Tourism Cornwall
Why winter needn't be 'dead season'
01-02-2010
AT THE height of the summer season, Newquay’s beaches and town centre are packed with tourists and residents alike, eager to make the most of a previous few hours by the sea, or dining and drinking in the sun. But when the tourists shuffle back to their homes, it is reassuring to know that local businesses are working hard to encourage Newquay residents to shop locally.
The Western Morning News launched its Think Local campaign last winter in a bid to encourage more people to support small businesses in the economic downturn – and the businesses and residents of Newquay have lined up to pledge their support.
The Crantock Bay Hotel has long-established links with local businesses and traders, and prides itself on taking the WMN’s Think Local campaign to heart. It uses local businesses wherever possible, with suppliers including RJ Trevarthen Butchers and Rainbow Renewable in Barnstaple. The chefs get their herbs from Dennett’s, less than half a mile from the hotel.
Director Nina Eyles said using local businesses also helped customers experience a proper Westcountry holiday.
“Customers really love the Cornish produce – and why not? It’s fantastic. So it is important to us that we get it right. That’s why we strive to get as much produce as possible from the county,” she said.
At the Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, the sibling owners have established a “buy-local, buy-responsible” ethos, designed to protect the environment as well as encourage links with local businesses.
Claire Invest, the hotel’s marketing manager, said: “We want to go the extra mile in reassuring our customers our produce is local, with low food miles, and that it is responsibly sourced.
“Times have been tight for a lot of people so we also offer discounts to our local customers because we feel it is a great idea to think local and support each other.”
Similar discounts are being offered at the Hotel Victoria, where marketing manager Tony Townsend is looking to local customers.
“A lot of people will be cutting back and won’t be able to fly abroad, so we want to offer discounts that allow those in the Westcountry to stay here in Newquay with us and enjoy all the resort has to offer,” he said.
“I think many businesses are starting to realise the importance in thinking local and supporting each other, which can only be good for this area.”
Peter McGahan, whose firm Worldwide Financial Planning is backing the Western Morning News’s Think Local campaign, said Newquay businesses’ dedication to keep money in the local area encapsulated the spirit of the campaign.
“If everybody in the town did all their shopping online or out of the county, it would be like a huge vacuum sucking the money from Newquay,” he said. “So it is great to see businesses supporting each other, because it keeps the cycle of money going and helps those in the community.”
Around 80 of the town’s businesses have signed up to a loyalty card scheme rewarding shoppers with tailor-made discounts as gratitude for their custom. The idea is not a new one – several towns across the Westcountry have a similar scheme. But the incentives for the businesses, aside from attracting a loyal customer base, are part of a pilot scheme designed to magnify benefits for those taking part.
The Newquay First card – so called with the hope that residents first consider shopping in the town rather than looking elsewhere – also offers traders who sign up to the scheme the chance to get free training for their staff.
“A lot of businesses have given us some really positive feedback because they are seeing the benefits of extra training, while some locals are also picking up a few bargains,” said Claire Evans of Newquay for Excellence Training, an organisation involved in the scheme.
Staff at Varnals opticians have offered various discounts to locals since the loyalty card launched. Manager Kate Bright said: “A lot of customers have benefited, and I’m currently on an NVQ course in management as a result, so it’s good news all round.”
Newquay Sports is another of the businesses to have got involved.
Supervisor Shauna Neville said: “If locals come in to the shop once or twice and buy something, and they can get a discount, they are more likely to come back again. It’s a great idea and one which helps both sides.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Why winter needn't be 'dead season'
01-02-2010
AT THE height of the summer season, Newquay’s beaches and town centre are packed with tourists and residents alike, eager to make the most of a previous few hours by the sea, or dining and drinking in the sun. But when the tourists shuffle back to their homes, it is reassuring to know that local businesses are working hard to encourage Newquay residents to shop locally.
The Western Morning News launched its Think Local campaign last winter in a bid to encourage more people to support small businesses in the economic downturn – and the businesses and residents of Newquay have lined up to pledge their support.
The Crantock Bay Hotel has long-established links with local businesses and traders, and prides itself on taking the WMN’s Think Local campaign to heart. It uses local businesses wherever possible, with suppliers including RJ Trevarthen Butchers and Rainbow Renewable in Barnstaple. The chefs get their herbs from Dennett’s, less than half a mile from the hotel.
Director Nina Eyles said using local businesses also helped customers experience a proper Westcountry holiday.
“Customers really love the Cornish produce – and why not? It’s fantastic. So it is important to us that we get it right. That’s why we strive to get as much produce as possible from the county,” she said.
At the Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, the sibling owners have established a “buy-local, buy-responsible” ethos, designed to protect the environment as well as encourage links with local businesses.
Claire Invest, the hotel’s marketing manager, said: “We want to go the extra mile in reassuring our customers our produce is local, with low food miles, and that it is responsibly sourced.
“Times have been tight for a lot of people so we also offer discounts to our local customers because we feel it is a great idea to think local and support each other.”
Similar discounts are being offered at the Hotel Victoria, where marketing manager Tony Townsend is looking to local customers.
“A lot of people will be cutting back and won’t be able to fly abroad, so we want to offer discounts that allow those in the Westcountry to stay here in Newquay with us and enjoy all the resort has to offer,” he said.
“I think many businesses are starting to realise the importance in thinking local and supporting each other, which can only be good for this area.”
Peter McGahan, whose firm Worldwide Financial Planning is backing the Western Morning News’s Think Local campaign, said Newquay businesses’ dedication to keep money in the local area encapsulated the spirit of the campaign.
“If everybody in the town did all their shopping online or out of the county, it would be like a huge vacuum sucking the money from Newquay,” he said. “So it is great to see businesses supporting each other, because it keeps the cycle of money going and helps those in the community.”
Around 80 of the town’s businesses have signed up to a loyalty card scheme rewarding shoppers with tailor-made discounts as gratitude for their custom. The idea is not a new one – several towns across the Westcountry have a similar scheme. But the incentives for the businesses, aside from attracting a loyal customer base, are part of a pilot scheme designed to magnify benefits for those taking part.
The Newquay First card – so called with the hope that residents first consider shopping in the town rather than looking elsewhere – also offers traders who sign up to the scheme the chance to get free training for their staff.
“A lot of businesses have given us some really positive feedback because they are seeing the benefits of extra training, while some locals are also picking up a few bargains,” said Claire Evans of Newquay for Excellence Training, an organisation involved in the scheme.
Staff at Varnals opticians have offered various discounts to locals since the loyalty card launched. Manager Kate Bright said: “A lot of customers have benefited, and I’m currently on an NVQ course in management as a result, so it’s good news all round.”
Newquay Sports is another of the businesses to have got involved.
Supervisor Shauna Neville said: “If locals come in to the shop once or twice and buy something, and they can get a discount, they are more likely to come back again. It’s a great idea and one which helps both sides.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Why winter needn't be 'dead season'
01-02-2010
AT THE height of the summer season, Newquay’s beaches and town centre are packed with tourists and residents alike, eager to make the most of a previous few hours by the sea, or dining and drinking in the sun. But when the tourists shuffle back to their homes, it is reassuring to know that local businesses are working hard to encourage Newquay residents to shop locally.
The Western Morning News launched its Think Local campaign last winter in a bid to encourage more people to support small businesses in the economic downturn – and the businesses and residents of Newquay have lined up to pledge their support.
The Crantock Bay Hotel has long-established links with local businesses and traders, and prides itself on taking the WMN’s Think Local campaign to heart. It uses local businesses wherever possible, with suppliers including RJ Trevarthen Butchers and Rainbow Renewable in Barnstaple. The chefs get their herbs from Dennett’s, less than half a mile from the hotel.
Director Nina Eyles said using local businesses also helped customers experience a proper Westcountry holiday.
“Customers really love the Cornish produce – and why not? It’s fantastic. So it is important to us that we get it right. That’s why we strive to get as much produce as possible from the county,” she said.
At the Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, the sibling owners have established a “buy-local, buy-responsible” ethos, designed to protect the environment as well as encourage links with local businesses.
Claire Invest, the hotel’s marketing manager, said: “We want to go the extra mile in reassuring our customers our produce is local, with low food miles, and that it is responsibly sourced.
“Times have been tight for a lot of people so we also offer discounts to our local customers because we feel it is a great idea to think local and support each other.”
Similar discounts are being offered at the Hotel Victoria, where marketing manager Tony Townsend is looking to local customers.
“A lot of people will be cutting back and won’t be able to fly abroad, so we want to offer discounts that allow those in the Westcountry to stay here in Newquay with us and enjoy all the resort has to offer,” he said.
“I think many businesses are starting to realise the importance in thinking local and supporting each other, which can only be good for this area.”
Peter McGahan, whose firm Worldwide Financial Planning is backing the Western Morning News’s Think Local campaign, said Newquay businesses’ dedication to keep money in the local area encapsulated the spirit of the campaign.
“If everybody in the town did all their shopping online or out of the county, it would be like a huge vacuum sucking the money from Newquay,” he said. “So it is great to see businesses supporting each other, because it keeps the cycle of money going and helps those in the community.”
Around 80 of the town’s businesses have signed up to a loyalty card scheme rewarding shoppers with tailor-made discounts as gratitude for their custom. The idea is not a new one – several towns across the Westcountry have a similar scheme. But the incentives for the businesses, aside from attracting a loyal customer base, are part of a pilot scheme designed to magnify benefits for those taking part.
The Newquay First card – so called with the hope that residents first consider shopping in the town rather than looking elsewhere – also offers traders who sign up to the scheme the chance to get free training for their staff.
“A lot of businesses have given us some really positive feedback because they are seeing the benefits of extra training, while some locals are also picking up a few bargains,” said Claire Evans of Newquay for Excellence Training, an organisation involved in the scheme.
Staff at Varnals opticians have offered various discounts to locals since the loyalty card launched. Manager Kate Bright said: “A lot of customers have benefited, and I’m currently on an NVQ course in management as a result, so it’s good news all round.”
Newquay Sports is another of the businesses to have got involved.
Supervisor Shauna Neville said: “If locals come in to the shop once or twice and buy something, and they can get a discount, they are more likely to come back again. It’s a great idea and one which helps both sides.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Why winter needn’t be ‘dead season’
01-02-2010
AT THE height of the summer season, Newquay’s beaches and town centre are packed with tourists and residents alike, eager to make the most of a previous few hours by the sea, or dining and drinking in the sun. But when the tourists shuffle back to their homes, it is reassuring to know that local businesses are working hard to encourage Newquay residents to shop locally.
The Western Morning News launched its Think Local campaign last winter in a bid to encourage more people to support small businesses in the economic downturn – and the businesses and residents of Newquay have lined up to pledge their support.
The Crantock Bay Hotel has long-established links with local businesses and traders, and prides itself on taking the WMN’s Think Local campaign to heart. It uses local businesses wherever possible, with suppliers including RJ Trevarthen Butchers and Rainbow Renewable in Barnstaple. The chefs get their herbs from Dennett’s, less than half a mile from the hotel.
Director Nina Eyles said using local businesses also helped customers experience a proper Westcountry holiday.
“Customers really love the Cornish produce – and why not? It’s fantastic. So it is important to us that we get it right. That’s why we strive to get as much produce as possible from the county,” she said.
At the Bedruthan Steps Hotel in Mawgan Porth, the sibling owners have established a “buy-local, buy-responsible” ethos, designed to protect the environment as well as encourage links with local businesses.
Claire Invest, the hotel’s marketing manager, said: “We want to go the extra mile in reassuring our customers our produce is local, with low food miles, and that it is responsibly sourced.
“Times have been tight for a lot of people so we also offer discounts to our local customers because we feel it is a great idea to think local and support each other.”
