Holiday Cottages Devon Blog

Top Places to Visit in South Devon in 2009

2009-02-12T11:23:00.002Z

An all year round destination, the South Hams, the southernmost tip of South Devon, offers a different holiday experience depending on the time of year you choose. Busier with families during school holidays, those looking for ‘away-from-it-all’ breaks often find the Spring or Autumn the ideal time to visit, whilst re-charging the batteries with a Winter short break is becoming increasingly popular.

Whatever time you choose, there is always plenty happening –if you want it to! The local Tourist Information Centres can provide the latest events information (see our ‘Planning your Stay 2009’ guide for their contact details). An unspoilt, largely rural area, the South Hams offers many places to escape from the pressures of a busy, modern life; from hidden coves, miles of coastal paths and wildlife havens, to expanses of river and sea, perfect for those seeking the quieter pursuits of painting, angling, walking and bird watching.

With a holiday being one of the most anticipated events of the year, planning ahead and pre-booking activities, popular restaurants and special trips can avoid disappointment and help to make your time in the South Hams even more special.

Pre-book a food or wine delivery service ready for your arrival

With fantastic locally produced and sourced food including fish, seafood, meat, wine and cheeses, several excellent farm shops and regular Farmers Markets, wonderful home delivery companies offer everything from organic vegetable and meat boxes, wine, lobster and even a range of ready to serve meals created by celebrity chef Lesley Waters. Self-catering suddenly becomes a far more attractive option!

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.riverford.co.uk –organic vegetable, fruit and meat boxes, eggs and milk

www.thegreentable.co.uk –Celebrity chef food direct to your holiday home.

www.red-white.co.uk – delivering champagne, wines & beers to your holiday home

Book ahead at popular restaurants to avoid disappointment

From beach dining to popular restaurants with wonderful views and stylish dining rooms for lazy lunches……..book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.oystershackbigbury.co.uk – fresh local seafood in fantastic locations in Bigbury and Salcombe

www.riverford.co.uk – organic farm restaurant serving seasonal produce in imaginative dishes

www.lovingthebeach.co.uk –award-winning beach cafẻs at Blackpool Sands, Bigbury and East Portlemouth serving organic local produce

Combine delicious local food with a wonderful day out –a taste of Devon at its finest

With all this, plus clotted cream teas, locally made ice-cream, Devon fudge and much more, you won’t go home hungry from South Devon

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.thepicnicboat.co.uk –the perfect English river picnic on the picturesque River Dart

www.sdcf.co.uk – South Devon Chilli Farm -100 varieties to view, award-winning produce

www.Sharpham.com –vineyard and winery in stunning location above the River Dart

www.riverford.co.uk – Farm walks, cookery demos and theme days

Fun on the Water

Renowned as a sailing and boating destination, boats of all descriptions are available for hire in Salcombe. Boat trips, including fishing trips and a very informative ride on the ex-RNLI lifeboat are also available whilst surfing is popular with locals and visitors alike.

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.Whitestrandboathire.co.uk – passionate about boating in the Salcombe Estuary

www.discoverysurf.com –South Devon surf lessons for all ages and levels

www.salcombepowerboats.co.uk – a specialist RYA Powerboat Training Centre offering taster sessions, RIB rides and courses.

Out and About in the South Hams

With breathtaking scenery and picturesque villages, once visited you may not wish to leave!

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.premier-privatehire.co.uk -Discover Devon in style; Wine tasting & vineyards, South Devon Food Safaris; The Agatha Christie Trail

www.explosures.co.uk –why not record your stay in the beautiful South Hams with a professionally taken photograph on the beach or water

Beautiful Beaches

Discover hidden unspoilt sandy coves for sandcastles and swimming, miles of stunning paths for walking, several dog-friendly beaches for wonderful ‘walkies’, fabulous beaches for family beach days and waves for surfing and body boarding –something for everyone to enjoy whatever the season.

Contact the following (quoting Coast & Country Cottages)

www.venuscompany.co.uk – for a guide to the area’s beaches

Coast & Country Cottages –over 400 holiday properties exclusively in the South Hams, the southernmost tip of South Devon. Short Breaks. Special Offers. Baby Friendly Holidays. Dog Friendly Holidays.

Our locally based team really know the area and our properties so can help you select the location and accommodation to suit your holiday requirements.

Call now on 01548 843773 to request a copy of our FREE brochure including a free ‘Planning Your Stay’ packed with ideas and suggestions to help you make the most of your stay in this beautiful area.

Or visit Coast and Country Cottages to check availability and book your Devon holiday.

A Guide to Baby Friendly Holidays in Devon

2009-02-04T16:42:00.000Z

For new parents, life can suddenly seem very tiring and demanding. With a new baby in the house, there is little time for relaxing or spending quality time together. In other circumstances, a couple might plan a holiday to recuperate but with the arrival of a new-born the prospect of a holiday can seem like an unrealistic idea, especially with all the travel involved, the health-protection needed and the exposure to unfamiliar climates. However, many parents are aware that there is now limited time for a holiday. Within a few years, the baby will be at school and the opportunities to travel will be more or less dictated by the school term-times, meaning that holidays will have to be taken at the most expensive times of the year. Yet there is a compromise available by holidaying in the UK.

Holidaying in the UK instantly reduces the time spent travelling, which means there is less stress involved for both the parents and the child. It also ensures the parents peace of mind, knowing that the baby will always be in their care. In addition, there is no need for immunisation against foreign diseases, which can cause great discomfort for both the child and mother. Whilst the child is building up its own immune system, the mother’s system is also recovering from the process of giving birth and can take up to a year to do so fully. With this in mind, a holiday in the UK also means that the mother and child do not risk stomach upsets from drinking water or unfamiliar foods – an extremely important consideration if the mother is breast-feeding as she can pass on any upsets through her milk. There is also no need to worry about finding electrical adapters for items such as bottle-sterilising units and baby monitors.

Many new parents are discovering holidays in Devon as the ideal location to holiday with a baby. While the temperatures can be very warm during the summer months, they are never as extreme as certain sunspots abroad, ensuring that the baby is protected from potentially harmful effects of extreme heat and extreme cold. With its warm yet temperate climate, baby friendly holidays in Devon offer the chance for parents to enjoy a change of scenery without being too far from home and familiar medical facilities, should they be needed.

Baby friendly holidays in Devon are becoming more and more popular amongst new parents and they are very easy to research. An obvious port of call is friends and family; if you know someone who has taken holidays in Devon with a new baby, ask them for recommendations as to which companies to use. They will be able to inform you as to the facilities offered by self-catering, bed and breakfast and hotels in the area. Alternatively, by using a UK holiday company you can visit their website to see whether they offer facilities such as high chairs, cots and pushchairs, in which case you won’t have to take extra luggage of your own. You can also see whether there are stair-gates and anything that might concern you, such as outdoor ponds and swimming pools.

A baby requires constant attention, but holidays in Devon can offer new parents the feeling that they’ve had a break from the often-punishing regime that children enforce. With beaches, countryside, good restaurants and many attractions, holidays in Devon provide the perfect solution to fatigue without the stress of a holiday abroad.

Coast and Country Cottages offer a wide range of luxury self catering baby friendly holiday cottages in South Devon; with over 400 properties across the South Hams, Dartmouth, Salcombe and Kingsbridge.

Busier than ever – Coast & Country Cottages report significant rise in the number of new holiday properties

2009-02-04T16:38:00.000Z

Coast & Country Cottages, www.coastandcountry.co.uk, with over 400 holiday properties exclusively throughout beautiful South Devon, are reporting a significant increase in the numbers of new properties being added to their portfolio at the moment. Since the launch of their 2009 brochure at the beginning of October, a further 30 new properties have been added, with another 20 or so in the pipeline.

Andrew Jones, Partner, comments ‘We are currently taking on new properties at a faster rate than ever before. The properties we are seeing are of a high standard and will offer those thinking of visiting this beautiful area of South Devon in 2009 an even greater choice of holiday accommodation.’

