Powderham Castle near Exeter

Powderham Castle is located in a unique, picturesque setting beside the Exe estuary, near Exeter. Six hundred years of history are contained within the walls of one of England’s oldest family homes.

Guided tours of this magnificent Castle, one of the oldest family houses in England and home to the 18th Earl of Devon, reveal secret doors, stunning castle rooms, amazing architecture and intriguing stories that really bring the history to life. You can also visit the recently restored Victorian Kitchen where you can visualise what life would have been like in domestic service.

Visitors can join a Deer Park Safari and get closer to the amazing wildlife in the deer park. In the grounds of the Castle you will discover the Secret Garden and Courtenay Fort, a huge adventure play castle which is a big hit with the kids. Birds of prey will be soaring through the skies above the castle from 18th July to 30th August – there is indeed a full calendar of events and details can be viewed on the Events Page of the castle website.

www.devonanddorsetcottages.co.uk

Retrace the footsteps of Austen and her characters

Jane Austen was a frequent visitor to Lyme Regis, first arriving in 1803 when she was 29. She stayed in a seafront cottage (still in existence) where she wrote Persuasion, setting part of the novel in the town. Austen fans can see and climb the steep steps, known as Granny’s Teeth, where her character Louisa Musgrove fell. The BBC’s film of Persuasion released in 1995 was partly filmed in Lyme Regis.

Another visitor to the town was Beatrix Potter and some of her watercolour illustrations for Little Pig Robinson were based on her views of the town.

In 1969 the renowned author John Fowles wrote the novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman which received international acclaim. Fowles and his wife Elizabeth moved to the secluded Underhill Farm, Lyme Regis in 1965. In 1980, part of the town underwent a transformation for the filming of the novel – the film starred Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons and featured dozens of locals as extras.

You can retrace the footsteps of Austen and her characters on the The Jane Austen Tours run by Natalie Manifold. You can also follow the French Lieutenant’s Woman across the cliffs to the former home of John Fowles, Underhill Farm, where he wrote and set his novel. Situated in complete isolation, his beautiful farmhouse was the perfect writer’s retreat. Wander around the grounds of Underhill, hearing extracts from his novel and diaries.

The Austen and Fowles Tours operate throughout the year and discounts are available for a combined booking. Visit Natalie’s website for more details.

www.devonanddorsetcottages.co.uk

The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink

Fancy a clotted cream tea, a pint of scrumpy cider or a slice of Somerset cheddar? Well why not visit the Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink. The South West’s largest food and drink festival is held over the weekend of Friday 9th – Sunday 11th April 2010 in Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle Courtyard.

Food masterclasses, wine and beer tasting, workshops and cooking demonstrations fill the grounds of Exeter Castle. The South West produces fine organic fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat products and is undergoing a culinary renaissance, led by the likes of Michael Caines, the country’s youngest Michelin-starred chef. Look out for cooking demonstrations from Lesley Waters, the Tanner brothers and Michael Caines himself.

You can meet the farmers and producers as well as some of the region’s top chefs and learn all about seasonality, taste, cooking and the environmental impact of sourcing food close to home. Festival goers can also sample and purchase a fantastic array of regional products.

Come and experience the gastronomic delights of the south west of England and have a great day out.

www.devonanddorsetcottages.co.uk

Sienna in Dorchester

A small Dorchester restaurant has joined an elite group after being awarded a coveted Michelin Star – apparently the first Dorset establishment to do so for over 20 years. Michelin stars, which are awarded after a number of unannounced visits by reviewers, are considered to be the highest honour in the restaurant industry.

The Chef and owner of Sienna Restaurant Russell Brown and his wife Elena opened the 15-seat Sienna Restaurant in High West Street 2003.

Sienna, which has three AA Rosettes and is listed in this year’s Good Food Guide and Harden’s Restaurant Guide, offers modern British food with seasonal ingredients.