Similar discounts are being offered at the Hotel Victoria, where marketing manager Tony Townsend is looking to local customers.
“A lot of people will be cutting back and won’t be able to fly abroad, so we want to offer discounts that allow those in the Westcountry to stay here in Newquay with us and enjoy all the resort has to offer,” he said.
“I think many businesses are starting to realise the importance in thinking local and supporting each other, which can only be good for this area.”
Peter McGahan, whose firm Worldwide Financial Planning is backing the Western Morning News’s Think Local campaign, said Newquay businesses’ dedication to keep money in the local area encapsulated the spirit of the campaign.
“If everybody in the town did all their shopping online or out of the county, it would be like a huge vacuum sucking the money from Newquay,” he said. “So it is great to see businesses supporting each other, because it keeps the cycle of money going and helps those in the community.”
Around 80 of the town’s businesses have signed up to a loyalty card scheme rewarding shoppers with tailor-made discounts as gratitude for their custom. The idea is not a new one – several towns across the Westcountry have a similar scheme. But the incentives for the businesses, aside from attracting a loyal customer base, are part of a pilot scheme designed to magnify benefits for those taking part.
The Newquay First card – so called with the hope that residents first consider shopping in the town rather than looking elsewhere – also offers traders who sign up to the scheme the chance to get free training for their staff.
“A lot of businesses have given us some really positive feedback because they are seeing the benefits of extra training, while some locals are also picking up a few bargains,” said Claire Evans of Newquay for Excellence Training, an organisation involved in the scheme.
Staff at Varnals opticians have offered various discounts to locals since the loyalty card launched. Manager Kate Bright said: “A lot of customers have benefited, and I’m currently on an NVQ course in management as a result, so it’s good news all round.”
Newquay Sports is another of the businesses to have got involved.
Supervisor Shauna Neville said: “If locals come in to the shop once or twice and buy something, and they can get a discount, they are more likely to come back again. It’s a great idea and one which helps both sides.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Bookings for caravanning are on the rise
27-01-2010
IT’S OFFICIAL, caravanning is cool again. With an increase in the number of people holidaying at home, our recent good weather plus the effects of the credit crunch it appears that caravanning is definitely making a comeback.
For some it never actually went away, but now there is a new breed of holidaymakers wanting to take advantage of all that our beautiful shores have to offer. The Caravan Club reports advanced bookings for 2010 that are up by 40 per cent on 2009, this new evolution has been dubbed the ‘Great British staycation’.
A company in Cornwall has decided this is an opportune time to venture into the caravan hire market while the signs are good. But this is caravanning made easy. Pitched in Cornwall are offering a unique service to would-be caravanners.
The new business, Pitched in Cornwall does exactly what it says on the tin. They will take all the stress and the strain out of your caravanning holiday by booking a caravan site of your choice in Cornwall, towing one of their fully equipped ‘vans to the site and setting up camp in time for your arrival.
Their modern ‘vans offer all mod cons including awnings, toilets, showers, TV/DVD, barbecue- a real home from home. Then when it’s time to go home you simply drive away leaving all the hard work of dismantling and cleaning to them.
MD Rob Smith explains the thinking behind the idea: “As a keen caravanner myself I hope to be able to offer others the chance to experience all the fun and adventure of caravanning in Cornwall but without any hardship. There are many older couples out there who would love to try or return to caravanning but don’t want the hassle or cost involved in owning, towing, setting up and dismantling their own caravan.
“It is also an ideal opportunity for others thinking of purchasing a caravan to try before they buy. The initial outlay for the caravan and equipment can often be inhibitive, but this way our service enables people to holiday in our beautiful corner of England and get back to nature. And our aim is ensure that your caravanning holiday is as stress-free as possible.”
Rob believes Cornwall has something for everyone; magnificent beaches, historic houses, culture, scenery, world-class restaurants and attractions, wildlife and much, much more.
Confidence in Cornish tourism is at an all-time high with predictions of a bumper summer ahead. And with Rob championing the Great British holiday in Cornwall things are looking up. To avoid disappoint Rob suggests you book early. Contact 01326 564149/07968340189 or see www.pitchedincornwall.co.uk
Think Local: Enjoy a Spring break in Padstow
27-01-2010
"PADSTOW in the spring is a sunny place to be. The streets are fresh and there's a smell of paint from many a little shop sprucing up for the coming season. The warm croissants in our corner house patisserie with a cup of cappuccino will add pleasure to the delights of an early morning.
Take long walks along the coastal paths where snowdrops and daffodils litter the cliffs' edge in February and bluebells and thrift in April or drive to see the early blossoms in one of the country house gardens like Lanhydrock, or the lost gardens of Heligan. What a pleasure would be the magnolias at Caerhays Castle in March then dinner at one of our restaurants.” - Rick Stein
Join us this Spring for a 2-night dinner, bed & break fast short break where you will be staying in one of our rooms and dining at both St Petroc's Bistro and Rick Stein's Café for just £200* per person.
For more information or to make a booking, please call our reservations team
on 01841 532 700.
*Terms and conditions apply. Spring break package is available from Sunday to Thursday night from Sunday 28th February to Wednesday 24th March 2010. Price quoted is based on two people sharing selected rooms (upgrades available at a supplement), including a 3-course evening meal at St Petroc’s Bistro and Rick Stein’s Café, excluding all beverages, tea and coffee.
Natural Retreat launches new accommodation
27-01-2010
LUXURY self-catering holiday specialist Natural Retreats has launched an exclusive collection of 14 brand-new holiday residences in South Cornwall.
Set amidst beautiful countryside, a short distance from The Eden Project and Lost Gardens of Heligan, Natural Retreats - Cornwall provides a perfect base from which to explore the region‘s many attractions and stunning coastline.
Nestled in a secluded valley between St Austell golf course and the beach at Pentewan Sands, Natural Retreats - Cornwall is sensitively positioned within a gated estate boasting spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Offering stylish holiday accommodation in a unique and idyllic setting, the Cornwall residences are ideal for couples, families or groups enjoying a short break or holiday away from it all.
Each chic three or four-bedroomed residence can accommodate up to seven guests and features a stylish open-plan living space, a fully-equipped kitchen and plush interiors complete with home comforts such as a flat-screen TV, DVD and CD player with DVD library, broadband internet, Egyptian cotton bedlinen, Temple Spa toiletries and underfloor heating. Families are well catered for with cots, highchairs and sterilisers available on request, a luxury welcome hamper on arrival and a decked area with outdoor furniture which allows for al fresco dining.
Like the current award-winning site at Natural Retreats - Yorkshire Dales, guests will benefit from the highest standards of service, with a dedicated concierge to assist guests, both before and during their stay, whether to arrange a local activity, book a babysitter or simply to make a reservation at one of the renowned restaurants nearby such as Rick Stein’s famous seafood restaurant in the delightful village of Padstow, or Jamie Oliver’s ‘15’ in Watergate Bay, where you can enjoy a truly unique gastronomic experience.
There are endless local attractions, popular towns and superb beaches to discover nearby during your stay such as the quaint coastal village of Mevagissey and the towns of Truro, Newquay, Falmouth and Fowey. Active couples and families will find plenty to do such as sea kayaking, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, horse riding, hot air ballooning, rock climbing and mountain biking and Natural Retreats can assist with bookings and advice.
Prices start at £140 per person for a week during low season, based on seven adults sharing a three-bed residence at Natural Retreats - Cornwall. For further prices and details customers can call 0161 242 2970 visit www.naturalretreats.com
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Hotels in step with needs of travellers
20-01-2010
WORLD travellers have snubbed the bright lights of London and voted no fewer than nine Westcountry hotels as among the best 25 in the UK.
In the annual poll put together by travel website TripAdvisor, the hospitality industry in Devon and Cornwall has emerged a clear winner, with one resort, St Ives, hosting two top-placed hotels.
In third place in the poll was the West Cornwall resort’s Boskerris Hotel, while fifth place went to Charterhouse Hotel in Torquay.
Also featured are the Yeoldon, Bideford, the Bowling Green Hotel, Plymouth, and the Trelaske Hotel in Looe.
Regarded as the “Oscars of the hotel world”, the awards recognise the best hotels in the world across categories including best bargain, best service, best luxury and best B&B.
The Charterhouse Hotel in Torquay was awarded the title of the UK’s best service hotel, and made it on to the world’s top 10 best service hotels list.
It won traveller comments such as, “absolutely nothing was too much trouble for them”, “you are welcomed like one of the family” and “the finishing touch was a small bar of chocolate hidden in your towel”.
TripAdvisor’s Alison Copus said: “Service can make or break a holiday so it’s about time those British hotels providing such star service are recognised.”
Unlike other hotel awards programmes, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotel awards are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from real travellers around the globe.
The top 25 UK hotels as voted for by world travellers were:
1. Rudding Park, Harrogate.
2. The Manor Coach House, Worcester.
3. Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
4. Can-y-Bae, Llandudno.
5. Charterhouse Hotel, Torquay.
6. Silverdale, Seaford, East Sussex.
7. Castlebank Hotel, Conwy, Wales.
8. Avalon Beach Hotel, Bournemouth.
9. Dunkery Beacon Hotel, Exmoor.
10. Trelaske Hotel, Looe.
11. The Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe, Devon.
12. Apsley House Hotel, Bath.
13. The Waverley, Whitby, North Yorkshire.
14. The Clarence Hotel, Portsmouth.
15. Tremarne Hotel, Mevagissey.
16. Yeoldon, Bideford.
17. Gwestry, Aberystwyth.
18. Hotel Una, Brighton.
19. Hunters Quay Hotel, Strathclyde.
20. Bowling Green Hotel, Plymouth.
21. Staybridge Suites, Newcastle.
22. Cedar Manor House Hotel, Windermere.
23. Broom House, Whitby, North Yorkshire.
24. The Waterhead Hotel, Ambleside.
25. Primrose Valley Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Cornish holiday haven for horse riders
20-01-2010
RECORDED in the Domesday Book and listed Grade II*, Old Lanwarnick opens its gates for a first full season as a Cornish holiday haven, offering a five-star service for horse and rider.
Situated between Duloe and Pelynt villages in South East Cornwall, the ancient site is surrounded by hundreds of acres of outstanding natural landscape and is only three miles from the beach at Lansallos Cove and the South West Coast Path.
“We enjoy the most amazing hacking from Old Lanwarnick, without roads,” says owner Joanna Somerset-Wood, who first discovered the derelict farmhouse and stone barns in 2007 with her partner Mike Harvey, a local builder with years of experience working on listed buildings.
“We instantly fell in love with the site and had a vision to bring back life to the buildings and land, giving them new purpose and to share the stunning setting with people by renting out the barns as five-star, luxury self-catering holiday homes where guests can bring their dogs and horses.”
Joanna, a keen horsewoman with more than 40 years of horse ownership, is excited about kicking off the riding holidays. All the barns have stunning equine oil paintings by local artist Jessica Hill that are also available to purchase.
“While we cater for everyone, Old Lanwarnick is a hidden jewel for horse lovers who can bring their horses and dogs for free – we offer half or full-day picnic rides, beach rides and hunting days (autumn trail riding) to suit,” she explains.
“Accompanied hacking is also available. All hacking is off road and riders can enjoy woodlands; well- maintained bridleways and tracks all from the doorstep.”
For those who want to bring their four-legged friends but want time out of the saddle to enjoy the many local attractions such as the Eden Project and the Camel Trail or participate in other activities, such as kayaking, clay pigeon shooting or surfing, part or full livery for the day can be arranged.
Visiting horses and ponies can enjoy first-class stabling with rubber matting and large, grassy, individual turnout paddocks with electric fencing and water troughs. You only pay for your horse’s bedding and feed, which Old Lanwarnick is able to provide.
