National Fish and Chip Day

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Friday June 2nd saw National Fish and Chip Day – as if we needed an excuse!! It is estimated that 333.6m portions of fish and chips are consumed in the UK each year, and we know that now guests holiday is complete without trying their own portion! We have some excellent establishments locally offering the best (and freshest) fish and chips caught on Britains seafood coast.

Here are our top recommendations!

  1. Britannia at the Beach, Beesands.  http://www.britanniaatthebeach.co.uk/This little seafood cafe (know by many locally as “the shack”) is meters away from the beach in one of Devons traditional fishing villages. Local fishermen provide the fish- much of which is caught in the bay outside. They cook delicious fish and chips to take away (sit on the beach or the picnic tables outside) but also have inside seating and an extensive menu showcasing the best of the local fish and shellfish.
  2. The Cricket Inn, Beesands http://www.thecricketinn.com/ is well known for its seafood, and the freshest fish, lobster and hand dived Scallops are caught straight from the Bay in front of the inn by the village fishermen. Eat inside or head outside to sit in the sunshine by the beach with views over towards the lighthouse.
  3.  The Start Bay Inn, http://www.startbayinn.co.uk/Torcross dates back to the 14th century when it was known as The Fisherman’s Arms and was used by the local fishermen who worked their fishing boats from the village beach infront of the pub. The Start Bay Inn is popular with locals and visitors alike, offering a huge selection of fish and shellfish (again much of which is caught directly in front of the pub). They have a sit down restaurant as well as offering take away.
  4. Rockfish Dartmouth. http://www.therockfish.co.uk/restaurants/dartmouth/Head over to Dartmouth to Rockfish, owned by Chef Mitch Tonks. They source much of their fish from the fish market at Brixham, where buyers from all over the world are eac day looking to secure some of the catch. They have a great restaurant which is amazingly child friendly (each child gets a goody bag of activities) and also have a popular takeaway, sit on the benches along the harbour and watch the boats come in.

The Tale of the Whale

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February 23rd may have brought Storm Doris to the UK, however in South Devon we were blessed with a sunny day (although windy) that brought an unusual visitor to our coastline.

By midday there were reports that a whale had been spotted off the shore of Slapton Sands (a 10 minute drive from Beeson Farm). It was initially thought to be a Minke, but has since been confirmed by Brixham Seawatch as a Humpback- a rare sighting for the South Coast of Devon which initially lead to concerns that it may be in trouble since it should be much further North out in the Atlantic.

In the early morning sun on the 24th Feb we spotted the whale at Slapton Sands, where it was close enough into the shore to see it spouting water and breaching the waves. The children were beyond excited as they watched with their classmates before school in the morning and again in the twilight as the lighthouse beamed across the bay. Once again we marvelled at how blessed they are to grow up in natures playground where they have the chance to run free on the beach where they have previously spotted seals, dolphins and porpoises.

Over two weeks later the whale is swimming strongly up and down the coastline and appears to be feeding on the glut of sprats, accompanied by porpoises, seals and gannets.  Quite the wildlife show every day!  The British Divers Marine Life Rescue have stated that it is healthy and is feeding in the shallow waters on shoaling fish. They also state that “in recent years there has been an increase in sightings around the UK.  Most of these have been in Scotland where they would be expected, but humpbacks have also been recently spotted off the coasts of Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Yorkshire, Northumberland and the North West.  This may be due to a good supply of prey, but also may indicate a recovery of the population since the whaling moratorium in the 1980s, with animals returning to feeding haunts of old”.

The whole local community are enjoying the spectacle of this living nature documentary! The memory of the day the whale came will stay with our awestruck children for the rest of their lives, reminding us all to love and protect our beautiful coast and marine environment.

Humpback whales range in length from 12 metres to 16 metres and weigh about 36,000 kg. Sadly, there are very few Humpback Whales left, with scientists estimating that there can’t be more than 15,000 of them in the world.

Photo credit to our friends at Forest and Beach http://www.forestandbeach.co.uk/– an outdoor education centre and forest school provider in our village of Beeson.

The Lost Village of Hallsands

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A century ago one of our local fishing villages was struck by disaster. South Hallsands was one of several small communities dotted along the coast that relied on the sea for its living and supported 128 inhabitants, 39 houses and a pub.