With some property owners now choosing to let their holiday home rather than putting it on the market to sell in the current climate, several stunning new properties are now available for rental for 2009. Others choose to let their property to make the most of the additional income they will receive –very welcome in these difficult and uncertain times. Property developers, affected by the quieter market, are also deciding to let some of their stock this year until things pick up in the housing market –it is often easier to sell a holiday property once it has a proven holiday rental history and in the meantime welcome income can be accumulated.

If you are thinking of letting your holiday property, contact Coast & Country Cottages for a Free Owners Guide or a free property assessment, with no obligation or ‘hard sell’.
www.coastandcountry.co.uk 01548 843773.

Recent new properties added to the Coast & Country Cottages portfolio include:

1 & 2 Edith Mews and Garden Apartment, Prospect House - Perched high, above the ruins of a tiny fishing village at Hallsands on the Start Bay coastline, Prospect House is a former hotel with a remarkable and romantic history…. Carefully restored and converted into stunning apartments and cottages, many with wonderful and dramatic sea views across to the lighthouse at Start Point, Prospect House is now a fabulous destination for a family holiday or short break throughout the year.

Each new property has been tastefully re-designed to provide light and spacious holiday accommodation in a contemporary New England style with sea-washed white colours and light wooden floors. Prospect House has beautiful, newly re-landscaped gardens, an outside swimming pool, tennis courts, private parking and an enclosed South-facing garden with breathtaking sea views. The nearby coastal footpath leads down to the unspoilt beach below and miles of wonderful walking beyond……

Coast & Country Cottages are delighted to be marketing 3 properties at Prospect House, with others in the pipeline. For example, sleeping from 4 -6, 1 Edith Mews is available from £500 in May for a week to £1200 per week in peak August but a Special Introductory Offer on all remaining weeks in June, July and August can save you up to £100 per week (£50 off per week in June & July, £100 off August weeks). www.coastandcountry.co.uk or 01548 843773

Apartment 2 At the Beach –The striking development ‘At the Beach’ includes luxury apartments and cottages on the very edge of the sea at Slapton Sands and is the transformation of the former ‘Torcross Hotel’, a prominent and well-known local landmark built in the late 1800’s. The development boasts stunning sea views, with the beach to one side and the freshwater lake of Slapton Ley to the other, and teas rooms and a thatched pub serving excellent fish and chips just a short stroll away. Sleeping 4-6 and boasting an outside terrace within just a few metres of the beach, Apartment 2 is available for £325 a week in February rising to £975 in peak August weeks. Other At the Beach properties are ‘in the pipeline’. www.coastandcountry.co.uk or 01548 843773

Little Cotton Farmhouse – Another two properties being developed by the owners of the highly successful small property, The Retreat, Little Cotton includes a farmhouse and barn, individually available or ideal for extended families or several families wishing to holiday together. Set in a delightful rural location with extensive grounds and with wonderful views, but with shops within walking distance and just a short drive from picturesque Dartmouth, Little Cotton will be the ideal location for a family holiday. Currently under development, the farmhouse will be available for holidays from July 2009. Sleeping 11 Little Cotton Farmhouse is available from £1350 per week in July. www.coastandcountry.co.uk or 01803 839499

35 Dart Marina –Available from April from £900 per week (rising to £2200 in August Regatta Week), 35 Dart Marina, sleeping 6, joins our 5 successful properties on this stunning waterside development. Beautifully presented and boasting stunning water views, this stylish apartment offers luxury accommodation for families or three couples plus the use of the Dart Marina Health Spa (indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam & steam) including 10% off beauty treatments (pre-booking advisable) and is just a short stroll along the waterfront to Dartmouth’s well-known restaurants, art galleries and individual boutiques. www.coastandcountry.co.uk or 01803 839499

Editorial contact –additional information and high resolution images available from Karen Jones 01548 843773 or Karen@coastandcountry.co.uk

Luxury Living

2008-05-06T09:07:00.000Z

For those looking for really special accommodation for their visit to the South Hams, the selection has never been so good. Whether taking a few days to explore the area whilst looking at property to buy, or seeking the perfect location for a well-earned short break or longer holiday, the choice of first class properties to stay in locally is constantly increasing as the expectations of the market rise. With our hectic lifestyles and the stressful pace of modern society, holidays and short breaks are becoming even more valued, with additional relaxing short breaks slotted in between more significant holidays to counter the effects of all that rushing around!

Increasingly, the busy, discerning holidaymaker is looking for so much more from their holiday accommodation than previously, both in terms of the standards offered and also the facilities provided. The availability of Wireless Broadband Internet (wi-fi) in the holiday property is now a pre-requisite for a growing number of visitors, who feel the need to keep in touch with work during their break away. At the same time, more visitors are increasingly keen to have access to a Health Spa or leisure facilities at their holiday property, with private hot tubs and pools or membership to a local luxury spa attracting more and more customers to book.

Crisp, white bed linen, top of the range kitchen gadgets, under floor heating, flat screen ‘plasma’ TV’s with Sky and IPOD compatible music systems plus the availability of additional services including leisure facilities and catering, are just a few of the items increasingly found in holiday properties and expected by more and more customers; in summary, the ‘boutique hotel’ experience with the flexibility and freedom of a larger, stylish holiday home.

Winner of the 2007 Daily Mail UK Property Awards ‘Best Development’ and ‘Best Marina Development’ and boasting some of the highest value real estate in the country, the Dart Marina properties on the edge of the River Dart in Dartmouth offer the ultimate in luxury self-catering but with hotel facilities also available. With privileged access to the luxury Dart Marina Health Spa, exciting Wildfire Bistro, elegant River Restaurant and first class yacht harbour, a stay at one of our Dart Marina apartments or town-houses ‘ticks all the boxes’.

State-of the art contemporary kitchens make self-catering at Dart Marina a pleasure, whilst the luxury double bedrooms are beautifully appointed and boast sumptuous soft furnishings and crisp white linen. The beautiful natural stone bathrooms are warm and welcoming, with under floor heating, fluffy towels and complimentary toiletries. With fantastic views over the water, the stunning living spaces are elegant and stylish, with many ‘high tech’ extras including remote controlled ‘living flame’ fires, flat screen TV and IPOD compatible music system. One of our properties at Dart Marina (No.26) is a former show home and so includes even more gadgets, including a remote controlled ‘Smart Home Enabling System’ allowing music, television, curtains, blinds and lights to be operated by the touch of a button.

Whether via an outside terrace, balcony or large window seat, all our Dart Marina properties boast fantastic views of the river whilst enjoying a morning coffee or early evening drink. The picturesque town of Dartmouth offers individual boutiques, art galleries and restaurants just a short, flat walk along the waterfront from Dart Marina –the perfect antidote to a hectic city lifestyle.

If you are looking for a greener, more rurally located retreat for your South Devon holiday, but are still expecting a contemporary, luxury experience and the latest gadgets, Broad Downs Barn near Salcombe might be the holiday property for you. Newly completed, this stunning barn conversion has already attracted huge interest and an impressive number of bookings for its first season. Sleeping 12, and set in 22 acres of privately owned pasture land, Broad Downs Barn provides spacious, luxury holiday accommodation and is serviced by the latest ‘Green’ technology featuring geothermal ground-source heat pumps, low energy lighting throughout and environmentally sustainable waste management. 2009 will see wind–generated electricity and a self-sufficient water supply.

From Easter a newly constructed outdoor pool will be available adding to the popularity of this property. With high attention to detail, stylish furnishings and sought after items such as a log burner for cosy nights in, Wireless Broadband, Sky TV and even a Wii, the owners of this property have worked hard to create a fantastic holiday home which is being quickly snapped up by visitors.

To complete the holiday experience of visitors to Broad Downs Barn, those staying at this property can enjoy a range of additional services, designed to take away as much of the pre-holiday hassle as possible, to allow busy people to ‘hit the ground running’ when they start their holiday and so enjoy every available minute. Services such as Advance Restaurant Booking, Drop off/Collection Service to Salcombe and local restaurants, Private Catering for Evening Meals, Babysitting and even a Personal Trainer can be pre-arranged for you, thus minimising the organisational stress often involved when planning a holiday for a larger group or family party.

