We all know that June is when the weather starts to warm up and we hope for very hot and sunny days, but this year the real flame starts at Lands End on 19th May. The torch will be making its way though Cornwall, passing many of the old and new iconic symbols of the county. Once it has arrived at RNAS Culdrose from Athens it will then be flown by helicopter to Lands Beginning. What an absolutely historic time to visit this beautiful area.
At Marsdens we are celebrating the torch twice over, as it will actually pass through the centre of Braunton on 21st May. You can be sure that everyone in the office will be waving and cheering along with the rest of the town.
So why not join us for some of this most incredible time? With a whole range of beautiful, unique Cornish Cottages and Devon Cottages to choose from you could be part of modern day history too.
There is a popular saying in my home county that if May comes in like a Lion she will go out like a Lamb. We certainly had some roaring weather here in the South West on the 1st May, but temperatures soared again soon after. My hope is that we will now have some kinder weather and that May will truly end with a happier disposition.
Meanwhile if you would like to see some actual Lions or Lambs, then both can easily be viewed in Cornwall. Newquay Zoo is a real family friendly visitor attraction and you are able to get up close to a wonderful array of species from across the planet, including the African Lion. Currently any drive around the county will provide scenic vistas and pastoral delights, with Lambs gambolling in any number of pastures.
To help in your consideration of somewhere to stay, Moonstones is ideally placed for a fabulous beach based family holiday, which can include visits to nearby Newquay and spectacular scenery on the doorstep.
Our other Cornish self-catering cottages are well placed throughout the county, for you to enjoy all that Cornwall has to offer for a great break or holiday. Meanwhile if you are already on holiday and near to Truro, come along and say hello, at the Lemon Quay Street Fair in Truro on Friday and Saturday, I’d love to meet you.
Come along to Truro Piazza on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th May, to sample some genuine Cornish hospitality and wares. Deborah Martyn Events are once again hosting their brilliant Arts and Crafts Market and filling Lemon Quay with a huge marquee, full of great local suppliers and crafts. Do come up to visit me on the Marsdens Cottage Holidays stand and take part in our “Guess the Cornish Attraction” quiz. You might just be the lucky one and win our lovely Cornish Goodies hamper. I will be quite happy to talk holidays, holiday home ownership, holiday trends, good places to visit as well as where to stay, what to see and great places to eat and drink.
If you are looking to visit Cornwall, during our May events, let me suggest Pennti, a lovingly built, quirky little cottage only five miles from Truro City Centre. A little further afield, near to Newquay, are the gorgeous Colan Barton self-catering Cornish cottages. The swimming pool there is lovely and warm, so you could splash about merrily after a successful shopping trip in Town.
If all this talk of local farmers produce, craft markets and visiting us, has whetted your appetite for some Cornish holiday time, then we have a number of great cottages to choose from, there’s sure to be one to suit your family, so get looking and booking!
If you are thinking of visiting the South West or Cornwall, at all this year, then seriously consider staying during May. Not only does the countryside in general just burst into life, with the most amazing array of natural beautiful wild flowers, but there are also events galore celebrating the end of winter. Some of these local events are now nationally known and recognised, including the most famous on the 1st May, Padstow “Obby Oss” Day and on the 8th May, Helston Flora Dance. This year between the 5th and 20th May you could also take in St Agnes Bolster Festival, the Newquay Surf Championship, St Ives May Day and the Daphne Du Maurier Festival. With such a variety on offer, every member of the family will find an interest catered for. This year specifically, May is especially historic and very exciting, as the Olympic Torch begins its UK journey from Lands End, on 19th May. A brief note on each of these events can be found on the Visit Cornwall web site.
Of course Marsdens Cornish Cottage Holidays are well placed to offer you charming, quality, Visit England rated accommodation, close to these iconic events. In considering a stay near to Padstow, Trevalley House, Wheatley Barn and Bedford Cottage are ideally located. If you wish to be close to Newquay for its local events and those down to St Ives then look at the Colan Barton cottages, for a group up to 19, or individual smaller parties. Of course all of our cottages are superbly placed to enable a stay in Cornwall, to observe the Olympic Torch progression.
Growing up in the countryside means I have abiding memories of that great local institution and eagerly anticipated event – the County Show. Great fun was had by all, whether it was watching the gymkhana, with the cutest butter bean shaped Thelwell style ponies. Westmorland wrestling, as it was then called, was a unique sight, where grown men in white long – johns and highly embroidered velvet shorts on top, struggled to overturn each other and be crowned the champ. Or my personal favourite the produce tents, where children used upside down biscuit tin lids to create a miniature garden, complete with ponds, plants and farm animal models. Delightful.
