What an amazing array of activities this February half-term. All the National Trust properties are offering fun-filled events, and there's plenty of other highlights too - from battle reenactments, to blowing glass, to bird bingo! Something for everyone. Let us know if we've missed something.
Parts of Cornwall and Devon are known for their sub-tropical climate, and the West Country as a whole is home to some wonderful flowers and plants. For this blog post, we’ve tried to pick 10 of our favourites, including some slightly controversial inclusions. Did we miss yours? Let us know in the comments below.
Two of the factors that make the West Country such a wonderful place to visit are the local dialect and the mysterious folklore. This week, we're sharing an old poem from a Victorian poet from Devon that combines the two. "There's piskies up to Dartymoor, an' tidden gude yew zay there bain't"!
It’s no coincidence that some of the nation’s top restaurants have emerged in Cornwall, and recently Nathan Outlaw’s restaurant in Port Isaac was named by the Michelin Guide as the best in the UK. With such amazing local produce on offer to chefs, it’s hardly surprising. At Tamar Valley Cottages we’re a big fan of ‘eating local’ and seasonal produce so here’s a round-up of our 8 favourite edibles for autumn.
Wow - what an amazing summer we have lined up for 2017! There is usually a great range of events throughout July and August but this year looks to be particularly promising. Carnivals, music festivals, concerts, model trains, cider, ice-cream, and agricultural shows galore - there really is something for everyone. What tickles your fancy? If we've forgotten an event, let us know in the comments. Have a great summer!
Last week, we named the highest points in Cornwall, but when it comes to altitude, there’s no denying it – Devon takes the prize in the South-west. In fact, nearly half of all the tors on Dartmoor are higher than the very highest point in Cornwall. The moor is well-loved by walkers and outdoor enthusiasts, partly because unlike many National Parks so much of it is public access land. It has a bewitching mix of bogs, woodland, and ancient monuments, but is best known for its rocky tors, 5 of which are the highest points in the county.
To celebrate the forthcoming Oscars, we have collected 6 great films that have made the most of the Westcountry, listed roughly in order of critical reception. There are hundreds of other films that feature the area in a few scenes, but here are those that go that bit further. Have we missed your favourite? Let us know on social media or in the comments below.
We all know that Christmas is a great time to be in Cornwall, but what if you have taken advantage of the bargain breaks available in January and February? Don't worry - even with the festive season over, there are plenty of great activities you can get up to. Here are a few ideas - do you have any others? Add them in the comments below or tell us on social media.
Christmas events seem to happen earlier and earlier each year, so you’ve probably noticed a few events taking place already. Don’t worry though – there are still plenty of events lined up for those of us who like to keep Christmas in December! Most attractions are having their own celebration in one form or another, but here are some highlights you might otherwise miss.
If you have never seen the acrobatic displays of a vast flock of starlings, you are missing out on one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. Visible throughout the autumn and winter, this week’s blog post explains what is going on, and gives a couple of great tips for where to see them. Don’t forget your camera!
The season for holidays is nearly upon us! If you’ve managed to book somewhere like Tamar Valley Cottages that welcomes dogs, your four-legged friend will be looking forward to a break as much as you! We’ve compiled a handy mini-guide for taking your dog on holiday including some useful info on beach etiquette and walks on Dartmoor. Some of it may be stating the obvious, but it's good to have a list. If you have a tip we’ve missed, please leave it in the comments below.
We feel hugely privileged to be located in the upper Tamar Valley as you can probably tell from our name. It’s hard to imagine that the gentle river at the bottom of our hill is the same that is spanned by the Brunel bridge at Plymouth. This remarkably unspoilt area is still completely new to many of our visitors so are our 5 top reasons for visiting the Tamar Valley.
The South-West is is brimming with legend and folklore. Many legends evolved to explain bizarre geographical phenomena – others, to deal with the conflict between pagan traditions and the new arrival of Christianity. We’ve selected our 8 favourite local legends (not including ghost stories – that’s still to come), all within reach of our boutique cottages. Have we missed your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
Boasting dramatic cliffs, desolate moorland and characterful locals, it's no surprise that the West Country has been the setting of some of the nation's favourite stories. Many filming locations are further down Cornwall but here is our round-up of the Top 5 that are within reach of North Cornwall.
After the hectic rush of Christmas, January is a great time to wind down and recover. However, if you’ve made the most of the excellent low rates on cottages, you will still find plenty going on in the region to keep you busy. Here are some of our top tips, from antique hunting to night-time races – though as usual, if we’ve missed a great idea, let us know in the comments!
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