Looking for a special property for a very large party - perhaps for a family anniversary, celebration or a sophisticated hen break - can be a challenge. The Old Vicarage, in the heart of the village of Malborough, near Salcombe certainly rises to that challenge offering luxury accommodation and a multitude of gadgets and features which will satisfy all ages. The stunning kitchen, with AGA and an illuminated feature well, is at the heart of this beautifully renovated Victorian vicarage, whilst the living areas boast no less than three 50’’ plasma televisions, so there should be no rows about what to watch! An IPOD surround sound system downstairs allows music to be played wherever it is desired, a fully-equipped games room contains table football, air hockey, pool table and Sony Playstation 2, whilst laptop, printer and Wireless Broadband in a study area ensures you can keep in touch whilst away from the office. With eight luxury bedrooms and nine bathrooms plus large grounds, private parking and the availability of a full–catering service if required, The Old Vicarage is the perfect destination for the larger party or for those just looking for more space and luxury from their holiday home.

To find out more about the above featured properties and other luxury holiday homes, including renovated thatched cottages, stylish penthouse apartments and beautifully converted period properties, included within Coast & Country Cottages Luxury Properties Collection, visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. Or call the locally based teams in Salcombe (01548) 843773 or Dartmouth (01803) 839600. Free Brochure & Owners Guide available.

Holiday Home……Plus

2008-05-06T09:06:00.000Z

For those looking for really special accommodation for their visit to Devon, the selection has never been so good. Whether taking a few days to explore the area whilst looking at property to buy, or seeking the perfect location for a well-earned short break or longer holiday, the choice of first class properties to stay in locally is constantly increasing as the expectations of the market rise. With our hectic lifestyles and the stressful pace of modern society, holidays and short breaks are becoming even more valued, with additional relaxing short breaks slotted in between more significant holidays to counter the effects of all that rushing around!

Increasingly, the busy, discerning holidaymaker is looking for so much more from their holiday accommodation than previously, both in terms of the standards offered and also the facilities provided. The availability of Wireless Broadband Internet in the holiday property is now a pre-requisite for a growing number of visitors, who feel the need to keep in touch with work during their break away. At the same time, more visitors are increasingly demanding leisure facilities at their holiday property, with private hot tubs and pools or membership to a local luxury spa attracting more and more customers to book. Property owners are responding to these requirements, discovering that the details are important to many visitors and gaining more bookings as a result!

Using their own experiences as regular visitors to the South Hams, staying with Coast & Country Cottages, before their permanent move to the area, the owners of Broad Downs Barn , a stunning new barn conversion sleeping 14 near Salcombe, have prepared a range of additional services for those staying at their fantastic new property. Designed to take away as much of the pre-holiday hassle as possible, to allow busy people to ‘hit the ground running’ when they start their holiday, these services enable visitors to enjoy every available minute of their holiday. With advance restaurant booking, a drop off/collection service to Salcombe and local restaurants, private catering for evening meals, babysitting, later departure times and luggage facility, baby friendly equipment package and even a personal trainer, the organisational stress often involved when planning a holiday for a larger group or family party can be minimised so everyone enjoys every minute of their holiday.

In addition to offering a fabulous range of services to those staying at their property, the owners of Broad Downs Barn have worked hard to incorporate key sought after items, including a new outdoor heated swimming pool, leisure club membership, Wireless Broadband, Sky TV, Wii and log burner all in a property where the attention to detail has been carefully managed, with stylish furnishings and artwork complementing the conversion of the barn. The whole project also cleverly utilises the latest ‘Green’ technology featuring geothermal ground-source heat pumps, low energy lighting throughout and environmentally sustainable waste management. 2009 will see wind–generated electricity and a self-sufficient water supply.

Newly completed, this stunning barn conversion has already attracted huge interest and an impressive number of bookings for its first season, with very few weeks now available for the rest of the year. Indeed, this property quickly became one of the fastest to book, even when the builders were still in and only computer generated images available! Now that the photo shoot has been completed and the first visitors have enjoyed their holidays, the demand is even higher. The owners of this property have worked hard to create a fantastic holiday home which is being quickly snapped up by visitors, attracted to the whole concept of a spacious, stylish holiday home…….plus all the details for a wonderful, relaxing, stress-free Devon break.

To find out more about Broad Downs Barn and other luxury holiday homes, including renovated thatched cottages, stylish penthouse apartments and beautifully converted period properties, included within Coast & Country Cottages Luxury Properties Collection, visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. Or call the locally based teams in Salcombe (01548) 843773 or Dartmouth (01803) 839600. Free Brochure & Owners Guide available.

Easter at Coast & Country Cottages

2008-04-21T13:39:00.002Z

A recent survey of accommodation providers in the South West found that the majority of local businesses were reporting a decrease in the number of visitors booking with them for the Easter period in comparison to last year. This year, many schools are taking the two week school holiday which usually falls around the Easter Bank Holiday, during April, meaning many families have been unable to book their usual week’s break in Devon. With Easter falling earlier and the weather to-date so unsettled, a break in the UK may not have appealed to many visitors this year. With potential visitor numbers apparently reduced in this way, businesses have had to work harder to attract bookings. Locally based Coast & Country Cottages are delighted that their efforts are paying off, reporting increased value of bookings of 14% for the Easter/school holiday period combined, compared with this period in 2007, which in itself was a record year. With almost 400 properties, exclusively in the South Hams, including many fabulous new luxury properties in Salcombe, Dartmouth and throughout the area, an extensive national and local advertising campaign, highly rated website and glossy brochure, contact Coast & Country Cottages at their Hannford’s Landing ‘head office’ for a free brochure or Owners Guide. 01548 843773 www.coastandcountry.co.uk

Planning a large group break

2008-04-10T14:28:00.000Z

Planning a large group break

Looking for a special property for a very large party - perhaps for a family anniversary or celebratory trip, several families holidaying together or for a sophisticated hen break - can be a challenge. Firstly as organiser, trying to ascertain dates, availability and requirements of several people for the same week or weekend, requires a certain amount of patience, even if, or especially if (!) you are dealing with members of your extended family. Choosing the right property, taking into consideration the needs of all the party and what is available can become quite a responsibility, especially if you choose unwisely! Discussing your plans and ideas for the break with those marketing the property, planning ahead and pre-booking as much as possible in advance will mean you can enjoy the experience as much as everyone else!

When choosing a property to accommodate a larger party, it is vital to consider, prior to booking, the make-up of the group, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms available and more specifically, who will be sleeping where. Agreeing bedrooms (and beds) in advance avoids arguments at bedtime, particularly if some bedrooms are superior to others or if only one offers an en-suite bathroom! A property such as the luxurious The Old Vicarage, near Salcombe, certainly solves this problem; with eight equally lovely luxury bedrooms and nine bathrooms, this fabulous property sleeps up to 22, with plenty of rooms allowing individual space to escape if being in a big party occasionally gets too much!

Whilst a large country house to accommodate the entire party under one roof is perfect for certain occasions, it does not suit all, particularly those who would prefer more privacy and individual space, so booking several smaller properties close to each other may be more suitable. Ensuring that one of the properties selected has a suitable space to gather together as a larger group is recommended and avoids the difficulties of seating more than the appropriate number around a dining table for a special meal. Holiday complexes are often ideal for larger party breaks, usually offering properties of all different sizes, providing the most flexibility for the organiser planning a large group break. Hillfield Cottages & Country House near Dartmouth, for example, offers 28 luxury properties sleeping from 2 -12, grouped together in combinations that make group bookings very attractive and feasible.

Planning ahead is the key to a successful break whatever the party size, but is even more relevant when bringing together a large number of people. Thinking about food, particularly for arrival night is very important and avoids disappointment and a lot of hungry people! Discuss your requirements at the time of booking your property –many local companies now offer a delivery service to holiday homes, which avoids the need for a ‘big shop’ before travelling or wasting precious time out of your break in the local supermarket. In South Devon, for example, award-winning local company Riverford Organics have invested in an additional van for delivering organic vegetable, fruit and meat boxes to holiday homes for arrival day.