“It’s all about taking luxury time out with your horse, dog, family and friends in one of the most beautiful parts of the country,” adds Joanna.
“And at the end of the day, after riding or long walks on the beach, we have the new hot tub barn waiting – a top-of-the-range hot tub with built-in lights and music with a large open viewing window for guests to enjoy while relaxing with a drink and taking in the views.”
For those keen to be spoiled to the Nth degree, the team can also arrange for a holistic massage, personal chef for the evening, special occasion theming or even a champagne breakfast delivered to the door.
“We want to create that wow factor and, despite it being an exhausting two years, it’s wonderful to see the site back to its former glory.”
Old Lanwarnick, which was selected by Discovery Channel as part of the House Wreck Rescue series, filmed by TwoFour TV and featured on Discovery Real Time October 2009, has been given the coveted Gold Standard Award by Visit Britain Quality in Tourism.
For information on bookings and availability, visit www.listedluxury.co.uk or call Joanna on 01503 221003. Anyone looking to stay at any time in 2010 who books before March 31 will receive a bottle of champagne on arrival when quoting Western Morning News.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Take a break and get out into the fresh air
20-01-2010
A SHORT break in the countryside is an experience that both you and your canine companion can enjoy. Cartwheel members offer quality dog-friendly weekend and short breaks with acres of woodland, quiet lanes and deserted beaches to explore. Doggie treats, off-lead dog paddocks, private fenced gardens plus dog-friendly country pubs for lunch or supper. Just relax and let your dog take the lead.
Valleybrook Holidays
COMFORTABLE four-star lodges and cottages in beautiful wooded farmland, perfect for dog-walking and relaxation, near Looe in Cornwall. Sparkling brook on site – great for four-legged friends to clean up and cool off. Dog-walking paddock and welcome treat. Dog-friendly village pubs close by. Accommodation sleeps up to six people. Price from £230 per week.
Northleigh Farm
WELL-EQUIPPED and comfortable four-star cottages on working beef farm, set in the beautiful Coly Valley, East Devon. Quiet footpaths and lanes to explore from the farm. Honiton is four miles away. Short breaks from £195.
Riscombe Farm Cottages
STYLISH four-star cottages on 300-year-old farm in the heart of Exmoor National Park near Minehead in Somerset. Lovely riverside and woodland walks from the door. Two dog-friendly country pubs nearby. Cosy woodburners and secure gardens. Enclosed porch for drying dogs and boots. Cottages sleep up to seven people. Price from £195 per week.
Tredinney Farm B&B
PEACEFUL four-star farmhouse B&B on traditional working farm near Penzance in Cornwall. Dog owners can enjoy direct access to Tredinney Common and Bartinney Downs from the farm. Follow circular coastal walks with spectacular views of Land’s End. Hearty farmhouse breakfasts with delicious local and homegrown produce. B&B from £25 per person per night.
Edeswell Cottages
DOG-FRIENDLY cottages with dog walking area set in 23 acres of beautiful Devon countryside between South Brent and Totnes. Large heated indoor pool. Price from £50 per night.
Visit www.cartwheelholidays.co.uk for more dog-friendly holiday ideas.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Coast tours combine pedals and pasties
20-01-2010
THE spectacular coastline of Cornwall – as well as the county’s best attractions and pasty shops – will be the focus for three new cycling tours organised by a specialist holiday operator this year.
The first of Cornish Cycle Tours’ new self-guided routes for 2010 visits many of Cornwall’s famous landmarks, including the Eden Project, Caerhays Castle and gardens, St Michael’s Mount, Porthcurno’s Minack Theatre and Land’s End.
Two other tours link the tranquil south of the county with the spectacular surfing beaches of the north in a circular route. There are also recommendations for lunch each day, whether it’s an unspoilt country pub or the best pasty shop in the area.
Lan Rowe, of Cornish Cycle Tours, said: “Our new tours are all aimed at the recreational cyclist who wants to experience the fantastic scenery, food and attractions that Cornwall has to offer.
“Both the new seven-day tours cover less than 20 miles a day on average, so there’s time to stop wherever you like – whether it’s sampling the award-winning wine at Camel Valley Vineyard or cooling off with a quick swim at one of the many stunning beaches along the route.
Starting from the North Cornish market town of Wadebridge, the 106-mile South Coast Tour follows quiet country lanes and dedicated cycle trails on a carefully-planned route, which hugs the coast from Charlestown to St Just in the county’s far west.
The 91-mile Coast to Coast tour can last either five days or seven days. The tour leaves Wadebridge along the Camel Trail to Bodmin, then to the south coast at Charlestown, from where cyclists follow country lanes.
After an overnight stop in Truro, the tour continues using the National Cycle Route network to the north coast near Newquay, diverting inland to St Columb, then rejoining the coast at Constantine Bay.
Lan Rowe said: “Cornwall has so much to offer and a bicycle is one of the best ways to see it. Our routes have been meticulously planned and researched, and we offer a full support service so all guests have to do is pedal.”
Cyclists are provided with detailed maps, as well as information on sights and attractions along the route.
For more information and prices, visit www.cornish cycletours.co.uk
Hotels in step with needs of travellers
20-01-2010
WORLD travellers have snubbed the bright lights of London and voted no fewer than nine Westcountry hotels as among the best 25 in the UK.
In the annual poll put together by travel website TripAdvisor, the hospitality industry in Devon and Cornwall has emerged a clear winner, with one resort, St Ives, hosting two top-placed hotels.
In third place in the poll was the West Cornwall resort’s Boskerris Hotel, while fifth place went to Charterhouse Hotel in Torquay.
Also featured are the Yeoldon, Bideford, the Bowling Green Hotel, Plymouth, and the Trelaske Hotel in Looe.
Regarded as the “Oscars of the hotel world”, the awards recognise the best hotels in the world across categories including best bargain, best service, best luxury and best B&B.
The Charterhouse Hotel in Torquay was awarded the title of the UK’s best service hotel, and made it on to the world’s top 10 best service hotels list.
It won traveller comments such as, “absolutely nothing was too much trouble for them”, “you are welcomed like one of the family” and “the finishing touch was a small bar of chocolate hidden in your towel”.
TripAdvisor’s Alison Copus said: “Service can make or break a holiday so it’s about time those British hotels providing such star service are recognised.”
Unlike other hotel awards programmes, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Hotel awards are based on the millions of reviews and opinions from real travellers around the globe.
The top 25 UK hotels as voted for by world travellers were:
1. Rudding Park, Harrogate.
2. The Manor Coach House, Worcester.
3. Boskerris Hotel, St Ives
4. Can-y-Bae, Llandudno.
5. Charterhouse Hotel, Torquay.
6. Silverdale, Seaford, East Sussex.
7. Castlebank Hotel, Conwy, Wales.
8. Avalon Beach Hotel, Bournemouth.
9. Dunkery Beacon Hotel, Exmoor.
10. Trelaske Hotel, Looe.
11. The Old Rectory Hotel, Martinhoe, Devon.
12. Apsley House Hotel, Bath.
13. The Waverley, Whitby, North Yorkshire.
14. The Clarence Hotel, Portsmouth.
15. Tremarne Hotel, Mevagissey.
16. Yeoldon, Bideford.
17. Gwestry, Aberystwyth.
18. Hotel Una, Brighton.
19. Hunters Quay Hotel, Strathclyde.
20. Bowling Green Hotel, Plymouth.
21. Staybridge Suites, Newcastle.
22. Cedar Manor House Hotel, Windermere.
23. Broom House, Whitby, North Yorkshire.
24. The Waterhead Hotel, Ambleside.
25. Primrose Valley Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Cornish Cycle Tours
04-01-2010
The spectacular coastline of Cornwall - as well as the county’s best attractions and pasty shops - will be the focus for three new cycling tours organised by a specialist holiday operator this year.
The first of Cornish Cycle Tours’ new self-guided routes for 2010 visits many of Cornwall’s famous landmarks - including the Eden Project, Caerhays Castle and gardens, St Michael’s Mount, Porthcurno’s Minack Theatre and Land’s End.
Two other tours link the tranquil south of the county with the spectacular surfing beaches of the North Cornish coast in a circular route.
There are also recommendations for lunch each day, whether it’s an unspoilt country pub or the best pasty shop in the area.
Lan Rowe of Cornish Cycle Tours said: “Our new tours are all aimed at the recreational cyclist who wants to experience the fantastic scenery, food and attractions that Cornwall has to offer.
“Both of the new seven day tours cover less than 20 miles a day on average, so there’s plenty of time to stop wherever you like - whether it’s sampling the award-winning wine at Camel Valley Vineyard or cooling off with a quick swim at one of the many stunning beaches along the route.”
Starting from the North Cornish market town of Wadebridge, the seven day 106 mile South Coast Tour follows quiet country lanes and dedicated cycle trails on a carefully-planned route, which hugs the coast from Charlestown to St Just in the county’s far west.
The 91 mile Coast to Coast tour can last either five days or seven days.
The tour leaves Wadebridge along the Camel Trail to Bodmin, then on to the south coast at Charlestown, from where cyclists follow quiet country lanes.
After an overnight stop in Truro, the tour continues using the National Cycle Route network to the north coast near Newquay, diverting inland to the ancient village of St Columb, then rejoining the coast at Constantine Bay near Padstow.
Lan Rowe said: “Cornwall has so much to offer and a bicycle is one of the best ways to see the county. Our routes have been meticulously planned and researched, and we offer a full support service so all our guests have to do is pedal.”
Cyclists are provided with detailed maps showing the route for each day’s cycling, as well as information on notable sights and attractions along the route.
For more information and prices go to www.cornishcycletours.co.uk.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Teaming up to tempt visitors
24-11-2009
TOURISM Newquay is teaming up with VisitCornwall and Air Southwest to tempt visitors to Cornwall this winter as they launch the first Taste of Cornwall Roadshow in Bristol. Tourism Newquay and VisitCornwall will be setting up a demonstration kitchen in Bristol’s Cabot Circus on today to give shoppers a taste of Cornwall. As well as live cookery demonstrations by Nick Hodges, head chef at the resort’s Headland Hotel, there will be food giveaways, competitions and leaflet handouts to promote the Duchy. This will be the first in a series of food roadshows planned for Air Southwest departure points across the country, including Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester. Richard Wilcox, business development manager for Tourism Newquay said: “As the official marketing body for Newquay, we are working hard to raise the profile of Newquay as a destination and promote all the great things the town has to offer, food being just one of them.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Celebrating cream of region’s tourism
24-11-2009
By Jane Labous
THE Eden Project was last night crowned the best tourism business in the South West.
The Cornish attraction picked up the Winner of Winners award as the cream of the region’s tourism businesses were recognised at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
Held at the Saunton Sands Hotel in North Devon, they recognised the achievements of a number of businesses and individuals in the tourism industry across the region.
The awards allow businesses to showcase their quality to customers and, according to organisers, help build morale among staff and gain recognition in the community.
Entrants must demonstrate outstanding levels of customer service and exemplary facilities, along with a commitment to sustainability and recycling.
Alistair Handyside, chairman of South West Tourism, congratulated the winners.
“Winning at the regional awards is a great achievement for any business, especially so in these economic times,” he said.
“These businesses have shown customer care, staff training and continued investment have not faltered but have grown and they are committed to exceeding visitor expectations.”
Categories included awards for large hotel of the year and self-catering holiday of the year and are split into a selection of winners and a smaller number of finalists.
Among the winners were Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Escot, in Ottery St Mary, which both won silver awards in the Small Visitor Attraction of the Year category.
Woodlands Country House, at Treator, near Padstow, North Cornwall, won a gold award in the Bed and Breakfast of the Year category.