In the 1890s it was decided to expand the Naval dockyard at Devonport,  Plymouth for which sand and gravel was needed.  Dredging of the shingle bank began offshore from Hallsands in 1897 and soon up to 1,600 tons of shingle was being removed each day. Much to the alarm of the villagers the level of the beach at Hallsands began to drop. In the storms of the 1900s some of the sea wall protecting the village washed away, causing villagers to petition their member of parliament and complaining about the damage to their properties. In 1902 the dredging licence was revoked and the beach level recovered somewhat.

On the fateful night of January 27th 1917 a combination of strong easterly gales and an exceptionally high tide ripped through the village. Seawater swirled through the houses, enveloping the village and wreaking a trail of devastation. By midnight four houses had gone. hallsands2The inhabitants gathered the few belongings they could and assembled on the cliff tops above to watch the horror unfold. By the end of the night only one house was left standing. Miraculously no-one lost their lives.

The villagers fought for compensation for years and many resettled in North Hallsands and Beesands.

Today, there is a viewing platform at Hallsands where visitors can learn the history of the village and look out over the ruins.

To commemorate the centenary of the disaster the occupants of the remaining house (used as private holiday home) allowed guests to come in to the old village (at their own risk!). It was a suitably atmospheric day- thehallsands3 sky was grey and the wind bitingly cold. It was fascinating to step back in time and to visit the old village, to pay respects to those who had their hallsands4livelihoods taken from them and to consider the impact mans actions can have on the natural environment.

You can listen to the dramatisation of the catastrophe on radio BBC 4 extra here http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0076cd9

Young readers may enjoy “Wings to fly” by Patrick Cooper, a touching story about the night of the storm.

 

 

A romantic retreat for Valentines Day

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We love Devon and with Valentines Day approaching we thought we’d share our top romantic ideas with you!
1. Beach strolls
There are plenty of beaches, sheltered coves or romantic clifftop walks to choose from. Walk along the sandy shore of Bigbury on Sea and head over to Burgh Island at low tide. Follow the coast path from Mill Bay to Gara Rock, where you can settle down in the relaxed ambience of Gara Rock, kick back and enjoy a drink or bite to eat while soaking up the panoramic views across the sea. Try a bit of beachcombing at Lannacombe (great for sea glass) or Blackpool Sandsspring-2009-290
2. Natural Beauty
South Devon is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Get out and explore the coast, Dartmoor, strolls along the Dart or the River Avon
3. Time to Feast
There is so much choice when it comes to dining out in South Devon. Book a table at Wild Artichokes in Kingsbridge where chef Jane Baxter and her team will cook up a generous feast of flavours and dishes for you (please note this is served at sharing tables with fellow diners). We would also recommend The Beachhouse at South Milton, The Laughing Monk in Strete, The Milbrook Inn at South Pool, Rockfish in Dartmouth or The Cricket Inn at Beesands.
4. Take the train
Step back in time and hop on the steam railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. The seven mile route runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart to the historic town of Totnes.
5. Visit Greenway House
Take the little ferry from Dittisham or travel up the river from Dartmouth to Greenway House, home of author Agatha Christie. A fascinating family home with extensive woodland walks in the grounds and along the river.
6. Explore the towns
Wander around the towns of Salcombe or Dartmouth. Both have a mix of unique shops, boutiques and cafes, and offer lovely views across the water. Head to Kingsbridge to explore the mix of antique and shops selling quirky vintage bits and bobs.
7. Sunset at Start Point
We cant think of anywhere more romantic to watch the sunset go down than over Start Point lighthouse as it beams out over Start Bay. (photo below courtesy of Timmy Vowles Photography http://www.timmyvowles.com/)

start-point-at-night

The Trap House and Linhay at Beeson Farm both have log burners for you to snuggle up in front of. The Linhay also has a four poster bed and whirlpool bath.
Check out our special offers or get in touch- we would love to welcome you to Beeson Farm.

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Family fun in the winter

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Thinking of booking a holiday but worried what to do if the weather isnt too good? Dont fear, South Devon has plenty to offer the whole family off season!

One of our favourite adventures is to Woodlands Family Theme Park,http://www.woodlandspark.com/ near Dartmouth. A short drive slidealong the beautiful coast road, Woodlands boasts one of the UKs largest indoor play areas and has enough variety to entertain all ages for a whole day. The are big family rides, an awesome indoor play centre (with slides, ball pools, mazes, climbing nets, rides and adventure play).