The owners of Broad Downs Barn, a brand new barn conversion sleeping 12 near Salcombe, have certainly considered those organising holidays for the larger group, in the planning and preparation of this newly completed holiday home. A complete range of additional services are offered to those staying at this luxury property, designed to take away as much of the pre-holiday hassle as possible, to allow busy people to ‘hit the ground running’ when they start their holiday and so enjoy every available minute. Services such as Advance Restaurant Booking, Drop off/Collection Service to Salcombe and local restaurants, Private Catering for Evening Meals, Babysitting and even a Personal Trainer can be pre-arranged for you, thus minimising the organisational stress often involved when planning a holiday for a larger group or family party.

With some group breaks planned to coincide with a special anniversary or celebration, much of the pre-break planning tends to be focussed on organising a particular meal for the special day. Most people would not expect there to be a complete itinerary for the rest of the break, but it is helpful to do some research, to plan ahead and have suggestions for activities and entertainment suitable for the party. Choosing a property or complex with a pool, a games room, large grounds or a children’s play area, will keep younger visitors happy. Increasingly the demand is for properties with access to spa and leisure facilities, for a spot of pampering during the break. Booking properties at Dart Marina, the exclusive award-winning development on the waterfront in Dartmouth, for example, with privileged access to the luxury Dart Marina Health Spa, with indoor pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, gym and Elemis treatment rooms, would certainly satisfy those looking for relaxation as part of their break whilst others choose properties with private hot tubs for 8 people as their perfect way of relaxing as a group.

By booking a large house, or by accommodating your larger party in several smaller properties grouped together, you can create the ideal break to suit the needs and make-up of your particular group. But remember, by planning ahead, thinking of activities for all age groups involved and for all types of weather, working out who will be sleeping where and considering catering arrangements for the duration of the stay, you will be able to enjoy the whole experience too!

To find out more about individual large properties sleeping from 8-22 or properties grouped together sleeping 2-12 each, contact Coast & Country Cottages’ locally based teams in Salcombe (01548) 843773 or Dartmouth (01803) 839600. Or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk for availability, special offers and to BOOK ONLINE.

Devon Holiday Tales

2007-09-25T08:41:00.000Z

Working with customers from the booking of a holiday through to arrival, departure and beyond is very rewarding for the team at Coast & Country Cottages. It also produces some amusing moments and many frustrating ones as people look for their perfect Devon cottage.

With an all-year round out-of-hours emergency service provided to our holiday tenants, the telephone can ring at all times of day and night, particularly during the busiest summer months. From holidaymakers returning to their property after an evening out and discovering they have forgotten their keys or locked themselves out, to those trying to get into the wrong property, key stories abound. Most recently our Operations Manager, Jon Doyle, was woken up during the night by a Japanese visitor who simply could not get the key she had been given to operate the lock at the property she thought she was staying at. In spite of the difficulties in understanding each other (we have a fair knowledge of several languages between members of the team but not Japanese!) he was able to work out she was in the wrong building!! Jon was eventually able to point her in the right direction and ‘hey presto’ she was in! With the number of ‘lockouts’ we receive each year, you have to wonder what people do with their keys at home….?!

An April 1st call-out was initially thought to be an April Fool’s joke, when a gentleman called to say his mother-in-law was stuck in the loo! Whilst he had initially found this amusing, as time passed and they had been unable to release her, they became more concerned as she was quite elderly. Luckily we were able to secure her release quite quickly and everyone was happy!

Pets or animals in general generate some tales every year. One customer was understandably very upset when she called us to inform us that her dog had died before the holiday and that she therefore wanted to cancel as she couldn’t face the holiday without him. Unfortunately she could not understand that the holiday insurance she had taken out for her party did not include the dog as a named member of the party and his sad demise would not constitute grounds for an insurance claim. Another customer called our Dartmouth office in a panic having discovered a ‘snake’ on the carpet. A quick visit to the property determined that it was actually a harmless slow worm, which had come in from the garden when the doors were left open!

An enormous number of items are left by behind in our properties every year when holidaymakers pack up to leave after their holiday in Devon. Mobile telephone chargers are regularly discovered by cleaners, still plugged in at properties, whilst bedroom drawers often contain complete sets of underwear, overlooked in the rush to pack up. Food is often discovered by our cleaners, abandoned in fridges and cupboards and one recent tenant contacted us after leaving his wallet on top of a high kitchen cupboard. Often we have to go to great lengths to find a missing item for a customer such as recently when a departing child had mislaid a favourite game for his Nintendo DS! This small item was not to be found in the location indicated, but a vigilant member of the team cleaning and checking the property found it down the back of a chair and returned it to its owner.

Some of our experiences with customers are frustrating and require careful handling, such as the gentleman who simply could not understand how to operate the shower in his property and had to be shown by the team and a local plumber, in spite of claiming he had a degree in engineering! One family booked a ground floor apartment, then called the office upon arrival at the property to ask where the second floor to the property was! Very recently one couple arrived for their holiday in Salcombe a day early! After some initial reluctance to do so, their mistake was admitted, but luckily as it was earlier in the season we were able to find them accommodation for the night and everyone was happy.

Whilst every business will experience a small number of customer complaints (particularly in the current ‘litigation age’) the vast majority of our customers are delighted with their property, have a fabulous holiday and want to return to us and the area again and again. Most people look forward to their holiday all year and so when expectations are not met and things go wrong, they are understandably disappointed. Our out-of-hours service means that ‘emergencies’ are picked up with quickly and as much is done as possible to quickly enable the holidaymaker to carry on and enjoy their well earned break. It can be frustrating on occasion, however, when a customer has called this emergency number out of office hours to request a brochure! Indeed just this weekend a member of the team received a call at 7.30am on Sunday morning, on the Emergency number, from a customer just wishing to pay the balance due for her forthcoming holiday! On a previous occasion another lady was quite indignant when told that her call to check availability was not actually an emergency, claiming, ‘It is an emergency, I need a holiday…!’

For a free Brochure or Owners Guide call 01548 843773 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. The new 2008 brochure featuring over 350 properties throughout the South Hams will be available from October 2007 – pre-order your free copy today.

Hillfield Cottages - Self catering Devon

2007-09-25T08:39:00.000Z

Set in acres of beautiful gardens and nestling on a South-facing hillside with stunning views across the soft rolling hills of this rural, unspoilt area of South Devon, the 28 luxury apartments and individually designed cottages at Hillfield Cottages & Country House provide the perfect destination for a relaxing family holiday in Devon, throughout the year.

Exclusively available to book through South Devon based Coast & Country Cottages, each property at Hillfield is different but furnished to the highest standards. Families can enjoy the facilities including outdoor pool, all-weather tennis court and children’s play area, with several properties also boasting private outdoor hot tubs – perfect for grown up ‘me-time’! Cots and highchairs are available, plus specially created kids bedrooms in some properties, ideal for older children, with bunks, games and their own TV, DVD and CD!

Situated just 3 miles from historic Dartmouth with it’s castle, waterfront, restaurants and art galleries, the properties are only 10 minutes drive from stunning Blackpool Sands, recently named ‘Best Beach for Family Fun’ in Conde Nast Traveller Magazine. The team at Coast & Country Cottages Dartmouth office know the properties and area well and would be delighted to help you choose the property that best suits your holiday requirements and the needs of your family.

Call now for a free brochure on 01803 839600 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk.

Thinking of letting your holiday home?

2007-09-25T08:36:00.000Z

South Hams based ‘Coast & Country Cottages’, has offices in the picturesque towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe and Kingsbridge, over 350 properties, exclusively in the South Hams, and a team of 17 locally based staff, providing the high standard of friendly service for which the company is known and truly local knowledge of their regularly visited properties. In the past 5 years, the business has more than doubled in size, with more people now choosing to let their properties through the agency and a continued increase in the number of holidaymakers attracted to the area. An extensive marketing campaign, including a highly regarded website, plus a high percentage of repeat bookings and recommendations has ensured an even greater number of bookings than ever before for 2007.

