Gillian Birch | Holiday cottages in Devon and Cornwall

If you are looking for something to do in Devon which is just a little different, the Dartmouth Castle family ghost tour could be just up your street.

Rosemary and garlic may protect you on the Dartmouth Castle Ghost Tour

If you are looking for something to do which is just a little different, the Dartmouth Castle family ghost tour could be just up your street. As long as the children are at least eight years old and prepared to jump out of their skins every now and again, it really will be a great night.

There is much more to the Dartmouth Castle family ghost tour than meets the eye though with other things to do which will really make this a night to remember, with even a discount if you know where to look!

The UK's most talented comedians converge on The Exeter LOL Festival making it just what the doctor ordered to lift you out of the post-Christmas gloom.

Laugh out loud at the Exeter LOL comedy festival

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The Exeter LOL Festival is surely just what the doctor ordered to lift everyone out of the post-Christmas gloom. Some of the most talented comedians in the country converge on the city with the sole intention of making everyone laugh out loud and that has to be a good thing, don’t you agree?

The Exeter LOL Festival is certainly growing in popularity with the impressive list of comedians who are heading down to Devon proving that this vibrant city has a lot more going for it than you may have previously imagined.

Thousands of visitors come to Devon every year with one aim in mind – to enjoy the stunning sandy beaches, particularly along the Atlantic facing north coast.

Best beaches in North Devon – without a doubt!

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

Thousands of visitors come to Devon every year with one aim in mind – to enjoy the stunning sandy beaches, particularly along the Atlantic facing north coast.

Find out why North Devon’s beaches are so popular by booking a holiday cottage in North Devon today!

With a rugged, serrated coastline running for 85 miles along the coast of North Cornwall there are hundreds of caves, beaches and bays just made for enjoying on a sunny day.

Best beaches in North Cornwall – bar none!

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

With a rugged, serrated coastline running for 85 miles along the coast of North Cornwall there are hundreds of caves, beaches and bays just made for enjoying on a sunny day. If you haven’t time to drive down and try them all for yourself, take your choice from the following which are, in my opinion, the very best beaches in North Cornwall – bar none!

Book a holiday cottage in Cornwall near one of these beaches and enjoy a wonderful stay!

If you thought a holiday in Devon sounded boring, you may have to rethink your opinion. Devon has a varied terrain, national parks and great beaches that make it the perfect place for outdoor adventure, from microlights and archery to abseiling & extreme watersports.

On your marks for challenging sports activities in North Devon

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

If you thought a holiday in Devon sounded boring, you may have to rethink your opinion. Devon has a varied terrain, national parks and great beaches that make it the perfect place for outdoor adventure, from microlights and archery to abseiling and extreme watersports.

Book your holiday cottage in Devon and plan to try some of these challenging activities in North Devon.

Cornwall is surrounded by water which makes it perfect for exciting watersports, particularly in the rolling Atlantic surf found on the north coast. Bodyboarding, freediving, stand-up paddle surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and more can all be found here.

Get set for some exhilarating sports activities in Cornwall

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

Cornwall is surrounded by water which makes it perfect for exciting watersports, particularly in the rolling Atlantic surf found on the north coast. Bodyboarding, freediving, stand-up paddle surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and more can all be found here.

Holiday cottages in Cornwall make the perfect base for enjoying some exhilarating sports activities on an action-packed adventure holiday.

A swim on Boxing Day is a tradition in seaside towns. Lots of money is raised for charity & if you fancy a dip, here are 3 places in Devon to give it a try.

Boxing Day Swims in Devon: don’t forget the goose fat!

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Going for a swim on Boxing Day has long been a tradition for those who live by the sea. Lots of money is raised for charity and everyone has a great time. Fancy dress is optional, but being slightly crazy is probably a requirement.

If you get bitten by the bug and decide to have a go, don’t forget that there is far more to it than simply dipping your toe in the water!

Fowey Chritmas Market is first class so it goes without saying that if you are looking for a spot of Christmas shopping in a lovely location, you won't find much better than this one!

Fowey Christmas Market: A Cornish Christmas to remember

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It could be said that some Christmas markets are better than others. Taking place over the first weekend in December, or as in 2013 on the last weekend in November, the Fowey Christmas Market offers so much and it is not only the locals who now look forward to it.