The Salty Monk in Sidford, near Sidmouth, East Devon, and Coswarth House, in Padstow, both scooped silver.
The Thurlestone Hotel near Salcombe in South Devon won gold in the Large Hotel of the Year category, while St Michael’s Hotel & Spa in Falmouth won silver.
The Globe Hotel in Topsham, Exeter, won silver in the Sustainable Tourism category.
The 15 Gold Award winners at this years awards will all now go on to represent the region at the National Enjoy England Awards for Excellence in 2010.
The Eden Project’s Winner of Winners award recognised the “inspirational role” the venue has played in the tourism industry, as well as its superlative visitor experience, said organisers.
Eddie Bent, managing director of E-Strategy, said: “We have a great variety of winners this year and received a very high standard of entries all round which made the judging process even harder.
“I would like to congratulate the winners and finalists who are the exemplars in their field and deserve this regional recognition.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Turtles take the plunge
16-11-2009
THIS mesmerising picture is the first shot of two sea turtles in their new home as they undergo rehabilitation in the Westcountry.
The two loggerhead turtles, who have been named Steve and Squirt, have taken residence in the “lagoon” area at Newquay’s Blue Reef Aquarium.
It follows spending eight weeks in quarantine after they were discovered within weeks of each other stranded on Cornish beaches.
Once fully recovered, the pair are to be released back into the wild.
The aquarium is hoping to fly them out to the Canary Islands in the next couple of months if all goes well.
Loggerhead turtles can reach lengths in excess of 3ft. They are carnivorous, feeding on crabs, shellfish, molluscs and jellyfish.
Their main nesting sites are in Oman in the Middle East and Florida in the United States.
The species is rare in UK waters but their numbers, along with other warm water species, appear to be rising.
Experts believe the turtles ventured on to Westcountry shores from America.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Think Local: Explore the great outdoors
27-10-2009
FOLLOWING the recent major announcement that TV presenter and bush craft expert Ray Mears will officially open next year’s Explore the Outdoors, the Pavilions are excited to join forces with The University of Plymouth as headline sponsors.
Returning over the weekend of March 13 and 14 2010, Explore the Outdoors partnership with The University of Plymouth Faculty of Science and Technology promises to make the event bigger and better with the university bringing some new, exciting and unusual activities to this year’s event.
Bush tucker trials to tropical canopy research are just some of the exciting activities taking place, with more to be confirmed in the coming months.
The University of Plymouth Faculty of Science and Technology is a large, dynamic and thriving faculty, offering a diverse and successful portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Recognised for its excellence in research and enterprise, it is home to the internationally renowned Marine Institute, and boasts cutting edge facilities including its very own Diving and Marine Centre, the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre, Immersive Vision Theatre and newly refurbished state-of-the-art laboratories. All these facilities within the faculty are used to support a wide range of applications in research and consultancy.
Professor Richard Gibb, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology said “We are delighted to be teaming up with Plymouth Pavilions to host this exciting event. Science and Technology subjects are about getting up-close and personal with the world around us and with over 80 degree courses to choose from, there are hundreds of ways to ‘explore the outdoors’ at the University of Plymouth. With field trip opportunities, the option to learn to dive as part of your degree course and world-class facilities to support your studies, the opportunities to explore the outdoors at Plymouth are endless.”
Event Organiser at Plymouth Pavilions, Kim Downer said: “I’m thrilled to welcome the University of Plymouth as our headline sponsors. The Faculty of Science and Technology will bring so much to the event, not only have they some exciting activities lined up but they will have some inspirational speakers who will be joining Ray Mears in our speaker theatre. We hope the university’s involvement will encourage their students to come along to the show and experience some of the great outdoor activities we will have on offer!
Explore the Outdoors encompasses all aspects of outdoor pursuits so whether you are an adrenaline junkie, into water sports, travel or exploring, this event will cater for all interests, ages and capabilities!
If you are interested in exhibiting, please log onto www.explore-the-outdoors.com for further information.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Tourism leaders toast success in ‘testing’ year
20-10-2009
By Catherine Barnes
CORNWALL’S tourism industry was last night celebrated in an awards ceremony organisers said reflected success in a challenging year.
Representatives from the county’s most innovative holiday businesses gathered at Newquay’s Headland Hotel to toast and pay tribute to each other.
Teresa Timms of awards organiser VisitCornwall said the event was greatly pertinent in 2009 and reflected the sector’s hard work and endeavour: “The tourism industry has certainly been tested this year. We can credit Cornwall’s ability to overcome market challenges and hold its own, to the quality of the tourism product that the county offers.”
During the evening, a holiday park owner who worked “tirelessly” to improve industry standards and bring Tall Ships events to Falmouth was honoured by his peers with the award for Outstanding Services to Tourism.
John Hick was praised both for his instrumental role in bringing the prestige events to Falmouth since 1966 and his work on a voluntary basis towards raising the standards of the holiday parks industry.
Mr Hicks, who owns the Pendra Loweth holiday village near Swanpool, has worked on the Tall Ships committee, the British Homes & Holiday Parks Association and the industry’s European Federation – while running his own successful business.
A spokesman for the awards said: “John’s dedication has had far-reaching results and he continues to demonstrate an unfaltering commitment to the industry.”
After dinner, the awards’ VIP guest, Location, Location presenter Kirstie Allsopp told guests of the special significance Cornwall had for her. Earlier this year, she faced both admiration and criticism in the Westcountry when she renovated a dilapidated North Devon cottage for holiday letting as part of a TV series.
Four star St Michael’s Hotel & Spa in Falmouth scooped the event’s Winner of Winners trophy, was named best large hotel and won the Tourism Website of the Year award.
The Eden Project was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
The spotlight also shone on Gary Zammit, resident wildlife expert at five-star luxury resort Gwel an Mor in Portreath. Mr Zammit was presented with the Outstanding Customer Service Award for his enthusiasm “above and beyond” his nominal duties to introduce resort guests to Cornish wildlife. Gwel an Mor also shared the gold award for Self-Catering Establishment of the Year with Boscrowan Farm of Heamoor.
Chef Arty Williams’ Maenporth beachside seafood eaterie, The Cove, was named top restaurant. The 12th-century Victoria Inn in Perranuthnoe was Pub of the Year.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
A quick way to quench a thirst for adventure
19-10-2009
By Eleanor McGillie
DRIVING towards North Hill airfield at Broadhembury to join the team of instructors at Devon and Somerset Gliding Club, my partner in crime for the day, Christoph Gubler, decided to enlighten me as to the number of deaths caused by gliding.
Not quite what you want to hear, but luckily he confessed he was only joking.
I had started to get nervous. I have heard many mixed stories about gliding – people who have turned green, people who love the adrenalin rush and those who simply refuse to get into one.
I, on the other-hand, am up for trying anything. With no time to waste, we got straight out on to the airfield. I had a safety briefing, was given a parachute, told how to use it and warned that, if anything went wrong, I had to get out of the glider as a matter of urgency and pull the chute. How exciting.
So having lowered myself into the front seat of the German-made two-seater, I was strapped in, reminded how to un-strap myself should an emergency occur at 2,000ft, the Perspex lid was closed, the tug plane that would launch us was lined up, and off we went.
It’s a crazy sensation, being dragged along by a tug plane across a bumpy surface, but there’s nothing to do but laugh as you are pulled up into the sky and suddenly – silence.
People in the Westcountry know we live in a beautiful part of the world, but gliding overhead like a bird of prey circling in the sky, you get to see yet another side of its beauty.
I was beginning to get a feel why people who descend on this airfield on flight days are so addicted to this. However, after my first flight, in spite of me loving the view, enjoying chatting with instructor Stuart Procter and taking aerial shots for photographer Richard Austin, who safely stayed on the ground with his long lens, I knew this activity had much more to offer.
Judging by the look of excitement on Christoph’s face when he finally came back down to earth, I knew there was much more this glider could offer.
I did ask Stuart about the joys of aerobatics; we just didn’t try any first time round. So, the parachute was back on and I was back in the glider, ready for my second launch. To gain height again, we used the tug plane and no sooner was it gone then Stuart asked me if I was ready to experience feelings which I had never have experienced before.
I didn’t have a clue what to expect and I genuinely didn’t have time to think about it – within seconds, the nose of the glider was facing the green fields 1,800ft below us and there was nothing between me and those grazing cows below apart from my shield of plastic.
My heart was in my mouth, my stomach in my ears and my ears in my knees. My face felt as though it was sliding down my neck – not an attractive image, I know, but what a feeling.
It’s one of those G-force experiences which I was not sure if I wanted to repeat. But I did. Stuart and I were upside down again. Unbelievable. I felt as though my body parts were floating all around me. But, a bit of controlled breathing and having trust in the glider, and in Stuart, made me feel OK.
Next stage was to have me controlling the glider. How much fun is this? Lots.
Christoph too went up again. “Feeling your feet back on solid ground after such an experience is an experience in itself,” he said.
“It is impressive how such an experience can change your perception. When you descend towards the ground at 100 knots, the glider performs magic and puts a smile on your face for hours.
“The G-force is massive. It is such weird feeling but it is an experience which I will never forget because I just want to go up again and again.”
Devon and Somerset Gliding Club is based at North Hill Airfield at Broadhembury, near Honiton in East Devon.
The team offers pilot training in its modern fleet of two-seat gliders and the opportunity to fly its single-seat gliders once qualified.
Training is carried out by British Gliding Association-qualified instructors.
To give this experience a go, ring 01404 841386. Find out more about what training is available by logging on to www.dsgc.co.uk
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Paddle surf contest brings latest craze to West
19-10-2009
THE latest form of surfing was on display in Cornwall over the weekend. Competitors in the Stand Up Paddle Championships turned out at Watergate Bay near Newquay to decide the new British champions.
In a new event, the Extreme Academy played host to the final round of the British Stand Up Paddle Association’s national championships on Saturday and Sunday.
The sport blends longboard surfing with paddle power and is said to be one of the fastest-growing activities in the country.
Two main competitions were held at Watergate - the men’s and women’s open surf and the distance race. The men’s open saw Cornwall’s Adam Zervas in first place, followed by John Hibbard from Devon in second and Australian Gareth Grant in third. In the women’s open, first place went to Bobbie Copper, from West Sussex, second prize to Devon’s Lara Murray, and third to Claire Blacklock, also from West Sussex.
In the men’s distance race, Devon’s John Hibbard claimed first position, with Mark Slatter from Dorset taking second and Cornwall’s Nick Healey going home with third prize. The four-mile course went from Watergate Bay to Porth and back.
Richard Marsh, of BSUPA, said: “Stand-up paddle surfing has really surged in popularity over the past couple of years.
“The sport is really accessible. It appeals to people from a wide range of watersports backgrounds, from windsurfers to fishermen.”
With the stand-up paddle boards typically 11-12ft in length, the discipline suits experienced longboarders who are used to manoeuvring larger boards in the waves.
Mr Marsh added: “The event was brilliant – everyone really soaked up the atmosphere. Spectators and competitors enjoyed it alike.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Time for shooting practice
08-10-2009
By Philip Bowern
SHOOTING sports are worth an estimated £1.6 billion to the British economy every year and, despite the recession, evidence suggests the sector is holding up well in the Westcountry where the pheasant season has just begun.
Game shooting is a particularly important part of the rural economy of the Westcountry, providing essential income for many landowners who let part of their land for shooting. Overall it is estimated two thirds of the rural landscape is managed for shooting in some way.
Looking after land for shooting sports has proven conservation benefits – the habitat that suits game birds is beneficial to many other plant and animal species, particularly songbirds. And the additional income shooting sportsmen provide for pubs, hotels, gun shops, outfitters and other rural businesses in the Westcountry is significant. Nationally shooting sportsmen and women spend around £2 billion a year.