 Outside you will find a zoo-farm housing everything from Meerkats to cuddly rabbits, snakes to shire horses.

Kingsbridge and Dartmouth both have indoor swimming pools and cinmeerkatsemas and the towns offer everything from toy shops to art galleries, soft play to boutique and antique shopping.

The National Marine Aquarium at Plymouthhttp://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ is just under an hour away and is the UKs biggest aquarium. Our children were equally as enthralled by the seahorses and lobsters as they were by the huge sharks!jellyfish

The Art Cafe in Kingsbridge http://theartcafekingsbridge.co.uk/ is always a popular choice for pottery painting- the perfect souvenir of your stay in South Devon!

artcafeIn your cottage you will find a comprehensive guide of whats on offer locally, as well as a selection of books, dvds and toys should you wish to stay in and relax! We even provide childrens wellies should you wish to get out and do some exploring along the beach – winter is the perfect time for beachcombing, you never know what treasure you might find!

So, book a stay this Winter- we would love to share all this and more with you!

Start Point Lighthouse

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One of our favourite family walks is down to Start Point lighthouse, on the most southerly headland in the country. The promontory has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), recognising the national importance of its geology, lichens, invertebrates, rare flowering plants, breeding birds (including the rate Cirl Bunting)  and an intertidal area of major biological importance (including some rare species of seaweed).img_3754

Park at the car park (charges apply in the summer months) and follow the path along the contours of the hillside, presenting sweeping views over Start Bay on one side (from the lost village at South Hallsands, to Beesands, Torcross, Slapton and beyond to Dartmouth) and the shelter of jagged ridge of prominent rocks on the other.

The Skerries (a rocky reef) extend 6.5kms off Start Point. At low water the bank is only just over 2m below the surface, the Skerries are well known as a good fishing spot but equally as a hazard to shipping. The coastline from Start Point to Dartmouth is strewn with shipwrecks of all shapes and sizes. One significant wreck nearimg_3766 Start Point found by a group of local divers contained a hoard of tin ingots and beautiful gold bracelets and shed new light on historians understanding of the trade links of civilisations during the Bronze Age. The hoard can be seen in the British Museum in London.

Following countless shipping disasters and heavy loss of life, the lighthouse was built to alert ships to the danger of Start Point and its surrounding rocks, most especially Black Rock and flashed its warning light for the first time in 1836.

The lighthouse is open to the public in the school holidays and on weekends (tickets for a family of 5 are £12- cash only!), you can check the details here http://www.startpointdevon.co.uk/open-dates.htm  Tours run on the hour and take approximately 45 minutes.

The story of the lighthouse unfolds as you ascend from the bottom to the lantern room at the top, accompanied by an incredibly knowledgeable guide. Our children were particularly fascinated by the stories of the families of lighthouse keepers who lived in the lighthouse until it was automated in 1993. Visitors can climb right to the top, under the light, from which the views are breathtaking. img_3767

We would recommend extending your walk and returning to the car park by way of visiting Mattiscombe beach (one of our absolute favourites), and from where you may spot dolphins, porposies and grey seals.

Why was the sand wet? Because the Seaweed!

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My children are always wandering off into rockpools in search of marine life. Many of our local beaches have excellent rockpools including Lannacombe, Bantham, Bigbury and Hope Cove.

Crabs, limpets, anenomes, shrimps, blenny and occasionally a starfish can all be found lurking in the shallow waters.

You can find a useful guide to what you might find rockpooling at Hope Cove here

http://www.hopecove.com/out-and-about/animals/rock-pooling

and a guide on How to Rockpool here

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/rockpooling-guide-for-familieshermit crab

Today at Hallsands the children found the remains of a Hermit Crab hiding inside a shell.
Hermit crabs live inside the empty shells of snail-like animals, particularly whelks and periwinkles. They live on sandy and rocky shores, where they scavenge on plant and animal remains. They have hard pincers, but a soft body which is hidden inside the shell.

Seaweed is often overlooked as the children slip and slide their way over the rocks in search of more dazzling finds. However, my children enjoyed throwing seaweed at each other using the long strands to restyle their hair!

