Some peace before Christmas breaks out! |
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We love this time of year in the West Country. The rasping call of a pheasant on a crisp late autumn afternoon, breakers crashing on the pebbles of an empty shore and the crackle of a fire lit on returning from an afternoon’s walk kicking through the fallen leaves.
A quiet weekend break at this time of year can set you up for the bustle of Christmas preparations and we have some wonderful cottages to choose from. There are enticing discounts on some! How about a week by the sea in one of the fabulously positioned apartments (L542) overlooking Burgh Island for just £342 (£86pp) based on four sharing for the remaining weeks in November; or relax in the 28 acres of this splendid detached house (S37) at Perranarworthal near Truro, available at £451 (£76pp for up to 6 people), also for the remaining weeks in November and December (excluding New Year)?
If a getaway is what you’ve got in mind this Christmas…
We’ve got some great cottages to escape to or entertain in for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The bigger houses go quickly, but we have a few left, like a Grade II listed former hotel (Q559) in St Agnes sleeping 17 offering 7 nights from £152 per person for the Christmas Week. If you need something smaller, have a look at a thatched cottage (P103) sleeping 6 in Crackington Haven from £121 per person. Or you could really lose yourself at the far end of Cornwall in Cot Manor (Z441), which sleeps 9 at a special seasonal price from £160 per person.
Don’t forget to check out our other seasonal deals on our special offers page – our telephone team (01647 433593) will help you find just the right place for your Christmas or New Year break.
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Charity and beer – what a great mix!
Live bands, tasty food and more than 100 beers are on offer at St Austell Brewery’s Celtic Beer Festival on 29th November in the old wine cellars and vaults beneath the Victorian brewery in St Austell. Last year they raised £10,000 for local charities and, of course, they want to do even better this year!
Check out all those beers!
Roll home to S402
Driftwood Cottage
Porthpean, Cornwall’s Med
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In Drake’s footsteps...
Sir Francis Drake has many connections within the Tavistock area and you can now follow some newly established routes for walkers and cyclists, which will give some insight to his dramatic life. Drake’s Trail takes you from Tavistock towards Plymouth and links up with the Plym Valley Trail with its remains of railway viaducts, historic industrial sites and views of Dartmoor. Follow that trail
Put your feet up afterwards at A138
The Shippen
Tavistock, Dartmoor
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A gasping run...
Near Burnham-on-Sea on the Somerset coast, the Brent Knoll Race is on 30th November – it’s 5½ gruelling miles of lanes and paths as well as a circuit of 445ft high Brent Knoll itself for over a hundred competitors of all ages. Race details here
Get your breath back at D187
Deer Lodge
Crowcombe, Somerset Coast
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It’s not long now...
Those Christmas lights are being warmed up and soon we’ll be heading for the shops to buy presents and all those seasonal goodies. Apart from the big shopping venues, there are lots of smaller fairs and festivals all over the West Country that might meet your needs. Here’s a few for you to consider…
Frome Christmas Spectacular, 30th November
It’s a truly festive family event with a skating rink, live reindeer, carol singing, Santa's Grotto, music, Christmas lights and firework display all starting at 12pm. More details here
Light the woodburner at E8
The Old Bakery
North Curry, Somerset’s Heart
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Ivybridge Festive Bonanza, 5th and 6th December
You’ll find Christmas festivities and the lights switch-on, craft markets, Santa's grotto, street entertainment, a fancy dress parade and lots more all free of charge. Many catering outlets will be open till late. Festival details here
Compare your purchases at L502
The Clock House
Ivybridge, South Hams
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Fowey Christmas Market, 5th to 7th December
Now in its fourth year, this weekend has gained a reputation as the perfect place to combine your Christmas shopping with a quick break. The arrival of Father Christmas by horse and trap, switching on the Christmas lights, a traditional Christmas Fayre, hog roast and free ceilidh all add to the festive atmosphere. Check out all the fun
Take a well earned rest at S38
Eucalyptus Cottage
Fowey, Cornwall’s Med
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Cheddar Festive Night, 5th December
It’s the ninth year for Cheddar Gorge and Village Christmas Extravaganza. Candles illuminate Gough’s Cave and there’s a Farmer’s Market and Gift Fair with pubs, shops and cafés open till late. For all the festivities
Only 8 miles back to E64
Glebe Cottage
Wookey, Somerset’s Heart
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Spectacular Dunster by Candlelight, 5th and 6th December
Traditional and exciting, it’s an event for all ages. Stiltwalkers in fantastic costumes, Morris dancers, a brass band, shops and restaurants to satisfy your every need! And don’t forget you can get there by steam train from Bishops Lydeard, but do book early. Light up your weekend
Relive the experience at F92
Glenview
Barbrook, Exmoor
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Traditional Christmas characters
Go to Trevarno Gardens near Helston, where you can meet some traditional Christmas characters. Last year a herd of reindeer was introduced to the estate and they are now settled in and ready to meet their public! There’s a grand Christmas Fair on 6th and 7th December so you could meet the reindeer and do some shopping – not sure if the reindeer are offering home deliveries? More Trevarno treasures
Back for tea at T21
Thornleigh
Helston, Lizard
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The bright lights...
