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Dare we even think it? Could it be the long-term weather forecast is moving in a drier direction?
Certainly with lower prices in September it’s a great time to come down to the West Country. The seas still shimmer under the autumn sun and after all that summer rain the countryside is delaying its transition to seasonal colours. Come and spend some time walking the ever-changing moors or the breezy coastal path or just potter round one of the glorious gardens; enjoy some fantastic local food and then retire for a cosy evening in one of our carefully selected holiday homes.
There are some big discounts on offer in September: for example L4 in Kingsbridge sleeps 8, has an indoor pool and is only £101 per person per week based on 8 sharing for the remaining weeks in September. Another is S37 near Truro sleeping 12, but a 50% discount for parties of 6 or less means you pay just £92 each based on six sharing for a week in September. Take a look at the ‘Special Offers’ section of our website for more great deals. Do contact us. You’ll always find one of our sales team ready to give you their honest impressions of the properties they know and have inspected.
Have you noticed the ‘News’ feature on our Homepage? We’re adding information you’ll find useful while you’re on holiday by supplying news stories about West Country events and topics. A recent one tells of this amazing show to see in September:
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Cirque Surreal
Plymouth, 4th to 14th September and Wincanton 17th to 21st September. ‘State of the art’, ‘amazing physical feats’, ‘where people can fly!’ are just some of the comments about this fusion of circus, modern dance, drama and humour.
Circus news and times
L199 in Newton Ferrers is close by Plymouth.
Kestrel Cottage
Newton Ferrers, South Hams
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Totnes Festival
Totnes Festival, Sept 5th to 14th. Wow! What a programme for this eclectic ‘green’ town – hundreds of Morris Men, the Grand Final of Buskers and Street Performers Competition, Beethoven’s Ninth and loads more!
Full list of Festival events
L2 in Halwell is just a few miles away.
East Bickleigh
Halwell, South Hams
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St Ives Festival
St Ives September Festival, 6th to 20th September. Get your tickets from the Rainy Day Gallery (we kid you not!) for a fantastic line-up of Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, the Bootleg Beatles, The Chris Deane Big Band and many more.
Festival line-up
Z17 at Mousehole is handily placed.
Covva
Mousehole, End of England
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Widecombe Fair
It’s the second Tuesday in September and Uncle Tom is revving up the old grey mare so it must be time for Widecombe Fair! The fair opens early on Tuesday 9th September and there are sheep dogs, hot air balloons, the Downhill Race and endless other events lasting well into the evening.
All the fun of the fair
A135 (arrow 1) is on the right side of Dartmoor.
Tor Field
Lustleigh, Dartmoor
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Tall Ships Regatta
Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, Falmouth, 10th to 13th September. Get down to Falmouth to see the gathering of 25 tall ships, which are open to the public before the start of a race to Portugal and from there to Madeira to commemorate the first settlement on Madeira 500 years ago. And look out for a specially brewed beer from Skinner’s, Manacle Ale.
Regatta details
For a comfortable berth try S26.
The Old Chapel
Philleigh, Cornwall's Med
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Cheese Festivals
Frome Cheese Show, 13th September. If you think this is just cheesy, you’d be wrong! There’s camel racing, terriers jumping through rings of fire, loads of delicious food and lots of other agricultural show events. And, there’s even more cheese at the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival on 13th and 14th September, just east of Sherborne. There’s a massive Food Hall plus Punch and Judy, magic shows, swing boats and other attractions. See what's on
Stay nearby at E67.
The Mill
Ilminster, Somerset's Heart
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Cornwall Food and Drink Festival
From 26th to 28th September, the Cornwall Food and Drink Festival takes place on Lemon Quay, Truro. A Funky Food Marquee, a Magnificent Seven of Chefs and, hey, more cheese! Check out that funky food
Sleep off the excess at Q16.
Bluebell Cottage
Rose, Newquay Coast
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Cheddar Bikefest
Now don’t be fooled! The Cheddar Bikefest is definitely not about cheese! The event used to be known as the Cheddar Challenge and for two days cyclists will be racing up and down this steep track to ‘Witches Wood’; and there’s also a night time trial. It takes place at the well-known cycling centre of Broadway House on 27th and 28th September.
For all the race details
Just a bike ride away E620.
Compton House
Compton Bishop, Somerset's Heart
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Olympic riders coming to the South West
Some of our medal-winning team will be cycling through Somerset and parts of North Devon on 9th September, taking part in the Tour of Britain. Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish will also be riding. Exford is probably the most central point to head for, where lots of supporting events have been arranged. The South West stage of the race starts in Chard and finishes in Burnham-on-Sea.
Tour itinerary and times
There’s space for all the family at F32.
Horner Farm
Porlock, Exmoor
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Awards for Venus Beach Cafés
Two prestigious awards for Venus Beach Cafés. You may have enjoyed an al fresco lunch on the beach at one of the four Venus Cafés here in the West Country. Well, they’re the British Small Business Champions, Southern Section and have also been given a Business in the Community Big Tick and Impact on Society award. ‘Loving the beach’ is their fundamental motto! Al fresco dining at Venus
Just along the coast from the Blackpool Sands café L71.
Oak Cottage
Slapton, South Hams
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South Devon Walking Festival
So where are your walking boots? They’ll come in handy in the South Hams if you fancy joining the South Devon Walking Festival from 26th September to 5th October. On average there are 4 walks to choose from each day - all different distances, abilities and in different areas and some of them include jumping on a bus or boat for part of the route.
Full details of all the walks |
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Devon artists on show
A quick reminder about the Devon Open Studios, 6th to 21st September, which we’re sponsoring. It’s a fabulous chance to see over 300 artists at work in their studios across Devon. Nine trails have been planned for you to follow across different parts of the county and there are links for some tasty places to have lunch en route.
Details of all the trails |
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Chagford Show prize winner…
We had a great time at the show and we were kept really busy by all the visitors to our marquee. Over 200 people entered our prize draw for a whopping £500 Helpful Holidays voucher and the thrilled winner was Mr Alasdair Howie from Brighton.
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New Properties
The wires are buzzing across Chagford and fingers are being warmed up ready for the great Helpful Holidays 2009 brochure distribution run. Helpers old and young from around the village will take their places soon in the village hall, pumped up with tea and cakes, and ready to get the 240 page brochure featuring 578 holiday homes on the road.
Meanwhile, have a look at this exceptional new barn conversion (J168) with indoor pool near Crediton; a very secluded, detached farmhouse (A161) just outside Moretonhampstead with glorious views over Dartmoor; or, also ideal for peace and quiet, this 17th century farmhouse (P362) in Pencuke, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Further west in Padstow, a handsome, early Victorian semi (P105) not far from the harbour front; or this large detached bungalow (P106) on the edge of Trelights, with lovely long views to the sea; and this dear little stone cottage (R65) in Commonmoor on the edge of Bodmin Moor.
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It hasn’t been the best of summer’s weather-wise but we do hope, if you came to one of our holiday homes in the West Country, you had a good experience and enjoyed your time here. Please do complete the questionnaire for us; we always look forward to receiving them and finding out what you thought. We’ve had a great response so far this year, with more holidaymakers than ever returning theirs and over 97% saying they would recommend Helpful Holidays to a friend. Many thanks.
Best wishes,
Moray Bowater
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