Seaweeds are at the base of the marine food chain  Many animals rely on seaweeds for food and shelter. Changing sea conditions, climate change and the arrival of invasive species may be having an impact on the ecology of UK seaweeds and many other marine organisms.

Today we found lots of wobbly edged Sugar Kelp sugar kelp, sea lettuce and thong weed- all of which are edible if it takes your fancy- Take a look at this recipe if you are! http://cornishseaweed.co.uk/cook-with-sea-spaghetti/

seaweed spaghettiFor an in depth guide to seaweeds and to take part in the Natural History Museum Big Seaweed Survey download this link

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/take-part/Citizenscience/seaweed-survey/big-seaweed-search-guide.pdf

 

The children then helpfully reminded me of the old joke “Why is the sand wet? Because the Seaweed”!

Greenway House

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On a sunny July day, just before the schools had broken up for the summer we took a trip back in time to the 1950s. I have always wanted to visit Agatha Christies holiday home in Devon- Greenway House, now faithfully cared for  by the National Trust.

Agatha Christie called Greenway “the loveliest place in the world” and with the sun shining and the river glinting it certainly lived up to its reputation. Greenway is wonderfully located on a secluded hill overlooking the River Dart. There are acre after acre of grounds, filled with meandering walks, hidden follies and vantage points from which to take in the amazing scenery.

It is possible to drive (be aware you need to go online to prebook your parking space) but far better is to plan your trip and arrive in style it her by steam train  or passenger ferry from Dittisham or Dartmouth.

We opted for the ferry- approx a 40 min drive along the coastal path and devon lanes to Dittisham, a pretty little meandering village (with a nice pub overlooking the river!) At the Ferry Inn give the bell on the wall a good gong and the ferry man will come over and collect you.greenwayferry

The pace of life slows as soon as you set foot on the passenger ferry and wander up the hill to the house.2 Although you asked not to touch items you can take photographs and I was even offered the chance to play her beloved piano! A pianist was playing jazz in the living room which filled the house with music – all to the endearing effect that the family had just stepped out into the gardens. Almost every room contains charmingly cluttered collections of china, boxes and archaeological treasures. Visitors are welcome to sit on one of the sofas and leaf through scrapbooks containing photos and quotations from Christies life. My favourite was The Library which contains a fascinating collection of books by Christie as well as other detective and local history books.greeqwaychristiebooks

Although Agatha Christie wrote most of her books at her main home in Wallingford, she based Dead Man’s Folly at Greenway. The scene of the crime, the boat house, is about a 15 minute walk through the winding woods from the main house.  Sit on the small jetty or upstairs by the fireplace where you can watch the sail boats, small ferries and gig rowers on the river dart.greenwayriverdaryt

The grounds of Greenway offer spectacular view of the River Dart, make sure to explore the tennis courts (you can even play a game!), walled gardens, follies and ornamental ponds.

We recommend at least 3 hours to get the most out of your visit.

The property is open to the public throughout the year. For more information on Greenway and the National Trust, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway/.

 

 

 

Breakfast with a view

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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day “breakfast like a king…” or so they say, so we set off this morning to one of South Devons finest (and most southerly) breakfast spots!

Cafe ODE at Gara Rock is approximately a 15 minute drive from Beeson Farm and the perfect place to start a day out in South Devon. Perched on the cliffs between Prawle Point and Mill Bay (nr Salcombe) it offers sweeping views across the cliffs, over the beaches and out into the Atlantic
Leave your walking boots by the door and grab a table by the panoramic window or out on the terrace.13726812_1081037985288929_9217730649127301485_n
The relaxed atmosphere (think background jazz music, open kitchen and friendly staff) sets the mood for a chilled out Devon day. Offering locally and regionally sourced produce they serve “family friendly food which doesnt cost the Earth”- their sustainable credentials even extend to food being served in a cardboard box and with biodegradable cutlery- all part of the experience!13692716_1081037938622267_2744910428018228224_n (1)
We opted for the porridge and breakfast baps, which were both delicious and very filling. Perfect for filling up before a day walking the South West Coastpath which runs outside (though I have to say we werent that virtuous!) or heading down the cliffs for a day on the sandy beach.
They have a great selection of books and colouring pens for children and well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Booking is advisable in peak season. We would also recommend Cafe Ode as a lunch or dinner venue! Summer opening times are 9:15am-8pm

http://www.gararock.com/cafe-ode-gara-rock