The market is first class so if you are looking for a spot of Christmas shopping in a lovely location, you won’t find much better than this one.

How about spending a lovely weekend just before Christmas surrounded by horses and horsey folk at the Westcountry Christmas Equine Fair in Exeter? They're all extremely welcoming and you might just find that you have a great time. This Equine Fair attracts horse lovers from all over Devon as well as further afield and there really is a lovely atmosphere about the place.

Showjumping and shopping at the Westcountry Christmas Equine Fair

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How about spending a lovely weekend just before Christmas surrounded by horses and horsey folk at the Westcountry Christmas Equine Fair in Exeter? They’re all extremely welcoming and you might just find that you have a great time.

This Equine Fair attracts horse lovers from all over Devon as well as further afield and there really is a lovely atmosphere about the place.

If your Christmases seem to be stuck in the same old rut, consider renting a holiday cottage in North Devon and doing something different. Discover the fun activities you can enjoy in North Devon over Christmas and the New Year.

What’s on in North Devon this Christmas

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If your Christmases seem to be stuck in the same old rut, consider renting a holiday cottage in North Devon and doing something different. Why not spend Christmas with close family or friends in a holiday cottage with oak beams and a log fire, or in a large family home where someone else gets to clear up afterwards? Read on to discover the fun activities you can enjoy in North Devon over Christmas and the New Year.

Each year in late November, Devon's tourism industry is on tenterhooks to find out who has been honoured with some of the UK's most prestigious accolades. Read on to discover the best visitor attractions, festivals, restaurants and activities in Devon, and plan your next holiday around these award-winning businesses.

Devon Tourism Awards 2012 acknowledge the cream of Devon

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

Each year in late November, Devon’s tourism industry is on tenterhooks to find out who has been honoured with some of the UK’s most prestigious accolades. Read on to discover the best visitor attractions, festivals, restaurants and activities in Devon, and plan your next holiday around these award-winning businesses.

With so many award-winning attractions and events, now is a great time to book your holiday cottage in Devon!

The annual British Travel Awards are announced each year in early November and are a much coveted benchmark for excellence within the UK travel industry. Cornwall swept the floor in 2012 by receiving six awards, including the top Gold Award as the Best UK Holiday County.

Cornwall sweeps the floor at the British Travel Awards 2012

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

The annual British Travel Awards are announced each year in early November and are a much coveted benchmark for excellence within the UK travel industry. Cornwall swept the floor in 2012 by receiving six awards, including the top Gold Award as the Best UK Holiday County.

Why not book a holiday cottage in Cornwall and discover why it ranks top as a wonderful holiday destination?

The scenic county of Devon has plenty of activities, great food and things to do at any time of year, and Christmas is no exception.

South Devon has Christmas all wrapped up!

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Holidays in Devon don’t have to be confined to the summer months. This scenic county has plenty of activities, great food and things to do at any time of year, and Christmas is no exception.

Read what’s happening in South Devon at Christmas then ask yourself why you’re not enjoying Christmas in a holiday cottage in Devon. Book it now!

Totnes Christmas Market: An alternative Christmas!

Totnes Christmas Night Market: A very alternative Christmas!

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Where could you find a Buddha on display next to Father Christmas or carol singers happily performing alongside a Shamanic drum vibration session? It could only happen in Totnes, where the Christmas Festival nights really do have to be seen to be believed.

Anything goes at the Totnes Festival and as anyone who has experienced it all will no doubt agree, this is what makes these nights in December so very special indeed.

Plymouth is perfect for a Christmas market; plenty of room to wander about & take in the Yuletide spirit - great for anyone with Christmas on their mind!

Sail down to Armada Way for Plymouth Christmas Market

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Plymouth is the perfect setting for a Christmas market, with plenty of room for people to wander around whilst taking in the Yuletide cheer. With carols playing & delicious smells wafting over from the food stalls, it offers a wonderful Christmas atmosphere.

Plymouth Christmas Market is now a well-established event and it’s a great opportunity to pick up some unusual gifts in a very festive atmosphere.

When Liskeard Lights Up on the first Saturday of December, the town is transformed into a carnival lights, cutting through the darkness of the winter night.

Liskeard Lights Up for the Christmas season

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There can’t be many carnivals which totally transform a town like the one in Liskeard, held every December. This is the highlight of the year as far as the locals are concerned, so do yourself a favour & discover what they are all getting so excited about.