Thursday (October 1) marked the start of the pheasant shooting season and pheasants are the primary game quarry in our region. Many Westcountry pheasant shoots, however, won’t be starting to shoot birds in earnest for another two or three weeks – which gives those planning to attend shoots the chance to get in some all-important practice.
Clay shooting is important in its own right. But through the summer and early autumn many game-shooters take the opportunity to brush up their skills at the clay ground, shooting moving targets that mimic the speed and flight lines of the live quarry.
It is essential that anyone planning to shoot live quarry, whether game or vermin, takes responsibility for an efficient, clean kill. And many shooting grounds across our region offer expert tuition as well as opportunities to practice.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Britain’s leading membership body for participants in shooting sports, sets out guidelines for responsible shooting in the Code of Good Shooting Practice. It includes the advice that: “Guns must be competent at estimating range and shoot within the limitations of their equipment to kill cleanly and consistently.”
There has been some criticism in recent years, from inside and outside the shooting community, that the growth of game shooting as a corporate event has led to inexperienced or, in some cases, completely uninitiated guns being let loose on live birds with little idea of how to shoot safely and effectively.
So the Code of Good Shooting Practice advises: “Inexperienced guns should improve personal shooting skills through practice on clay targets and must ensure they are accompanied and supervised by a suitably experienced person.”
The Westcountry is home to a number of well-regarded clay shooting grounds where specialist clay shooters train and compete and where game shooters can get in some vital practice before the start of the season.
At Newnham Park, near Plymouth, estate manager David Cobbold and shooting ground manager Graham Lapthorn are the main shooting coaches. David, who has immense patience and huge enthusiasm for shooting, is an expert at quickly identifying and correcting faults in every shooter, from the most experienced to the newest novice.
In addition to coaching on how to shoot consistently well his colleague, Graham, also offers essential advice on game shooting etiquette – which can save the new gun a great deal of embarrassment on a big day out in the field.
Across the Tamar in Cornwall David Dingle, at the friendly Cartridge shooting ground also provides excellent one-to-one tuition in the beautiful estate near Tideford, a short distance off the A 38.
There are many other clay grounds across the Westcountry providing everything from expert one-to-one tuition for the serious shooter to fun days for parties and introduction days for those who are considering taking up shooting.
They play an important part in supporting the valuable shooting industry of the Westcountry and are leisure attractions in their own right.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
In the saddle for a high-octane off-road adventure
08-10-2009
IT’S GOOD and fun, but when you’re knee-deep in dirt, the last thing it would be is clean. Reporter Lyn Barton goes off road biking for a Think Local thrill seeking adventure....
Off-road biking is as pure an infectious thrill as it’s possible to obtain legally. And, hidden in well-off-the- beaten track rural Devon is something of a unique establishment where two wheels rule.
Brothers Andrew and Jim Savery own and run Wheeldon Farm, possibly the best indoor, off-road facility in Europe.
It’s difficult to sum up what it is about off-road biking, but former British championship rider Andrew has a go.
“It’s a huge adrenaline rush, and that is what people love about it.
“I have had people who have started off quite nervous and they take a massive, deep breath and do the entire circuit without breathing out.
“But at the end they’re elated and beaming from ear to ear.
“There’s a huge sense of accomplishment and exhilaration.
“Once someone has the taste for it, they want to do it more and more.”
The centre at Wheeldon Farm is backed by major marque Suzuki and a host of international brands. Bikes, body armour, clothing and helmets are all included in the price.
And it boasts the trinity of off-road biking: on a hill near the farm is a purpose-moulded outdoor track of jumps, twists and tricky cambers; then there’s “green laning”, following networks of unclassified roads and wooded trails; but the jewel in the crown is the 30,000 sq ft indoor – and therefore entirely weatherproof – training circuit.
Under the watchful eye of Andrew, we had a go at all three.
The outdoor circuit – normally out of bounds during the school summer holidays – was opened thanks to the kind permission of South Hams District Council.
Riding the slippy, ultra-muddy surface round tight turns as the back wheel slides away in an opposite direction from the front is heart-in-the-mouth stuff at first.
But with guidance from Andrew, the secret becomes unlocked. There’s getting used to doing things like sticking a counterbalancing foot out at turns, rising on to the footpegs at bumps and choosing the right gear.
With a bit more practice, it’s possible to take-off over jumps – and the squeals of delights can almost certainly be heard on the Scilly Isles.
Onwards for a bit of green laning through the woods, sliding along logs, through tracks too narrow to walk and – yes – falling off.
But with the rain coming in like stair-rods, it’s on to the indoor circuit.
Designed by Andrew, who has been riding off-road since he was nine, its a challenging course, though specifically not a race track.
All of the farm-based activities are entirely legal for people without a licence to cut their teeth on a bit of biking.
Indeed, an adjacent smaller circuit has been specifically constructed for children as young as seven, and sometimes younger by special arrangement. It’s popular with their parents as well, said Andrew.
“The biggest thing we see in children is that having a go gives them a huge confidence boost. It’s about them individually mastering skills and they get a real sense of achievement.
“At the start, some of the children are petrified, but by the time they finish they want to come back for more.
“Parents are delighted as well, because it’s a sport that teaches you about discipline and fitness and it’s all done in a controlled, safe environment.”
For riders who normally take to the more conventional routes, there a huge bonus in getting off-road, for dealing with the perils of a slippy track seriously hones on-road skills.
“There is no doubt that off-road riding improves your skills on the road,” said Andrew.
“All of the professional bikers go off-road biking and the reason is that it gives you a better appreciation of dealing with adverse road surfaces.”
As with any adventure sport, there are risks, but safety is at the heart of the operation, said Andrew.
“We have a fantastic safety record, although people do have to understand that, with every motorsport, there is a risk.
“But we teach people to ride within their limits. If someone is riding badly or even dangerously, we have no hesitation in stopping them.”
The impressive facility has come a long way since the Savery brothers decided to turn their backs on dairy farming.
The brothers had 400 head of cattle on a 215-acre farms, but the onslaught of foot and mouth disease, BSE and bovine TB was close to putting them out of business.
They had already transformed some derelict, traditional barns into luxury holiday accommodation and found they needed something else to boost the bank balance.
“We thought let’s do an off-road circuit,” said Andrew.
“We just saw a gap in the market for off-road riding at a proper level and went for it.
“I suppose it’s the ultimate in farm diversification schemes.”
For more information, contact Wheeldon Farm by calling 01548 821784 or logging on to www.wheeldon two.co.uk
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Pirates blaze trail on track and off
08-10-2009
Reporter Ryan Hooper jumps on a BMX for a Think Local adventur experience........
IT IS often said knowing how to ride a bike is something that never leaves you. About four seconds into my rapid descent down a BMX bike ramp, with the dusty ground beckoning me towards it like a wrinkly old aunt, I was fairly confident that anything I once knew about riding had long ago deserted me.
Conjuring up every ounce of courage available to me – with eyes gripped shut of course – I managed to avert disaster and, with all the skill and grace of a ballerina or pretty butterfly, hoiked myself up and down the challenging terrain and around the track.
Considering it was my first bike ride in several years, it was a something of a triumph. However, a celebratory pat on the back and much needed lie-down was withdrawn abruptly after the heckling of one of my instructors, three-year-old Louie Fernihough.
“You looked stupid,” was his frank testimony. Red-faced in every way possible, and with protective clothing that was better suited to its original owner –or at least someone with a larger frame – it was hard to disagree with the boy.
For the uninitiated, the sport involves a display of strength, grace and gutsy determination, as participants burst around courses of various terrain. It doesn’t take very long for even the most useless of uncoordinated human beings to get to grips with it.
The Track, near Redruth in West Cornwall, is home to the Duchy Pirates BMX Club, whose members range in age from young Louie to those who lived through food rationing. One of its older members, Dave Herman, recently triumphed in the 45s and over category at the British Championships, while Ben Clarkson won the cruiser 13-15 age group. The Pirates also finished ninth out of 58 teams overall.
“This really is a sport for everyone,” said Mark Fernihough, whose boys Louie and seven-year-old Harry are regulars at The Track. “But some people come here, see the size of it, and think that it is more for experienced bikers, which is not the case at all.”
He’s right. Pulling in to The Track, the creation of riding enthusiast Steve Tonkin, the dominating feature is a plinth protruding the skyline, with a 15ft drop to the ground. This, obviously, is not for the likes of Western Morning News reporters.
However, explore the venue a little deeper and smaller tracks creep into view, designed to help beginners of all ages get to grips with the sport. Elsewhere, a practice area complete with soft landing foam allows bikers to practice their tricks without the risk of any serious injury.
Not that safety isn’t taken seriously. A glossy guide book available from the reception hut offers details every aspect of the sport – from The Track’s history, to extensive safety advice and warm-up drills.
It is little wonder so much excitement is brewing ahead of next Saturday’s South West BMX Racing Championships at The Track, held in Cornwall for the first time.
The event will be free to spectators, with racing all day, featuring some of the best riders including future Olympic hopefuls. Hot food and snacks will also be available.
Mr Fernihough said: “The championships have never been held in Cornwall before, so it is great for us.
“BMX-ing is a great sport for meeting people, and I know my boys have had great fun getting to know others who take part. Spectators also find they are part of a very exciting and friendly atmosphere which will all make for an excellent family day out.”
Many people come from across the region to take part in the championships, with some choosing to camp locally or stay in Cornwall for the weekend. As such, it is hoped more will return to The Track the following day.
I did not have the luxury of a two-day training course at The Track, although bike hire and tuition is available and frequently taken up by novices. I was left in the hands of the Fernihough youngsters and Mr Tonkin.
After picking up some tips about “pumping” – adjusting the body position according to the dips in the circuit – I was amazed at how quickly my erratic wobbling atop the bike had magnificently morphed into an elegant slither around the track. Or something like that.
Taking a breather, I watched as the three demonstrators snaked their way around the various tracks catered to different skill levels. I suddenly had a flashback of the last bike I owned – an orange hunk of bent metal named Horace, which I shared with my old university housemate Geoff. The bike had two speeds, three including stationary, and was primarily used to get us to lectures, though not if we were in a rush.
It was hard to imagine how Horace would have faired on the Duchy Pirates course, though, in many ways, I considered myself the human equivalent: slow, awkward and a little uneasy. But, with a little practice, I’m sure I could have given little Louie a run for his money. I think.
For more on the championships, the Duchy Pirates or The Track, visit www.duchypirates. co.uk and www.the-track.co.uk or call 01209 211073.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Off-road obstacles and a range of challenges
08-10-2009
CONTINUING our series of adventure features, deputy news editor Eleanor McGillie, enjoys a thrill seeking Think Local experience on her own doorstep - The Land Rover Experience.
THE last time I drove around a field full of sheep was in a clapped out banger with surfboards on the roof, driving over fields and sand dunes in Donegal on the west coast of Ireland.
I thought I did well at the time but little did I know just how amazing it would feel to drive over similar terrain in a high-spec Range Rover, which can go from 0 to 100mph and back in 15 seconds.
So to experience that fantastic feeling, I meandered through the leafy lanes of Awliscombe near Honiton heading for Wessington Farm to get involved in the Land Rover Experience Westcountry.
I knew I wanted to experience the Range Rover Vogue but was not expecting to be so blown away by the supreme luxury and sophistication of this four wheel drive vehicle.
It truly is the most advanced, most powerful and most gracious vehicle I have ever stepped foot in, let alone drive. This £65,000 beauty was built to do it all and much more.
When general manager Nick Agg- Manning invited me to get behind the wheel, I am not sure what I was expecting, but I knew one thing – in front of me was a large open field, I was behind the wheel of a Vogue, so there was only one thing to do – foot to the board.
