The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall…

St Ives is one of Cornwall’s most popular resorts, tucked away on the North Cornwall coast. Artists and writers find wonderful inspiration around St Ives, from still life in the exotic gardens to inspirational natural beauty.

St Ives drew many well-established artists, sculptors and potters from the 1930s onwards, which put it firmly on the map as a centre for the arts with an international reputation. This was reinforced when the Tate built its Modernist Gallery overlooking beautiful Porthmeor Beach in 1993. St Ives offers a wonderful holiday destination for families, couples and beach lovers with an added appeal for those interested in art.

Book your holiday in Cornwall now and visit this lovely artists’ colony for yourself.

The 630 miles of the South West Coastal Path offer some of England’s most breathtaking natural beauty. Running along the cliff tops and dipping down to small harbours and sandy bays, it offers a great escape from the rat race.

Offering breathtaking scenery, wild flowers, historic sites, stately homes and humble fishing harbours, the coastal path wends its way over precipitous clifftops and down steep narrow paths, often with only seagulls and sheep for company. It has something to offer walkers in any season and is never far from a small community where refreshments can be found.

Walking the South West Coastal Path is a great way to discover the beautiful West Country when you book a holiday cottage in Cornwall.

The historic Plymouth Barbican is an unpretentious working harbour which is packed with local attractions – if you know where to look.

Many visitors walk right past some of Plymouth’s most historic and entertaining sights, which include a tour of the Plymouth Gin Distillery, Dartington Glassworks and a hearty meal at the shack known as Cap’n Jaspers which can be walked off with a stroll along the Hoe.

Book your next holiday now and discover what other secrets Plymouth and the South West have in store for you.

Cornwall saw the demise of many of its historic local breweries during the 1980s, but some have survived and others have joined this new and thriving local industry.

A day out to see the beer-making process and see the fascinating interactive displays and Victorian Brewery Museum at St Austell Brewery is not just for the menfolk. After a tour of the 150-year old brewery, enjoy tasting the award-winning ales in the Hicks Bar with a Cornish pastie. The Blue Anchor Brewery in Helston and the Skinners Brewery in Truro are also well worth a visit.

See more of Cornwall’s great family attractions when you book a self-catering holiday with us.

The temperatures may have dropped since mid-summer, but the friendly spirit of the locals in Devon and Cornwall just seems to get warmer with the approach of Christmas.

With spectacular winter scenery and stormy seas dashing rocks and harbour walls, it is a delightful area to escape to, far from the heaving shopping malls and bedlam of Christmas preparations elsewhere. Curled up in front of a warm fire after a bracing clifftop walk, would you really rather be anywhere else over the Christmas period? There are plenty of generously sized farmhouses and holiday rentals which can accommodate extended families of all sizes to create a family Christmas that will be remembered for years.

Book your self-catering Christmas break in Devon or Cornwall now for a truly relaxing Christmas.

Devon and Cornwall are some of the UK’s most rural counties with plenty of working farms. A day trip to one of the farm attractions will prove popular with all ages.

From the crazy animal shows at Bideford’s Big Sheep attraction to the working dairy farm at Dairyland in Newquay, there is plenty to see and do on a West Country farm. Bottle feed lambs, watch a sheep race, cuddle the rabbits or enjoy some farm-themed rides at this selection of West Country attractions.

Plan your own family trip to one of these great farm attractions when you book your self-catering holiday in the West Country.

Cornwall is often described as the “Garden Capital of the World”, and unless you have been there and experienced it for yourself, you cannot imagine the feast that awaits those with an interest in gardening and horticulture.

From the “Sleeping Beauty” of Heligan to the tiny plantsman’s garden of Poppy Cottage Garden, we give a taster of just 5 of the 66 top gardens in Cornwall, easily enjoyed on a day out from your Cornwall holiday home.

Wherever you choose to book a holiday in Cornwall, there is sure to be a wonderful garden close by.

One of Cornwall’s most popular attractions is the Eden Project. Hidden away in a former clay quarry, the giant biomes contain one of the UK’s most educational and eco-conscious attractions, yet manage to present it in a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining manner.

If you want to see how pineapples grow, what olives look like, where chocolate comes from and what a Malaysian stilt house is, then the Eden Project offers the perfect family day out for you to see, discover and learn. The incongruous-looking biomes contain different climatic conditions to provide a tropical rainforest environment and an arid Mediterranean climate, showing our total dependence on this amazing natural world.

Cornwall has far more than scenic beauty, great beaches and wonderful attractions. Begin your journey of discovery when you book a holiday here.

With everyone feeling the financial squeeze, we are all watching the pennies and when you go on holiday, admission to some attractions can be costly.

Several of the places that are worth a visit in Devon and Cornwall are free to explore and many offer alternative ways of spending a rainy afternoon or summers day whilst on holiday. Choose from nature related attractions to ancient monuments and quirky museums, perhaps learning more about the area you are visiting.

