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Home to roost... November 2009
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We love this time of year. The nights have grown fresher, the days of summer have departed and a new season is truly upon us. The sound of swifts and swallows gathering to fly south is replaced by the metallic rasp of a pheasant heading for a safe roost.
You too could head for an autumn retreat amongst the glorious colours of a West Country autumn – and they really are outstanding this year, a cacophony of copper and gold in the low autumn sun.
Tempting offers...
As the year winds towards a close, why not take advantage of the special offers on some of our lovely holiday homes and wind down yourself before the onset of the busy Christmas and New Year period? You could have a really big get together at the fine Tudor manor house, Cadhay (G100), which sleeps 22 from just £111 per person for a week in November. At the other end of the scale, R11 is not far from peaceful Whitsand Bay, ideal for two at just £159 for a week in November. Just a couple of minutes’ walk from the seafront at St Mawes, six people can stay at S230 from only £46 per person for a week and the dog can go too.
Considering going away to celebrate Christmas or New Year? We have some great festive offers too. Perhaps £206 per person in a high quality apartment (L534) sleeping five overlooking Burgh Island will tempt you? In north Devon, it’s not too far from K16 to Bideford where you can gather with thousands of others on the 13th century Long Bridge on New Year’s Eve; when five share, it’s only £110 per person for a three-night break. There’s a 25% discount on a luxury thatched cottage (G5) with an indoor pool at Blackawton over Christmas and if you want to travel further west, you can spend a relaxing Christmas at a fine Victorian house (Q321) where 10 people can stay less than half a mile from Watergate Bay for just £120 per person. A delicious farm-fresh turkey is a free gift from the owners when you book a full week over Christmas or the New Year at any of the cottages (L60, L61, L65 and L66) on their farm near the beautiful wooded River Avon valley.
We have over 600 holiday homes for you to choose from in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and the New Forest. We’ve visited them all and we can tell you about each one in detail.
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Celebrity boost for South West charity...
Boycie’s pitch – and not a dodgy motor in sight! |
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Actor John Challis – dodgy car dealer Aubrey Boyce from Only Fools and Horses and The Green Green Grass TV comedy series – has become ambassador for the fund-raising scheme to replace the Lizard lifeboat. After a surprise treat for his birthday, including a special cake and a slipway launch on a training exercise, he was delighted to give his support to help raise the £1.8 million towards the cost of the new boat.
Splash out at T21
Thornleigh
Helston, Lizard
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New properties…
Just in time for Christmas, we’ve taken on some delightful new holiday homes. Not far from Minehead is F45, a classic Exmoor cottage set in 150 acres of mixed leaf woodland. In the lovely Dartmoor village of Lustleigh, A103 is a semi-detached cottage, once part of the old Victorian school house. Off the beaten track in the South Hams is a dear little18th century cottage (L96) in Kingston, close to a good pub and sandy beach. Near Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, surrounded by fields and private woodland with a stream, is a farmhouse divided into two charming dwellings (L116 and L117) and a smart converted barn (L118). Way down in Penzance, there’s a modern terraced house in Wharfeside Village (Z37) with shops, cafés and the harbour within easy reach. |
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F45, Heyden Cottage
Minehead, Exmoor |
A103, The Old School House
Lustleigh, Dartmoor |
L96, Emily Cottage
Kingston, South Hams |
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L116 and L117, Collaton Farm House and Cottage
Newton Ferrers, South Hams |
L118, The Linhay
Newton Ferrers, South Hams |
Z37, Johns Dory
Penzance, End of England |
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Plenty to do in November… |
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The famous Somerset Carnivals…
During November, the huge illuminated procession of traditional carnivals is in full swing in many Somerset towns, blazing their way through the evening streets and crowds. Dates to catch these stunning displays: Bridgewater, 6th; Highbridge and Burnham, 8th; Shepton Mallet, 11th; Wells, 13th; Glastonbury, 14th; Weston-super-Mare, 16th.