I took off with a lift I have never experienced before –and here began my Land Rover experience.
Wessington Farm is an amazing location set in 100 acres of rolling green fields in the Blackdown Hills of East Devon.
From the field we entered 35 acres of woodland filled with purpose made tracks, deep muddy water pools and steep gradients which literally leave you and the Vogue floating in the air.
Within seconds you find yourself in a hole or a ditch –of course all obstacles strategically positioned on the course to test , not only your handling skills, but also those of the car. Sitting in such a beautiful piece of technology makes you feel good.
It makes you feel safe and you trust it – or at least you learn to.
With the touchscreen dual view technology, a surround camera system, blind spot monitoring, forward alert, advanced emergency brake assist, hill descent control and gradient release control, how can you not trust it?
With all these treats on board it’s an absolute joy to be behind the wheel.
Climbing steep gradients and descending them again, watching steam rise off the bonnet when you drive out of deep pools, balancing on the ledge of vertical drops, reversing round corners using cameras, balancing the vehicle on two wheels and racing through fields is my idea of a perfect day out – question is – are you up for it? Of course you are. You will have such an amazing day.
There’s something very gratifying about driving a gleaming 4X4 out of the yard only to bring it back, covered in mud, with a huge smile on your face.
Land Rover Experience Westcountry is principally a training centre for professional off-road drivers, but it provides training and experience to those who just want to experience the experience.
The highly professional team of experts enjoy their instructing and can provide fun, education and adventure for people like me, who want to enhance their driving skills off road, have fun or simply want to experience such adventure on their own doorstep.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Tropical touch gives gardens a special beauty
02-10-2009
By Louise Vennells
AFTER an almost barbecue-free summer, when the South West was largely overcast by a blanket of cloud, it is easy to snort at the idea that the region enjoys the best weather in the country.
Yet the slightly milder temperature – those precious couple of degrees – are crucial to the array of plants which decorate the myriad of spectacular gardens in the Westcountry.
Gardeners can create sub-tropical idylls in the Cornish valleys, or elegant English rose gardens on Devon’s slopes, all with the power to inspire and delight those who retreat into their splendour for a few short hours.
They can be vibrant and dramatic, or serene backdrops to quiet contemplation – or they can feed a household and beyond, offering up a rich harvest of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
The Westcountry has an incredible wealth of glorious gardens which enhance the already stunning views by encompassing plants from across the world, combined with the ideas and skill of the gardeners who put their backs into tend them.
An enthusiast could visit a different garden each week for a year, each with its own unique character, and still have dozens left to see.
From privately-owned attractions such as Bicton Botanical Gardens in East Devon, with its historic glass houses, to National Trust properties such as the grounds of Killerton, near Exeter, and Greenway, Agatha Christie’s former home near Paignton, each has a story to tell of vision and conservation – in many cases against a backdrop of radical social change on the other side of the herbaceous border.
One of the most striking examples is at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, near Mevagissey in Cornwall, which has been completely restored since what looked like an overgrown wasteland was discovered to harbour a horticultural secret in 1990.
Over the next two years, it received funding and TLC to recreate some of the splendour designed by its original landscapers around 100 years before, which had been lost as the house was used for military purposes in war years, then was tenanted out and eventually sold off.
Now, it is not only picturesque, but productive. It includes two acres of land which produces ingredients for the tea house, which has just relaunched its popular roast dinner menu, using local meat.
The garden ties in with the Western Morning News Think Local campaign, sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning, in two ways – the membership scheme offers local people unlimited access throughout the year, and the culinary ethos cuts down on food miles and provides a boost for farmers in the are.
Spokesman Sarah de Courcy said the attraction enjoyed strong support from the community.
She said: “With Victorian productive gardens and pleasure grounds embodying a real sense of living history, a lush sub-tropical jungle full of exotic plantings from across the world and the Heligan Wildlife Project offering an intimate view of native wildlife, it is this diversity of landscapes and experiences found at The Lost Gardens of Heligan which makes it an unique and fascinating place to explore all year round.”
One of the pioneers of the garden’s renovation was Tim Smit, who went on to found the Eden Project – Cornwall’s most ambitious garden project, with its three biomes proving an international draw.
His success illustrates just how crucial gardens can be to the region’s economy, having generated well over £800 million since its launch. As well as providing a pretty getaway, gardens can offer inspiration to visitors which can help them upgrade their own surroundings.
The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Rosemoor Gardens, at Great Torrington in North Devon, the 62 acres is divided into a wide range of smaller attractions, each showcasing a different approach.
One of the highlights is the walled kitchen garden, where an enviable array of fruit and veg tumble over each other in a cascade of colour.
RHS spokesman Sarah Chesters said feedback showed many visitors – particularly young families – had been inspired to try their hands at creating veg patches at home.
But she said it was the garden’s variety, with a lake, formal garden and a cottage garden among many designed to present a different look and atmosphere, which was the main attraction.
She said: “Because each of our individual gardens is smaller, people can drawn inspiration for their own properties, because it is easier to make the comparison in terms of size.”
In some instances, a visit to a garden can be like a mini holiday.
Trebah Gardens at Mawnan Smith, near Falmouth, is a sub-tropical paradise in a wooded ravine, leading down to its own private beach. Spokesman Claire Vickers said one visitor compared a stroll through the camellias and rhododendrons to walking through the Himalayas.
She said: “Trebah has got the perfect balance between the wonderful coastal environment for which Cornwall is world famous and the sub-tropical gardens which thrive here.”
For more information on enjoying the attractions on your doorstep, visit www.wmnthinklocal.co.uk
Helpful Holidays shortlisted for national award
02-09-2009
THE customer service team at West Country self-catering specialists, Helpful Holidays, has been shortlisted for a National Customer Service Award 2009.
Open to any customer service professional, the awards celebrate the effort and impact of excellent service on the customer and business. There are several categories each with its own criteria, but all entrants will be judged on their commitment to high standards of customer care within their team and organisation.
Winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony and dinner to be held on December 9 at Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane, which will be attended by over 900 guests including the finalists, judges, industry leaders and customer service professionals. During the evening the award winners are announced and invited on stage to collect their trophy.
Helpful Holidays had to undergo a rigorous entry and short listing process.
As finalists in the Customer Service Team category, they now have to prepare a presentation which will take place in front of the judging panel. Whether they win or lose this process provides them with a detailed evaluation of their performance and allows them to assess their customer service strategy.
Moray Bowater, General Manager of Helpful Holidays, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this important award. This is a great personal credit to our team and a testament to the level of service offered by Helpful Holidays overall, as shown by a 95% satisfaction rate from our questionnaires and a repeat booking rate of over 50%.”
Helpful Holidays, www.helpfulholidays.com is an independent self-catering agency in the West Country. Founded in 1982 by the Bowaters with 70 properties, they now have over 600 in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire. They range from cosy snugs for two up to great country houses, the largest of which sleeps 70. Based in Chagford, Dartmoor, they are located at the heart of the region they cover.
Why families can’t go wrong at the beach
02-09-2009
By Alice Wright
MOST adults will have many happy childhood memories of long days spent by the sea, digging holes, paddling in the sea and poking about in rock-pools.
The appeal of the beach is timeless so, with money tighter this year, many parents have remembered the joy of those traditional British holidays and are spurning foreign holidays in favour of a week or two by the sea.
This year, families have flocked to the region’s beaches, supporting the local economy in Westcountry towns and villages, in line with the ethos of the Western Morning News Think Local campaign, which is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Michael Smith, who owns the Venus Company chain of beach cafes and shops in Devon and Cornwall, is not the least surprised by the enduring appeal of a family break on the Westcountry coast.
“I think we have some of the best beaches in Europe,” he said. “The quality of beaches is very, very high and we’re seen as being much more competitive.”
And he added that children especially simply love the beach, citing a recent global survey which found that, for the vast majority, their favourite activity was playing with water.
“We as adults love water too. So the beach for young families is a lot of fun – that’s really all they need. It’s a pretty cheap day out.”
The Venus Company was set up in 1995 and now operates cafes and shops at Blackpool Sands, East Portlemouth and Bigbury-on-Sea in South Devon, and Watergate Bay and Tolcarne in North Cornwall.
Mr Smith said research had shown that most families were looking for facilities such as shops when they choose which beach they go to. However, he added that the beauty of the Westcountry coast was that it had “something for everybody”.
While the North coast in particular offers more active holidaymakers a variety of watersports, other beaches are gentler and more child-friendly.
Westward Ho! beach in Bideford, for example, offers vast expanses of sand for children to run around and is patrolled by lifeguards to put parents’ minds at ease. And for those who want to get away from the crowds, there are plenty of smaller coves and bays to explore all around the South West coast.
Elizabeth Pippett, visitor services manager for the English Riviera Tourist Board, said she had seen a “large increase” in the number of families holidaying in the area this year. And many of these families are looking for more traditional, and cheaper, forms of entertainment. “Give children sunshine, a bucket and spade and water and it’s a match made in heaven. You can’t go wrong,” she said.
The English Riviera also proudly boasts the “best sand for making sandcastles” in the UK, at Torre Abbey Sands in Torquay.
The town beaches of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay offer a host of attractions for adults and children looking for a proper seaside experience, including donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows and of course ice-cream and fish and chips.
Many beaches also host fairs, circuses and amusement arcades to keep all ages entertained. Ms Pippett said: “Our core market is the family so it’s lovely to see a resurgence in the nostalgia holiday.”
She added that all generations can enjoy a bucket and spade holiday and said it was a particular joy to see grandparents reliving their memories as they built sandcastles with grandchildren.
To check which beaches in Devon and Cornwall carry the Blue Flag, guaranteeing top quality water, facilities and safety, visit www.blueflag.org.uk.
It's belly board time
01-09-2009
Ryan Hooper
HUNDREDS of surfers on traditional wooden belly boards will take to the waves this weekend to enter the World Belly Board Championship.
The charity event will take place on National Trust’s Chapel Porth beach, St Agnes, Cornwall, when entrants celebrate the origins of surfing by going back to basics with wooden surf boards.
The competition was the brainchild of local surfers Martyn Ward and Chris Ryan, a car park attendant at Chapel Porth beach. The local links are extended further with the sponsorship of Skinners’s Brewery, based in Truro.
The two friends developed the idea in 2002 as a memorial to the late Arthur Traveller, a Londoner who holidayed with his wooden board at Chapel Porth every year. This year’s event is also in partnership with the National Trust and the RNLI.
Robyn Davies, five-times British Surf Champion and Surf Project Officer for the National Trust says: “The World Belly Board Championship celebrates all that is good about surfing - this event brings a communal factor back to an ever-growing sport.
“The National Trust and the RNLI feel it really important to highlight the pressures put on the coast and the beaches and what better way of doing this than by having a really great day out.”
Participants compete for the coveted world title, though prizes are also awarded for the Most Stylish, Best Trick and Spirit of Belly Boarding categories.
Wet suits are not permitted and many participants come in traditional bathing attire with prizes for the Best Costume and Best Bathing Cap.
Co-founder Martyn Ward said: “It’s amazing to see the event that Chris and I started seven years ago grow into the World Championship we have today, helping to raise vital funds for the National Trust and the RNLI.”
There are two age categories for the belly boarding event, Junior (under-60) and Senior (over-60).
Entry to the competition is by donation and parking is free to National Trust members.
For more details on this and how to enter go to: www.bellyboarding.co.uk
Think Local - escape to England’s very own Serengeti
24-08-2009
By Martin Hesp
WE ARE very fortunate indeed in this region to have two of the greatest jewels in England’s landscape crown right on our doorstep. Both Exmoor and Dartmoor were given park status shortly after the concept of national parks was born in this country 60 years ago – and since then they’ve been greatly protected for our continued enjoyment.