According to a local newspaper Mr Brown has stressed that the restaurant is ‘not pretentious’ and he is happy if a customer turns up in dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.  He said: “I don’t think anyone should feel intimidated when they go out to eat. All we try to offer is a nice relaxed atmosphere with good quality food and wine.”

If you appreciate your food Sienna looks well worth a visit.

www.devonanddorsetcottages.co.uk

The East Devon Way - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

A foxglove logo marks the 40 mile (64km) route of the East Devon Way linking the beautiful countryside of gentle rolling hills that lies inland between Lyme Regis and Exmouth. Some of the route enjoys spectacular views as it crosses open heathland and passes through ancient woodlands, while other sections follow the sides of streams allowing the opportunity to appreciate the wide variety of flora and fauna to be enjoyed in this hidden region of the English countryside.

The East Devon Way was developed in 1991 to encourage access to the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, allowing those keen to explore the wonderful scenery an easily identified route. The Way can be broken up into day long walks utilising the local bus services or there are a number of circular walks that can be followed.  An official guide is available from Tourist Information Centres in East Devon.

The crowd gathers in anticipation...

In they go...brave or foolhardy? It's all in a good cause though...

A quick dip...

And out they come...well done!

The ‘Lyme Lunge’ on New Year’s Day was a fantastic success - a fancy dress ’swim’  for charity organised by Lyme Regis Rotary. Book your spot for next year!

The Jurassic Coast around Lyme Bay

We have featured the following walks previously in our blog but we think it’s worth highlighting these two wonderful walks again. If you have over-indulged over the festive season get out your hat, gloves and walking boots and enjoy a walk along the beautiful Jurassic Coast while burning off those extra calories.

East Devon – from Beer to Branscombe
One of our favourite forms of exercise is a bracing two mile walk along the East Devon coast between Beer and Branscombe. But be warned, a head for heights will come in handy! This walk is quite strenuous but you will enjoy the most fantastic views across the open seas.

There is large car park at Beer Head and this is the starting point for the walk. Head west out along the relatively level white cliffs of Beer Head and enjoy the views to Portland Bill in one direction and Torbay in the other. On your walk you will pass the spectacular chasm of Under Hooken that was created in 1790 when part of the cliff broke away and slipped down. Follow the well-maintained path on to Branscombe Mouth. This is the spot where the container ship MSC Napoli was shipwrecked in 2007 and this became national news as crowds flocked to the beach in a re-creation of ‘Whisky Galore’. Tranquility has now returned to this beautiful part of the coastline.

The village of Branscombe is a short way inland from Branscombe mouth and is spread out along a long winding road. There are two pubs in the village, The Masons Arms, which is closest and the Fountain Head, which is at the far end of the village – both are well worth a visit. You can enjoy at your leisure a locally brewed Branscombe ale before you head back to Beer.

West Dorset – Stonebarrow , Golden Cap and Seatown
Golden Cap, at 191 metres above sea level, is the highest point on the Jurassic Coast and gets its name from its distinctive yellow sandstone summit. Do yourself a favour and have a wonderful day out walking to the summit of Golden Cap and slightly beyond to Seatown. Good walking shoes are strongly recommended.

Start at the National Trust car park at Stonebarrow, near Charmouth and then head east and follow the route to Seatown, it’s about 2 miles. The views are stunning, both out to sea and inland. The route can be steep and quite challenging at times, but it’s well worth it – especially when you reach the summit at Golden Cap. And now here’s the bonus – on arrival at Seatown you can visit the Anchor Inn, nestled below Golden Cap. The food’s very good and the local real ale is a treat. Having spent a relaxing hour enjoying lunch you can then burn off the calories on the walk back – perfect!

