#devon holidays

An arty exploration of Devon’s English Riviera

The Tale, an immersive arts trail across Torbay this September, aims to offer a new perspective on the area. Its creator, author Philip Hoare, gives us a preview‘The bay is like a proscenium theatre – it’s dramatic, it’s magical, there’s a sense of moving through a narrative as you follow the coast, through geographical, cultural and social history. But the thing we come for, the thing that’s all around us, is the thing we don’t notice – the sea, a truly wild thing.”I’m on a boat with author Philip Hoare (and a hundred other punters) crossing Torbay. You might think his words for the oft-satirised resort hyperbolic. But I live nearby – shamefully, it’s the first time I’ve crossed the bay on a boat – and I have to admit that from the sea, the palm-fronded curves, clay-coloured cliffs and undulating coastal hills do look very beautiful. If I squint a bit and ignore the bruise-coloured clouds rolling in from Dartmoor, I could be in Saint-Tropez or the Caribbean. Continue reading...

A cycle trail around the craftmakers of Dartmoor

A woodturner, upholsterer and jeweller are among the Devon artisans to visit on a new cycle trail. Our writer leaves with a few handmade items of her ownWhen I was about 10, I went on a family holiday to the Netherlands with an outfit called Cycling for Softies. We rode up what felt like the country’s steepest hill, far exceeded the number of miles expected and at one point crossed the border into Germany. In short, there was nothing “soft” about it.This, it appears, is a common feature of cycling trips. And thank goodness – because if you had a better idea beforehand of how strenuous a journey you were about to undertake, you might never go – and you’d miss out on something brilliant. Continue reading...

The City Gate, Exeter: hotel review

This newly-refurbished pub with smart rooms and locally produced food is a great reason to break a journey to or from the West CountryExeter is so close to lovely beaches, Dartmoor, Exmoor, and pretty towns like Totnes and Chagford it’s a wonder many travellers know it mainly for the M5 services. Being a “gateway” to the West Country is almost an invitation to whizz through.When the 18th-century Royal Clarence Hotel – often described as England’s oldest hotel – was destroyed in a fire last October, the city lost its most characterful lodgings. The City Gate – a Young’s pub with rooms in a listed redbrick former coaching inn, which reopened in May after extensive refurbishment – doesn’t make up for this loss, but it does provide the essentials for a short stopover. Its 14 bedrooms are smallish but smartly decorated, and the locale is of historical interest: the pub abuts the original Roman city walls and looks out on to the Iron Bridge, built in 1834. Continue reading...

Edge house is a New England-style, newly built property on the site of a former fifties farm house which was originally part of Edge farm. The house has been carefully decorated and furnished by the owners to the highest quality to give a luxurious feel throughout and, because of this, Visit Britain have rated it 5 stars and a Gold award.

Despite being set in a very rural location Edge House is only a couple of minutes from the A3052, 15 minutes from Honiton train station, 10 minutes from Sidmouth and Seaton, about 30 minutes from Exeter and 20 minutes to Exeter airport.

November sun.

Jon Mac.

If you wish to spend more quality time with your family, bring them with you on Devon holidays and make sure that you stay at the elegant Devon holiday cottages.  Your Devon holidays will never be complete if you choose to spend it alone rather than with the whole family.  There are many attractions and activities that are very attractive to kids and will keep them entertained outside of the Devon holiday cottages. You can also visit the different towns like Torquay, popularly known as the Queen of the English Riviera, where you can find great beaches and coves.  You can take your kids to different theme parks and even to historic sites that will be interesting and educational to them so they take home more than just fun but also some knowledge after their Devon holidays.

  Waves Leisure Pool

  One of the places that the kids will really be excited about during your Devon holidays is the Waves Leisure Pool that is located at The Riviera International Centre. If you have done the round of the different beaches especially those near your Devon holiday cottages, this would be another way of enjoying the water.  The pool is an alternative to going to the beach with the water and the wave but without the sand and the salt.  This is a fresh water pool that has a wave machine to simulate different kinds of waves.  It is great to swim in minus the dangers that go with the waves at the beach.  The waterfalls can serve as a refreshing shower that the kids will truly enjoy.  Spend some time at the Waves Leisure Pool during your Devon holidays especially if you love the water as it is not too far from your Devon holiday cottages.

  Kents Cavern

   Your Devon holidays must include a visit to the Kents Cavern together with the whole family.  This is located in one of the most historical areas of Torquay, just a few minutes from your Devon holiday cottages.  The cave is more than 400 years old and will provide you with a lot of information about the rich history of Britain. The kids can see for themselves how the cavemen lived inside the cave.  The Kents Cavern has already undergone modernization, though since it includes many other attractions that will provide entertainment especially for the kids. You can go on a guided tour and afterwards let the kids take part in the Fun Dig, Cave Painting, Brass Rubbing, The Wall of Hands and Tribal Face Marking. You can buy some souvenirs that you can take back with you to the Devon holiday cottages to remind you of your Devon holidays at the souvenir shop within Kents Cavern. 

  Bygones Victorian Museum

If you love the sun, sand and sea, look no further than spending your Devon holidays at the beach. It is a must to book at one of Devon holiday cottages that are quite near the pristine Devon beaches. These Devon holiday cottages offer you one ultimately luxurious accommodation but at prices that is easy on your pocket.  You can also stay in Torquay which is located on the opposite side of Devon.  Devon holiday cottages can accommodate large or small groups which can also include your pets as these holiday cottages are pet friendly. If you are thinking of spending your Devon holidays at the beach, here are some places that are near the Devon holiday cottages and would be great places to go to.

  Lynmouth Bay

  You need not go far from the Devon holiday cottages if you want to go to Lynmouth Bay. This is a great place to spend the day just relaxing or strolling around and looking at great scenic views although this might not be the best beach that you can find during your Devon holidays. The beach is about one hour and a half from Torquay so if you are coming from there, you need to hop on to a train and leave early so you will have enough time for an afternoon at this beach. One way to go there is to take the water-powered Victorian Cliff railway which goes through the hillside to the beach. If you want to go swimming, you can do so at the beach or else try out the eastern side where there is a tidal swimming pool that would be a great place for you to swim. This is one of the places that you can include in your Devon holidays. Have a great rest at your Devon holiday cottages after spending a day at Lynmouth Bay.

  Westward Ho!