Enjoy a short climb up the nearest hill in either and you will catch a glimpse of the great blue beyond that makes them so special. It is the Atlantic and its rain that has shaped and cleaved these extraordinary landscapes – and you can almost smell the ocean salt on the prevailing westerly breeze. It’s a wind that brings with it the cleanest air in all of England. In fact, there are rare lichens growing on Exmoor that you will find nowhere else in Europe thanks to a lack of pollution – so for the very freshest breath of air why not visit its 693 square kilometres.
Approximately two thirds of Exmoor is located in West Somerset, with one third in North Devon. The boundary extends from the vale of West Somerset in the east, almost as far as Ilfracombe and the foothills above Barnstaple in the west. To the south it falls away towards South Molton and the North Devon link road – to the north it is bordered by the vertiginous shores of the Bristol Channel.
Exmoor’s other vital statistics go something like this: a resident population of approximately 10,600 people scattered among the hamlets, villages and farms, with only three settlements of more than 1,300 souls; farmland accounts for 56 per cent of the land usage, while 27.5 per cent is moorland and 12 per cent woodland.
Being so sparsely populated, it is a haven for wildlife. Most famously, Exmoor plays host to England’s largest herd of wild red deer. They tend to be secretive animals, but they are relatively easy to spot if you know where to look and have a reasonable pair of binoculars. Exmoor probably owes its wilderness status to these deer; it was King John who originally came up with the idea of Westcountry hunting forests, and on May 18, 1204, he disafforested all of Devonshire “up to the metes and bounds of Exmoor and Dartmoor”. This charter is the first authentic document wherein the names of Exmoor and Dartmoor are found and, for centuries after, their wild preserves were devoted to venison, and the catching thereof.
Another of the national park’s claims to fame comes in the form of the remarkable Exmoor pony. These hardy creatures are thought to be more closely related to the original wild horse than any other breed, save for the extremely rare Przewalski pony.
Dartmoor, of course, also has its ponies – but that’s another story. It’s arguably most famous for its granite tors, as well as its fascinating bogs and mires, so dramatically featured by Arthur Conan Doyle in his novel Hound of the Baskervilles. He called his bog the Grimpen Mire – perhaps taken from the local name Grimspound – but is believed to have been inspired by Foxtor Mire in the heart of the moors three miles south east of Princetown. Go to that lonesome place today and you will see the tell-tale flags of the moorland’s natural no-go areas – the little “cotton” buds that waft in the breeze at the top of the cotton grass.
But close your eyes and think of Dartmoor and the likelihood is that your mental image will contain a looming granite crag. For most of us, the tors are what make the national park so unique. They dominate the high plateau like giant monoliths punctuating some lost, wild and antediluvian domain.
Some are simply massive, a few are tall and thin, yet more are short and squat, while others are cleaved in two. Some have logan-stones whose tonnage rocks and wobbles improbably and eerily in the wind; some have punch-bowls that look as though they’ve been carved for arcane purposes by mystic priests of yore; and others droop in layers like giant pancakes that have been turned to stone.
Each tor has a unique character of its own, and “collecting” crag after crag can become something of an obsession with the Dartmoor-lover. I am fortunate to have ascended most, though certainly not all – and needless to say, I am determined to “bag” the few that have slipped my attentions as soon as I possibly can. But if you had to pick just one as a tor not to be missed, then Haytor Rocks is probably the most magnificent and it has the added bonus of being in easy striking distance of a road and an affordable new bus service which plies the moors at weekends. The circular Haytor Hoppa has a day-ticket price of £2 per adult, £1 per child (5-15 years inclusive) or £5 for a family (up to 2 adults and 3 children) and represents fantastic value for a car-free day out.
Both Haytor and its neighbour Saddle Tor are examples of “avenue tors” – so called because they comprise two separate stacks with a rift in between. The two are among the most visited on Dartmoor and there is concern over the inevitable erosion that all those feet cause tramping up and down from the road.
North-west of Haytor, the ever-popular Hound Tor looms above Greator Rocks. It’s another avenue tor and is also one of the most visited rock stacks in the national park. Another well-known crag is situated just north of Hound Tor. Bowerman’s Nose wins the prize as weirdest of all the tors – it looks for all the world like one of those massive carved heads they have on Easter Island in the Pacific. And another popular spot is Bellever Tor, though this requires a little more in the way of effort to reach. It is the most centrally placed of all the national park’s tors and therefore allows for a 360-degree view of the great bowl that forms its central massif.
One of my favourite tors emerges almost directly west of Bellever, across the lonely wastes of Powder Mills, up on the ridge which begins at historic Crockern Tor and ends high in the north at Higher White Tor. Longaford Tor is a noble mound that is seldom visited by anyone but sheep and ponies, but it deserves mention because it is Dartmoor’s answer to the Great Pyramid.
Then there is little-known Lynch Tor, high above the parish of Peter Tavy. The rocks that crown this hill won’t make it into too many photographic books, but the views west of them will. It provides the Westcountry-lover with one of the very best panoramas of the Devon- Cornwall borderlands.
To the empty north, Steeperton Tor takes a lot of beating. It hangs above the flat and totally unexpected plain of Taw Marsh like something out of a novel by H. Rider Haggard.
Somehow, Steeperton is more Serengeti than south west England. Which reminds me of an African chieftain who visited my family many years ago – we took him to Exmoor and he cried with delight, saying it reminded him of the Serengeti in some ways, but that it was more beautiful. Aren’t we lucky we don’t have to travel all the way from Africa to enjoy our wondrous national parks...
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Stunning locations to enjoy a cuppa
23-08-2009
By Martin Hesp
TO SIT down, relax and take refreshment in a place that is very beautiful indeed – to people in other regions it may sound a tall order, but it is something many thousands of people do each and every day across this scenic peninsula.
Whether it’s morning coffee on some attractive terrace, lunch in a pub garden or a cream tea in a gorgeous old tearoom – dining out in the daylight hours is a favourite leisure occupation with both locals and visitors alike.
And you could argue that there’s one organisation which looks after its countless visitors better than any other when it comes to the concept of taking refreshment in beautiful and interesting places. You could even say it’s one of the cornerstones of what the National Trust does best.
Many of its tearooms and restaurants across the South West have won awards – rightly in my opinion – and the trust even has a strict ethos which says locally sourced food and drink must come first.
The trust message is in line with that of our Think Local campaign, sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Let’s take the newly revamped dining facilities at Castle Drogo, which opened just a month ago, as an example.
A spokesman for the trust said: “Environmentally-friendly methods have been used in the construction of the new building with all the wood used from sustainable sources, rainwater harvested to flush toilets, the new flooring made from recycled glass and all catering equipment and lighting being energy efficient.
“In the cafe food is seasonal and locally sourced where possible – it’s very much a stop-off place to get a meal, breakfast or have a snack in a fantastic location. It also has great outdoor seating – perfect for our recent lovely weather.”
If I had to pick just one English tea garden out of the many hundreds I know, it would have to be the dramatic trust-owned establishment at Watersmeet deep (very deep) in the Exmoor hills.
It has held hundreds of thousands of visitors captive in breath-taken wonder since the trust took over the running of the magnificent gorge.
But the savage beauty of the gorgeous gulch was enchanting folk long before that.
The poets Coleridge and Southey were spellbound by the deep ravines cut by Exmoor’s fast-flowing waters. Robert Southey famously described the “serpentining perpendicularity” of the roads bounding the East Lyn River, and he claimed that nearby Lynmouth – just downstream from Watersmeet – was, “the finest spot I ever saw”. Apart from a place called Cintra, wherever that may be.
But of course, the very savageness of the beauty in such a place is very much a two-edged sword. If you’d been sipping tea anywhere near dreamily beautiful Watersmeet on the night of August 15, 1952, you’d undoubtedly have lost your life.
More than 90 million tons of water cascaded down the steep narrow valleys towards the small harbour village of Lynmouth causing death and devastation every mile of the way. In all, 34 people died that night.
From a purely foodie standpoint I’d probably go to Knightshayes Court, which I wrote about in the WMN last Wednesday. Its magnificent four and half acre walled garden supplies many of the raw ingredients used in the cafe-restaurant kitchen.
The cafe at magnificent Arlington Court also uses produce grown in its walled garden to make jams and chutneys.
“We also have a new tearoom at Boscastle,” the trust spokesman said.
“Not only does it have a fantastic view – but it also uses compostable, recyclable and biodegradable dinner ware (i.e. plates, cutlery, cups) – they serve traditional tearoom fare such as sandwiches and cream teas. Killerton’s restaurant and tearoom uses chutney and cider produced from the apples grown in the traditional orchards.
“At Trelissick there’s a well-loved restaurant tearoom and art gallery – while Lanhydrock goes in for more traditional fayre.
“At Lydford Gorge there are two tearooms – one at both ends of the famous walk. You can visit the Waterfall Tearoom without having to pay to get in or taking up membership – that’s been created as a stop-off point not just for people visiting the trust property but for those who are just passing by.”
I suppose I were to put my feelings about these places in a nutshell it would relate to my own experience when entertaining friends who occasionally visit from the US. They want something typically English – they require good food served in generous quantities – but most of all they want to go home with the kind of memories you could never experience in California.
The answer is simple – I take them to a National Trust property and treat them to tea.
Get high as a kite on nature’s bounty
21-08-2009
IT WAS the news that, deep down, many of us expected. The Met Office’s decision to backpedal over claims of a “barbecue summer” to be replaced by an altogether wetter forecast will have left many people feeling a little shortchanged with their Westcountry summer.
But it needn’t be all doom and gloom in the South West, as visitors to last week’s highly successful Relentless Boardmasters festival in Newquay will testify.
Residents and visitors to the region need only to find their nearest stretch of golden sand and spectacular coastline to truly enjoy themselves – regardless of the weather.
After all, there’s more to Westcountry beaches than sand castles and sun worshipping. And perhaps one of the strangest sights beachgoers can expect to see this year will be the annual Duel on the Beach, at Perranporth, Cornwall.
Truro Fencing Club will host this year’s event, in which 24 teams from across the UK battle each other – and rogue grains of sand whipped up by the sea breeze –to take the title.
The event is now in its ninth year, and catches the eye of visitors and regulars alike.
Organiser Jon Salfield said: “At first, most people are a little puzzled. I think the beach is the last place they expect to see fencing.
“But it is something a bit different, and we have always got a great reaction from the crowd.”
The Duel on the Beach is also thought to have inspired the Las Vegas Duel in the Desert.
Those looking for a traditional day at the beach – with a Westcountry twist – ought to visit the tunnel beach in Ilfracombe, Devon.
The beach gets its name from the tunnels, hand-carved by Welsh miners in the 1820s, which are used to gain access to the sand.
The picturesque location is also an occasional venue for weddings, particularly during the summer season, so visitors are advised to check the beach opening times in advance.
Adrenaline junkies looking for a little thrill-seeking action should check out the range of water sports on offer at many coastal locations across the Westcountry.
Annette Cole, deputy director of South West Tourism, said: “Devon and Cornwall have a host of activities to keep visitors entertained throughout their stay in the region and the beach is a mecca for watersports.
“Visitors can get wet and wild on the beach by going surfing, canoeing, kite boarding or even take a gentle boat trip and enjoy the natural wildlife, so there is a lot on offer.”
Among the ones to look out for is Edge Watersports, in Exmouth, Devon, which claims to “give water sports the Exe factor”.
The Exe estuary and seafront offer some of the best learning conditions in the world, with low-lying sandbanks providing shallow, flat water with plenty of space. This is particularly useful for kite surfing and windsurfing, although there is also plenty of space for power kiting, land boarding and buggying.