When the big day arrives, the excitement builds up from the morning until the grand finale in the evening when Liskeard lights up for Christmas.

If you were wondering where all the celebrity chefs go in the period leading up to Christmas, look no further than the Padstow Christmas Festival.

Padstow Christmas Festival where chefs come out to play!

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It’s fair to say that some top chefs have a similar celebrity status to those of pop stars. If you wondered where they all go in the period leading up to Christmas, apart from their busy restaurants that is, look no further than the Padstow Christmas Festival.

From its humble beginnings in 2008, the festival has grown to an event that attracts top chefs from all over the UK, so don’t forget to take your autograph book!

Visit Babacombe's Model Village during the Christmas period & you’ll think you have stumbled into a community in the middle of their Christmas celebrations.

Winter Wonderland at the Babbacombe Model Village

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Walking into Babbacombe’s Model Village is a weird experience at the best of times but during the Christmas period you would be forgiven for thinking that you had grown 20 feet and have stumbled into a community which is in the middle of their Christmas celebrations.

Located just outside Torquay in South Devon, the Winter Wonderland Snow Spectacular is not only unique but also a great deal of winter fun.

Torquay has exactly what it takes to provide a great Christmas holiday break or a relaxing time with the family in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Christmas in Torquay

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

Torquay has exactly what it takes to provide a great Christmas holiday break or a relaxing time with the family in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Excellent shopping centres, theatres, Christmas fairs, seasonal attractions, Santa steam train rides, great dining (and long walks to burn off those excesses!) make South Devon a wonderful place to enjoy the Christmas season.

Bag a pre-Christmas bargain by booking a holiday cottage in Devon now!

Plymouth is the ideal destination for enjoying Christmas shopping, theatre breaks and family get-togethers both before and during the Christmas season.

Christmas in Plymouth

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

Plymouth is the ideal destination for enjoying Christmas shopping, theatre breaks & family get-togethers both before & during the Christmas season. It has great dining opportunities, fresh sea air, a mild climate and a packed program of theatrical events.

Hurry and book your spacious holiday rental near Plymouth before it’s too late!

There are a host of cosy holiday cottages in and around Dartmoor that make an excellent home-from-home for Christmas or in the weeks leading up to the festive season. Rent a family-size home and gather together with extended family and friends to make it a truly memorable celebration with long country walks, log fires and hearty food laid on at local pubs.

Christmas in Exeter

The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall...

There are a host of cosy holiday cottages in and around Dartmoor that make an excellent home-from-home for Christmas or in the weeks leading up to the festive season. Rent a family-size home and gather together with extended family and friends to make it a truly memorable celebration with long country walks, log fires and hearty food laid on at local pubs.

Book your holiday cottage in Devon now to be sure of a Christmas to remember!

Although Christmas is generally an upbeat, happy celebration, for the tiny village of Mousehole it is a time to look back and remember a local tragedy one Christmas over 20 years ago.

Why the Christmas lights go dark in Mousehole

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Although Christmas is generally an upbeat, happy celebration, for the tiny village of Mousehole it is a time to look back and remember a local tragedy one Christmas over 30 years ago.

Join in the village celebrations and sample Stargazy Pie when you stay in a holiday cottage near Mousehole this Christmas.

December in Devon can be a magical time for families and those looking to do something different before Christmas. Most of Devon's major attractions also get into the festive mood and put on some cracking treats.

Where to find Santa having fun in Devon

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December in Devon can be a magical time for families and those looking to do something different before Christmas. Villages are bedecked with twinkling fairy lights, country pubs offer a roaring fire and a hearty welcome and market stalls are laden with Devon fare. Most of Devon’s major attractions also get into the festive mood and put on some cracking treats. Here are some not-to-be-missed events to join in.

Book a holiday cottage in Devon and enjoy the Christmas season with some very merry events!

Most towns and cities across Britain have seasonal Christmas lights, nativity scenes and Christmas trees. Small villages in Cornwall do an amazing job, and the official lighting ceremony is always a fun family night out.

Lighting up Cornwall for Christmas

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Most towns and cities across Britain have seasonal Christmas lights, nativity scenes and Christmas trees. Small villages in Cornwall do an amazing job, and the official lighting ceremony is always a fun family night out.

Book a Devon holiday cottage in December and join one of these switch-on events of Christmas lights.

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