The family owned and managed agency not only provide advice and help to potential new owners thinking of letting their Devon holiday homes or those planning to renovate a property in readiness for holiday letting, but also ongoing support and practical assistance, particularly vital to the many owners who do not live locally.

When inspecting properties offered for holiday letting, a number of factors are evaluated - views, parking, sleeping capacity and number of bathrooms are all important but assessing the correct price to be charged per week, the location and the standard of the accommodation are the key considerations.

If you are considering using an agency Coast & Country Cottages suggest seeking the opinion of several different letting companies and choosing the one with which you feel most comfortable – a good relationship between owner and agent really contributes to success, so it is important that a rapport is established. Be wary, though, of unrealistically high promises – a higher rental might sound attractive to you but may well deter visitors or impact on potential repeat business, whilst promising a very high number of weeks in the first year of letting may not be truly realistic and can lead to disappointment all round.

For a free Brochure or Owners Guide call 0870 4050530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. For helpful advice about buying a home for holiday letting or to arrange a free property visit, without obligation , call Andrew Jones via the local offices: Salcombe (01548 ) 843773, Kingsbridge (01548) 852572 or Dartmouth (01803) 839499.

Autumn Breaks and Winter Escapes

2007-09-25T08:28:00.000Z

With traditional ‘peak seasons’ extending well into September and October, and the Autumn months becoming increasingly busy months for holiday letting in Devon, visitors choose to visit the South Hams out of season for many reasons. Some hope for an ‘Indian Summer’, often the case ironically as soon as the children return to school, (and particularly hoped for this year after the rain), others wish to avoid the crowds and to come when it’s cheaper too! For those looking to move to the area, of course, the Autumn is a great time to search for that ideal property and to maybe combine house-hunting with a short break exploring the area.

Out of season, late Summer and Autumn breaks attract families with pre-school children, not restricted by the need to take their holiday whilst the schools are off. Tourist attractions including farm parks, the zoo, model village and aquarium are less busy, beaches not so crowded and car-parking easier – factors that appeal when travelling with one or more toddlers in tow.

Those without children also avoid the busier school holidays and take their breaks later, enjoying the lower rates, the couples discounts and short break availability as well as the quieter towns and the more relaxed pace that is the South Hams during most of the year. Dog owners and keen walkers enjoy exploring the miles of coastal paths and unspoilt beaches, often choosing properties with these right on their doorstep for their away-from-it-all break.

With a varied and productive local food economy, including many award-winning products and premises, the South Hams boasts fantastic, locally produced and sourced food all year round, with something for all tastes and budgets, whether self-catering or eating out is the preference. For such a rural, unspoilt area the South Hams offers locals and visitors alike, more than its fair share of great places to dine, from pubs offering freshly caught fish & chips to fine Michelin starred and AA Rosette acclaimed restaurants.

‘Foodie breaks’ are becoming more popular, with visitors booking specific Devon cottages to be close to their favourite restaurant, whilst others are pre-ordering organic vegetable boxes and local food hampers to be delivered to their property to start off their self-catering in style. Food related days out include visits to Sharpham Vineyard (a tour around the beautiful grounds followed by a spot of wine tasting) and a tractor tour of Riverford Organic Farm followed by a delicious lunch in their ‘field kitchen’ with views of the farm. Dartmouth’s Food Festival, taking place from 11^th-13^th October 2007, looks set to be a real celebration of the diversity, success and pleasure that is South Hams food and drink, with cookery demonstrations, workshops, tasting sessions and more attracting visitors to the town and area for this out of season weekend.

October Half Term is a great time to bring the family away to South Devon, to ‘recharge their batteries’ and fill their lungs with fresh sea air after the tiring start to the new school year. With rock-pools to explore, beautiful beaches for kite-flying and plenty of all-weather suggestions for rainy days, including award-winning farms, one of the largest indoor play areas, and places to create and paint pottery, a half term break provides plenty of fresh air fun for all the family.

Looking further ahead, November may not seem like the ideal month for choosing a holiday or short break, but a surprising number of people enjoy escaping the more commercial run up to Christmas in other parts of the country with a South Hams short break. With individual shops rather than commercial chains, the area is ideal for seeking out unusual present ideas and all in much more pleasant surroundings! Why fight for a parking space in a city shopping centre car park when you can park easily and conveniently at this time of year in picturesque shopping towns or visit Dartington Cider Press Centre with its beautiful Christmas Shop - the place to go for decorations, cards and much more including award-winning glass and a fantastic ‘traditional’ style toyshop.

November is also Extravaganza time in Kingsbridge with the illumination of the simple Christmas lights, a carnival parade and fair, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts really starting off the festivities in traditional fashion. With the lead up to Christmas seeming to start in many commercial centres even before the end of the summer holidays, the appeal of individual shops, local delicacies and a cosy spot in front of a log fire in a picturesque pub is the choice for more and more visitors every year!

With the arrival of Autumn often comes the decision of where to spend the Christmas and New Year festivities. For those who are fed up with arguing over which set of relatives they need to invite or who simply cannot face the thought of the same old routine, a Christmas escape to South Devon may be the answer! Avoiding the commercialism and the post-Christmas Sales, you can put colour in your cheeks and work off any over-indulgence with walks on empty beaches or along miles of coastal paths and then reward yourself with a cream tea in front of a cosy log fire – the best Christmas present you will ever receive.

Or if you cannot avoid the relatives at Christmas, enjoy the festivities with the thought of a New Year break waiting at the end of it. Nothing beats a New Year’s Day stroll on a nearby beach – the best hangover cure ever! New Year’s resolutions can also be kick started with local organic food and juices and the promise that you will treat yourself to more breaks in South Devon in the coming year……■

Coast & Country Cottages – Over 350 holiday properties throughout the beautiful South Hams coast and countryside. For details of Autumn and Winter Special Offers, a free brochure or Owners Guide call our Salcombe office on 01548 843773 or our Dartmouth office on 01803 839499 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. To arrange a free property visit with no obligation or ‘hard sell’ or for helpful advice before purchasing or redesigning a home for holiday rental, contact Andrew Jones via the above local offices.

Easter Breaks in stunning South Devon

2007-03-27T08:10:00.000Z

South Devon, with its breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, miles of coastline plus picturesque towns and villages is the ideal location for a holiday all year round.

Busier in peak season and particularly popular during the summer with families looking for that ‘away-from-it all’ holiday experience, the Devon area boasts safe sandy coves for sandcastles whilst crabbing, rock-pooling and surfing prove as popular as ever with the kids and parents alike.

Springtime is the perfect time of year to enjoy a holiday in Devon; in this beautiful area spring certainly comes earlier, with beautiful wild flowers, rare birds and wildlife completing the picture. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate the local Devon hand-made chocolates and fabulous fudge, renowned Salcombe clotted cream ice cream and the delicious Hot Cross Buns, like those freshly baked on the premises at Frogmore Bakery. For traditional egg decorating activities there are an abundance of local farm shops selling free-range eggs. The Easter holidays are the ideal time to book a short break in the South Hams, the southernmost part of Devon. With a milder climate, wonderful walking, sailing and water sports, fantastic pubs, cream teas and plenty of individual shops in quaint streets to explore, come and enjoy the fresh air and walk off all that chocolate!

Local Coast & Countryside Events organised by the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provide wonderful opportunities for the whole family to explore the beautiful countryside and appreciate nature during the Easter period. Events for 2007 include ‘Make and decorate an Easter Tree’ on the Dartington Estate , Easter Egg hunts in stunning locations such as the National Trust’s Overbecks Gardens near Salcombe, and an Easter Eggs-travaganza with egg decorating and a giant egg rolling competition! Visit www.southdevonaonb.org.uk for more details.