Ice skating in Exeter

Why not indulge in the delights of a small town Christmas and visit Lyme Regis over the festive period. On Wednesday the 23^rd (from 7:00pm) and Thursday the 24^th of December (from 10:30am) the town band performs carols around the Christmas tree in Broad Street. The Christmas lighting on Broad Street is always delightful and it’s the perfect place to find a few last-minute Christmas presents in the wide selection of small independent shops.  If you have children to entertain you could pay a visit to the Marine Theatre in the town to see their production of ‘Nickolai of the North’ running from the 18^th of December to the 3^rd of January. This Christmas treat for all the family tells the tale of young Santa set to music.

For more fun with the kids visit Father Christmas in the beautiful setting of Bicton Park Botanical Gardens in East Devon. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto on the following dates: Sat 5th, Sun 6th, Sat 12th, Sun 13th, Sat 19th, Sun 20th, Mon 21st, Tues 22nd & Wed 23rd December between 11:30am & 4:30pm and on Christmas Eve between 11:30am & 2:00pm. You can also stroll around the stunning grounds and discover the wonderful glass houses and the children’s play area.

Why not combine fun with the kids and some serious Christmas shopping in Exeter city centre. The Exeter Christmas Ice Rink is located in the heart of the city, next to the bus station and there are themed sessions and refreshments are available. Enjoy family fun with toddlers’ bob skates and push-along penguin cars as well as carol singing sessions. For the first time ever there is a traditional German Market running for four weeks in Exeter’s Sidwell Street, from Monday 27th November to Saturday 23rd December.  There will be a carol service around a magnificent Christmas tree outside Exeter Cathedral on Monday 4th December.

Holiday cottages for Christmas

Christmas swim at Charmouth

Why not enjoy a Christmas break and do your Christmas shopping away from the hectic pressure of a big city high street. The attractive county town of Dorchester hosts a traditional Christmas parade with Father Christmas and his helpers on Wednesday the 2^nd of December. The town’ shops and businesses join in the Christmas spirit and there is live music and entertainment from 5:30pm. Festive stalls, chestnuts and mulled wine will get you in the mood for some relaxed Christmas shopping. There is free parking in the town centre from 4:30pm.

On Wednesday the 9^th of December Bridport’s Christmas Festival and late night shopping kicks off with craft, food and charity stalls, a farmers market and Santa’s Grotto. Music and entertainment will add to the festive feeling – things get started at around 6:00pm.

If you are in the Briport area don’t forget to have look at the Christmas Tree Festival. This wonderful exhibition of 65 decorated and illuminated trees is in its 11^th year. Each tree with a different theme is donated by a charity or a local community group. The festival runs from the 9^th to 16^th of December in the Bridport United Church in East Street and admission if free.

For those of a more hardy nature how about enjoying a festive sea swim! You could start off with the Fancy Dress Swim in aid of the RNLI on Christmas Day morning in Charmouth (11:00am) and then try The West Bay Wallow, a charity fancy dress swim off East Beach in West Bay which happens at midday on Boxing Day. Of course if you’re not feeling that hardy you can just enjoy the fun as a spectator and help to support a worthy cause!

An aerial view of Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a fortification situated in the heart of the ‘Isle of Purbeck’, Dorset standing above the village of the same name. The original castle was wooden dating back to the 9th Century and was rebuilt in 1106 with Purbeck stone.

Corfe Castle is one of England’s most majestic ruins. With a long and eventful history, the castle is strategically positioned in a gap between the Purbeck Hills – the perfect spot for defending inland Dorset from attack by sea. With a history dating back to ‘Ethelred the Unready’ the site of the Castle was a royal fortress for over 600 years. An interactive exhibition at the visitor centre details many stories of treachery and treason associated with the castle’s history. The Purbeck estate in which the castle stands covers about 8,000 acres of the Isle of Purbeck and includes extensive stretches of fascinating Dorset coastline.

The castle ruins are set on top of a steep chalk mound, surrounded by a defensive ditch. The original Outer Gatehouse welcomes visitors to this site that was once known as ‘the most secure of all English Castles’. There are magnificent views over the surrounding countryside from this picturesque and romantic ruin that has been enjoyed by tourists since Victorian times.