Follow the lights from E620
Compton House
Compton Bishop, Somerset
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South Brent Winter Carnival…
This is one of the largest processions in south Devon with award-winning floats and walking groups from south and east Devon; there’s also a giant 100’ float from the Bridgewater and Somerset circuit. The fun starts at 6pm on 28th November in South Brent.
Join the festivities from A250
Pigwigs Place
Cornwood, Dartmoor
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Mega bangs for your bucks!
Woodlands Leisure Park near Dartmouth is featuring a massive themed bonfire and monstrous firework display on 7th November. There will be jugglers, barbecue, clowns and some live music too. And there’s a ‘best Guy Fawkes’competition!
Keep your head down at L242
Nellies
Moreleigh, South Hams
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Taste South East Cornwall...
Taste South East Cornwall centres on the picturesque fishing ports of Looe and Polperro, whose reputation for local food and fine dining has exploded onto the Cornish gastro-map since Taste was first staged in 2005. From 7th to 21st November, each day of this festival will be packed with foodie events.
Take some succulent ideas back to R43
Samuels Cottage
Lanreath, South Cornwall
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Cornwall Film Festival, Falmouth...
The Cornwall Film Festival from 12th to 15th November is an annual celebration of Cornish and international film-making. Local and national premieres, lectures and parties provide the opportunity to network with the UK’s leading film industry professionals. Films being shown include Fishtank, The Girl with the Green Dragon Tattoo and Cornish-made shorts.
Roll the credits at S211
Boslowen
Falmouth, Cornwall's Med
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The Friends of Teignmouth Jazz Festival...
Whether you prefer New Orleans, Swing, Modern or Contemporary, there will be something to delight your ears; a stroller ticket lets you experience genres of music you may not have tried before. There’s a wide choice of restaurants and cafés to suit all pockets, spectacular scenery, quaint lanes and a friendly Devon welcome – all combine to promise a great weekend from 13th to 15th November.
B8 is just a short bop away!
Cherries
Olchard, Torbay and the Red Cliffs
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Bridport Literary Festival...
Some great sessions to be had during this festival from 13th to 22nd November with authors such as Michael Holroyd and Margaret Drabble, music ranging from a military band to an a cappella choir, plus films, dance, comedy and plenty more.
Be a culture vulture at H601
Dormouse Cottage
Burton Bradstock, Dorset
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Clovelly Herring Festival...
The sweet herring was once Clovelly’s staple economy, so the festival on 15th November is a great way to promote fishing by sustainable methods and celebrate the excellent taste! With cider to accompany the ‘silver darlings’, infuse your senses with freshly smoked kippers and bloaters and listen to some shanties from the Singing Fishwives.
Back up that steep hill to K20
Buttery Barn
Clovelly, North Devon
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Truro City of Lights Festival and Parade...
The theme this year is the historic fabric of the town - an opportunity to bring together and explore the events and people that make the town. Schools beat out the rhythm of drums and samba bands, brass bands, singers and choirs gather from all over Cornwall. Giant character lanterns mingle with hundreds of smaller children’s lanterns in this colourful procession on 18th November.
Light your way back to S43
Corner Cottage
Devoran, Cornwall's Med
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Formula One racing in Dartmouth?
… well, it’s actually the indoor type, similar to Scalextric. On 28th November, you can make unlimited attempts to be the fastest on the four tracks (cars are supplied) for a £3 entry fee. The reigning world indoor rally champion Jamie Hudson-Bond will be there to defend his title. Proceeds will go to The Greyhound Sanctuary in north Devon.
Put your foot on the gas down to L53
Blackbird Barn
Woodleigh, South Hams
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Ivybridge Festive Bonanza...
There’ll be plenty of festivities in Ivybridge town centre on 4th December to put you in a Christmas mood. Switch-on of lights, craft markets, Santa’s grotto, street entertainment, a parade and lots more. Fun starts at 5pm.