Coast & Country Cottages offer Easter breaks at many of the self-catering holiday cottages in Devon they manage in the area. With offices in Salcombe, Kingsbridge and Dartmouth and nearly 350 properties in and around the South Devon coast and countryside, the local teams can help you find just what you are looking for, whether a romantic retreat for two, a cosy cottage for walkers, a stylish waterside apartment or a large elegant farmhouse. Couples discounts, special offers, last-minute deals and dog-friendly properties are all available too and welcome hampers, flowers, wine or even freshly prepared meals can be ordered to make the most of your break. Those booking an Easter break will also receive a bag of Devon fudge with the compliments of Coast & Country Cottages.

‘Easter Breaks are becoming increasingly popular’ says Karen Jones who, with her husband Andrew, owns and manages Coast & Country Cottages. ‘We are seeing a change in the patterns of holidays taken by an increasingly busy society who really value their time off work. More and more of our customers are taking more frequent but maybe shorter breaks and usually in addition to their annual holiday, whether taken in the UK or abroad. Many of our customers love the area so much that they visit us more than once a year and a good proportion initially book a short break and love it so much that they return for a full week next time.’

Contact the local teams in Salcombe 01548 843773, Dartmouth 01803 839499 and Kingsbridge (for South Hams coastal and village properties) 01548 852572 today and let them suggest an Easter break or a short break to suit you sometime soon!

Brochure Request Line 0870 4050530

info@coastandcountry.co.uk

www.coastandcountry.co.uk

A Celebration of Food

2007-03-12T09:37:00.000Z

If you are thinking about booking an Spring or Summer break and are passionate about what you eat, a visit to the southernmost tip of Devon, the South Hams, during 2007 is sure to get your taste buds going.

With a varied and productive local food economy, including many award-winning products and premises, South Devon boasts fantastic, locally produced and sourced food all year round, with something for all tastes and budgets, whether self-catering or eating out is your preference.

For such a rural, unspoilt area the South Hams boasts more than its fair share of great places to dine, including pubs offering great, freshly caught fish & chips (try the Start Bay Inn right on the beach at Torcross, recommended by Rick Stein in his TV show) or the superbly named ‘The Oyster Shack’ at Bigbury and their new restaurant at Hannaford’s Landing, Salcombe, for special fish and seafood eaten al fresco, weather permitting. The fabulous Dartmoor Union Inn, in the pretty village of Holbeton, was last year named the UK’s ‘Dining Pub of the Year’ by Les Routiers – we are delighted to market a property just a few paces away ,West St. Marys, ideal for a long weekend or short break for food fans. The pub’s sister restaurants, The Rose & Crown (AA Rosette for excellence) and The Seafood Restaurant in Yealmpton (AA two rosettes), opened at the end of 2005 to great acclaim – the Rose & Crown has now just been awarded the Devon Pub of the Year Award in the Good Pub Guide. As they say on their company website ‘not what you quite expect from a sleepy village.’

Dartmouth is increasingly becoming a place to chose for a break all year round, with many good pubs, hotels and restaurants to choose from. The New Angel, run by TV chef John Burton Race, gained a Michelin star within 7 months of its opening in May 2004. Visitors have specifically booked to stay at our properties in Dartmouth in order to visit the restaurant made famous by the Channel 4 series ‘Return of the Chef. Our personal favourite, Anzac Street Bistro, is booked up weeks in advance during busy periods such is its popularity – excellent local food, often from the family farm and a great atmosphere.

Talking of farms, one of the most enjoyable and unusual dining experiences is to be found at Riverford Organic Farm’s new Field Kitchen. Take a tour by tractor around the fields and poly tunnels that make up this successful organic farm and box delivery company and then eat on communal long tables in the purpose built restaurant with views of the farm. The freshly grown and picked food is delicious – if not already a convert to organic food or box schemes, you will be!

If you like to seeing food and drink production in progress and even if you have not tried English wine before you will be bowled over by the whole experience of a visit to Sharpham, near Totnes. Not only do they produce delicious award-winning wine and cheeses, but the setting on the River Dart, with walks and tours part of the tasting package, is magical. With many other producers opening their ‘doors’ to visitors during the year, including Chilli Growers, South Devon Chilli Farm, you could happily fill your days seeing the produce being grown and then dine out on it at night! Take a walk along the beach at Beesands on the Start Bay coast and see the fishermen bringing in their catch, try your hand at fishing or simply buy from Britannia Shellfish close to where the boats land. Local Coast & Countryside food related events promoted by the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Organisation throughout the year include Easter Egg Extravaganzas at Sharpham, ‘From grass to cream’ at Burton Farm, including a cream tea (!) ‘Hope Cove’s edible coast’ and ‘wild food gathering’ at Coombe Royal in Kingsbridge.

Most Saturdays see a local Farmers market somewhere in the area, highly popular and well supported by locals and visitors from far and wide. These are great opportunities to sample new foods, talk directly to the producers and purchase a whole array of wonderful products from vegetables to venison, fudge to fish, sausage to soup and much more.

For complete foodies, why not time a visit to this beautiful area to coincide with Dartmouth’s Food Festival, taking place over October 11th,12th and 13th 2007. With last year’s event including cookery demonstrations, ‘tackling a lobster’, advice on choosing a local cheeseboard, workshops, tasting sessions, children’s activities and more, the event in 2007 looks set to be a real celebration of the diversity, success and pleasures that is South Hams food and drink.

Coast & Country Cottages – Over 300 properties in and around Dartmouth, Salcombe and throughout the South Hams, ideal for a holiday or break all year round. Short Breaks. Special Offers. Couples Discounts. Dog-friendly Properties. For details of availability during Dartmouth Food Festival call our Dartmouth team on (01803) 839499 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk

Whether booking a summer holiday or looking for somewhere to stay whilst house hunting , it is not too late to book a summer property ...... yet

2007-03-12T09:34:00.000Z

With miles of stunning coastline, beautiful award-winning beaches, unspoilt towns and villages and fabulous pubs and restaurants, not to mention the delicious ice-cream, it is easy to understand why so many choose the southernmost tip of Devon as the destination for their summer holiday or short break. Every year thousands of visitors flock to this special corner of Devon, the South Hams, which includes the picturesque sailing resort of Salcombe, the historic naval port of Dartmouth and the quaint town of Totnes, with pretty rivers, narrow green lanes, estuary and countryside between.

With a high percentage of visitors choosing to return to the area every year, a large number of properties are booked up months in advance. Such is the appeal of the area, that many of those who first stayed here as children, are now visiting with their own families - crabbing, rock-pooling and surfing proving as popular as ever with children and parents alike. Indeed, originally from Kent, I spent many happy childhood holidays staying in Devon hotels, before my parents purchased a holiday home on the River Dart. Several years ago, married and with a family of my own, I realised that we simply could not return to the daily commute plus the pressures of juggling corporate life with raising a family. We were then lucky enough to have the opportunity of moving permanently to the area with our children and we know of many others who initially came here as holidaymakers, then purchased a property for holiday use before deciding to settle here.

Indeed, throughout the course of our holiday letting year we find we regularly speak to holidaymakers staying in our properties who are seriously considering purchasing a property in the South Hams as a holiday home or an investment, often with the thought of moving permanently to the area at some time in the future, perhaps when they retire. Many will have considered this possibility prior to their holiday, booking estate agent visits in advance, having identified potential suitable properties themselves. For others, seduced by the beauty of the area and the market for holiday cottages, the process may be more impulsive, but a good number do go on to purchase a property at some time. All are looking for our advice regarding letting history, if applicable, number of letting weeks anticipated and the likely weekly rental. Others discuss the suitability of one property for letting versus another. Whilst we can advise that location, position, standard and certain key requirements such as parking are important, it is vital that the property suits the purchaser and their plans – is it a holiday home they will use themselves, can they envisage permanently moving there or is the purchase purely an investment?