As any tourist or resident will testify, a person’s tastebuds appear to be heightened after spending a few hours on a Westcountry beach, regardless of the weather. So it is with great relief that most seafronts are peppered with fast food outlets and bakeries selling varied traditional Westcountry fare.
WMN writer Martin Hesp recently set this newspaper’s readers the task of finding the Westcountry’s best fish and chip shop, with nominations flooding in across the region. Had he asked for nominations for the best pasty – a debate likely to create a fierce Cornwall/ Devon divide – he is likely to have received many commendations for Pasty Underground in Polzeath. The fact that customers frequently queue some way out of the door and on to the beach promenade is perhaps the best indication of its success.
Among the glowing recommendations of local beaches that flood the Internet lies one red herring – a real “must see” beach that is everything but. Tourists, beware the name Porthemmet.
The beach, described on its own dedicated website as “the best beach in Cornwall”, is a fictional location set up to fool unknowing visitors. The clue is, of course, in the name – “emmet” being slang for “foreigner”. The idea is for local people to direct tourists, or emmets, roughly in the direction of this fictional beach, which can be found “north up the A30”.
There are, however, more credible websites offering recommendations for beaches in Cornwall and Devon.
The pages on www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/tourism/beaches contain useful tips on which beaches to visit.
Similarly, libraries, book shops and the Internet are full of dedicated beach and coastal walk tomes that will take visitors off the beaten track, with some spectacular views along the way.
Failing that, tourists ought simply to rely on local knowledge. There can be few people in the Westcountry who will struggle to recommend a particular beach and something unusual to do. When it comes to coastal days out, the South West is spoilt for choice.
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Record numbers expected at trust’s free properties
20-08-2009
ONE OF the Westcountry’s largest landowners is predicting the recession will cause record numbers of people to visit its free-to-enter properties in the coming weeks.
The wild landscapes of the Westcountry will be busier than ever with tourists this summer, according to National Trust executives who have been in the region this week.
The organisation’s head of access and recreation said that belt-tightening caused by the recession would steer unprecedented numbers of people towards countryside properties where access was free.
“The trust is preparing itself for one of busiest summers ever, especially when it comes to our countryside properties,” said Jo Burgon in an exclusive interview with the Western Morning News. “Visitor numbers are expected to peak – and that is going to have a big impact on the local economy in places like Devon and Cornwall, and to some extent on the environment.”
Mr Burgon was at Brean Down on the Somerset coast for a ceremony to launch of a new book that focuses on the trust’s rural property holdings, many of which are located in the South West.
He told the WMN: “In tight times such as these, our countryside properties offer a myriad of hues when it comes to what people can do for free. And we believe our 600,000 acres of beautiful countryside, our 715 miles of coast – which includes a third of the Cornish coast and 80-plus miles in Devon – will see a lot of people in the coming weeks.”
As he gazed across the trust-owned beach at the well-known Somerset headland, he added: “There’s so much to do at a place like Brean Down.
“There are people making sandcastles, people rock-climbing – lots of people walking. Access is free and they have the freedom, within bounds, to do what they like.
“It is how we work with the local community in respect of recognising the economic opportunities and the benefits access to open spaces can bring to local businesses that can be so important in times like these. Obviously, we generate income from things like car park fees, shops and cafes, ice-cream franchises and so on. But, unlike some other organisations, all this money gets poured straight back into the property people are visiting.”
Asked if hard economic times meant people sought out free, but more meaningful ways to spend their leisure time, Mr Burgon said: “These areas of freely accessible countryside are massively important for the soul of the nation. What we want to do is help reconnect people with the countryside – help them discover the freedom of spirit you can enjoy in the landscape.
“We get 100 million visits to our properties a year. Places like Brean Down can act like a green lung. This is about people finding their own space – doing their own thing. Today we saw a group having a picnic on Brean Down – it’s about the simple pleasures of life.”
Andy Medland, the trust’s general manager in Somerset, said his staff were prepared for an increase in visitor numbers, though he admitted some local residents avoided popular places like Brean in high summer.
“Around 100,000 people walk on this headland each year, but local walkers tend to stay away during the next six weeks. Another negative side is the impact large numbers can have on a place like this which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. You can get erosion of footpaths. These places never rest.
“But places like Brean Down are resilient. You wouldn't think it had that number of walkers every year.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Trying to perfect stand up paddle surfing
18-08-2009
By Eleanor McGillie
WHEN you have a fear of water, yet are willing to try your hand at anything, all you need is an excellent instructor, the right kit and a shot of adrenalin.
That was my scenario when I hit Harlyn Bay in Cornwall to join Chris Rea at the Harlyn Surf School for a three hour lesson in stand-up paddle surfing, otherwise known as SUP.
The sport, which originated in Hawaii, has now hit the Westcountry in style, with teams of fully qualified instructors eager to introduce you to the latest craze.
SUP is one of the fastest growing sports to hit the UK. It’s healthy, invigorating and promotes calmness, balance, strength and fitness.
Extreme surfing heroes, such as Laird Hamilton, have been doing it for years, but in true pro style, they make it look so easy.
Paddle boards are long, wide and super-stable which allows you to propel yourself forward using a long bladed paddle. For someone like me, it was daunting with my fear of water, so successfully getting out through 4.5ft swell and strong winds, gave me the drive to succeed.
What is fabulous about this sport is that you do not have to have experience and it’s actually easier than normal surfing in spite of having to control a paddle as well. You are guaranteed to be standing up on your first lesson.
SUP is a non-impact sport that will positively affect you mentally, physically and emotionally. What was so satisfying was being able to stay out of the way of surfers scrambling to catch waves.
Instead, you peacefully hang out the back with your gang and paddle to your heart’s content – or if you fancy your chances, you can paddle into the swell and really get your adrenalin rushing.
I was anxious taking part but I was extremely happy to be there, to be taught by Chris and accomplish the goal which I had set out to do. SUP confirmed for me that we could all do much more in life than we think, no matter who you are and what you do.
SUP is a sport for all the family, for all ages and is great fun. It caters for all abilities – you can choose to take a gentle introductory lesson or, for those who have mastered the basics and want a more arduous workout, you can enrol on one of the coastal/estuary tours.
Once the basics have been mastered SUP provides a perfect opportunity to explore any stretch of water whether coastal or inland and it also provides a stepping stone for those who wish to progress to riding waves on their SUP board.
Chris said: “We are really excited to be one of the first companies in the UK to launch Stand Up Paddleboarding lessons. SUP is an awesome hybrid of canoeing and surfing and is low impact and attainable for everyone.
“We have the perfect location at Harlyn Bay near Padstow one of the safest beaches on the Cornish coast, and we have a great team of instructors. We also offer lessons in the stunning Camel Estuary in Padstow.
“Paddleboarding is a sport that is quick to master on flat water and you are guaranteed to be standing by the end of your first lesson.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Holiday local: Go Camping!
21-06-2009
By Petra Mann
FOR years camping was associated with leaking tents, muddy fields and poor facilities.
But thanks to a revolution in camping equipment, a holiday under canvas is now considered to be the height of environmental chic.
While reducing environmentally costly air miles, camping is also helping cash-strapped families in need of a well-earned break to beat the credit crunch.
Naturally, the Westcountry has always been a favourite with campers from up and down the country.
People working in the local camping industry say sales are going from strength to strength as more people take advantage of the new equipment and the comfort it brings.
James Kerr, from Penrose Outdoors in Truro, said: “For the family market all the new equipment has made camping a lot more fun and a lot easier.
“The tents are a lot better and they go up a lot faster – the poles just click into place so it’s a lot less hassle when you arrive.”
Tents are also now designed in a more family-friendly way with little ‘sleep- pods’ for young children and games built into the tent.
And while sleeping in the open air has its own benefits, now campers can be assured of a more comfortable night’s rest thanks to technological innovations.
Mr Kerr said: “There are double beds that can pump themselves up.
“You just blow into them once or twice and they suck the air up – they’re pretty comfortable and you get a good night’s sleep.”
Mr Kerr said all of the new equipment has made camping more accessible and a busy summer ahead is forecast.
He said: “With the credit crunch I think more people are looking at camping and staying in the UK so we’re expecting to see a further increase in people coming into the South West.”
For years farmers have been opening up their fields to hoards of happy holiday makers as a second income.
One of them is Philip Shepherd, who runs the Alston campsite in a magnificent secluded valley adjoining the Salcombe estuary, South Devon.
He said: “We’re a working family farm as well as a 12 acre campsite.
“We’re among some of Devon’s most beautiful countryside which is bursting with lots of different types of birds and wildlife.
“The site is well sheltered and protected by bordering woodland and hedges. That’s what a lot of our customers come for.
“It’s a question of enjoying the peace and quiet in a lovely setting – and it’s cheap too. With this recession I think more people will be having a go at camping.”
Croft Farm Holiday Park at Luxulyan, between Bodmin and St Austell, is noted for its green credentials. For 10 years in a row the site has won Gold Conservation Awards.
Located half a mile from the Eden Project the campsite works hard to conserve water and electricity while safeguarding the environment.
Jan Howe, who has been site manager for the past two-and-a-half years, believes it is the simple fun and freedom of camping that appeals to many.
She said: “We’ve got 10-and-a-half acres and half of that is woodland.
“People who go camping are not looking for glitz, glamour and noise.
“Camping suits those who are after a more traditional holiday and don’t want to spend hours at an airport.
“They want it simple – they want to be able to stroll around, relax and have time to think – it’s a quiet type of fun.
“You don’t really get that in hotels where there is always something going on.”
The Western Morning News Think Local campaign is sponsored by
independent financial adviser Worldwide Financial Planning.
Think Local when booking holidays
19-06-2009
WESTCOUNTRY residents are being urged to consider beating the credit crunch by taking a holiday on their own doorstep and sampling some of South East Cornwall’s hidden delights.
The area’s charms have been highlighted in a new free map guide packed with attractions, beaches and activities that provide the perfect day out. Jill Rowell, tourism officer for VisitCornwall, said it was a beautiful part of the world.
“The South East Cornwall Holiday Map and Beach Guide isn’t just for visitors to Cornwall,” she said. “It’s also a fantastic way for local people to explore places closer to home.”
The guide lists 37 different things to enjoy, including steam trains, wildlife sanctuaries, stately homes and outdoor pursuits such as golf, fishing and riding.
Anyone looking for something a little different can try a 1930s-themed museum dedicated to the treasures of ancient Egypt, visit an underground lake or take a trip through time with the Saltash Heritage Trail.
Jan Sroczynski, of South East Cornwall Tourism Association, said there was a rich variety on offer.
“South East Cornwall offers a splendid variety of landscapes, from the sheltered wooded valleys of the Tamar and Lynher rivers to coastal cliffs overlooking sand and shingle beaches and the rugged panorama of Bodmin Moor.
“The map guide is an excellent starting point for local people who want to discover places they may not have visited before.”
The guide also caters for children with entries on adventure parks, exotic animals, a secret garden and a donkey park.
Retail therapy isn’t missed out, with information on farm shops and orchards for the best in local produce or browsing for clothes and Cornish gifts.
Brian Shears, of Best of Bodmin Moor, said with more people holidaying at home this year, it was a great opportunity to explore some of the fantastic places on our own doorsteps. “Best of all, many are open all year round, so you can continue to enjoy them long after the summer holidays,” he said.
Marilyn Prosser, from the Tamar Valley Tourism Association, added her voice to the campaign.
“South East Cornwall has a wealth of things to see and do in this beautiful corner of the county that makes it well worth a visit,” she said.
“The map will guide visitors to sample the abundance of activities and attractions in an area rich in heritage and remarkable scenery.”
The South East Cornwall Holiday Map and Beach Guide is available free in tourist information centres, attractions and accommodation providers.