Places to Visit when staying in North Devon Holiday Cottages:

Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe

Steeped in history, Tunnels Beaches makes a fascinating visit for all ages... a network of hand carved tunnels leading to unique sheltered beaches and a tidal Victorian bathing pool first established in 1823. Hand carved in the 1820's, the four tunnels provide a truly unique experience. Read extensive history information throughout the site – including hilarious guides to Victorian etiquette for boys, girls and for when boating with ladies! Learn how local entrepreneurs developed the tunnels and pools, and transformed Ilfracombe from a small fishing village into a popular seaside tourist resort. Sit back and admire the lovely rugged scenery while the kids play safely in the tidal pool or explore the fantastic rock pools – Tunnels beaches have been rated the 3rd best beach for rock pooling in the UK by BBC Wildlife Magazine. The award winning facilities include the very stylish and popular cafe blue bar, the play hut (indoor soft play – separate admission fee applies), beach shop and possibly the UK's most unique and breathtaking bespoke beach front wedding venue!

More info at: www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk | Stay in Holiday Cottages in North Devon and Cottages in Ilfracombe

Places to Visit when staying in North Devon Holiday Cottages:

Hartland Abbey and Gardens

Hartland Abbey is a fascinating house with a welcoming feel only experienced in a cherished family home with all its treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations. The beautiful 18^thC Walled and Woodland gardens, the walks and the parkland provide visitors with extensive grounds through which to wander and enjoy the stunning valley leading down to the Atlantic Ocean. Children relish the freedom to explore the open spaces and winding paths and to experience the natural environment. They love meeting the donkeys, Nutmeg, Becky and young Snowdrop, the wandering peacocks and the flock of black sheep. There is a Quiz which is a is a great way to keep children amused indoors on a rainy day!

Built in the 12^thC as a monastery, Hartland Abbey survived longer than any other in the country. In 1539 Henry VIII gifted the Abbey to the Keeper of his Wine Cellar, and today it is the family home of his descendant, Sir Hugh Stucley, his wife, children, grandchildren and dogs! Hartland Abbey is probably the most important historic house in North Devon containing much of national interest, including architecture and decoration from the Mediaeval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. The many paths around the estate lead to the beach and Blackpool Mill Cottage where ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was filmed. Build up a good appetite and sample a delicious light lunch or cream tea in The Old Kitchens or choose to enjoy a picnic on one of the benches in peaceful corners of the gardens. More info at: www.Hartlandabbey.com

Stay in Holiday Cottages in North Devon and Hartland Cottages.

Date for your Devon Diary | Stay in North Devon Holiday Cottages:

CalvertStock Free Music Festival | Barbrook, Nr Lynton

Saturday 22^nd June 2013 13.00-23.00

CalvertStock 2013 is a fantastic FREE ENTRY music event, supporting Calvert Trust Exmoor, on the 22nd June 2013 at the Beggars Roost, Lynton (www.exmoormanor.co.uk/beggars.html). As well as fantastic music from a great line up of bands, there will be fair rides, stalls, and great food available too! The live music is being provided by Quitesnake (Tribute), Hangfire, This Devastated Fan, Falling Apart, Dave Sharp (Ex The Alarm), Digital Natives and others. Calvert Trust, Exmoor enables people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities to experience exciting, challenging and enjoyable outdoor activities. So by spending money at Calvertstock you will be helping the great work done by this worthwhile charity.

More info at: www.calvert-trust.org.uk/calvertstock

Things to Do in Holiday Cottages in Cornwall:

Crocodile Corner at Cornwall’s Crealy  

Near Wadebridge, North Cornwall

Cornwall‘s Crealy (there is one in South Devon too) is a great adventure park and was voted Family Attraction of the year. There are loads of things to do, indoor and out. New for this year is crocodile corner. Come and see the new resident Spectacled Caiman in their brand new home, they grew up in a zoo in Scotland and were too big for their enclosure so they are now loving their massive new swimming pool at Crealy. Two baby West African Dwarf Crocodiles have also joined Crealy from Croc’s Of the World, an endangered species these two little critters will eventually grow up to 7ft in length!  The 12ft long Blonde Burmese Python Debbie would love to give you a cuddle……but she’s safely behind glass in her new large enclosure.  Together with Poison Dart Frogs, Common Boa Constrictor, Bosc Monitor, Water Dragons, Ghecko’s, Chameleon, Tarantula, Giant Millipedes, Giant Land Snails and more there’s so much to see in the Reptile House. Come along and get up close and personal and handle a Corn snake or Milk snake at the reptile house or encounter a Bearded Dragon in Pets Corner.