We regularly find that, once on the South Hams property ladder, many owners will look to buy additional properties, maybe larger or in a more sought after location or with better views or indeed, adding to their portfolio of properties by purchasing additional property in the area. Often their original property is sold onto owners who, in turn, wish to let their property through us. If you are thinking of letting a property or considering purchasing one to let, beware of financial planning based on unrealistically high expectations of the number of letting weeks you will achieve in your property, particularly for the first year. A successful letting programme often does happen in the first year but building up repeat visits takes time to establish. Seek the opinions of several different holiday letting companies, look at their local profile, their marketing and the services they offer and, above all, go with the one you feel most comfortable with. A good relationship between owner and agent really contributes to success.

An area of outstanding natural beauty and with the mildest climate in mainland Britain, it’s easy to understand why the South Hams attracts visitors all year round, whether for a holiday, short break or to buy a property. Walkers and birdwatchers, sailors, couples looking for a romantic rural retreat, friends booking properties together for a break, surfers and water sports enthusiasts, families seeking fresh air and fun for their children during school holidays - there is something for everyone in the area and a different holiday experience on offer each season.

During the summer weeks the area comes alive with the colours and sounds of yacht regattas, country fayres and theatrical presentations, including performances of Shakespeare on the beach! Local attractions such as award-winning farms and National Trust gardens abound whilst the local Coast & Countryside Events sponsored by the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit include Family Bushcraft Days, Canoe Adventures and Whale and Dolphin Watching. Plus with over 25 different, unspoilt beaches and sandy coves to choose from, plenty of fresh air fun and exercise, there are lots of opportunities to burn off all the clotted cream, fudge and ice cream! For those who enjoy a spot of retail therapy, interesting individual shops line the narrow streets, a refreshing change from shopping centres and chainstores. Art galleries, surf clothing and antiques mingle with delicatessens, tearooms and bookshops, whilst the regular Farmers Markets are a good opportunity to try out some of the fabulous award-winning local produce for which the area is becoming well known.

Luckily for those looking to discover this beautiful area for themselves, it is not too late to snap up a perfect property for the peak weeks..... yet! Whilst bookings to date have come in faster and in larger number than in any previous year, and although many properties and particular weeks have been booked up for some time in advance , we are constantly taking on new properties and can often offer the later enquirer the ideal holiday solution even at the last minute. These past few weeks have seen the addition of some superb new apartments in Salcombe and Dartmouth, with more in the pipeline, together with some delightful cottages in the coastal villages that are sure to attract bookings throughout the year. Our New Property Supplement features properties taken on since the publication of our latest brochure and our website www.coastandcountry.co.uk provides the very latest information regarding all new properties and their availability –ideal for those who may have left it a little later!

So if you have not yet booked a summer break or are thinking of combining a holiday with a spot of property viewing and like the thought of an area boasting stunning scenery, beautiful unspoilt beaches and fabulous food, leave your passport at home! Avoid the queues and delays at the airport and perhaps choose to visit South Devon – once discovered you might not want to leave!

Coast & Country Cottages – Over 300 holiday properties throughout the beautiful South Hams coast and countryside. For Free Brochure or Owners Guide call 0870 40 50 530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. To arrange a free property visit with no obligation or ‘hard sell’, or for helpful advice before purchasing or redesigning a home for holiday rental, contact Andrew Jones via our local offices: Salcombe properties (01548 843773), Kingsbridge, Hope Cove & South Hams villages (01548 852572) or Dartmouth properties (01803) 839499.

Luxury Self Catering in South Devon

2007-03-07T13:13:00.000Z

Hillfield Cottages & Country House offers individually designed and styled holiday properties situated in an idyllic setting in the South Devon countryside, yet within a short drive of the historic maritime town of Dartmouth, with its art galleries, interesting shops and award-winning pubs and restaurants.

Working closely with designers and developers and, most importantly putting themselves ‘in the shoes of the visitor’, owners Michael and Caroline Edwards and partners, have created self-catering accommodation with style, luxury and relaxation in mind. From that important first impression – as you are welcomed into one of their immaculately presented properties – through to your departure at the end of your stay, they hope to have thought of everything to make your holiday as enjoyable as possible. The comments in the visitors’ books at Hillfield certainly suggest so!

Each property is different but furnished to the highest standards including sumptuous leather settees in all apartments, hand crafted kitchens, contemporary fully tiled bathrooms, large flat-screen TV’s and DVD players with cinema surround sound. Wi-Fi connections are available. All beds have high quality memory foam mattresses, many bathrooms include whirlpool baths and some properties even have their own outdoor Hot Tub! With smaller properties ideal for couples right up to larger cottages sleeping up to 11, they can accommodate all types of parties, whether you are looking for a short break to ‘recharge those batteries’ or a relaxing week away.

Following the successful 2006 season, the winter of 2006 and the spring of 2007 is seeing the construction of eight exciting new properties sleeping from four to ten, carefully located around the new all-weather tennis court. One of the properties, Vantage Point, will boast spectacular views from the ‘wrap around’ viewing deck, a sauna and a large hot tub suitable for up to 8 adults.

Set in acres of beautiful gardens and nestling on a secluded South-facing hillside with stunning views across soft rolling hills, Hillfield is the ideal starting point for a number of wonderful local walks, whilst others can take the opportunity simply to relax by the outdoor pool (open May to September), enjoy the children’s play area or (from Summer 2007) burn off excess energy on the new all-weather tennis court.

With the area boasting the mildest year-round climate on mainland Britain, Hillfield Cottages & Country House is open all year round. Located a short 10 minute drive from the spectacular unspoilt beach at Blackpool Sands and with miles of fabulous coastline to explore plus local farms and attractions to visit, this really is the perfect destination for a relaxing family holiday, whilst award-winning pubs and restaurants, picturesque towns and villages, coastal walking, sailing and other water sports attract visitors of all ages throughout the year.

For a free Hillfield brochure call Coast & Country Cottages Dartmouth office on 01803 839600 or visit http://www.coastandcountry.co.uk/.

The Wireless Revolution

2007-03-07T13:11:00.000Z

For many, a holiday or short break in the beautiful South Devon area is exactly that. A chance to have a rest, ‘recharge their batteries’, escape the pressures and stresses of everyday modern life, leaving work and associated worries behind for a week or so. However with our increasingly mobile technology- the rise in laptop ownership, wireless connections and, of course, the mobile ‘phone - more and more tenants are seeking to stay in touch, for whatever reason, during their time in the area.

With business owners/managers taking working breaks where it is vital to keep in contact with their office, others simply wanting to keep in touch with their e-mail traffic via a hot/g-mail account whilst away and teenagers increasingly ‘talking’ to their friends via the net, downloading music and playing internet games, there are many people who do not travel without their laptops these days.

Friends visiting from New Zealand even brought their laptop when staying with us recently – a great way to keep in touch, and avoid going home to mountains of email messages, plus many people these days use their laptop for their diary, IPOD and other essential travel items!

Whether for their own use when staying in their property or for the use of tenants, many property owners have added or are in the process of adding the new WiFi broadband internet connection to their holiday home. This additional feature can be marketed as a point of difference to another similar property, therefore encouraging bookings from those requiring this facility.

The owners of a luxury apartment in South Milton - Goldings - added a cordless telephone, WiFi broadband internet access as well as dial-up connection, to the specification of their property, seeing the need for such facilities at the property amongst a growing band of visitors taking ‘working breaks’ – often a compromise in today’s busy lifestyle. Whilst other features of the accommodation – the large open plan kitchen/dining area with picture windows leading to a balcony with superb country views, the hand-crafted kitchen, stylish bathrooms and more – attract the discerning holidaymaker in their own right, the additional benefits of internet technology are sought after by certain customers.

Centrally located in the heart of Salcombe, Ferry Steps and Ferry View, offer not only quick access (via small passenger ferry) to the sandy beaches of Salcombe but WiFi broadband internet access too. So after relaxing on the beach all day (weather permitting) you can sit in the comfort of your beautifully re-furbished property and keep in touch with the world!

