The insiders guide to Devon & Cornwall…

There’s far more to Cornwall than its beaches and natural beauty. The county has a wide selection of theatres, some of which are open-air venues which have a magical atmosphere on a summer’s evening.

Theatres in Cornwall put on a wide choice of entertainment, from comedy to drama with something for all ages. Checkout theatres close to your holiday rental in Cornwall and do something completely different as an evening to remember.

Book a self-catering cottage in Cornwall along with tickets to one of these theatres for a cultural break in Cornwall at any time of year.

There are over 20 pubs and inns in Devon which are connected to famous authors and writers. I like to think that these Devon pubs, their regulars and the surrounding beautiful scenery were an inspiration to these famous wordsmiths.

From Charles Dickens to Daniel Defoe, authors have chosen to set their novels in Devon, weaving into the story some of these historic buildings. Stories from Tarka the Otter to the historic Poldark novels by Winston Graham offer something for every literary taste.

Enjoy relaxing with a good book when you stay in a Devon holiday cottage and include a visit to one of these literary pubs.

Tucked away in quiet corners of Cornwall are some unlikely places which authors of the 19th and 20th century took inspiration from. The historic limitations and inconveniences of travel to this far-flung southwest county meant that Cornwall has less famous connections with literature than Devon, but nonetheless it offers some fascinating pubs and places to visit with literary connections.

Staying near a pub in Cornwall that has a place in history or literature is a great reason for booking a holiday rental in Cornwall.

Devon has more than 29 microbreweries making it a great place for real ale aficionados to visit! It also has a number of cider farms for those looking for a fruitier tipple. Although beer brewing has been a centuries old tradition in Devon, surprisingly, most of the breweries were established within the last 25 years. Many Devon breweries are small concerns attached to pubs or farms and most of those highlighted listed below offer brewery tours.

CAMRA members and real ale lovers will find plenty to enjoy from a self-catering cottage in Devon.

Cornwall was once packed with independent breweries but over the years takeovers, closures and competition from larger commercial breweries saw most of them close. In the last 20 years the tide has turned with smaller independent breweries starting up, winning awards and finding themselves a commercial success. There are now 23 breweries in Cornwall, all with their own unique history and several that offer tours and tastings.

Book a holiday cottage in Cornwall and enjoy the local village life, including sampling locally brewed ales in many delightful pubs and historic inns.

Exmoor National Park is the gentler sister to Dartmoor and although less well known it has just as many interesting sights and natural attractions. You can enjoy a visit to Exmoor in all seasons to explore the natural attractions, discover the area’s history or drive across the moors in gorgeous sunshine.

Walk the South West Coastal Path, go pony trekking or visit some of the small rural villages by booking a holiday cottage in Devon today.

Dartmoor National Park is an important protected natural area in Devon and is the largest open space in Southern England. It is famous for its rocky tors (hills topped with bedrock) as well as its swampy bogs, prehistoric menhirs (standing stones), wildlife and delightful villages.

Dartmoor is popular for hiking, cycling, horse riding, rock climbing, scenic drives, kayaking, fishing, orienteering and of course, Dartmoor letterboxing.

Book a Devon cottage near Dartmoor for a short break and enjoy a stay in this beautiful National Park.

Although Cornwall cannot boast a National Park it has plenty of well recognized areas of unspoilt natural beauty. The largest and best-known area is Bodmin Moor, a World Heritage Site, Site of Special Scientific Importance and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Many visitors head for the beaches and harbours around Cornwall’s scenic coastline, but there are plenty of treasures to be found inland.

Book a holiday cottage in Cornwall and discover the greener side of this lovely county.

Devon is best known for its farming but it has also had an interesting industrial past, generally on a small scale, which has left some fascinating local attractions.

Tramways, working water mills, steam trains, shipyards and potteries are just some of the industrial heritage which has made its mark on Devon’s landscape.

Discover the historic side of the West Country by booking a Devon holiday cottage now.

Cornwall’s history is inextricably linked to its mining heritage. The cliff tops are scattered with chimneys, derelict engine houses and historic railways that once served the mines.

Explore the mineshafts and workings of some of these Victorian enterprises, which once employed thousands of Cornish workers and made a fortunate for the families who owned them. They in turn built grand estate homes and gardens which can be visited across the county.

Discover Cornwall’s fascinating industrial history by booking a Cornish holiday cottage now.

Historic Devon with its turbulent history has more than 18 historic castles which are well worth visiting to discover more of the county’s history.

From the ruins of Okehampton Castle to the grand home of the 18th Earl of Devon at Powderham, each castle is uniquely different in architectural style and purpose.

Enjoy visiting these splendid castles by booking a Devon holiday cottage now.