Top Tip: Book on line and save 20% on admission prices and then get your ticket validated in the park and you can come back in for the rest of the week for free. More info at: www.crealy.co.uk | Holiday Cottages UK - Cornwall Cottages

Holiday Ideas in Devon | Stay in North Devon Holiday Cottages:

Gold Coast OceanFest 

21^st – 23^rd June 2013

What can I do to tempt you to Gold Coast Oceanfest? Well how about let you have a look at the programme. Don’t forget that tickets cover the whole weekend (there are no day tickets).

Friday Events:

• Schools Surf Contest
• Beach Volleyball & Beach Soccer warm-ups
• Skate demos

...and more 

Saturday Events:

• Midsummer Beach Volleyball Fiesta
• Beach Soccer Cup
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Surf Lifesaving Elite
• Surf Skate demos

...and more
 

Sunday Events:

• Midsummer Beach Volleyball Fiesta
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Surf Lifesaving Nippers 
• Surf Big Boy Paddle Race (Starts at Saunton)
• Skate demos

...and more

Music Line Up

• Xavier Rudd
• Willy Mason
• Stringer Bessant Band
• Brother and Bones; Matthew & Me
• Bastille
• Gabrielle Aplin
• The Other Tribe
• Rebelution
• Ryan Keen
• Thomas J Speight
• Zervas & Pepper
• Saint Raymond
• Saturday Sun
• Stevie Ray Latham
• Novacane
• Sam Mayo & the Tuesday Syndicate
• Canyon Ryde
• Peter Bruntnell
• Winter Mountain
• Woodford Green 
• Dan Greenaway

More info at : www.goldcoastoceanfest.co.uk

Since you are now convinced to stay for the weekend you will need to find accommodation. Croyde Cottages is ideal for you to be able to walk to everything so that is the best place to start to look for accommodation. Holiday Cottages in North Devon from Choice Cottages have a fabulous selection of Cottages in Croyde & Saunton Cottages, so where better to start your search. Don’t leave it too late as this is a weekend when properties sell out early. Have a look at last minute availability in Devon or come visit Choice Cottages at their stand at the Gold Coast Oceanfest.

More info at www.choice-cottages.co.uk

Places to Eat in Devon | Stay in North Devon Holiday Cottages:

Tarr Farm Inn, Near Dulverton

When visiting Tarr steps on Exmoor, why not include a visit to Tarr Farm Inn. Set in its own 40 acres, the 16th century inn nestles just above Tarr Steps and the River Barle. The Inn is committed to offering the best dining experience on Exmoor, making full use of the abundance of excellent produce that surrounds them – Exmoor lamb, Devon Red Ruby beef, fresh Cornish seafood, local venison and game all feature in the restaurant and provide real local flavour. They take classic dishes and give them a contemporary twist to create exciting menus with influences from around the world. Lunchtimes are informal; everyone, including families with children and dogs, is very welcome in the restaurant to enjoy a light meal or a hearty lunch. Those who’d like a simple coffee or a cream tea are welcome throughout the day. During the evening, the menu takes on a more formal style while the atmosphere remains relaxed and they offer an excellent wine list that features over 100 French and New World wines. Larger parties may like to eat in the Oak Room, a wonderful private dining area that has its own bar, an oval table seating up to 19 and sofas to relax on after dinner.

Tarr Farm has recently been awarded the AA 5 star Highly Commended Inn award. Stay in Luxury Holiday Cottages and Holiday Cottages in North Devon. More info at: www.tarrfarm.co.uk

Date for your Devon Diary | Stay in Holiday Cottages in North Devon:

Tidler & other Terrific Tales | Queen Theatre, Barnstaple

Monday & Tuesday 17^th – 18^th June 2013 

A brand new show from the award-winning Scamp Theatre (Stick Man - Live on Stage!) adapted from the bestselling books by Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo). This is a magical collection of Julia Donaldson’s most popular titles including Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town, A Squash and a Squeeze and Monkey Puzzle brought to the stage spectacularly by the team that brought you Aesop’s Fables, Stick Man and Private Peaceful. Under sea, over land, on the farm and in the jungle, these tales are woven together with live music, songs, puppets and a host of colourful characters who will delight. An absolute treat for ages 3 + and their families.

Holiday Cottages UK | North Devon Holiday Cottages | More info at: www.ndtt.org.uk/tiddler