charming cottage (Q22) in a hamlet just over a mile from Perran Sands. Very close to the north side of Dartmoor is a stunning house (J22) with ‘wow’ factor at South Tawton, while up on the north Exmoor coast is an ancient little cottage (F46) in Dunster. What an eclectic selection!
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C4, Lower Tor Cot
Marldon, Torbay
and the Red Cliffs
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A104, Rose Cottage
North Bovey, Dartmoor
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L110, Bramble Cottage
Ringmore, South Hams
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L119, Wassail Cottage
Stoke Gabriel, South Hams
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L244, Five Shires
Blackawton, South Hams
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S44, Avalon
Maenporth, Cornwall's Med
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Q22, The Smithy
Rose, Newquay Coast
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J22, Rock Barn
South Tawton, Devon's
River Country
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F46, The Oval
Dunster, Exmoor
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Enjoy some festive fun…
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There's a lot going on in the South West as Christmas approaches and some great celebrations in which to take part over the New Year.
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Festive farmers' market…
The Big Sheep near Bideford claims to have the biggest covered farmers' market in the South West. Visit their Christmas markets on 5th, 12th, 19th and 23rd December to buy delicious local food - with a great opportunity to taste before you buy - and you'll also find some lovely hand-crafted presents on sale.
Get fresh at K23
Benbow
Ilfracombe, North Devon
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More Christmas shopping ideas…
Tiverton Pannier Market is holding a collectors' fair for old toys and model trains on the morning of December 6th while our local town of Chagford has its Christmas Shopping Night on Tuesday 8th December from 6pm till 8pm.
Wrap up your gifts at J16
West Bradley Cottage
Tiverton, Devon's River Country
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Sparkling Clovelly…
You'll find another illuminated harbour at Clovelly in north Devon. On 6th December a brass band leads a procession to the harbour to enjoy carols, warming food and drink, switch-on of the Christmas lights and a fireworks finale - all in support of the RNLI.
Sing your heart out at K20
Buttery Barn
Clovelly, North Devon
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A medieval Christmas…
On 11th December Castle Drogo is slipping back to medieval times this Christmas with a day of Gregorian chants, early English carols and a rare chance to see some beautiful Christmas images from 13th century manuscripts. You can also create your own illuminated Christmas greeting decorated in gold leaf.
Walk to the castle from A16
Great Cleave
Drewsteignton, Dartmoor
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Mousehole harbour lights…
In Mousehole, the famous Christmas lights in the village streets and a brilliant mass of floating illuminations in the harbour are the backdrop to the Carolaire service at 7.30pm on 12th December with the Mousehole Male Voice Choir, the Chapel Choir and the Pendeen Silver Band.
Feel the magic from Z31
Carn Du
Mousehole, End of England
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Celebrate Christmas the Cornish way…
Just before Christmas, on 20th December, Pendennis Castle at Falmouth celebrates Nadelik (Cornish for Christmas) in the keep. There will be carols, mince pies, Christmas lights, traditional dance, song and fireside tales.
Lower your portcullis at S4
Flat 8, Kingsbury Flats
Falmouth, Cornwall's Med
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Tom Bawcock's Eve…
Also in Mousehole, it's time for 'a bit of scad (mackerel) and Gazey Pie' on 23rd December as the village celebrates Tom Bawcock's Eve. The festival is a memorial to this mythical fellow who braved enormous seas, gathering in fish to save the villagers from starvation.
Enjoy a feast at Z19
Mural Cottage
Mousehole, End of England
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Spectacular Santaland…
Take a trip to Santaland in the spectacular caves of Wookey Hole in Somerset. Lurking there amidst the dinosaur valley, Victorian amusements and the farm Nativity with real reindeer, cuddly lambs and cute donkeys, you'll stumble across Santa and his elves… oh, and watch out for the famous Wookey witch! Open at the weekends and certain weekdays until 3rd January - check their website for details.
Jingle bells back to E18
Barton Cottage
Charlton Adam, Somerset
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All aboard for Santa…
In Cornwall, the Bodmin and Wenford Railway has Santa Specials throughout December and Mince Pie Specials on 26th, 27th and 28th December. Starting from Buckfastleigh, the South Devon Railway is also running Santa Specials during December. There are presents for all the children and mince pies and mulled wine for the grown-ups!
Munch your pies at R21
21 Oakridge
St Mellion, South Cornwall
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He's behind you…
Hey, it's that pantomime time of year and there are some great shows to go to! This year, The Exeter Northcott has gone for Mother Goose, who will be played by Exeter's pantomime institution, Steve Bennett, from 3rd December. Follow the story of Priscilla, the goose that lays golden eggs, with great music, grand costumes and family-friendly laughs!
Laugh out loud at G109
1 The Quay
Lympstone, East Devon
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Oh no, he isn't…
In Plymouth, commencing on 7th December, Tommy Steele plays the title role in a 'stunningly spectacular' production of Scrooge featuring amazing sets and illusions created by the magician acclaimed for the magic effects in the Harry Potter films.
Then, from 18th December in Plymouth, the VERY famous Christopher Biggins appears as Widow Twankey in an incredible version of Aladdin with amazing special effects, a 3D genie, a magical lamp which you can actually rub right in front of your nose and an amazing 3D cave of riches!
Make a wish at L228
Little Stadbury
Stadbury, South Hams
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Fairy tale magic…
Falmouth is staging a one-off performance on 27th December of The Revenge of Rumpelstiltskin, a wonderfully original sequel to the classic fairy tale. Meanwhile, from 17th December, Cinderella is going to the ball in Torquay this year and you'll find her trying slippers at The Princess Theatre!
Happy endings at C3
Danecroft
Brixham, Torbay and the Red Cliffs
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Discover Dartmoor…
If you're staying on Dartmoor, the evocative locations of Wistman's Wood, Yes Tor and Becka Brook might just tempt you to stretch your legs a bit! The National Park has produced a new digi-brochure listing guided walks and events. So how about the Boxing Day Walk to the East Dart Falls and, a few days later, watch the last sunset of 2009 from Haytor?
Put your feet up at A250
Pigwigs Place
Cornwood, Dartmoor
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Where to go on New Year's Eve?
The quayside and narrow streets of Dartmouth will be filled with people in fancy dress waiting for the church bells to ring-in 2010. The festivities rival Bideford as one of the best places in the country to see in the New Year, so join in the celebrations!
Pop the champagne at L104
Primrose Cottage
Dittisham, South Hams
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Renowned celebrations in Bideford…
Another great evening beckons in Bideford where thousands of strangely-dressed people gather on the quayside visiting the pubs, and then making their way to the medieval Long Bridge over the Torridge River to wait for the New Year bells and fireworks.
Sing Auld Lang Syne at K14
Safe Haven
Appledore, North Devon
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Golden wedding holidaymaker wins painting competition!
We received a very high standard of paintings from a wide range of holidaymakers with really different styles and original takes on the theme. The winner is Mrs D Allwright. and she did the painting while on holiday with her husband in Woodleigh in the South Hams celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. There were also some adorable paintings done by children and this year they all received a special prize too!
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Thank you for your valued support in 2009. Despite the tough economic climate, we've arranged a record number of holidays for our customers this year, which demonstrates, we hope, your continued faith in us to provide you with happy memories and good value for money. We look forward to welcoming you back to one of our holiday homes soon.
Very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Moray Bowater
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© 2009 Helpful Holidays, Mill Street, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8AW Tel: 01647 433593 Email: help@helpfulholidays.com
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