Cornwall has over 19 historic castles dating back over a thousand years. Definitions of the word “castle” vary and cover a variety of military forts, defensive castles and grand private residences.

Most castles in Cornwall are on the south coast, protecting the harbours of Falmouth, Fowey and Saltash to the west of Plymouth. They all make a great family day out.

Discover the castles of Cornwall when you stay at a delightful Cornish cottage.

Devon has more than 70 beautiful beaches, each with their own charm and character. On the exposed north coast the beaches are windier and better for surfing while the sheltered south coast has quieter coves.

In the summer, the most popular beaches such as Torre Abbey Beach and Goodrington Sands near Torquay can be busy. The advantage is that there are car parks close by along with toilets, snacks and watersports facilities, which may be important for families. If you prefer a quiet beach all to yourself, choose those that are accessible from the South West Coastal Path. It is well worth a short scramble down a tricky path to have your own private suntrap.

Book a holiday cottage in Devon and picture yourself relaxing on one of these beautiful beaches.

Cornwall has more than 150 sandy coves and beaches, which is a pretty impressive number for such a small county. What’s more, it does not sacrifice quality for quantity as they offer good amenities, fine golden sands and clean waters to blue flag standards.

The constant surf makes the rugged North coast beaches popular with surfers while the sheltered coves of South Cornwall are perfect for families.

Holiday cottages in Cornwall are never far from a beautiful beach, so book your Cornish cottage now!

Cornwall has hundreds of small smuggling inns and pubs in remote fishing and farming communities across the county. They make a great place to find good value food and refreshments wherever you may be enjoying your stay in a Cornish cottage.

No visit to Cornwall is complete without sitting at the bar listening to local tales and folklore. Here are some of the most colourful historic pubs, each with an interesting history, which are sure to enhance your stay in this pretty area.

Book you next self-catering holiday in Cornwall and enjoy some social events in your local pub.

There is something strangely alluring about an island destination. There are three main islands off Devon’s shores which are unique in their varying history and purpose.

Lundy Island is off the north coast of Devon and is accessible by helicopter or boat from Bideford Quay. The island was once a huge puffin colony and has a fascinating history. Off the south coast of Devon is the opulent Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel which can be reached across the tidal causeway. One final island which visitors to Devon are sure to see is Drake’s Island, situated in Plymouth Sound.

Discover many interesting days out in Devon from your own self-catering cottage in Devon.

Cornwall has a number of small islands just off its rugged coastline and each island has its own fascinating history and individual charm.

Looe Island is a marine nature reserve managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust which offers guided trips. St Michael’s Mount with its castle and island community can be reached on foot or by boat while the more remote Scilly Isles require a boat or helicopter trip.

Explore beyond Cornwall’s shores from your self-catering cottage in Cornwall.

A quick glance at any map of North Devon will show a host of tiny communities just begging to be discovered, many with just a few hundred residents enjoying the gentle pace of life.

Part of the charm of staying in a holiday cottage in Devon is the opportunity to live for a time in just such a community and be on nodding terms with the local farmer, postmaster and residents pottering in their well-tended cottage gardens.

Take a virtual tour to some of these hidden gems and then book a holiday cottage in this delightfully unspoilt area.

The A39 is known as the Atlantic Highway and runs along the North coast of Cornwall linking hundreds of tiny hamlets, harbours and villages in this ancient county.

This scenic route offers dramatic seascapes, historic attractions and a host of natural features as it makes its way down to Newquay’s surfing beaches.

Staying in a self-catering cottage in Cornwall is a wonderful way to unwind and discover your own favourite haunts, all just a short drive away.

Visitors to Devon will find this scenic county has more to offer than just gorgeous beaches and great walks. Its long history can be retraced through some excellent sights, architecture and museums.

Although Devon was undoubtedly settled by the Celts, it was the Romans who left a legacy which can still be traced 2,000 years later. Exeter was founded in 50AD by the Romans and it has plenty of historical evidence which even the most casual visitor can hardly miss. However the best way to delve into Devon’s rich history is with a visit to some of its excellent museums. From Plymouth City Museum to the tiny Maritime Museum in Appledore there is a wealth of history just waiting to be discovered. Discover Devon’s rich history for yourself.

Cornwall’s long history encompasses smuggling and mining, magnificent estates, ancient castles and historic breweries which all combine to provide visitors with a huge choice of cultural attractions, all packed into this scenic county.

A rainy day in Cornwall can be a blessing in disguise as it forces visitors to seek out some of its excellent historic attractions and fascinating museums. From the splendid waterfront National Maritime Museum at Falmouth to the dark secrets at the Museum of Witchcraft, there is something for every history seeker.

Discover historic Cornwall by booking a holiday cottage in this ancient kingdom soon!