So read on to plan a West Country holiday list of activities that won’t cost you the earth.

Get out into the countryside and explore some of the best kept secrets of Cornwall’s scenery and all for free.

Try cliff top paths and walks around the industrial past. Perhaps a leisurely stroll around sights mentioned in literary work in Cornwall or along a river estuary. Walking is a great way to exercise and appreciate the beauty of Cornwall, and get to the less crowded areas of the county. You can even walk from one side of Cornwall to the other in a day.

Get your walking boots on and plan your route.

Devon is a wonderful mix of farmland, seaside resorts and historic towns. Seeing them from a bird’s eye view gives visitors a new perspective on this gorgeous area.

There are many unique ways to appreciate the beautiful county of Devon from the air. Consider a trip in a hot air balloon over the scenic South Hams, go hang gliding over Dartmoor or take a flying lesson over the city of Exeter, which will be the highlight of any holiday in Devon.

However you choose to explore Devon, you are sure to find plenty to see and do. A self-catering holiday home makes the perfect base so book your holiday in Devon with confidence.

Fresh local food is a joy to find and with an emphasis on slow food production Cornwall has some of the best delicacies around.

From fresh mackerel and freshly dug vegetables to artisan cheeses, there is a real buzz about food production in Cornwall as the emphasis moves from takeaway to pick your own and eat local. What better way to cook a feast than with the best that Cornwall produces and available in markets and farm shops.

Read on to find the best ingredients to create your feast or picnic.

For anyone visiting Devon in July, Cockington fair is a must do. For those visiting any other time, the historic village itself is a treat that should not be missed

A short distance from the sea front at Torquay and you will find yourself in the quaint, idyllic village of Cockington with its thatched roofs and picture postcard settings which leaves many holiday makers and locals alike, with a sense of relaxation which can only come from the completely unique setting at the heart of the English Riviera.

To find out more about this delightful haven, read the full article on Cockington .

Visiting Cornwall is pleasant at any time of the year but have you considered combining your visit with one of the traditional celebrations or festivals?

From literature festivals to dancing in the streets and celebrating the best of Cornish food there are events to see and traditions to mark all year round. Visit in May for the Padstow Obby Oss or listen out for unique Cornish Carols at Christmas in a chapel or local pub. Learn something about the heritage of this beautiful county when you visit.

Plan your holiday in Cornwall around one of many celebrations held during the year.

Cornwall has its customs and local dialect rich in tradition and easy to pick up in conversation. Guessing the meaning can add an interesting flavour to your holiday memories. It starts by hearing an odd expression that you don’t quite understand followed by a puzzled look as if to say, “Did I just hear that?” You have just encountered Cornish dialect, different to Cornish language, and widely spoken in rural areas. Part of the great Cornish holiday experience, going home without hearing it would not be the same experience.

Take time to learn a few words as you tour the county and start speaking like the locals.

Visitors will find that Cornwall has plenty of attractions, but one of the best days out is a visit to the nearby Isles of Scilly, by boat or by Sikorsky helicopter.

Tresco makes a great day out from Penzance and has something for everyone. Gardeners and photographers will love the terraced Abbey Gardens, walkers can explore the coastal paths along the cliffs, beachlovers can find their own private sandy cove and food-lovers will appreciate lunch on the terrace at the acclaimed Island Hotel restaurant.

No matter how many times you holiday in Cornwall there is always somewhere new to explore. Book your holiday now to begin your next Cornish adventure.

Nowhere offers more family-orientated attractions at very affordable prices than Cornwall. From Aquariums to Zoos, Cornwall has great activities to suit children of all ages.

When you have tired of the beach, spend a day with the family at one of these highly recommended attractions in Cornwall. With theme parks, castles, animal sanctuaries, swimming pools, fun parks and historic experiences to choose from, families can have a fabulous self-catering holiday in Cornwall whatever the weather.

Cornwall has been providing fun-filled holidays for families for years and nowhere does it better for those on a budget. Your affordable family fun holiday starts right here when you book a holiday cottage in Cornwall.

Those who are passionate about good food will find plenty of wonderful places to dine in Cornwall, generally off-the-beaten path and advertised only by word of mouth.

Those who think a self-catering holiday in Cornwall means dining on Cornish pasties and soggy fish and chips should think again. Many acclaimed chefs choose to live and work in Cornwall for the availability of good locally sourced produce and the slower pace of life. Whether you want a Michelin-star restaurant or just a good value pub lunch, Cornwall offers plenty of choice if you know where to look.

Our recommended restaurants will no doubt whet your appetite to book your next holiday in Cornwall.

Close to Torquay and Paignton lies the small town of Totnes, that in character and atmosphere is million miles from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

There is not another town in England like Totnes and on market day you will be greeted by an array of unique products from all over the world, and at prices that will amaze you. The eating options range from the most basic café to some of the best restaurants in the South West and it only takes one visit to Totnes to fall in love with the place.

Want to experience Totnes for yourself? Find out more about this lovely town.