If you enjoy a little more hustle and bustle, try late night shopping in the award-winning malls of Exeter and Plymouth. Former Olympic ice skating champion Robin Cousins will switch on the Exeter Christmas lights on 18th November. Both centres feature many of the top retailers and there’s plenty of places to eat and drink too. Exeter highlights
Put your feet up at G98
G98 The Stables
Ottery St Mary, East Devon
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Farms for City Children...
The Helpful Holidays charity for 2009 is Farms for City Children. You might like to help by buying their Christmas cards designed by Quentin Blake and books signed by children’s author Michael Morpurgo. |
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Carnival season draws to a close
In a blaze of brilliant illumination, the fantastic floats of the Winter Carnival season embark on their final laps of Somerset towns. From Bridgewater on 7th November, they traverse through north Somerset to the final venue in Weston-super-Mare on 17th November. Carnival capers
Back to D180 for hot chocolate
Chapel Cottage
Stogumber, Somerset Coast
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Holsworthy Carnival, 15th November
You can catch another much smaller carnival in Holsworthy on 15th November with a children’s procession in the afternoon before the main event in the evening. Holsworthy details
Whizz back to K9
South Worden Farm
Bradworthy, North Devon
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South Brent Winter Carnival
Pop along to the South Brent Winter Carnival, 29th November. One of the largest remaining carnival processions in South Devon, with many award winning floats and walking groups from all over the county - many larger, 100ft long floats wend their way from Bridgwater and Somerset to join the fun, which kicks off at 6pm. Timings and directions
A cosy thatch by the river at L108
5 Bridge Terrace
Tuckenhay, South Hams
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It’s all happening...
A couple of recent snippets of West Country excitement just to keep you in the picture – perhaps you know the villages…
Sacre bleu! A French lorry driver had an unplanned off-road excursion in Maenporth recently and ended up stuck on the sandy beach, luckily above the high tide mark. We’re not sure how he got out though.
Just above the beach S39
Apartment 6
Maenporth, Cornwall’s Med
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Further happenings...
Then, in East Prawle, a village legendary for its lack of mobile phone reception, villagers just failed to defeat contractors who came to take away their beloved red phone box. Despite blocking it in with a tractor and the Parish Clerk boldly stepping inside and refusing to come out, the BT contractors ultimately had their wicked way! The villagers hope to buy it back soon, sadly, without the telephone…
In the heart of East Prawle L73
The Lookout
East Prawle, South Hams
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New properties…
Just in time for Christmas and New Year we’ve taken on another dozen or so great new holiday homes, which stand ready to provide a wonderful holiday venue for you. We have four amazing lodges (A86, A87, A88, A89) in the grounds of Bovey Castle, all with access to a fantastic range of activities; and there’s another group of three cottages (F34, F35, F36) in the National Trust village of Luccombe on Exmoor. In the South Hams there are two side-by-side cottages (L81, L82) at Woodleigh in the River Avon valley, and the welcome return of the fabulous house (L69) at Ashprington near Totnes. Near Ashburton, there is a gracious early Victorian house (A147) in 20 acres; and then in Rosudgeon there’s a large detached farmhouse sleeping 12 (Z20). Finally, stay by the harbour at Ilfracombe in a former mariners’ house (K19). |
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K19 Seafoam House
Ilfracombe, North Devon
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Pack your ski boots AND your surfboard...
Looking to the future, permission has been granted for an artificial ski slope near Newquay. Due to open next year, there will also be a half-pipe and jump section for all you snowboarders.
And whilst you plan your holiday for next year, why not consider flying to the South West and avoid some of that irksome traffic! Air Southwest has recently launched its 2009 schedules to Newquay and Plymouth. Wonder if they’ll let you travel with snow boots and surfboard on the same flight?
Best wishes,
Moray Bowater
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© 2008 Helpful Holidays, Mill Street, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8AW Tel: 01647 433593 Email: help@helpfulholidays.com
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