So of course a major date in our calendar is the Royal Corwall Show from June 7th to 9th, and I am very pleased to say that a number of us from Marsdens will be happily stationed on Stand 374 in area C1. Do come along and meet the team, we’ll be more than happy to help with any holiday cottage or home-owner query. Ideally, combine your visit to the show with a stay in one of our beautiful Cornish Cottages. If you really want to experience a country holiday with the added benefits of an indoor swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi then look at Wheatley Barn and Bedford Cottage. Only six miles from the stunning coastline at Crackington Haven and on the owners working dairy farm, you are sure to have a proper Cornish holiday.
I’m not sure how you go about choosing your well deserved short break, or holiday, but I usually try and see what else is available locally, near a cottage I may be interested in. Somehow day-dreaming or thinking about what we might do, or where we might go, helps bring the not yet event, into the now, and extends the whole holiday pleasure. These days of course even a last minute short break can be just as informed, as accessing information by smart phone, lap top or tablet, can easily be managed en-route. Because Marsdens are committed to helping you gain the best from your rest time, we are constantly adding suggestions to consider visiting in our areas, to our Cottage Locations information pages. These are usually main attractions or highly recommended pubs, eateries, or activities to enjoy. By using this service you can easily note a few ideas and you may even get to do them. We all know that a great time was had when we didn’t get round to doing everything on the list.
Just to help even further why not consider viewing our Cornish Cottages and our North Devon Cottages. With new cottages being added weekly, we’re sure you will be spolit for choice and have some happy hours day-dreaming too.
Well today is the first of April – and after a week of absolutely glorious weather here in North Devon I’ve woken to an amazing sight. There is a blanket of thick snow across the countryside and I may be mistaken but it looks like 6 foot drifts. Next door has already built a terrific snowman – with a surfboard – and I’m off in a minute to try and get to the village shop to get some emergency bread, potatoes and cous cous. In the mean-time, if I were you I’d hunker down, get on a nice DVD and enjoy not going anywhere for a while. Have a nice day!
The weather in the South West this week continues to be glorious and with temperatures reaching 21 C, it’s felt positively Mediterranean. To accompany the wonderful weather we have three new beautiful Cornish cottages to consider, for your all important self-catering holiday break to the Sun and the Surf. The Glebe Barn is a contemporary conversion of a 400 year old farm building, set in the rural idyll of Colan, but only six miles from the surf at Porth and Newquay. A little further afield and in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the stunning Lizard peninsula, is Miranda Cottage. Luxury is at the heart of Miranda and with no expense spared, its a gorgeous home to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding countryside, or fantastic beaches at Kynance Cove. As yet another alternative, Pennti, offers a completely rural option set in the heart of Cornwall but only five miles from the bustling City of Truro. Visit art galleries, unique shops and creative restaurants to your hearts content, then immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of this unique barn conversion and see how much of the wildlife you can name.
With a whole range of events, farmers markets with Cornish produce, beautiful beaches, art and history to explore, you can be assured the whole family will enjoy coming to stay and play.
March so far, here in the South West, has been lovely, with warm and sunny days and longer evenings to enjoy. Now is the time that we all start to look forward, plan outings and events, to help us take full advantage of the growing days. In April, nature burts into life and surely there’s nothing to compete with a fantastic Cornish hedgerow strewn with bluebells, pink campion, cow parsley, stitchwort, sorrel, buttercup and hawthorn. Its simply breath-taking.
If you enjoy walking in stunning rural or coastal scenery then why not consider Boscastle Walking Week. This may be just the event you need to enjoy the great outdoors or even begin to dream about writing your own novel or poetry, just like Thomas Hardy, whose stay here provoked some stunning verse. Close by Tintagel, also features as number 1 in the South West Coast Paths circular walks for families. Choosing to holiday in a charming Cornish coastal cottage, such as Trevalley , will allow easy access to both these villages, and even better has a special offer for the walking week.
If all this inspires you to dust off the walking boots, grab a map and start to plan, we will look forward to seeing you soon!
Yup its official – Woolacombe is one of the top 5 beach destinations in the UK! Our golden coastline has been rated third in the TripAdvisor Travellors’ Choice Beach Destinations awards. This magical town has moved up from seventh place last year and is now above other hotspots including St Ives and Weymouth.
Well we’ve all always known that it was special but now it appears the world realises it too. You can’t beat that wonderful beach, the gorgeous sea, the friendly village – and some of the best holiday accommodation in the country. Come on – come back to Wooley and we can celebrate together!