Get together to celebrate Christmas at L2 and L3
East Bickleigh and Oak Tree
Halwell, South Hams
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Puffing up to Dunster by Candlelight...
Combine a trip on the steam railway from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster with the magical candlelight evenings celebrating Christmas around the castle on 4th and 5th December. There’s fish and chips available en route and there’s usually mulled wine in the Great Hall of the castle to warm you up after wandering around the market.
Light the woodburner at D183A
The Stable
Trebles Holford, Somerset
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Cornwall’s new Mineral Tramways Project…
… is a delight for cyclists. A network of cycle paths roughly encircles the Cornish town of Redruth, originally built to carry mined ore to the quay in Portreath. There are seven routes to choose from, in varying levels of difficulty, but all are suitable for even the most cautious of cyclists.
Pedal back to Q15
The Gatehouse
Portreath, Newquay Coast
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Wiveliscombe joins Walkers are Welcome…
Wiveliscombe in Somerset has joined the nationwide network of towns actively promoting walking in their area. Becoming a member is conditional on there being visible encouragement to help people easily use the local paths and trails. From this lovely old town, walkers can easily reach the Quantock and Brendon hills and also Exmoor. Kingsbridge in south Devon is currently the only other West Country town to achieve this coveted status.
Stride out from F39
Rock Cottage
Waterrow, Exmoor
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A digital companion…
While we’re on the subject, you might be interested in some new technology to enhance the simple joys of walking in the Blackdown Hills. At the Staple Fitzpaine Herepath trail, the Forestry Commission has launched a project allowing walkers to hire a lightweight digital device linked to satellite technology. You’ll hear craggy old Somerset voices describing the past, or you can press the keypad to help you identify a butterfly or bird you’ve just seen; all sorts of things. The first outlets for the device, which is free to hire, are in West Hatch and Hemyock.
Get high tech at E15
Puthill Cottage
Cricket St Thomas, Somerset
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Georgina’s travels…
Our Olypmic shooting hope, Georgina Geikie, has sent us a great update on her travels and the competitions she’s taken part in this year. After training in Switzerland and attending the England Trials Match Week, she reckons she’s in good shape.
Her travelling life is now so much easier after sponsorship by the British Airways ‘Great Britains’ scheme which, as well as flying her for free, has given her some extra special treatment, a view from the flight deck and some welcome international publicity. Her 2008/09 competition year ended in September, so it’s one year closer to the London 2012 Olympics! |
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A Cornish Christmas…
On Monday 7th December at 5.30pm The Lost Gardens of Heligan open for a unique late night Christmas shopping experience. Free lantern-lit tours let you experience the magic of The Lost Gardens at night, then back to the tearoom’s cosy woodburner with carol singing and festive aromas filling the air. There are seasonal refreshments and mulled wine, and unique gifts to be browsed in the shop including Christmas puddings and cakes from the bakery.
Go hunting for gifts from S403
Post Box Cottage
St Ewe, Cornwall's Med
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Arts and crafts for Christmas…
Buying your Christmas presents at local fairs is a lovely alternative to the bustle of the city streets. Often, there will be a glass of mulled wine and perhaps some carols to create a more seasonal atmosphere for your shopping mission.
You’ll find lots of Cornish craft stalls at Pencarrow on 28th and 29th November. At Lemon Quay in Truro there’s a Made in Cornwall Christmas Fair from 25th to 28th November, with late night shopping and a parade by Santa on his sleigh pulled by real reindeer also on 25th. Warm your toes after shopping for arts and crafts at Cotehele and admire the Christmas garland during November and early December.
Tick off your present list at R35
3 Harbour View
Fowey, Cornwall's Med
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We hope you find time to grab some peace and quiet on a short break before the busy festive period; or perhaps you’re already counting down the days, shopping for gifts and searching for the perfect getaway to celebrate Christmas and the New Year? Whatever you have in mind – a big house or cosy cottage, luxury living or homely comfort, coast or country – rest assured, we’ll help you find a special place, always at good value.
Best wishes
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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