With other properties also providing an internet connection and many others in the process of installing it, this new feature in the self-catering holiday market looks sure to become more popular. Not all those booking their rural escape, however, always consider their requirements before so doing. Whilst the majority of areas we cover now have mobile coverage, we have had visitors arrive at one property to discover that they have no network coverage on their mobile telephone, having failed to mention the necessity of this for their holiday! Whilst we always try to advise regarding network coverage to those who mention that they need to use their mobile - whether to keep in touch with family members or for the needs of their business – coverage is always changing and we can only give guidelines or recommend a property with a landline if this form of communication is vital to the enjoyment of the holiday. We can also suggest where they can get the clearest reception – in one particular small village the best location is indeed on the beach!

Whilst an increasing number of visitors are looking for these advances in technology to be included in the holiday property they select, others, naturally, shun the risk of disturbance to the tranquillity of their rural retreat. With pockets of poor mobile phone network coverage still existing in a few parts of Devon, they can enjoy their holiday in their chosen property, safe in the knowledge that no-one will disturb them!

A free Owners Guide giving further details and suggestions about letting your holiday home can be requested together with our 2006 brochure by contacting your nearest Coast & Country Cottages office on 01548 843773 (Salcombe properties), 01548 852572 (Kingsbridge, Hope Cove and South Hams villages) or 01803 839499 (Dartmouth and surrounding area) or by visiting www.coastandcountry.co.uk.

Holiday Extras

2007-03-07T13:06:00.000Z

A holiday, or short break, is one of the most anticipated events of the year for many people. Often booked some time in advance, the location, type of holiday sought and property requirements are all finalised and the holiday then perhaps not considered in detail again by the holidaymaker until the packing begins. It’s only when trying to squeeze everything into the car that it occurs to you that you really have packed everything including the kitchen sink! And you haven’t given any thought to what you are going to do about food when you reach your destination…..

With the car bursting to the seams, ordering ahead is a good way of cutting down the luggage for a family. Local food hampers can be pre-arranged for your arrival from companies such as Goodstuff of Kingsbridge, containing all you will need and more for a hearty breakfast and/or ready prepared full evening meal. Wine, whether your usual tipple or the local award-winning Sharpham wine, can be delivered from Red & White of Kingsbridge whilst local deli company Red Earth Kitchen can supply good quality frozen gourmet ready meals – simply pop them straight in the oven whilst you unpack! For a taste of Devon at its finest, holidaymakers, many of whom may already use vegetable box schemes at home, are now able to pre-order organic vegetable boxes, milk, eggs and other items from Riverford Organics – this forward thinking local company have invested in a new van primarily planned for deliveries on Friday and Saturday arrival days for holiday homes. Supermarket deliveries can also be pre-ordered so you could even avoid packing the nappies and baby wipes (those for the journey excepted!)

If you enjoy self catering because of the flexibility and the ability to take breakfast when you want to, but really don’t plan on spending too much time in the kitchen, planning ahead can still save you considerable time and disappointment. Popular restaurants are often booked up well in advance particularly for Friday and Saturday arrival nights in peak holiday season, often resulting in wasted trips for those who have just arrived in the area and are looking for something to eat! Taking the time to plan ahead and book a restaurant table for arrival night, particularly if you are a larger party or want to eat earlier certainly saves time and guarantees you won’t be hungry after a long journey to Devon!

So with food all organised thoughts may then turn to holiday activities, unless you plan to spend the entire break relaxing with a good book! With so much to do in Devon, it’s sometimes hard to please everyone without cramming too many activities in and returning home exhausted. A bit of forward planning, booking ahead those that are ‘top of your list’, means you can save time and enjoy your well earned holiday too. Water sports are particularly popular and often get booked up during peak times in the main holiday periods, resulting in disappointment or wasted journeys. Our ‘Planning Your Stay’ brochure and website or the local Tourist Information Centres all give details of the various companies who offer water sports tuition, wet suit hire, sailing schools, powerboat hire, fishing trips and more – there really is something for everyone.

For those who prefer keeping their feet on dry land, an art class at Harbour House, Kingsbridge, or a visit to the theatre at the Flavel Centre in Dartmouth can be pre-booked before your holiday. Gift vouchers can be organised in advance for a tour around the 14 acre vineyard and winery at Sharpham near Totnes or for a guided farm tour, cookery demonstration and delicious lunch at the Riverford Field Kitchen also near Totnes – perfect if your holiday includes a special anniversary or birthday.

Thinking of birthdays, flowers, champagne, birthday cakes or even party catering can all be organised prior to your stay and, for special occasions, local photographers can be arranged to take photographs of you and your family whilst on holiday – the perfect way of commemorating the special day and an increasingly popular choice with visitors.

So by planning your stay in advance, pre-booking food or a few activities, thinking ahead about special occasions and any particular requirements, you may even have time left to finish that good book!
For a free Brochure including a ‘Planning Your Stay’ supplement featuring suggestions for making the most of your holiday, call Coast & Country Cottages on 0870 4050530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. A free Owners Guide is also available – call your nearest office: Salcombe (01548 ) 843773, Kingsbridge (01548) 852572 or Dartmouth (01803) 839499.

HOLIDAY LETTINGS– A ‘Day in the Life’

2007-02-27T14:12:00.000Z

There’s never a dull moment in holiday letting-particularly during the main summer season but what happens the rest of the year? Karen Jones, of Coast & Country Cottages in South Devon, explains

During the first few months of the year, fewer visitors are holidaying in the area than during the warmer seasons. Time for a rest then? If only! At this time of year, our three offices are bombarded by a constant stream of calls. On one day in January we took bookings for the next week, next month, many for the peak summer months, but also spring and autumn breaks. By the beginning of March, we’ll probably have taken around two thirds of all our year’s bookings. We’ll also be sending out hundreds of brochures - vital to maximize the ‘call to action’ request the customer has initiated by ringing, emailing or requesting one via our web-site.

Whilst the telephones are busy, the majority of new enquiries now come online, and one of the first tasks each day is to respond to e-mail enquiries received from those ‘surfing the net’ the evening before. Regular users of the internet expect a quick response and it’s a great start to the day to bank lots of valuable bookings before the day has really got going. We keep a close eye on our search engine ratings, taking time out to discuss the further proposals of an industry expert as well as carrying out our daily review of our site, updating offers and adding new properties.

We visit potential new properties throughout the year, offer advice given to those thinking of letting their holiday home and those thinking of carrying out renovations beforehand. As part of the assessment we’ll discuss our different rates of commission, service options and go through the strengths and weaknesses of the property and it’s location. We’ll then prepare a follow-up proposal to send to owners as soon as possible; most are keen to get the property ready and available as soon as possible, particularly at this time of year when booking levels are high.

Our new brochure was published back in October, but over 25 new properties had been added by January, so we also spend time finalising the latest brochure supplement; a final proof read to check details and it’s off to be printed by Colourworks in Totnes later in the week. A new owner also pops into the office for a chat and we spend some time talking to a couple who have come straight from the estate agent clutching details of the property they are interested in buying as a holiday home – free advice and time invested, but often reaping benefits long term.

Although there’s an extensive marketing campaign already in place, we consider calls from additional potential publications, follow up editorial contacts and produce a special offer newsletter. We complete copy for a spread entitled ‘Stunning South Devon’ for a parenting magazine, illustrated by superb pictures of the area taken by local photographer, Tim Stanger. We’re always keen to work with local businesses to promote the area, so set up yet another meeting with another local company interested in some reciprocal marketing.

Our regular pre-season checks are already well under way. We review each property, update remote owners on any maintenance issues and suggest replacement items, decorating needs and particular spring-cleaning requirements. It helps to maintain standards, and going to the properties yourself really make the difference when advising customers on the telephone.

A holiday is a highlight of the year, and it’s very satisfying when customers have a fantastic time. It’s even more rewarding when they call the following year to book again.

For a free Brochure or Owners Guide call 0870 4050530 or visit www.coastandcountry.co.uk. For helpful advice about buying a home for holiday letting , call Andrew Jones via the local offices: Salcombe (01548 ) 843773, Kingsbridge (01548) 852572 or Dartmouth (01803) 839499.